From the Richmond Whig, 6/23/1865, p. 2, c. 7
SAD CASE. - Among the discharged prisoners who arrived here from Newport News, on Tuesday, was a young man named Johnson, from Fauquier county. – He was very much emaciated by sickness, and so exhausted as to be almost unable to walk. He made his way to Chimborazo, part of which is used as a depot for returning prisoners, and was informed that transportation from Richmond was only granted to those going homeward via Danville or Lynchburg. Johnson had accordingly to provide for himself – no easy task for a sick man without money in a strange city. He fortunately met an acquaintance, who secured for him a night’s lodging and breakfast. On Wednesday, Johnson walked from Church Hill to a central part of the city in quest of a former neighbor of his father, but was unable to meet with him. A citizen, finding the soldier almost prostrate from debility, obtained a conveyance and sent him to Chimborazo, but on his way thither he stopped at a residence on Church Hill to deliver a letter from a prisoner at Newport News. He accepted an invitation to remain, and was kindly cared for by the ladies; but the cord of life was threadbare, and yesterday he breathed his last. We mention these circumstances to show the necessity of some co-operation with the military authorities on the part of those humanitarians among us who, to judge from their sentiments, are not unwilling to render assistance to Confederates in distress. The authorities do everything within their province for the discharged prisoners, but cannot be expected to give that full attention to their wants which would be bestowed by our citizens if they knew their condition. The Christian Association, or Ambulance Corps, or some other organization, ought to establish an office where assistance could be rendered or information given, on application, to returning prisoners.