Monday, December 17, 2012

Escape of more Prisoners from Camp Butler

The Springfield, (Ill.,) Journal, of March 31, says: Two rebel Prisoners named Partwright and Des Merks escaped from Camp Butler on last Saturday night.  They are described as being nineteen and seventeen years of age respectively, both having fair hair and blue eyes, and of fair complexion.

A week ago we noticed the escape of other prisoners from Camp Butler, stating that we believed they were aided by traitors in this neighborhood.  That the two who escaped on Saturday night were aided in a like manner, there can be no doubt, as Col. Morrison states that they were entirely without money.

In this connection we may mention that when these prisoners were first brought here they exhibited every sign of repentance and sorrow for the part they had taken in this dread rebellion, and spoke with gratitude of the undeserved kindness they had received at the hands of their enlightened captors.  Now, how is it with them?  They are rampant, braggart rebels, talking treason with the air of nabobs, and sneering at and threatening those whose kindness was misunderstood and abused.  Let us hear no more about kindly treatment, etc., etc.  ‘Tis time we were tired of throwing pearls before swine.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2

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