Year: 1862




striking evidence Of the brutalizing indu-
ence Of treason over the soul


About the middle of April, a son of
John M, Francisco, a we'll known citizen
Of Richmond, was playing on the dock,
near the rear of The prison where our
"boys" were kept, and in his gambols the
little fellow ran too near the edge of the
dock or canal, and fell into the water
The shouts of his little companions
brought together a crowd of the "chiv.
alry' among whom were many OOnfede-
rate soldiers The valiant men, who can
"whip dozen Yankees" each, and who
"are ready to die in the last ditch"
stood by and heard the piteous cries of
the struggling boy, but were too coward
ly to risk their precious bodies TO save
the sufferer Two of the Federal sol
diers were out on police duty carrying
out the offal of the prison, and rushed to
the scene of danger TO save the boy.
One Of-the men stripped off his clothes
to plunge in, and would have saved the
boy, when one Of the guard forced him
back at the point of the bayonet. AS a
reward forthis manifestation of the noble
feelings of his nature, the Union soldier
was put on bread and water! But there
were hearts in the city which beat warm
ly for the brave prisoner


No doubt many Union people would
gladly have given some substantial tes-
timonial of their appreciation of the
Yankee character as developed in such
striking contrast with the boasting chiy-
| airy, but they dared not--the time had
not come. The parents Of the boy were
not to be restrained in their expressions
of gratitude and indignation. Intense
grief knows no fear of prisons, chains,
and death, and the broken hearted father
addressed the following touching letter
to the soldier who tried in vain to save
the boy, The soldiers namo is William
s. Clark, of the Third Jersy volunteers
and he preserves the letter as one of the
choicest Of prison -mementoes, and well
he might. #.|F r55


j RICHMOND, April 2l, 1852.


SIR: Although you are unknown to
me by name or otherwise, take the lib
erty Of addressing you few lines, for
the purpose of returning to you my heart
felt thanks of an almost broken-h hearted
father, and sorrowing and distracted
mother for your disinterested kindness
ia oadeRvOring TO save the life OF our
darling little Eddy, who was drowned
in the dock on Friday morning last. All
the. information / have in regard to the
matter has been obtained through the
newspapers and Commissary Wilson. /
do not envy the feelings, and will not
abuse the man who refused you permis-
sion to save the dear child. / leave him
TO settle the matter with his conscience
and his God. Nor will heap curses on
the heads of those who am told stood
by and heard the child's cries for help,
but were too oowardly TO raise an arm
for him. They have an account TO settle,
but not with me. Our grief has been the
keener on account of these unfeeling
actions, The little fellow was the pride
Of our hearts, ynd we loved him as we'll
as child was ever loved by parents. He
left his home on the morning of the dis
aster only few minutes before the news
of his death reached US. The bright
sunshine Of the day, and the cheerfulness
and happiness of his little heart, led him
to anticipate much pleasure during the
Easter holidays, when he was released
from school. Alas his happy spirit was
soon with God who gave it, and we
left to mourn him all the rest of our lives
You cannot know the depth of our grief
none but the Eternal can. But we
wish you to know that we appreciate the
kindness which prompted you so prompt
ly to attempt his rescue. AS others Of
whom have spoken will certainly and
surely have to give an account hereafter,
we pray that you may receive the reward
which we think due you.


Your friend, truly, and wisher,


JHo. M. FRAHCIsCo


The writer of this is personally ac-
quainted with the writer of the above
letter. Mr.. Francisco is descendant of
the old revolutionary patriot, Francisco,
and we honestly believe the grandson
still possesses the patriotic spirit Of his
ancestry. John M. has, for many years,
been Commissioner Of the State Revenue
in Richmond,


The following order from Gen eral
| burnside will relieve the loYalists Of