St. Mary's gazette., 1863-11-19
LETTER FROM A. MARYLAND PRI-
SONER In RICHMOND.
LIBBY PRIsoN, RIcHMoxD, Nov.

LIBBY Prison. RlcHMoxD, Nov. 3.
To the Editor Of the Caalie lfirror:
Sir-supposing tia, letter from this
quarter might hc interesting 10 yonr rea-
.lers as we'll as gratifying to .nf friends nj
home. take the privilege Of requesting
place for this in your columns. write
through sense of duty aud gratitude to
the Catholic clergy If this diocese. as we'll
as in the. hope that this '.v.ice from the
tomls" may awaken our Government to
sense of what is due to those who have
fought aud are suffering il, it> cause Il i VI
There are now more than nine hundred
officers confined in this prissn (2U Of them
are from the 9TH. 2 from the 7th. and 8
fr,m the OH Maryland regiments and
! while We have no reason to complain OF our
treatment, yet our situation il rksome in
the extreme, confined as some have been
=: for nearly FIVE months, deprived of fresh
air. exercise, and 20 many necessaries OF
lie t" which We were accustomed, but new
wonli consider Us the greatest of Injuries
| Among those necessaries. and the one
most valqG by Catholics, namely. the per-
for:nance Of our religious duties 10 we'll AZ
assisting at divine service, we hare had an
opportunity Of enjoying both through the
! Christian charity And Kindness Of heart Of
| the Right Rev. John McGill. Bishop OF
Richmond. Feeling the need of religious
service. General Neal Dow, Colonel di
! Cesuola Ga Catholic, aud many other Off
GERS. united in requesting his assistance for
that purpose. He kindly consented, and
having obtained the permission OF The Con-
federate authorities. seut the Rev. DIR. DC
! Mullen to hear the confessions and prepars
those who desired TO receive ihe1 Blsse d
Sacrament. The next day the same gen
tIcman offered up the Sacrifice Of the Mass
in the presence of NIL the prisoners; at it
conclusion We were addressed By the Righ
Rev Bishop in sermon of rare power anc
.eloquencc.
! 1t is unnecessary for me to praise th'
clearress and ability of one SO justly cele
brated in the religious world as this giftet
preIate; it is sufficient TO say thu. he wa
listened TO with the most respectful atten
iiou. After the service large number O
the officers were introduced TO him by Col
oucl di Cesnola. and we had again occasion
to admire bis amiable character; he con
versed in the most kind manner with eacl
of US. Since THAI be, has addressed y
twice; and has, if it were possible. increas
ed our respect and adlniration for him.
Il Among the melancholy incidents yaryia
our n.ons'tonous life was the death of Cap
tain j. r. Gleason. He was attended il
| his lastmoments by the Rev. MIR. McsIul
, len. aud died as Christian should, con
, tent and submissive to the will ef God. :
ills remains are deposited in the vault :
the Cashrlic cemetery, awaiting transhiE
. mrnt 10 Baltimore.
Ii you publish this testimonial you wi
do great favor to myself and fellow pr
soners. In enabling u to shows our appre
, ciatiou OF .aiood Shepherd, and pc,
, haps aid in eradicating that bssetry whic
, prevail. North and South T,,u will ad
TO The obligation 5y sending rs some copis
Of the publication.
Very respectfully,
i your obedient servant.
Il JoHS cAsRoLL,
Captain 9Th Maryland Volunteers.