"Mr. Ely then, with a hand trembling from emotion, drew forth one of the six slips. Gazing upon the fatal paper, he read: "Colonel Michael Corcoran !"-See page 51.

his gold; and my dearest friend could never induce me to part with them.

The subject of my parole was often broached to me by the officers of the Confederate government; but, with all their arguments, promises, and persuasions, they never once caused me to swerve from my determination of remaining a prisoner until regularly exchanged by the authorities at Washington..

I recall, at this moment, the last conversation I had on this topic, just previous to the arrival of the order from Richmond, by which I was made a hostage for the safety of the rebel pirate, Smith. A friend of General Ripley called upon me, apparently by chance, being on a visit to my place of confinement at the time, and, after conversing on general matters, he said:

"Colonel, how is it that you have never asked nor accepted a parole for yourself?"

"Because," replied I, "I believe that honor and patriotism alike forbid my doing so."

"Yes," was the answer, "but all the rest of your companions gladly avail themselves of the opportunity when it is presented to them. They see no disgrace in it, and, candidly speaking, I cannot say that I think your objection a valid one."

"With all due respect to your opinion, Colonel,” said I, quietly, "it is my belief that the acceptance of a parole by a prisoner of war is altogether wrong. When I started from New York for the seat of war, I did so with the intention of doing your bad cause all the harm I could; and nothing would have given me greater pleasure than to have planted the Stars and Stripes over this very castle. As fortune had it, however, after doing a little, I fell into your hands. Then I was called upon to suffer for my cause. Previously I had been called upon to act, to fight. And, if it would be honorable for me to escape the suffering by any means, I am sure it would be equally so for me to have avoided the fighting. Besides, here I have an opportunity of doing at least a little good to those about me, whom the fortunes of war have placed in even a worse predicament than myself."

The conversation was persistently kept up by my visitor with the ultimate object of inducing me to accept a parole, but without success; and he left with the impression, no doubt, that I was a very obstinate, or a very foolish prisoner.

After reaching Castle Pinckney, I had determined to keep a diary of passing events, and for this purpose purchased, through the aid of a gentleman who came to visit me, a few quires of writing-paper.

On several occasions, however, the mice, doubtless wishing, perhaps, not to read, but certainly to "inwardly digest" the thoughts I had committed to paper, chewed my unfortunate diary all into minute fragments. A few sheets remained intact, save a little nibbling, and these, having been preserved, I herewith give their contents:

October 13.-This morning, poor John Owens, who has so nobly served me since my capture, rose with a terrible headache, complaining, also, of acute pains in the back and limbs. Becoming much worse, the surgeon of the Fort was called at my request, and pronounced the symptoms to be those of fever. Powerful remedies were immediately administered, and they have happily already made a change for the better.

Our dinner to-day was improved by the addition of a large glass of jelly, the gift of a kind-hearted lady of Charleston.

Shortly after two o'clock, we were much cheered by a visit from Bishop Lynch, who never leaves us with a shadow on our countenances. He is a dear man, and truly and zealously devotes himself to his high and holy calling. Oh, how often has his benignant smile and kind word driven the gloom and despondency from the hearts of the captives immured within these frowning walls! Nor has the Bishop confined himself to the mere consolation of words, for his purse has always been open to administer to the necessities of the prisoners.

One of the latter one day wrote a letter to his wife; but, when he came to send it, he found that, with all his money, he lacked nearly half the amount necessary for the exorbitant postage. He was in despair, as he could not obtain the required change. My last cent had been expended several days before. In the mean time, Bishop Lynch came in, and, on the fact being mentioned to him, he instantly requested the soldier to give him the letter, and he would see that it was sent. Overjoyed, the poor fellow offered the Bishop what money he had. But the noble-hearted Bishop insisted upon his retaining the latter, as he would need it for something else. The tears immediately came into the man's eyes, and, reverently taking the hand of his benefactor, he exclaimed, in grateful tones:

"Oh, your Reverence! how little did I expect that one so high and holy as you, could condescend to one so lowly as me! God bless you! God bless you!"

October 14.-John Owens is much improved to-day, so much so that the surgeon of the post expresses the belief that there need be no further fear of fever. I am thankful for this, and my mind is relieved of a weighty load of anxiety. It would have been a heavy

blow to me to have lost my devoted friend. I hope it may, at no distant day, be in my power to make him some substantial mark of my consideration and gratitude.”*

About ten o'clock this morning, the welcome announcement of "Letters for the prisoners!" set each of our hearts to beating with the liveliest expectation and hope. Every pair of eyes were riveted upon the bundle which the officer carried who attended to the distribution; and it would have formed a scene for the pencil of a Hogarth. Joy and anxiety flitted by turns over the countenances of the impatient group as each name was called over; and, as the pile began to diminish in bulk, several faces showed unmistakable traces of disappointment.

I am sure that mine was among the latter class, for I beheld the large bundle given out one after another until there were only two letters left. I began to feel disappointed, and was about to turn away with anything but a light heart, when the post officer called out: "Colonel Michael Corcoran !"

A step and a stride, and I had clutched the precious missive. My long-put-off pleasure was, however, rendered still greater when the officer added:

"And this other one, also, is for you, Colonel."

Taking the last one, I pressed it to my lips, for, in the quick glance that I cast upon its direction, I recognized it as being from my dear wife.

I cannot compare my happiness at this moment to anything save that which I suppose would be awakened in the breast of an extremely poor man, who, after receiving a large and unexpected inheritance, should immediately be made the possessor of another one ten times as valuable.

Upon opening my two letters, I was much gratified to find that their contents were precious in two ways—in plain English, that both of them contained money. The whole amount was fifty-five dollars; and the first thought that entered my mind was how far such a sum would go toward furnishing my fellow-prisoners with such little necessary articles of clothing as the approaching cold weather would imperatively demand.

October 15.-During last night, a cold rain storm blew up, and is continuing to-day with unabated violence. It is very chilly and disagreeable, and I fear will have an ill effect upon the health of the

• The gallant General has since presented John Owens, who (beside the brave and devoted Lieutenant E. Connolley and Colonel Corcoran) was the only member of the Sixty Ninth in Castle Pinckney, with a magnificent gold watch and chain.

prisoners. The water, also, is so rough that there has been no connection with the city. Had it not been for the arrival of our letters yesterday, we should have had a dull time of it to-day. John Owens continues to improve rapidly, and is determined to resume his attendance upon me to-morrow, at reveille. Since becoming a soldier, John does everything with military precision. At the first roll of the morning drum to morrow, he will be up and enter upon his duties. He is in continual good humor, and makes a most pleasant companion for Lieutenants Connolley and Dempsey and myself, we being in one mess. He makes us laugh heartily some

times at his jokes and witticisms, and we should miss him greatly were we deprived of him.

Lieutenant Connolley and I passed away several hours, this afternoon, in a game or two of chess. He chose the black men, calling them the rebels; while I played the white, which of course represented the Unionists. The result was, as the farmer said, "about which and t'other," although I think my opponent had the better of me. At least, after we were done, he and I came to the conclusion that, if the chess-men had been Secessionists and Unionists, we would rather have had the black represent the latter than the former.

Toward evening, the storm fell considerably; and, as the wind has changed round to a fair quarter, I expect we shall have a clear morning. Having a slight headache, I shall retire soon to-night.

October 16.-As I thought last evening, this morning came in beautifully clear, but colder than usual, from the effects, doubtless, of the rain yesterday. John Owens, according to his resolve, entered upon his duties at reveille, and has been as light and merry all day as a summer sunbeam.

A slice or two of fine ham added considerably to our dinner to-day, in quality at least, if not in quantity. Coffee was served to us for the last time to-day, as the difficulty of obtaining it, owing to the rigor of the blockade, has become almost insurmountable. It is worth from three to six dollars and a half a pound.

Tea cannot be got at all, except at long intervals, and then twenty or thirty dollars are asked and readily given for a pound of it. If this state of affairs continues much longer, the people of the South will need a vast amount of endurance to weather out the storm which they have raised.

This afternoon, Lieutenant Connolley and I had another interesting series of games of chess. He again took the black men, while I still chose the white. As he is a remarkably good player, he at first got me in a very bad "situation;" but, by dint of studying well my