Ball's Bluff Part 2

EXTRACTS FROM A DIARY WRITTEN IN LIBBY PRISON

_Boston, April 13, 1861_

War began--Fort Sumter fired upon.

_Richmond, November 5, 1861_

Received letter from Wm. G. Saltonstall very kindly offering to send me anything.

_Richmond, November 14, 1861_

Dr. Gibson, C.S. Army, sent for us and we met him in the office next door. He stated that he had received a letter from Dr. J. Mason Warren of Boston asking his a.s.sistance on my behalf and also that of my fellow prisoners. Dr. Gibson offered in a general way to do anything in his power--and I told him that when I was in want I should take the liberty of calling upon him. There were many things that he might have offered to do, but which I would not ask for.

_Richmond, December 21, 1861_

Received letter from W. G. Saltonstall informing me about his accident on board the "Minnesota."

_Richmond, December 31, 1861_

The last of the year--1861--Probably the most momentous one since we were a people. G.o.d grant the next may bring peace to our unhappy land.

The more I see of this terrible war, the more I deplore it and the more I see the necessity of continuing it. Our cause is even more desperate than theirs--we are fighting for liberty and against ignorance. These people are being taught to hate with a bitter hate three quarters of the people on this Continent.

The Southern Press teems with scurrilous editorials against the Yankees, ridiculous to us who read them here, but I believe they are believed by the common people of the South. Years will not dispel this feeling, even if we come together again, which I fear will never be the case. G.o.d grant that our rulers will act with reason and justice, that the people may be brought to see that Slavery is not the object of this War and should have no part in it whatever, that we may bring back our Government to a firm basis of truth, justice and eternal right and that Good Will toward men shall be our watch-word. These are my old year prayers; may they be heard in Heaven.

_Richmond, January 1, 1862_

The year opens up on me yet a prisoner in Richmond. Well, I have much to be grateful for. I hear from my friends at home who are well and do not forget me. My own health remains, though not unimpaired, yet comparatively good, nor am I suffering for want of food and clothing.

We are conscious of the fact that being here deprives us of experience, rank and opportunity which those who were more fortunate enjoy, but we are in strong hope that another month or two will end this imprisonment and this useless aimless life.

_Richmond, January 7, 1862_

One day pa.s.ses so much like another that there are but a few incidents to take note of. In the morning we read the papers, talk about the contents and walk about the apartment for exercise. In the evening we often play at cards but oftener read or write. There is not one redeeming quality about this life. The mind cannot be brought down to study and is hardly interested in d.i.c.kens or Scott or in the one volume of Shakespeare which we had before he went to Jail. Very many of our a.s.sociates are men of vulgar tastes or habits, so that their society is anything but agreeable. Noise and confusion reign most of the time with a constant jarring of one's sensibilities.

_Richmond, January 14, 1862_

Saw General Winder at his office at 4 P.M. and rode there on horseback in company with Lieutenant Hartstone. The exercise was delightful--distance 1-1/2 miles.

General Winder received me with politeness and told me that his Government refused to exchange me for a citizen. I then expressed to him my belief that I could through the influence of my friends effect a change in the treatment of the Privateers could I be sent with the a.s.surance of a willingness to reciprocate. By his advice I made the application in writing through him to the Confederate Secretary of War.

I expect to hear the result of my application in a day or two. He also gave me a pa.s.s to the Jail where the Hostages are confined, the first time that any of us have had permission to enter.

Colonel Lee and Major Revere were delighted to see me but my heart sank within me when I saw the hole that they were in. No prison in New England is so miserable and uncomfortable. I believe that no seven imprisoned men in the North are so illy cared for as these.

_Richmond, January 19, 1862_

Letter to Gen. J. H. Winder: "General:--The undersigned Commissioned officers of the United States Army respectfully ask your attention to the following proposition:

"Learning that there are at Fortress Monroe and at Norfolk officers of the Confederate States Army including Col. Pegram and other field officers part of whom are placed upon their parole and all seeking an exchange--We propose that they be exchanged rank for rank with Col. Lee and other officers now confined in Henrico County Jail and that we be permitted to take their places to be held as hostages for the men confined in New York. Our reasons for this application are the ill health of the officers referred to, arising from the unwholesome place in which they are confined. The fact that they have since their confinement been treated more rigorously than the Privateers in New York (in proof of which we refer you to the Hon. M. Faulkner of the Confederacy), contrary as we believe to your own expressed intentions, and because our own rank is sufficiently above that of the Privateers to make the accomplishment of your object equally safe and more humane.

We ask your consideration of the fact that had you not held field officers as prisoners of war we should have in all probability occupied their places and that you would have considered the safety of the privateers sufficiently guaranteed. Also if the officers lost their characters as prisoners of war, when they were forced to a.s.sume that of Hostages, should they not receive equal treatment with their subst.i.tutes, and is rank a matter of moment? On the other hand if they are still to be considered as Prisoners of War ought they not to be treated as such, and do you not gain as much as ourselves in exchanging them for officers of equal rank?

"Very respectfully your Obedient Servants,

"CHARLES L. PEIRSON, Adjutant 20th Ma.s.s. Regt. for Col. Lee GEORGE B. PERRY, Lieut. 20th Ma.s.s. Regt. for Major Revere.

W. E. MERRILL, United States Engineers for Col. Cogswell.

J. E. GREEN, Lieut. 15th Ma.s.s. Regt. for Col. Wood.

J. H. HOOPER, Lieut. 15th Ma.s.s. Regt. for Capt. Bowman.

JOHN MARKOE, Capt. 71 Penn. Regt.

C. M. HOOPER, Lieut. 71 Penn. Regt."

_Richmond, January 19, 1862_

Visited the Jail and spent the morning there; my last day in prison.

Tomorrow I shall be again under the Stars and Stripes. So many pleasant hopes and memories mingle with the plans for the release of my friends that my mind is too full for definite thought or writing. I have received a pa.s.sport which reads thus:--"permission is granted C. L. P.

to visit Norfolk upon honor not to communicate in writing or verbally for publication any fact ascertained which if known to the enemy might be injurious to the Confederate States of America." I have also signed a parole to take no part in the existing hostilities until released or exchanged. Had an interview with General Winder who stated to me officially for his Government that if the Privateers are placed as prisoners of war the Hostages shall secure the same treatment. Hurrah for the Stars and Stripes!

_Was.h.i.+ngton, January 30, 1862_

Waited before breakfast from 10 A.M. (at which time I had the day before arranged an interview) until 4 P.M. to see General McClellan.

Saw Secretary Stanton and met General Stone at General McClellan's office. Saw also Hon. H. M. Rice of Minnesota and Hon. A. H. Rice of Ma.s.sachusetts.

_January 31_

Waited all the morning at General McClellan's office. Wrote to Governor Andrew, called on Hon. Charles Sumner--met Mr. John M. Forbes of Boston who gave me much help in seeing influential people. Captains W. P.

Mason, R. B. Irwin, McMahon, Arthur McClellan (brother of the General), Aides de Camp to the General were very polite to me. Secretary Stanton gave me a copy of the order transferring the Privateers to the War Department. This secures the release of my friends.