S

CHAPTER XXII

UNDAY, August 13. When I awoke the

drum was beating, I thought for six, but on

inquiring of Baily, who came, I learned that it was for eight. Breakfast was on my table almost as soon as I was ready. Finished Acts. Every time I read of Paul's arrest, imprisonment, and noble defense, the more I am impressed with his character. He was a man of great learning, ability, and eloquence; in tact in oratory not inferior to Cicero; in purity, uprightness, and genuine earnestness of soul, without a parallel amongst the ancients even as an orator. Eloquence, after all, depends more upon real zeal, unaffected earnestness, deep and strong convictions, than on any of the arts and graces taught in the schools.

Geary returned by morning boat. Bright, and with a smile, he announced himself, bringing the Sunday Boston Herald. I was glad to see him. He went to bring me a pitcher of water while I looked over the papers. Lieut. Newton had called to say that he was going up to Boston to-day and that Lieut. Woodman is in command of the fort. Captain Livermore is on detail service, on a court martial in a neighbouring island. Lieut. Woodman soon called, handing me a letter from Miss Nichols, of Washington City. She writes that she has seen Governor Corwin in my behalf and is hopeful that I shall be released before long. Hope is a good thing to rely on when we can get nothing more substantial. Can she refer to

the Hon. Thomas Corwin, of Ohio?* I am in doubt. I thought he was in Mexico. She says he expressed sentiments favourable to me. How I longed for letters from home, from Linton!

Cut my canteloupe. Took out three slices, handed Geary the remainder and told him to divide with Baily and Mr. Devine. It was very fine, but fearing bad results, I took a drink of gin, the last of Lieut. Woodman's present. I have on hand some of Harry's whisky. That bottle is not empty yet.

Noon. Finished Richardson's book. Some little errors I have mentioned. His prison sketches are appalling; I had no idea there was such a state of things in Salisbury, N. C. He puts part of the responsibility rightfully upon Mr. Stanton.

I P. M. Returned from the terreplein. The sky is cerulean. All nature, the air, the ocean, everything is serene. Few sails of any kind are seen; the few visible seem to be at anchor, at rest. In the fort, all is still; no one stirring, no one to be seen except the guards on duty, and they seem conscious that it is Sunday: the surroundings for the first time since I have been here, reflect the fact that it is the Holy Sabbath. My mind wandered far away, dwelling on distant scenes.

How are all at home? How do the yard, the grove, the lot, and all things about Liberty Hall, appear to those who are there to-day? How would it appear, whom should I see and what would they be doing, could I but look upon my home? Is there preaching in the church? Is the road blocked up with horses and carriages, and crowds of persons walking round about and

* Former Governor of Ohio, U. S. Senator, Secretary of the Treasury, Chairman of House Committee of conciliation in 1860; Minister to Mexico, 1861-64. One of Mr. Stephens's Congress friends; Mr. Stephens's speech on the Galphin Claim, 1853, defends him.

it never had been and never would, perhaps, be waged without atrocities on all sides. Hence, my earnest desire during the late conflict to bring about pacification by peaceful negotiations at the earliest practical moment. I explained to Mr. B. and gave him the full history of my proposed visit to Washington in July, 1863. Our conversation lasted upward of an hour.

Went to Lieut. Newton's room. Sat some time with him, looking over his books. He showed me around in the quartermaster and commissary's rooms. Saw the great bakery and cook-rooms. Went into the hall where Company A. was at dinner. Everything was neat and clean. The room was filled with the savoury smell of good viands., Got on a pair of scales and Lieut. Newton pronounced my weight 94 pounds. I learned that there are here now five prisoners instead of four. A new one came in the last few days. Lieut. Newton does not know who he is or why imprisoned; he is kept in close quarters and not allowed to go out at all. I feel anxious to know more about this unfortunate: “A fellow-feeling makes us wondrous kind." Besides, I never yet saw or heard of one confined in the walls of a dungeon, that I did not feel interest in his behalf. Misfortune ever excited my sympathy. At school, when a small boy, I read, with great appreciation of the sentiment:

Teach me to feel another's woe, To hide the fault I see;
That mercy I to others show, That mercy show to me.

All of Pope's "Universal Prayer," I committed to memory of my own accord when but a small boy, soon after I learned to read. I learned it in a borrowed book and committed it to my own memory to have it always with me.

3.30. Just saw Reagan pass my window. I had got through with the biggest row I have yet had with bedbugs.

5.30.-Geary gone to Boston. Baily brought evening paper. The pardon of H. V. Johnson has passed. I am glad to hear it. Reading Richardson's book. As further evidence of inexactness, he speaks of Gen. "Daniel" E. Twiggs. General Twiggs's name was David. This, it is true, is another small matter, and the error may have been the printer's. As to the mistake about myself - my once being a "mail carrier" — that, as it stands, is not his. He reports a "Colonel" as relating that he knew me when I was an orphan boy, and that I was "mail carrier." I was an orphan boy; and at one time, if I could have got such a situation as mail-carrier, I would have gladly accepted it; that was when I sought the position of clerk in Thompson's store, in Crawfordville, say in the winter of 1826-27. But no such good luck, as I should have thought the opening, struck my path. That "Colonel" never knew me as a "mailcarrier." I doubt if he ever knew me at all.

Lieut. Newton overtook One from Dr. Willis states

Sallied out for a walk. and handed me two letters. that he will call to see me about the 18th. The other from S. J. Anderson. What he says about "complete pecuniary arrangements" I do not understand. I trust he means no such thing as compensating any person for exertions in my behalf. I should be mortified at any such arrangement made by any friend of mine. I do not know exactly whether I would accept enlargement so procured. Met Annie Seaverns; she gave me some dowers.

Lieut. Newton called and brought a box of peaches

and canteloupes sent me from Boston, by Mrs. Salter perhaps. Also, my tobacco from Mr. Baskerville. It is excellent. He took me for a tramp round the fort outside. I was stronger than for a month. We stopped at Johnston's grave. The stone says, Edward J. J. Johnston, died 16th Oct. 1863, aged 36 years and nine months. The Lieutenant showed me where two men shot for desertion had been buried. He pointed out where they stood when shot. Their bodies were removed by friends. What a history might the life of each of these unfortunates present, if correctly portrayed! Who knows what trials, temptations, wrongs, griefs, and sufferings were theirs? We went to where the men practise targetshooting daily; from the ramparts above, I have often looked on them at practice.

Suddenly one of those sea-fogs bobbed up. The whole fort was enveloped as in cloud. We could hardly see anything. The reason I never noticed this phenomenon till recently is that I was always in my cell, and when I looked out and saw it that was foggy, I did not know but that it was fog such as we have in our country. The walk did me good. I gave Baily an apple, and Mr. Devine two fine peaches.

August 12. PRISON SCENE. LIFE SKETCH. 6.30 A. M. -Prisoner wakes and sees the rays of the sun against the wall. Rises and looks at the thermometer, sees it is at 74, places it on the outside of his window and takes his bunk again. The guard cautiously approaches the thermometer, very much as quadrupeds of all species, from a cow to a puppy, draw near and reconnoitre whatever is set within their view which they do not exactly comprehend — advancing step by step, and endeavouring