The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-04-01
AN INCIDENT OF THE WAR.
How Money Ran the Blockade of
the Keepers of Libby Prison.

the Keepers of Libby Prison.
In 1858 the present editor OF TIE
SPIRIT was wounded in the assault on
Fort Wagner, South Carolina. and came
home. JERs WrLLlAns, part owner OF
THE Spirit ct that time. was made pris.
ouer 81 the battle Of Gettyshurg and
confined in Libby Prison at Richmond.
JERE wanted money and b,w to man
age to have it pass the watchiuI eyes OF
the keepers OF Libby was the all import.
ant question with him. He faallv bit
upon the following happy solution.
Here is letter to his wife:
LIBBY PRISON. RICHMOND, VA, Sep. IL, '6s-
M DEAR WIFE:
Since writing You last reed letter from
Henry. hope,as he can do nothing else,he will
continue the correspondence. The prospect for
our deliverance from here is gloomy OF the
very many rumors affoat. each dsy dispels the
hopes entertained the day previous After the
little money now on hand we will have to rely
totally on friends at home for everything but
q very scant supply OF bread meat rice. / don't
know whether provisions win be al'w'd to reach
US or not. Many have written for them. If they
succeed, which Is DOUBTFUL, will let you knew.
Boxes containing clothing are reed here now !
wish you to send me wooien shirts, Q pairs
of drawers. two pairs socks, Ale of SPIRIT for |
the last six weeks. novels, &c. They should |
be packed In small box. .tsay window-glass box) !
and be addressed Us you address letters Do
not fail to mark the box plainly.
l just now learned that provisions are allow
ed to reach uh. Send sealed can of butter and
such other things as you aR,zithout making
the box too heavy. Keep tbs letter. am
Take care Of yourself. Keep cheerful Love
to all. Your affectionats husband.
JERE WILLIAMS.
Two days after, on September Is,
JERE wrote me as fellows:
LIBBT PRrsos. RIcHMnND. Va J
September 13. 1863. I
DEAR HENRr: During your confinement,
10 your room, would recommend for
your reading Edgar A. PoE's works,
which you will find among my books,
and especially recommend short poem
addressed to Mrs. Francis Osgood, the
closing line OF which is
THE sweet name enclosed here"
Compare Il closely with the first verse OF
my letter to Flora. OF Sept. IL. | do
not wish you to compare literary merits,
but yos soiE be amused by a close eompar-
isoa. Write me what You think abour
i. think you will fud, in my volume
Of Poe. the interesting points noted with
> pencil. The whole Tour volumes will
prove entertaining.
have written to Fora for box OF
clothing. papers, DC. Put In also, nee
lies, thread, buttons clothes brnsh to vel.
and penknife and such
other trinkets IS you may think OF.
shall soon need pair OF shoes and q
pair OF pants. A box ct 40 pounds
voald not be rejected. Send me one oc.
Write me soon. If you
sye not able to comply Nth dllths above
show this letter 10 Judge Way. Keep the
letter for the present. l am in good
health but nearly "broke" Send nc
money In future letters. Address box
'via Fortress Monroe
Yours, de-, JERE WILLIAMS.
The volume Of Poe referred to was
ooked up and the poem found. which
was an accrostic-the name of Mrs
FRAScss Osaoop was spelled out by com-
the first letter OF the 6rst line
With "F'; the second letter Of the second
inc with "r" and the third letter OF the
'hird line with s.a", and so on until the
iull name appeared. JEeE says above
Compare it closely with the nrst verse
THE word paragraph IVES erased) of nay
etter to FLoRA, of Sept. II
There was the key. Now turn back
% the letter Of Sept. II and the reader
will discover the secret. Commence with
he letter .sS'' and rnn through the Hrst
and the following will develop i
itself:
s'SEND NE MeNEY hid IN BOZ"
The hard par. OF my task came in
here, and that was to reply to JERE's let
ter in the Oseoop style. After conside- !
rable trouble It was finished A copy
was retained, but has been mislaid. ]
commenced it with the Bret name Of his
daughter, "ELoIsE," aEd when finished
Il read:
"ExAnINE CorFEE CAM
A fruit can was filled one-third full OF
ground coffee and $50 in greenbacks
wrapped ia paper deposited, when the
can was filled With coffee and sealed up
and marked. The letter was mailed and
several days aiterward the box WAS ship.
ped. In due time received an answer
from JERE ackno owledging the receipt OF
the letter and box. He said the contents
OF the box we're excellent, particularly
the coffee. Il. r. WEST.
The Democratic Congressional Com
mittee il composed OF confident set of
gentlemen. They oil have faith 10 the