Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1908-04-10
PRISON LIFE.
Letter Written in 1864 by Capt. Porter
to Maj. George Vanderbilt Appears.

Like voice out OF the past let
ter written in 1864 by union pris
oner at Charleston, S. c., has come to
light, which tells graphically of the
sufferings of the men confined in the
confederate prison there. 1t was
found among the effects of the late
Maj. George Vanderbilt, U. S. A., who
died in Washington last August. Mai
Vanderbilts son, George Vanderbilt,
of this city, deciphered the document,
which is written on scrap of paper
in a penciled hand so small that 1t
requires magnifying glass to read 1t.
The letter was written by Capt. Bur
ton b. Porter of G company, Tenth
New York cavalry. Capt. Porter in
the early stages of the war was first
lieutenant of l. company and a close
friend of Maj. Vanderbilt, at that
time the commander of company l..
The letter he wrote to Capt. Wander
bilt from the prison follows:
Charleston, S. c., Sept. %, 1864.
Friend Van-Yours of the 31st of
August came to hand day or two
since and is the only one / have re-
ceived since | have been in the con-
federacy. You can hardly conceive
how glad was to hear from you. OF
Capt Page know nothing, and think
he must be dead or in the hospital.
Tell Jim Reynolds / am happy to
learn of his promotion. Our boys are
all well except Bliss, who is in the
hospital, but getting better. l send
this via underground in a gumboat-
mans boat.
God only knows when / will get
away from here. We are half starved.
Those who have no money (and l am
one of the number) are almost always
hungry. Our rations have been cut
down of late. The "Rebs' are getting
very Respondent, and some of the
citizens tell us that the people here
were never so low in spirits as at
present. Old men and little boys are
guarding us. We are under Fosters
fire night and day, and once in about
20 minutes a shell comes screeching
over us. Some pieces have struck
the building and in the yard.
Fifty cases of yellow fever In the
city this morning. No cases among
the prisoners that l know of. Two
thousand officers and 10000 enlisted
men are confined here. The enlisted
men are dying fast. They are only
half fed, with no shelter. My God.
Van, to be in one continual fight day
and night is heaven to this miserable
prison life!
want you to do me favor by buy.
ing up all the "Reb" money you can
and send it to me, which will at least
prevent me from starving. My health
is anything but good, but l hope to
live it through. Tell Pratt, Jim Rey-
nolds and any of the boys, to write,
who is killed wounded, etc.
The "Rebs" look to the election OF
Mac for president with great anxiety.
For the country's sake re-elect Abe
Lincoln, and it will be just the thing
the 'Rebs" don't want. Their last
armies are in the field. Clean them
out and the rebellion is played out.
Moray, Johnson, Getman and all are
in this place. They did not escape.
My respects to ALL
When you take a drink think of
me. Remember me to all, and God
grant that you and l may meet again
some day. George. are you going out
of the service when your time is up?
Has Seeker been bach to the regi-
ment yet? You told me last spring
n tn q
boys and acquaintances.
Capt. Porter was taken prisoner az
the battle of st. Mary's church in
Virginia. Twice he broke through the
confederate lines but was recaptured.
On the third attempt he succeeded in
joining Gen. Sherman's army on Feb.
ruary 27, 1865.