Lights and Shadows in Confederate Prisons: A Personal Experience, 1864-5

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Lights and Shadows in Confederate Prisons: A Personal Experience, 1864-5 by Homer B. Sprague, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Homer B. Sprague ISBN: 9781465588340
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Homer B. Sprague
ISBN: 9781465588340
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
This narrative of prison life differs from all others that I have seen, in that it is careful to put the best possible construction upon the treatment of Union prisoners by the Confederates, and to state and emphasize kindnesses and courtesies received by us from them. For the accuracy of the facts stated I am indebted to a diary kept from day to day during the whole of my imprisonment, and to the best obtainable records. The exact language of conversations cannot of course always be remembered, but I aim always to give correctly the substance. I am aware that the opinions I express in regard to Sheridan's strategy at the Battle of Winchester are not those generally entertained. But I give reasons. His own account of the battle is sadly imperfect. To capture but five guns and nine battle flags at a cost of four thousand six hundred and eighty killed and wounded, and leave almost the entire rebel army in shape to fight two great battles within a month, was not the programme he had planned. Early said "Sheridan should have been cashiered." I shall be blamed more for venturing to question Lincoln's policy of subjugation. He had proclaimed with great power and in the most unmistakable language in Congress that "any portion of any people had a perfect right to throw off their old government and establish a new one." But now, instead of standing strictly on the defensive, or attempting by diplomacy to settle the conflict which had become virtually international, he entered upon a war of conquest. I do not blame him for refusing to exchange prisoners, nor President Davis for allowing them to starve and freeze. Both were right, if war is right. It was expedient that thirty, fifty, or a hundred thousand of us should perish, or be rendered physically incapable of bearing arms again. The "deep damnation of the taking off" was due not to individual depravity but to military necessity.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
This narrative of prison life differs from all others that I have seen, in that it is careful to put the best possible construction upon the treatment of Union prisoners by the Confederates, and to state and emphasize kindnesses and courtesies received by us from them. For the accuracy of the facts stated I am indebted to a diary kept from day to day during the whole of my imprisonment, and to the best obtainable records. The exact language of conversations cannot of course always be remembered, but I aim always to give correctly the substance. I am aware that the opinions I express in regard to Sheridan's strategy at the Battle of Winchester are not those generally entertained. But I give reasons. His own account of the battle is sadly imperfect. To capture but five guns and nine battle flags at a cost of four thousand six hundred and eighty killed and wounded, and leave almost the entire rebel army in shape to fight two great battles within a month, was not the programme he had planned. Early said "Sheridan should have been cashiered." I shall be blamed more for venturing to question Lincoln's policy of subjugation. He had proclaimed with great power and in the most unmistakable language in Congress that "any portion of any people had a perfect right to throw off their old government and establish a new one." But now, instead of standing strictly on the defensive, or attempting by diplomacy to settle the conflict which had become virtually international, he entered upon a war of conquest. I do not blame him for refusing to exchange prisoners, nor President Davis for allowing them to starve and freeze. Both were right, if war is right. It was expedient that thirty, fifty, or a hundred thousand of us should perish, or be rendered physically incapable of bearing arms again. The "deep damnation of the taking off" was due not to individual depravity but to military necessity.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book Twentieth Century Negro Literature; Or, A Cyclopedia of Thought on the Vital Topics Relating to the American Negro by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book Halleck's New English Literature by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book Confessions and Criticisms by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book The Rig Veda by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book Abridgement of the Debates of Congress from 1789 to 1856 by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book An Outline of Russian Literature by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book The Imperialist by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (Complete) by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book The Daughter of Anderson Crow by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book A Charming Fellow (Complete) by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book Prolegomena to the Study of Old Welsh Poetry by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book The Fire Trumpet: A Romance of the Cape Frontier by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book Correspondence of Wagner and Liszt (Complete) by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book The Ladies' Vase: Polite Manual for Young Ladies by Homer B. Sprague
Cover of the book Joe Wilson and His Mates by Homer B. Sprague
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy