The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-11-28
Letter From Col. WILCOX. ssSuderins of
tine Michigan Prisoners.

Letter From Col. WILCOX. sssunerins Of
tine Michigan Prisoners.
DErKoIr, Nov. 90 1851
To the friends of Michigan prisoners, confined in
- the Southern States:
From letter just received from Col.
WiIlcox--extracts from which, are
herewith published, it appears that our
brave soldiers who are now immured
in Southern forts, hospitals and dun
geons, are suffering for want of neces-
sary clothing. A list of the names
of those brave men is added. l have
appealed by letter of this date to the
Governor of our State for the neces-
sary clothing to relieve their wants.
They have only the summer suit in
achich they acre captured on the 21st of
.July -thread-bare and tattered-
to cover their nakedness and protect
them from the cold of winter. A
package will be made up at the Quar-
termaster- Generals office in this city,
to be forwarded to their relief. The
friends of the prisoners may send such
articles as they may wish to that office,
and they will be sent to Fortress Mon
roe, and thence to Charleston.
l.. N. WILCOX.
AS this concerns numerous families
in the interior. papers throughout the
State are requested to give it an inser-s
tion.-Ed. 1dv. .a
CASTLE PNckNEY, CHARLESTON. s. c., q.
s4r gg October IA, 1861.
E. N. WILCOX, ESQ.,, Detroit; fsss 'fac.
DEAR BRoTHER:-After being cut
off from communication for a month,
l was told yesterday there were letters
for me. One from you under date of
August %. / hope its followers will
soon find their way, and close up the
long gap of silence-nearlytw two months
Your letters always tighten the burden
of our exile. Letters may be sent by
enclosing them, postpaid to the Con-
HANDING OFFICER, FORTRESS MONROE,
with an inside Envelope address to me,
care of Adjntant- General, c. S. A.,
Richmond. Since | wrote last, Sep
TENDER 10, my health has been good
and strength growing, until now / am
quite recovered.
We have lost one man, Noah Porter,
who died at this castle, Oct. I'd, of
typhoid fever. There have been many
cases of diarrhea, ETC., but the health
Of the prisoners is generally good.
Orr greatest need is clothing. The
men, particularly, require everything
from shoes to overcoats. Besides Capt.
Wilmington, l have with me fifty of
my men. and two of the 4th Michigan,
and very ragged set of Christians we
are, too, as you may suppose, having
had nothi g but the light summer ia
tigue dress of the battle-day. Some
of the gallant fellows are ont of their
breeches, some bare-footed, &c. If
our confinement is to continue, | know
of no way to supply the men, unless
by making up a lot in Michigan and
sending them to Fortress Monroe, TO
be forwarded by flag of truce. There
are three officers and sixty-five men
of the 1st Michigan, and few of the
4th Michigan, Capt. Wilmington, my
self, and so men of my regiment and
two of the 4th are here. The rest are
probably at New Orleans, or still in
the Hospital at Richmond. We are
totally ignorant, seeing no papers from
the North, but if we are not to be ex-
changed directly, the clothing will be
verv much needed. It should be all
kinds Of common wear.
There is no certainty of my situation
here and no one knows what or where
tomorrow may see US. But L have
faith in Providence, and trust in the
magnaninity of the high toned portion
of our Southern enemies.
The journey to Charleston was any
thing but agreeable, confined as we
were from the 10th to the 18th, in the
cars, except one night at Weldon,
crowded, hot, and almost. destitute of
refreshments along-~the way. In my
reduced condition, / suffered little less
thar, -Purgatory. Five days in the
Charleston jail, and then we emerged
into a new life, in every sense, at this
Castle in the harbor of Charleston.
The sea breeze release from close con-
fnement, ETC., have brought me up as
well as the one hundred and fifty who
share my lot. With here and there
an exception, diarrh9a is the only form
of disease we have known. But it is
considered that the unhealthy season
is pretty much over, although no sign
of frost yet. The officers have the
privilege of the island, the men are re-
restricted to the Castle. Our quarters
are classmates. All are BETTER off than
they were at Richmond, but grow
more and more impatient for exchange.
All the gallant fellows bear themselves
nobly under their captivity.
My room mates now are Col. Corco-
ran, of New York, Col. Woodruff and
Lieut.. Colonel Neff, of Kentucky.
Among the thirty odd officers here, OF
course / find some congenial spirits.
One of my chief wants is something
to read. Young Ingersoll says he
does not require any money TO be sent
by bis father. Geo. G. Stewart, of
Capt. Lum's company desires me to
send word to F. III. Bull, ESQ.,, that he
is here-s'on his taps, we'll, and in good
spirits"
Where is the Regiment? Send my
best regards to Roberts and Whlttle-
sey. p
| T 49, r.. r. A., IL