Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-10-16
5fllstsllaneolls.
Scenes at Fort Lafayette.

The New York Herald processes to have
obtained from gentleman of 'unques-
tionable loyalty lately released from
Fort Lafayette, the following particulars
of the routine of life at that pleasant
abode:
U-pon the arrival of the prisoner at Fort
Hamilton, he is at once delivered into the
charge of Col. I'urkc, and the document
for his commitment exhibited. The docn-
mcnt comes from either the Secretary of
War or Secretary Of State, according as
the prisoner is one of War or of State.
Col. Burke thercupon has the accused fer
ricd across the little channel which flows
between Fort Hamilton and Fort La
fsyetto. aud upon his arrival in The latter
stronghold. he is given III charge OF the
commanding officer. Lieut.. Wood, who
writes out receipt for his prisoner. After
this formula is over, he is shown to his
quarters, which OF late have been the
caSematcs Or gun-ropms around the wall
Of the fort. This economy has been ne
cessitated by the iillint Of the more dcsi.
rablc otlicos.' quarters 10y the first ART
walls.
As soon as the new conner is lett to
himself he is at once surrounded by his
now fellow prisoners. and pied witllques
tions rs to lis name. where he came from,
and what arc the charges against him,
which usually wind up wilhan expression
on the part of the interr"sa,ors "i doing
all they can to render his stay as asrcca-
bic as possible. The conversation con.
tinues, and when friendly relations have
been established, he is very l,lan5'y asked
what he will have for his dinner or sup.
per, according to the hour ut which he
arrives. In tho next breath they rXi"i
the delicious character TT hrciS;cak. with
mushrooms. aud broilcd chicken, or other
,avorv dishes. and urge him, some to
have the former, and others the latter. III
n maze OF astoniShmcnt nj hi; GOOD treat.
ruent of criminals 10y the offended gov
crnncnt, lie states his ci;occ, or perhaps
expresses a wish for lite "t' several OF
the dishes mentioned: and the character
of the wine then COMES up for cxt"iiac..t,
and tn. wags get Into Initc dispute
among themselves Is 20 the relative quail
ties o: the BnrgnnIy. Pert Madeira, C!sr.
.,. SC, which is given ll:cm at dinner.
The s,iN further asl"ui>I,r;I pri. oncr drinks
ali this in with coa>idcrah { pleasure, aud
bcuinni:a to get over c fright which
his arrest aid Incarceration inexperienced,
conqra,uat,s himself that q stay At Fort
L. IS !. captai thing. Bat lis fond drin-
sion, at least the one produced by his tcl
los prisoners, snon vaIlshc.', when til"
conversation, which hy this Zine has. Of
course. changed to other sul.i'c's. is sud.
d.nly interrupted by the s@lia! for dinner
or ,nrp2', and h. i. conducted to his srat
in the dining ronn. where, i'll pace Of y
mahogany table, with !ns,rons white dam
ask cloth, slvc. service and richly cut
glass ware, all of which his Imagination
has coniurcd up, he discovers Il plain deal
table, unpainted and without cloth, with
tin plate, containing = piece of partially
cooked pork, tin cup of coffee aud
large chunk of bread. As he contcm-
mates this in dismay, Il loud laugh from
his fellow prisoners, who have been noti.
elmo his movements from the door, throws
a little light on his disoricrcd intclec,,,
aud he perceiyes that he has beer the vic