A Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864 said it was skeptical about reports of the horrible conditions in Southern prison camps – until it spoke with a couple native sons who had survived the experience:
RETURNED PRISONERS. Lieut. CORT. VAN RENSSELAER and Sergt. CHARLES B. RANDOLPH, of the 148th, who were taken prisoners by the rebels last Summer, arrived home a few days since, having been paroled for exchange. The former was last confined at Columbia , S.C. and the latter at Andersonville, Georgia. Both confirm the statements which have been published of the barbarous and inhuman treatment received by the prisoners at the hands of those who have charge of them, and they say that half of the truth has not been told concerning the horrors of the prison-pens at the South. It is no wonder that so large a number die in these prisons, but is a wonder that so many survive the brutality that they have to suffer from those who seem lost to all feelings of humanity, and whose barbarities are not exceeded even by savages. People can hardly give credence to the printed statements they read describing the treatment of Union prisoners, but when they come to hear from the lips of the poor sufferers themselves what they have endured during their captivity, there will be a feeling of terrible indignation aroused throughout the North, and the avenging cry will go forth, not to be hushed until every Union captive is set at liberty, and their fiendish tormentors exterminated from the earth.
From the 148th roster at the New York State Military Museum:
Cortland Van Rensselaer
Charles B. Randolph (NY 148th)
