Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-08-28
Fort LAFAYETTE. Aug. G. 1861

Lincoln should succeed in his attempt to subjugate
our people,
Fort LAFAYETTE, Aug. 6, 1861.
My DEAR WIFE Il wrote to you on the 31st
july and the day following, but both letters have
been suppressed by the authorities suppose, and
cannot have reached you.
We are closely confined in a strong prison, denied
all intercourse with any human being outside, are
not permitted to write or to receive newspapers and
under strict prison discipline guarded night and
day by soldiers, and treated exactly felons in the
penitentiarv except that not yet required to
work. Our prison is a massive, gloomy building,
forming hollow square, and covers the whole island
on which it is built Seven Of us are confined in
one casemate, and sleep upon straw beds without
pillows and with but one blanket. We drink
wretched coffee, which is composed of parched beans
or some other vile ingredient from tin cups Four
ounces of bread at each meal and the latest pork
which we cannot touch, and some putrid beef, are
served up Our money was all taken from imme-
diately on arrival and were very coolly told
that we could only have it as our jaors choose to
allow it to US. We are not permitted to keep pen,
ink paper for fear our wretched situation should
be made known to our friends.
1had to resort to stratagem TO write this, and will
endeavor to send it secretly. We are in total dark
ness as regards what we arc held for, or how long
we will be imprisoned; but we all conclude that we
will not lie released until peace is declared, and
being can be, but only on your account. Surely
some one will come to your aid. You have friends,
or those who have protested to be for many years.
Think of me that is dead and utterly useless
to YOU and act accordingly. | have not the slight
est hope at present of ever seeing yOn again. My
confinement and the suffering occasioned by con-
tinued recurrence to the hopelcssness of my cond
ton, together with the wretched diet set before me-
must speedily terminate a life which, in the course
of nature, would soon have ceased under better cir
cumstances. | trust, my dear, kind, affectonate
wife, you will not become discouraged but trust to
your boys, who afTectionate and who will, feel
assured, prove blessing to you and your dear little
ones. May God bless their endeayorS, and make
them ornaments to society.
Oh how long to see you all. | dream Of you
sometimes and always feel relieved when can CON-
mune with you even in my restless sumbers l
shall forget the sweet laugh of my dear little
boy when last saw him at Fort McEIenry. What
a relief would be if could have your likenesses
| could live longer and more contentedly if had
them by me- You cannot imagine, unless you had
experienced the same restraint, what solace it
would be in my wretched hopeless condition to have
them by me. Although have six others with me
who are all young men, feel like one alone lean
not enter into any of their amusements and have
no books that can read except Childe Harold
1t will be useless to answer this, the letter
would be examined and not sent to me, and you can
not possibly send one privately. We meet Messrs.
Howard and Gatchell and the other prisoners in the
yard twice day and are permitted to walk togeth-
er an hour morning and evening. Farewell my ever
DEAR dear wife, Kiss my dear little for me, and
do not forget to speak of their father as often as you
can.