The Portland daily press., 1863-09-05

A Maine Soldier Who Escaped from Libby
Prison.

The following is an extract of a letter from
Geo, N. Trowbridge, son of Elisha Trowbridge
OF this city, who was member Of the 7th
Conn. regiment that led the bloody attack on
Fort Wagner. He was taken prisoner at that
time and sent to Richmond, but since escaped
aud arrived at Annapolis, Nd.
Thank Heaven am once more within the
federal lines! You have of course read all
about the bloody job OF the the 11th July, SO
will not give you any account of it now, but
relate my adventures in the Southern Confed-
eracy. Immediately after We were taken pris-
oners, a steamer was sent from Charleston to
take US TO the city. We remained there three
days, and must say we received better treat
ment from the Charlestonians than we have
since. On Friday evening a confederate Off
Ger came into the Jail with seyenty-five suits
of gray uniforms, to exchange for the same
number OF ours. We protested against it, but
he said 1t was an order from Beauregard, and
we had to submit. / kept shady till the
change was made, however and so saved my
own clothes. The next morning, the 14th, we
were paroled and started for Richmond, which
place we reached on the evening of the
18th.
was taken sick at Wilmington, N. c.. but
the guard sent with us from Charleston were
very Kind TO me, getting me everything | de-
sired. continued sick several days after be-
ing sent TO Libby prison, but was determin-
ed not TO go into their hospital but brave it
out alone, and L came out all right in four
days. We were kept in close confinement
thirty days, by order of Gen. Beauregard,
then removed to a little island in the mid
e die OF james river, called Belle Isle. There
are about two and a half acres of ground on
the island and about four thousand prisoners
are penned in on one acre-1500 men are oblir-
a tn el ft,n. ~.
out blankets. some without shirts, some with
out breeches, many barc-footed and bare-head-
ed l was there four days and had good
blanket and a good suit Of Clothes but it was
impossible to keep warm. The nights are ve-
ry cold in Virginia even in August, and it is
enough to chill ones blood TO think how the
poor fellows are suffering; yet confederate
prisoners within our lines are allowed 10 keep
all their personal property; they get the same
rations federal soldier is entitled to, and i'm
some instances they have been known to save
coffee enough from their rations to fill haver-
sack, and carry it home, where it is worth $3.50
pound.
When we went into Libby Prison, we were
searched and everything taken even to pocket
knives and tin cups. We were given two meals
per day, which consisted of IA rations of bread
and two ounces of fresh boiled beef. You can
see the difference in the treatment On the
10Th surgeon came into the enclosure to take
out the sick and send them to City Point As
soon as heard of it | was determined to get
away II II were possible for knew could
not live there until our government made ar
rangements for an exchange. So went down
to the gate and stood with the crowd In the
sun for two hours, till finally they wanted four
more men to make the requisite number The
; Doctor came up to the gate and selected Inc as
one OF the four. / went out, was paroled and
sent to the city. The next morning at three
o'clock, we started for City Point at Peters
bnrgh, which l reached in safety, and was
taken to this city. / have seen no account of
the casualties on Morris Island, so could not
Know whether my friends knew where was
mr. mot