Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-09-06
T,ihhV prinon.

This is the title of book published by
Lieut.. Col. F. F. Cavanda and consists of
pictures of the lighter and more amusing
phases of life i'll the Libby Prison, with
which the writer, prisoner, used to de-
light his comrades, and which, on his re-
lease, they requested him to publish in
book form. We make few extracts:
"FRESH FISH,"
There is new arrival of prisoners. The
cry is started of More Yanks" Fresh
Fish !" and there is general rush to the
windows to obtain glimpse Of the new
comers, followed, in all likelihood, by
spirited interchange of amicable recogni-
tions. . ..... ....... .-
The Fresh Fish" are taken into the
lower passage, where they are formed into
line, their names registered and their pock-
cts searched. They are then, if they be
officers, conducted up stairs into their fu-
ture domicil, and, if enlisted men, into
lower room, or they are sent to Belle Isle,
or TO one of the other prisons in Richmond.
In the general thirst for the latest news,
the hapless Fresh Fish who just enters,
is beset BY the whole bevy of jail birds,
whose haggard countenances, dishevelled
hair, and supernatural attire, are sufficient
to inspire him with feelings not the most
enviable, either as to bis personal safety
for the present, or as to his personal COM
fort for the future. A number OF ques-
tons are asked him, all at the same time,
whilst one pulls him this way, and another
that: "What news from the Army Of
the Potomac :" Where is such corps,
or such division :" "When were you
captured ;" =" Where were you captured"
" Hop were you captured" :" And SO on
for quarter of an hour, until at last the
poor fellow, breathless and exhausted,
drops his haversaek out of one hand, and
his coat out of the other, that he may wipe
away the torrents of perspiration that
streams down his face. There is then a COM
miseratiye counter-cry of "Give him air J"
Don't crowd hun !" and so forth, during
another period of noise and confusion.
At length the unfortunate man recoveIs
his breath, and silence is enforced, that
not a word falling from his lips may be
lost, when he informs the gaping listeners
to their utter discontinue and dismay,
that he comes from the southwest, and
was captured five months ago! This
provoking revelation is likely to elicit
some such charitable suggestion as Put
that fellow out !" which being impracti-
cable under the circumstances is probably
modified to ''Dip him in the bath-tub =
THE BATTLE AGAINST ENNUI.
Captivity is fail which threshes the
chaf out Of human pride. Men are not
apt to be supercilious when they are
starving they suffer and must bow !;
they are tortured and must yield. They
must battle against idleness, and they be-
come diligent; they must elude their i'm
placable foe, e,nui, every hour Of the day
and every day of the month, and when
their resources are exhausted they must
stoop to trivial pursuits and pastimes to
battle their enemy-being no longer able
10 amuse themselves as men, they remem-
ber how they used to amuse themselves
when they were children. They are sur
prised to find that the whiting of toy
boats and playing at jack-straws, and
romping like school-boys, can afford even
passing occupation. All silly pride and