Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-02-17


While in the Castle We received several
boxes Of clothing, provisions and books
from home, which were faithfully deliver
ed and rendered us com oaratively COM
Portable. After We went to Salisbury,
however. our boxes were broken into and
stolen with the most systematic reguiarl"
ity.
AT SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA.
Though we were sent to Salisbury as a
punishment, it proved very fortunate
removal for Us. We could exercise free
iy in the blessed open air to which we
had teen strangers for nine weary
months. We could purchase supplies of
food outside, while, shortly after We left
Castle Thunder, all order was issued aud
inaxeibly enforced, that all prisoners
must live exclusively upon the prison
rations, which consisted Of intolsrablc
corn bread, one third cob, and tainted
corned beef, utterly unfit to eat. No one
could purchase pound Of food; no one
was permitted to receive a meal sent in
by friend. Even of the wfetched ra-
tions, barely enough were supplied to sup
port life. Prisoners who followed US 10
Salisbury; ; after living upon this fare
for two months, were paliid aud cmaciat-
ed as if they had just lison from long
sickness and had barely strength to
walk.
OUR OWN CONDITION.
A gentleman in Salisbury kindly plac-
cd at our disposal his library of two
thousand volumes; 50 We had an abun-
dance of good reading matter. Aud here
let me say that, by marvellous good for
tune, we endured little which could be
called severe physical suffering during
our entire Imprisonment. From the day
when we left Libby we always had the
kindest and truest OF friends outside, who
would do and dare almost anything to
serve US. Whenever we could escape
from under the immediate shadow of the
Richmond authorities, we could always
BRING influence enough to bear upon the
commandant to procure sgne privileges
enjoyed by no other prisoners. Besides,
we succeeded in keeping constantly on
aand an ample supply OF money; and
the avidity with which the prison attaches
hunger and thirst after 'sGreenbacks," is
wonderful to behold. We were some
times hungry and cold; and of course the
best is bad eaough; but even after the
arrival Of the prisoners Of war in Octo-
Der converted Salisbury into enc scene o
suffering, and groans AMI DEATH (Which |
could not describe adequately if | were
to write year, good fortune in this re-
speet still attended US Oar position, in
;narse Of all the hospitals, enabled US to
select our own quarters, to obtain all the
ra ions wesneel9 ,anl to purchase vegesa-
Dies and other i'1od outside. We were
50 much better Off than thousands of our
comrades, that it almost seemed siE to
enjoy comparative comfort while they
were lyias .fom hunger and cold.
oua LoSd DETENTION.
Soon after the capture it became evil
lcnt that the rebels meant to keep US
Oar lone-tr ed and most f;.ithful anl self.
sacrificing friend, Nj. Colburu, had the
good fortune ffor it was thehighf Of good
fortune on that occasion) to be attached
to IAs World. After detention Of on.
y six days in Richmond, he was released
aud sent home by flag of tsrcp. Oar
paroles were identieaIly like his, bat we
we're retained. lie proposed to remain
md share cut fate, but OF course we
would not permit it.
After five months imprisopmeat, we
employed Gen. Humphrey Marshall to
look into our ease, and it Ne co9ld iiud
anything promising, to take professional
&c g OF it. lie was more influential
than any one else with the rybe's author
tiles. lie l.ad procured the release Of
many prisoners, well earn ng the large
fees which he received from them. Ills
relations with Eoba,t Ould, tha Com
missioner Of Exchange, were very in
innate. lie presented oar case strongly,
in writing. In his statement Of it, he
said: Il am instructed by these gentle
men, not to ask any iavors at your hands,
but to enforce their clear, legh rights
under this parole" Oald merely repl:-
ed, that he rcpudiated the people alto
sether. Gen. Marshall returned the pa
per to US, as he could sco no hope what
ever in the ease.
Soon after We adires scd a memorial to
Secretary Seldom, setting forth in decor
Gus but very plain English what an atroci-
Gus violation of official good faith plelg-
ed orally ana seriptura!jy WAS Involved in
our detention. He replied to the memori.
al by ordering us seat to Salisbury ?
GA another occasion | of +rel the most
influential attorney | could inl $500 in
Northern currency to obtain from Seadon
(jn writing, over lis own signature, that
ne might not be able to deny it the next
iay) the name Of any rebel civilian held
by our Government, ana not under
capital charges, for whom he would ex-
change me. Tho lawyer returned and
said he saw no hope whatever of my re-
lease during the war.
Oar own government made repeated
demands for Us but always reirained
from doing the ony thing wAich- could
secure our release; AolaieJ rebel Journal
lists and treating them just as VIC were
+.oI.Oj hh1a,, 81 S,,fi,arn o5titorc