of the overalls, and was surveying them
with delight, but he at once turned to another, "I guess he needs 'em
most, I can get along with the old ones, a while," he said, in a
cheerful tone, and smothering a little sigh he turned away.

This spirit of self-sacrifice was almost universal among the men of our
army, and was shown to all who had any care over them. How much every
man needed an entire change of clean, comfortable garments, was shown
the instant they left, when the nephew of Mrs. Marsh commenced sweeping
the vestibule where they had stood, with great vigor, replying to the
remonstrances of his aunt, only "I must," and adding, in a lower tone,
"They can't help it, poor fellows," as he made the place too hot to hold
anything with life.

It was in the summer of 1864, that communication was first obtained with
the prisoners in Charleston, a communication afterwards extended to all
the loathsome prison-pens of the South, where our men languished in
filth, disease, and starvation.

At this time Dr. Marsh's duties kept him almost entirely at Folly
Island, and there he received a letter from General Seymour who was
confined, with other Union officers, in Charleston, a part of the time
under fire, asking that if possible certain needful articles might be
sent to him. This letter was immediately sent to Mrs. Marsh, who at once
prepared a box containing more than twice the amount of articles asked
for, and forwarded them to the confederate authorities at Charleston,
for General Seymour. Almost contrary to all expectations, this box
reached the General, and but a short time elapsed before its receipt was
acknowledged. The General wrote touchingly of their privations, and
while thanking Mrs. Marsh warmly for the articles already sent,
represented the wants of some of the other gentlemen, his companions.
Supplies were sent them, received and acknowledged, and thus a regular
channel of communication was opened.

One noticeable fact attended this correspondence--namely, the extreme
modesty of the demands made; no one ever asking for more than he needed
at the time, as a pair of stockings, or a single shirt, and always
expressing a fear lest others might need these favors more than himself.

When, soon after, by means of this entering wedge, the way to the
prisons of Andersonville, Florence, and Salisbury, was opened, the same
fact was observed. In the midst of all their dreadful suffering and
misery, the prisoners there