676 Nort Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

know what I stood most in need of, and I did not hesitate to
avail myself of her generous offer.

We are having all kinds of rumors about exchange now,
and a great deal of excitement exists among the officers here,
as it is known that some of their friends have gone to Dixie.
The general impressions are that it is still going on, but I
have little faith in it. We are looking forward with much
interest to the spring campaign, as everything connected with
our situation depends upon our success. If the Yankees get
an additional excess of prisoners our confinement will be in-
definite. On the other hand they would willingly exchange,
but this does not interest you. The weather has been so
awfully cold and when it was not cold it was knee deep in
mud which prevented our taking any out door exercise. Now
that the spring is about to open the ground being in a little
better condition, we are feeling some better. The small
space allotted to us is always full, some promenading, some
playing ball and other amusements, and if a stray dog should
happen to find his way inside through one of the gates, it
would do the men good in here to have the pleasure of yelling
over it.

April 5.—-Everything here lately under the direction of
the commander, has undergone a change decidedly for the bet-
ter, and yet it is one of the filthiest places it ever was my
misfortune to be placed in. Our rations now are more abund-
ant, and in addition to this we have a sutler who sells every-
thing not contraband, true at very high prices, but even at the
high prices it adds much to our comfort. A great deal of
excitement is manifest to-day among the prisoners. A tele-
gram from Old Point Comfort states that our commissioners
have agreed upon an exchange. This, if it is true, is joyful
news tous. I have not received any letters from home now
in over two weeks. I cannot account for it, as the flag of
truce boat runs regularly. I am afraid that the great fault
is in Richmond. My experience in getting mail matter
through that department enables me to form a proper esti-
mate of their efficiency. We have been badly used up here
in the letter line. The custom was for the clerk who read
the letters to appropriate the stamps on all contraband letters

Prison Lire at JoHnson’s ISLAND. 677

to his own use, and he made money by the operation, as more
letters were condemned than were sent off. And in conse-
quence the general has issued an order that on all letters con-
demned, the envelope and stamp shall be returned to the
writer. The young men here enjoy themselves in every im-
aginable way. Among other amusements we have a theatri-
cal club, whose members perform twice a week. It is really
a very good troupe, and if one is not too far gone with the
blues he can enjoy a hearty laugh.

May 14.—I have not for some time continued my yarn for
various reasons. The weather this spring has been so unfa-
vorable as to preclude the possibility of writing. Then again,
I have had nothing new. Some changes have taken place,
not at all calculated to make me happy, nor affecting much
my present situation. My old wound has given me much
trouble and pain. A few days ago an order came to send
all the sick to Richmond on exchange, and I, with many oth-
ers, expected to get off, but was disappointed, not so with
Colonels Godwin and Ellis. They both succeeded in getting
through and here I am yet over six months a poor prisoner.
I often ask if I am forgotten, this of course, to myself, and
then follows a spell of horrid ennui. Oh, God! how dreadful
are these bitter feelings of hope deferred. I sink almost in
madness and despair. Will no one send a little word to
cheer us in our gloomy hours of captivity. Thus we linger,
thus we drag the slow, tedious hours of prison life. Since
the first day Grant crossed the Rapidan to attack Lee, we
have been posted up with the Yankees’ account of the bril-
liant success of their army. This is the tenth day of fearful
suspense to us. We know that it has been a long and bloody
contest and thousands have been slain on both sides. Still
we know nothing definite and Lee and his brave men may be
compelled to fall back by overwhelming numbers. The Yan-
kees seem to have staked their all upon this issue. If they
fail now it will be difficult for them to raise another “On to
Richmond” army. With us it is of equal magnitude. If
the Artny of Northern Virginia is destroyed, the last hope of
the Confederacy is gone. We know these things, consequently
our anxiety must be deep. This is indeed a time of terrible