The Daily Dispatch: April 22, 1862., [Electronic resource]

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Virginia prisoners.

We are informed that some of the native Virginians who are in prison here on the charge of disloyalty complain that they have been arrested without cause, and are anxious for a hearing, in order to settle the question of their guilt or innocence. They complain that they are suffering unjustly, and that their families, who in many cases are entirely dependent upon them for support, are suffering greatly in consequence of their imprisonment. They claim that, if they can get a hearing before the proper tribunal, they will be able to establish their innocence. We dare say that among the hundreds of natives of Virginia now imprisoned here on the charge of disloyalty, there must be some who have been arrested without sufficient cause. If so, it is due to humanity that the utmost promptitude should be exhibited in the examination of every case, so that whilst the guilty receive their deserts, the innocent may not be punished by what is the proper penalty of guilt — protracted imprisonment and separation from their families.