The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-11-25
Letter from Cot. Lee.
FEDERAL PRISONERS AT CHARLESTON


Lctrtrs from Cot. Corcoran
We make the following extracts from let
tiers from Col. Corcoran, of the New York
69.h regiment, now in confinement ut Castle
Pinckney, 5. q. He was captured, it will be
| remembered, at Bull Run, and is held as
hostage for Smith, convicted OF piracy in
Philadelphia. Col. c. says
In my last mentioned that the people Of
Charleston had treated us with considerable
courtesy on the occasion of our arrival in
and departure from that city, but neglected
10 state smother favorable change III our
treatment here. The officers have the iiber-
" OF The island on which the castle is situa-
ted. from reveille to retreat, and are allowed
on the ramparts until tattoo. The rank and
file are allowed the liberty of the interior
yard during the Aforesaid hours This Is
quite q change from Virginia hospitality,
where we had not been permitted one mo-
ment for air or exercise during the fifty DAYS
OF our detention in the ever memorable to-
nacco factory, and without bedding OF any
kind.
The bishop of this place visited me and
spoke IN that mild, gsntiemanly, and Chris
tian spirit for which all orr clergy every
| where, and under all circumstances have
been truly characterized. He handed me-
all the tuCds in his possession, and OF which
stood in the grea test need, and appointed to
come here last Thursday 10 celebrate mass
| aud attend TO the religious necessities of the
prisons; but the day proves SO wet and storm V
that it was impossible. without immipen /
danger, TO cross over from the city, but we
expect him a his earliest convenience. This
Is the first time that any apparent interest
has been taken of our spiritual welfare.
The smallpox is prevailing to great ex-
tent at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Information has been received at Fort
Smith, Arkansas, that there continues to be
considera BILE excitement IN the Greek country
about Opothleyohol who Is still out on the
scout II Is feared that he may get with h .
Northern Army.
The good sisters of our faith residing in
Richmond, (who, thank God. can riss above
all national or sectional strife and couten ton
OF the world, with their usual and self sacri-
ficing and Christian disposition to render aid
and com fort 10 the afflicted attended to such
of our wounded as We're at the general hospi-
tai; and onr officers and men who were there
and who represent all classes of rel gicn, are
unani nous in their praise of the care and at
tention bestowed in dressing and cleaning the
wounded, and many attribute their recovery
to their untirins exertions.
In another letter, Col. Corcoran writes az
follows:
The prisoners here who left Richmond on
the 18TH nit, consist OF thirty four officers and
I20 non-commisstoned officers and privates :;
among the former are three Colonies, Lieu
tenant Colonel and q Major.
This place is already we'll known. there
fore needs no description. The classmates
are occupied rs quarters. AS no visitors are
allowed here, we are not go subjected to the
idle and offensive curiosity of spectators, as
was the case ut Richmond, where crowd.
were permitted to assemble in front of our
prison to stare at all day whenever we
went TO catch a breath of air at the windows
when the more favored individuals obtained
passes to enter, and n many cases took occa-
sion to ask all kinds Of ques tioaa Indeed
the people of Charleston presen ted n striking
contrast In gentlenanly behavior towards Us
on onr arrival and departure; although large
~ m IN, ha re Vpra N
a single offensive word was spoken or act
committed.
We are all here In great need of clothing,
and in many cases without a single cent TO
procure ar of the different things essentially
necessary. Ireceived some funds from rela-
tive In Richmond, which have been expend-
ed, and Lieutenant Connolly and myself are
among the bankrupts for some days past. /
am well satisfied, there ara some in Charles
ton who would divide their last dollar with
me, but l cannot accept IL, as there appears
to be no possible way OF repaying. perha Us
for years. Indeed, some gentlemen were so
kind as TO n axe inq uiry If needed anything
to which replied in the NEGATIVES; and while
at Rich mond received comm unication f,om
a gentleman from MONTGOMERY. Ala. who
is said to be one Of the wsalthisst gentle
men in that city, stating that he was most
DESTROYS of supplying me with anything j
required.
lam quite satisfied to remain hero as long
rs il may be considered necessary TO serve the
purposes OF my Government or our people;
but am exceedingly anxious that the rank
and file Of the different regiments should be
seen to as soon as possible. The poor fellows
ara all most earnestly devoted TO the best in
terests OF their country, and are suffering
much nom want Of proper clothing or any
changes OF under garments Many are with
out shoes, coats or bed covering, which 10 q
cherries prospect. with the near approach OF
cold weather; and, Abcvu al things, their
poor famiitss. N many oaseas NUT oertniniI
fsndsf x At liberty, And many ~ u he
three r,oEt os volunteers, who InaAs ~ pc.
vssiaS t0s Aessaes ssysaa MAI nmA m