New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1862-01-01
Letter from Col. corcoran,

H., zs.. n. I1FsAsLssToy Y JAIL s g., Nov. 70. 1851
and insults to which we have been subjected since
prisoners of war, and when the worst passions
ought to be satisfied, we find that we have yet
anotner anu the worst ordeal to pass through. We
are in the common jail-having been taken from
Castle PInckney on the 3lst uit-on an equal foot.
ing with the most depraved classes, and locked ap
al night ike feons. But seem to have moment
arlly forgotten that am condemned. have been
selected with three captains and ten lieutenant,
| 10 be executed as soon as it may be ascertained
that Smith," at Philadelphia, has suffered. and
an order has this day been published to place US
IN separate cells. But if they imagine that their
cruelty or inhumanty can make me falter, or m
der the circumstances, have any terrors for me :,
| they are sadly mistaken. - =
The opportunity to accomplish the object for
Whicn mold life most sacred not having arrived
that of aiding to free my native land from the gall
ing yoke OF oppression under which she has been
suffering for eenthries-there could possibly be no
other cause for which could be more content to
Ieely o1er up my life than the endeavOr to main
tain the glorious flag which has afforded home
and protection to me and my oppressed country
men. It was with .he most perfect willingness to
40 thls let NeS YORK, watched eor TIE approach
OF IT'S enemies at Fort CorCoran marcle to and
met them at Manassas; but fortune did not crown
US with success. made my last stand around that
flag, with very few, indeed where from necessity
we were forced to surrender.
nope and trust my wife, and all my dear friends.
VIII as cheerfully submit to the necessity of nv
case as do myself, and assure all that never in
my i1e navel felt in better health or spirits.
have much to say to you but do not deem it
expedient at this time. In the event of nv execu
ton shall endeayor to have private letter left to
pc delivered to you. Imust however, state in
justice to The 1.nly hearts that beat in the breasts
OF the rank and file of our prisoners. that some
means should, If practicable, be adopted to have
them exchanged; for no tongue can tell, pen de-
SCRIBE nor imagination conceive what these poor
'1eliows nave suffered during the last sixteen weeks.
At the time of the arrest they were all lwithout
change OF under garment without blankets, and in
many cases, coats, as such articles on account of
the extreme heat, were either left behind or thrown
on wniie on the march. They were also without
money, except few, who were soon spared the
trouble OF carrying it. The almost invariable sal.
utatlon received was "you damned Yankees,n ETC..
etc.. what have you got?" and, suiting the action
10 me WORD, would dexterously, and with that
adaptation which practice alone can give, turned
the contents of the prisoners pockets into his own
Ihere were some who were fortunate enough to
Iall into the hands of better disposed persons; but
.hey were few. For ten weeks in Richmond they
slept on the bare boards. They are now very
ragged indeed. and many are without Shoes They
are served with two.third (nomina) army rations,
our poor wounded who happened be left from
ne Hesslty on the battle. field what has become Of
them? Where are they? Alas, only He, who
knows oil things, can answer. ss1'
captain Mclyor Cater my departure from Rich
la?i1 mG?nd1 was accused Of being the chief of CON
confined in the city jail, and afterwards sent to
New Orleans. had fifty dollars sent to him and
the privates few days since. Lieutenants Bagley
ana cannon have not heard from since left
Lleutenant Connolly is here with me, also one Of
my regiment named Owens, whom they permitted
to accompany me. l have seen report put in cir
cuaton that had been handcuffed while at Rich.
mond, but assure you have not had that honor,
although nave been the recipient of good many
others. If had promised not to take M arms
after my release, am well satisfied would pre-
cede even some of the earliest arrivals in New
York to exhibit my parole of honor, if it could be
nl fr,n ,:1,af
to be careful what accounts they give eredence to.
we are led to believe that one fellow here has sold
his country for poor consideration and has sent
letters for publication with statements that are not
reliable. The Zouaves will take care Of him # Ia
returns. 81 I=.t-. H. - -. =
have written SO many letters to- YOU and Mrs,
Corcoran-some of which, have reason to be.
lieve, never reached their destnation-I am at a
loss TO know what may be interesting under the
circumstances, and dislike repetition, j received
only two OF yours, although it appears from the
last that you have written several. The Right
rev: Bishop LyRch, of this city, has been very
ly advanced me some money and showed other
generous marks of Christian benevolenee. A gen.
tleman named = has furnished SHIFT for each
ntheeF and private in This place. prefer it to
Richmond. Convey to Mrs. Corcoran, Mrs. Heany
and hlr. Kane my love, and to all friends the eS-
preston of my sincere friendship, and believe me,
dear Captain your most sincere friend,
My Dear Friend Ctoptatu Knher-T have copied
this sheet since the Colonel has been removed from
me. He was, at noon to-day, taken and placed in
one OF the criminals cells, under lock and key. l
asked permission 30 accompany him and remain
with him, but was refused. ] am even afraid will
not be allowed to see him. My dear Captain, bow
miss him; We We're always together since our
arrest, and y0a know and can feel our attachment,
and what 1t Is to be separated. am afraid.his
constitution is not calculated to undergo such
harsh treatment; but he thinks he can stand any
thing. May God protect him; he is one Of the few
OF really patriotic race.
'~E CoNNoGL.Y.