The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-09-23
CELL. IN LIBBY PRISON,
RICHMOND, VA, May 10, 1856

DEAR SIR-Un tile 2uth DAY oil January
last, in an engagement near Moorefeld, W.
Va, ! was captured by body Of Conicder.
ate cavalry. From the date Of my capture
to the 3rd OF the present month was treat.
ed as u prisoner OF war. | was then mott.
fed by the prison authorities that ] had
been selected by the Confederate govern
ment to be held as hostage for Major
Armsey, C. :. Army, now held by the Uni.
ted States. was also placed In a small
cell in the basement Of Libby prison.
Itr0uld Willingly suffer and endure Mis
iorturin9 confinement, II thereby my Gov
ernment derived the slightest benefit; but
to be thus conGned-to suffer for the mis-
deeds OF Others-witlout beneficial results
to the cause for which | contend, Is Ger.
tainly very CALLING.
Confined In the small cell that now am,
with the diet l receive, 1t Is impossible for
my constitution to stand Imprisonment
long. Hence, am induced to requestthai
you will use your influence In my behalf
and II at all possible accomplish my speedy
release. ,.t :
Major Armsey, for whom am held, has
now been confined overa year, and | un
derstand his case Is not without extenuating
circumstances. Cannot my government
consistently exchange him for me, and
place one Of her soldiers, now imprisoned
| In the field, where he is not only tGaliuJ bM
amrious 10 fight her 6dtiles. an 1CiiliHg Il
gire my lie for my country on The field Of bat
lie: but the slow, lingering death Of hopeless
confinement and starvation Is uncalled fol
and vOid Of glory.
May ask that you will give the matte
your personal attention; and, II convenient
will you honor me with communication
upon the subjectY
lam, Sir, with much respect, your obedi
Cnt servant, N. Corr, JR,,
Major 4M ". Va. Capalry, Prisoner Of Var
Upon receipt oi this document,
awaited myself OF an opportunity to ap
prise Maj. Armsey (who is citizen o!
our town OF its contents. After having
heard ii read, that gentleman with tears
in his eyes, and with strong emotion man.
ifest in face and voice, referred TO that
dark period in his history mentioned
| in the letter Just quoted. He recalled the
old memories, and surprised me by the
strong expressions Of esteem and regard
upon his part towards Gen. Goh, apprie'
ing ME Of the signal service done him
while yet in prison, by the gallant stand
ard.bearer Of the Republican party in the
present campaign.
OF his own yoliLion, Maj. Armsey
| subsequently addressed me The following
letter, with the contents Of which shall
close my address "
GRAFTON, W. Va, Aug. 81, 1886.
John ". Mason, Esq, Grafton, ". Ia:
DEAR S1R-You were kind enough, To-
day, to read me copy OF q letter address
ed to Hon. W. 7. Wiley, by Maj, N. GOT
Jr, from Libby prison, dated May 10, 1884
| In relation to his confinement hS a hostage
for me. As The position occupied by me
/ In relation to Mai. Colts confinement has
been so frequently and grossly misrepre'
sented, desire to make this statement ol
the matter, which you are at liberty to use
as you wish:
Twas Major In the SD battalion OF Vir
About the middle OF February, 1858, was
ordered by the Confederate authorities to
perform certain special duties which called
me within the territory OF Virginia then
occupied by Federal troopS. As u soldier,
felt 1t my duty To obey; ] was cap
tured inside the Federal lines, tried
by military court aud, notwith
standing my mission was shown tC
have been undertaken by the peremptory
orders OF my superior officers, was never
theless sentenced TO fifteen years con6ne
ment aud labor. The Confederate Govern
fnent being pledged 70 my protection, d.
rectcd that Major Gott be subjected to the
same punishment until my release. About
tho eth day Of August 1854, we were ex.
changed, the one for the other, but placed
on parole. Afterwards, by u special order,
was regularly exchanged and placed In
command OF the counties Of Hardy, High
land and Poeahontas. Subsequently, on
the 10th day Of April, 1885, ! was again ar.
rested and taken TO ClArkshurg. IWaS well
acquainted in Harrison county, and rs soon
as 4 became known that l was imprisoned
at Clarksburg; and that ! was the same mar
lfOr whom Major GOa had been so long i'm