dressed in blue. Arriving at New Orleans,
October 1, 1861, they were thrust into Parish Prison, and were obliged
to occupy the small, filthy cells, where the vilest criminals of the
city were incarcerated. No clothing was furnished them by the
Confederacy, and not half enough food was afforded to keep them
thriving; but by means of the profits, arising from the manufacture of
bone trinkets, their sufferings were much less than otherwise they must
have been. Some of them became very skillful in making bone rings,
pen-holders, watch-chains, crosses, numbers, etc. The aristocracy
thought it a rare chance to buy an ornament of bone, made by a Yankee
prisoner. Large sums of money were realized by some of the most expert
workers. The more studious engaged in French, German, Greek, and
Theology. The "Union Lyceum" was soon established, and a regular
semi-monthly paper was published, called "The Stars and Stripes." In
this paper there appear, regularly, the notices of prayer meetings on
Sunday, at 9 o'clock, in cell No. 4; and on Wednesday, at 2 P. M., in
cell No. 2. Also a Bible-Class in cell No. 8, on Sunday at 1 o'clock P.
M.

For exercise, military companies were formed, and the positions in them
were esteemed honorable in no small degree.

To preserve order among the large number of prisoners who dwelt so
closely together, a sort of Lynch-Law Court was established, in which
those who were thought guilty of misdemeanors were tried, sentenced, and
punished.

In February, 1862, they were removed to Salisbury, N. C., for exchange;
but the wheels of the system not working smoothly, they were left in the
uncomfortable, military prison of that place until May 21, when they
took an oath not to take up arms against the Confederate States until
exchanged, nor to communicate any thing injurious to the Confederate
cause, which might have come within their knowledge after their capture.
With more than joy, they sailed down the Tar River, and stepped from
under the rebel flag, to the deck of the Union steamer, over which
proudly floated the Stars and Stripes. It is reported that they "danced,
wept, and even kissed the mute folds of those loved colors." After their
exchange some of them were discharged, and others reported themselves to
the company for duty, and served during the three years of their
enlistment.

[Sidenote: Explanation of Promotions.]

These prisoners will allow a word of explanation with regard to a
measure ta