New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-03
DIR PRISONERS AT CHARLESTON.
Letter from Lieut. Edmund Connolly, 6oih
Regiment Ncw-york State Militia.


DEAR WIFE: Brother Mohael's letter Of tie 18th
uldmo has reached me- and you scarcely imagine
the pleasure Il afforded mo 10 learn that all were well
at home; and tie few lines written by William on
subject most important TO the Colonel, and which
Brother Michael omitted proves that he il anxious to
contribute TO our stock Of information and determined
that we shall be kept we'll posted all matters OF
interest TO US which may ranspre at home during our
cautiyty and for which the Colonel returns him his
sincere thanks Brother Michael says that the last
letter received by him from me was dated August -.
find, on referring " my memorandum book, that
vToe two letters that date, one of which was d.
rected 10 you, and doubtless has never reached you.
Ibose were the letters sent from Richmond and We
were informed by the officer in command that no
more would be received, il impossible to for
ward thcm. We were transferred from Richmond
to this place on the Ion Of September and lodged in
this Jail for rfe-keepng. II would take more room
than can spare TO describe our journey hither.
Suffice II 10 say that after q tedious journey by rail Of
four hundred and ffysix miles, and having been ex-
hbted at all the important cities aud stations on tho
way, we arrived here on the morning Of the 18th,
about Fix o'clock. A squadron Of Cavalry were
drawn up in line and company Of Infantry, called
tie Charleston Xouaves, as fankers. In front, i'm
med.ately after the Cavalry, were placed the Loui-
siana Volunteers, who constituted our guard from
Richmond, aud about one hundred policemen brought
up the rear. These formed, We were placed in the
center, and the word of command having been
given, we moved forward with n firm manly and
defiant step to yet unknown destination. Iii true
we were told when leaving Richmond that Castle
Paokney would be our quarters, but we were not
over sanguine, as many false promises bad been made
previously, and the accommodation at the Castle was
better than We expected and therefore we were not
much surprised when halted in front of the p8son.
On our way to the Jail the streets lined with per-
sons Of all grades and coorsthe moot miscellaneous
crowd it ever was my fortune, or misfortune, as it
was in the present case, 10 behold. Men aud women
white and black, yellow, copper-color, and even
the Octoroon, were to be promiscuousy in that
very remarkable assemblage ali very anxious to see
tho Yankees But the lion Of the day WAS the noto-
rous Col. Corcoran, and all were most anxious To
get fair view Of him. This was the lees difficult,
as his majestic and defiant head lowered far above
the rest Of HIS fellow oaptives Among the crowd
4, could easily be distinguished many truo-hemted,
brave aud patriotic sons Of the old Emerald Isle,
who, in defiance of the powers that be- sill cherish
with pious love their fidelity to that good old flag
under Whose folds they found protection when they
Lad to fly from the land OF their birth Wien tyranny
and persecution surrounded them. But here they
found a home, under the glorious old banner, tho
love for which they still cherish in their bosoms.
They eyiaced their sympathy in various ways-some
raising up their children at arms length that they
might see those who suffered in the good cause, bu.
most anxious were they to point out TO theis little
once the noble ohivulrous, and patriotic Irish Col.
one. On arriving at the Jail We We're shown our
quarters on the secOndstory, consisting Of two
rooms each l2xl6, intowhich were packed II officers,
The privates Lad about the same aco5nmoda-
lions. Out Of the window we couldsee the gallowa-
which by tho way, We have often been threatened
with while in Virginia. Neither chairs tables,
benches, bed, blankets, or quilts were furnished.
Rations were distributed raw about II O'Clock O. M.
consisting OF three biscuits per day for each man,
- OF. Of fat pork IL inches thick coffee, and o.
candles TO eight men for five days. This looked
somewhat squaJly. The door on the corridor was
locked; the Charleston Zouaves were stationed all
round the walls Of the yard and The stairway, and
when necessity compelled our going into the yard we
were slways aeeompsnied by guard. ueTe we