The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-12-07
From the Luserne Union.
Thong hts Suggested in Fort Miffin,
tohile confined as a Citizen Pr soner, on the
6oth. dag Of Confinement.

~ hO'hfh W nc oROFO ~ WI
II was announced at The entrance of our cell
that the day of our deliverance was drawing
near. With what a thrill of Joy it was re-
ceived like a shock of electricity it ran
through The crowd Counienances that
looked wan and pale, with arg uish depict
ed in every feature, now Frightened up, and
were cheerful, like The storm-iossed marin
er, durIng the long. dreary night, watching
with anxious eye The first ray Of light that
radiares the oriental sky, that he may direc'
his storm Tossed vessel TO a haven o. repose
So in this dreary cell, during this long night
OF confinement, what earnest Iongings =
The very depths OF our Utmost sonl would
swell up and grasp at the firsl %gIimmer or
ray of light that afforded the iaIniest hope
OF deliverance. No pen can describe our
feelings none but those who have been
similarly situated can'aPpreciale the delight
fol sensation produced when The welcome
news greeted our ears. Loved ones al home
all the tender associations, all the lies of
consequently in fact all that makes lite
worth living for, and that had so much 20
do in keeping up my spirits, loaned up :;
and, among The objects of alteration on earth
as The polar star oil my affections, was the
pleasing thought of again soon seeing my
dear, old mother. whose totteringsframe and
ieehle sep warned me that her departure
was near at hand. That look of despair,
cast upon me, with all The depths ola moth
er'> love when dragged from her presence
=. - t. - III - -
long as reason asserts her throne, and the
impioring look of my companion, as she
s2rang from her bed. half-clad, exclaimins
'Oh YOU will mol take him what has he
lone P How wildly all this has rushed
through my mind, while in this dark and
lonely cell and then, my innocent chill
dren, who were wrap in the deep slOmbeTs
OF early twilight. How my imagination
has pictured their anguish, when they
awoke, and, in childish simplicity, would
without even The privilege of imprIn ling a
parting kiss, now, when the time has
come when II is reported BY The officers
hat | will again soon be released and per-
mited TO see and enjoy loved ones,ai home,
my feelings almost overcome me. will
think. perhaps, it is only a dream; that the
mind as we'll as the body from confinement
has lost is vitality then the words will Re.
peat themselves, not TO be- misunderstood
''Men, you are all soon 10 be released. y
But how uncertain are all human caIcuIa-
tons. Two weeks have elapsed, and still
here.
have often thought OF ..ihe'iwords of an
ancient writer, and,now am'~1convinced of
their tru;hfU mess, that "Nations lose more
morally, in time of war, than materially. -
The profanity and obscenity that have come
under my observation during my military
confinement, exceed.anylhing | can portray
on paper. Coupled with the above named
vices, there seems 10 be an almost universal
proueness 10 drunkenness Of course, nom
orable exceptions. There are men whose
moral training and character resist the
temptation. but they are very scarce.
Oar treatment was inh0man. When first
taken and incarcera;ed in this cell. not a
stool or bencl, to rest our weary limbs on {;
hOA d CJPf u hulcs VI iuIh- Ut DIdle-4UO
these few indispensable articles were pur-
chased al exorbitRnt prices, attended with
vexatious delay. Eony-four of US in one
cell, without even a separate place 10 attend
10 the calls of nature, it Is 10 wonder that
one of our number was soon laid in his last
resting place, and many others Frustrated
by disease.
Nv dear brother, when | look back over
the scene, and knowing my own sensitive-
ness, | marvel that my health is as good a.
il is. God be praised for The same, together
with the warm sym fathy CT kind friends al
home, coupled with an inward assurance
that have a conscience void of offence
Good bye, brother, for The present hoping
soon 10 meet You in a more pleasant place
than this, | remain your affeciionale brother.
JAMES MCHENRY.
fort Mif1in, Pa, Nov. 1, 1864.