tition to the Governor of Wisconsin,
and a long letter written in short-hand. "He was a good Democrat, a
loyal citizen.--See that my land in Wisconsin is not sold for
non-payment of taxes," are some of the extracts. The others related to
family affairs. The short-hand notes I could not read. What the petition
was for I have forgotten. Mrs. Hall then presented me with a finely
embroidered silk tobacco-pouch. Thanking me for my kindness, she bade me
good-bye. When, afterward, I thought the affair over, I came to the
conclusion that the letters were only a subterfuge to draw my suspicions
from the short-hand notes. Not a word had been said in the letters
about the cause of his arrest or about his being confined as a criminal.
As I had promised to deliver the packet, I concluded to take the risk of
getting myself in trouble with the Confederate authorities. They had a
habit of searching the prisoners before crossing the line.[E]

[E] A number of years afterward, I was confined in the prison in
Jefferson City, Mo. At that place guards were kept on the walls
night and day. Convicts were selected as night watchmen for the
different shops. It was my good fortune to be watchman in the
saddle-tree shop. At that time Colonel John A. Joyce and
General Williams--members of the Whisky Ring during Grant's
administration--were serving a sentence of two years each.
Joyce was cell-housekeeper in the negroes' building during the
daytime, and Williams was storekeeper. Every evening they would
come to my shop, and a pot of good coffee would be cooked on
the stove. A couple of hours would be pleasantly passed in
talking over past events. Generals Grant and Babcock were
frequently mentioned in connection with the Whisky Ring. I told
them all about Colonel Dent's being confined in the Columbia
jail, and asked if they knew anything about the circumstances.
Both of them commenced laughing; then the subject was dropped.

CHAPTER XXV

LIBBY PRISON

Squads of naval prisoners frequently passed through Columbia on their
way to Richmond. At last orders were given for us to be ready at four
o'clock the next morning. There was no sleeping that night in our room.
Four of the guards were detailed to escort us to Libby Prison. As we
left the jail, the army officers came to the windows and gave us three
cheers and a "tiger.