rigid; and to see a smile upon a face
was like a sunbeam illumining a thunder-cloud.

I must here record an unparalleled instance of self-denial, love and
devotion in the female character, seldom to be met with. One of the
prisoners in making frequent voyages to the English ports, (I believe
Liverpool,) had become acquainted with and married a young English woman
early in the war. He was taken and sent on board one of these ships. No
sooner was this made known to his young and affectionate wife, than she
resolved to partake of all the hardships, privations, and imprisonment
with him; and never ceased her exertions until she had accomplished her
purpose. In admiration and respect for her heroic virtues, and kind
feelings toward her husband, the prisoners screened off a small space for
them with old canvass, etc., although much to their inconvenience, owing
to the crowded condition of the ship. It was amid these trials and
privations that she became a mother, and was covered by the American flag.
They are now living in Newark, New-Jersey, enjoying each other's society
in the down-hill of life, and surrounded by a numerous family.

The prisoners were divided into companies or messes of six each; the
provisions, which were very coarse and scanty, were prepared in a
cook-house erected on the forward part of the upper-deck, and when ready,
passed to the prisoners down below. Hammocks were provided for them to
sleep in, which were slung side by side, so close as hardly to admit a
passage between them. They were three tiers deep, bringing the lower ones
within three feet of the floor. No light was allowed, and of course all
was in utter darkness. And it was quite a perilous undertaking to go on a
necessary excursion across the deck at night. Many was the one who became
so bewildered in his journey that he could not find his lodgings, and had
to sit down and quietly wait until morning; at which time all hands must
turn out, lash up the hammocks and pass them upon the upper deck to be
stowed away until night came round again, in order to make more room
below. Several guards with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets constantly
paced the upper deck; and aft, on the quarter-deck, were two carronades
loaded to the muzzle and pointed forward. Two or three of the prisoners
were permitted to come on deck at a time; but at night none were allowed
on deck for any purpose whatever; the entrance being secured by strong
gratings, and sentries