The Buchanan County Guardian

Rebel Barbarity.

Every item of information received from our soldiers in the Richmond prisons--every arrival of our men from Southern confinement--bring additional confirmation of the villainous treatment which the Rebels accord to the prisoners held by them. They are not only half starved, but treated with undue severity, as to confinement. Every instalment of paroled prisoners sent us show, the evidences of this treatment in their appearance. Nearly all are dirty, ragged, filthy, weak, emaciated, sick. Dozens die on the passage up, and their tales of treatment are tales of suffering and horror.

Our own government are doing everything that can be done to relieve these brave fellows. It cannot succumb to the Rebel demands as to exchange without subjecting our negro soldiers, and officers of negro regiments, to the penalty of death pronounced against them by the rebel government. It has, however, volunteered to send provisions, clothing medicines, &c., to our prisoners, that the dearth of provisions in the Confederacy may not justify their starvation. Large quantities have already been sent, and although the Rebels refuse to allow an officer to go with them, and attend to their distribution, they have pledged themselves to see that the goods are faithfully applied. Perhaps their faith is not to be trusted in this any more than in other things, but even if they steal half that is sent, if they deliver the remainder, it will be clearly the duty of the government to extend even that help to the victims of rebel barbarity.