ment, who was captured in the Valley, and is now a prisoner confined at Fort McHenry, having positively refused to take the oath. He asks me to write to his master when I am exchanged, and tell him of his whereabouts, and that he is faithful to him. I replied to Abe in an encouraging way, and showed his letter to several officers of my brigade. The blatant Abolitionists of the North would scarcely be convinced of the truth of this negro slave's fidelity to his master, if they were to see it. They are totally ignorant of the real status of the divine institution of slavery, and would be shocked at such an evidence of love for and faithfulness to his master as this slave exhibits. Abe is an honest, industrious negro, and I am sorry for him. His captors, not understanding nor appreciating his devotion to principle and affection for his master and his Southern home, will, I fear, treat him with great severity, work him unmercifully and feed him scantily. I have not heard a word nor received a line from home since my capture. To-day, five long, weary, dreary, miserable months ago, occurred the battle of Winchester, and I have not heard from my beloved mother since then. I know letters are written to me, but no doubt they are destroyed through the whims and caprice of some venomous clerk, who wickedly throws them aside or burns them. All letters written or received by prisoners are opened and examined by some careless and heartless upstart official, who has or assumes full power and authority to destroy any he may whimsically object to.[1]
- ↑ Louisiana "Confederate" will please accept my most grateful thanks for the handsome and highly-appreciated present received safely from New Orleans, January 22d, ultimo. It was sweet and most welcome. R. E. P.
