cnt Weenie E256 at

 

624 Norru Carotina Troops, 1861-65.

geon-like hole and gaze while almost starving through the
grated casemate window at oysters in abundance clinging to
the sides of the moat which surrounded the fort.

If a personal reminiscence will be excused, I will state how
I got out of Fort Pulaski, as it illustrates the fact that combi-
nations exist in all places. General W. H. Mulford, who
was the Federal Agent of Exchange, entered into negotia-
tions with Colonel W. H. Hatch, the Assistant Agent of Ex-
change of the Confederate Army (who was afterwards a dis-
tinguished member of Congress from Missouri) for the pur-
pose of exchanging the sick prisoners in Charleston and Fort
Pulaski respectively. They had a conference on the subject
and after agreeing to the exchange of the sick, one said to the
other (it matters not which one), “Now if you have any
special friends in prison whom you would like especially to
get out, why you just add six names to your sick list and I
will add six names to mine.” The proposition was accepted

and so six names of prisoners who were not sick were added

to the list. I, fortunately, was one of the six added to the
list of those who were to be released from Fort Pulaski. I
owed this blessing to Lieutenant M. J. O’Brien, who was an
Aide on Colonel Hatch’s staff. I did not know Lieutenant
O’Brien nor did he know me, but his interest in me had been
enlisted by a mutual friend, a Mr. Dennis Redmond, who
edited an agricultural paper at Augusta, Ga., and who was a
great friend of my grandmother; and who, when he learned

that I was in prison, had asked Lieutenant O’Brien (who —

was his intimate friend) to do what he could for me if oppor-
tunity offered. Lieutenant O’Brien is now the efficient Gen-
eral Manager of the Southern Express Company.

I well remember what I was doing when my name was
ealled out in Fort Pulaski for exchange, but for what pur-
pose néither I nor any one else could at the time imagine. I
was playing a game of seven up with Captain. John Cowan,
of Wilmington, for a cracker. It was a common game among
the prisoners, although the stakes were high and the victor
had extra Inxurious living for the day. From Fort Pulaski
those who were to be exchanged were taken in a steamer to
Charleston harbor, when the exchange was effected.

 

Prisoners Unprr Fire at Morris Isuanp. 625

I have given from memory after this long interval some
of the incidents that I remember as connected with my prison
experience. I have not attempted to give a complete recital
nor to philosophize on the subject. I have forgotten many
things connected with my Summer and Fall outing in 1864,
and I have written this fragmentary sketch only at the ur-
gent request of the Editor of this work and to put on endur-
ing record something that will recall one phase of the hard-
ships suffered by the soldiery of the South.

Cuas. M. Busser.

Raueien, N. C.
81 December, 1901.