aphed from Annapolis and received an answer. We resorted to all
sorts of devices to get letters through to our friends in the North, that
contained matter that we were aware the Confederate authorities would not
permit. I once wrote a short note in ink on a page of foolscap, and then
filled up the sheet with a long letter, written with soda, which would be
invisible until heated. My short note was an acrostic, and taking the
first word of each line and reading it down formed this sentence: "I write
with soda."

But this letter never reached its destination. The reb authorities soon
got onto these dodges, and were very careful in their examination of all
correspondence of prisoners, and everything that looked at all suspicious
was destroyed.

I only received one letter while I was in prison, and that was from Col.
James W. Savage, of my regiment, which, for brevity and news, I think I
never saw equalled. I have the letter yet, soiled, faded and worn, but
quote it entire:

HEADQUARTERS 12TH N. Y. VOL. CAVALRY,

CAMP PALMER, July 31st, 1864.

DEAR COOPER:--

Russell is in a Northern hospital, nearly well; Maj. Clarkson is
assistant inspector; Rocha temporarily in command of "I;" Ellison and
Mahon have resigned; Maj. Gasper also, though his resignation has not
been accepted. We have lost a few men in skirmishes since you were
taken. Prewster and Rice, of D, and June, of G, are dead. You and
Hock are constantly remembered by us all.

Signed, J. W. SAVAGE, Col. 12th N. Y. V. Cavalry.

My regards. J. A. JUDSON, Capt. and A. A. Gen'l.

On the 14th of June the first box of letters were received in camp, and as
the adjutant mounted a table and called off the names, eager hands were
held out to receive a missive from home; and to show my feelings I quote
from my diary of that date:

"I listened with bated breath to hear my name called, but the last letter
was called off, and I was obliged to turn away disappointed, as were a
good many others. It seems too bad that even this comfort must be denied
me. I feel as though I was dead to the outer world, and only for hope, of
which I always possessed a good share, I believe I should die.

"If I could only get a letter from home, and know that my wife had arrived
safely and knew of my safety, I could better bear this imprisonment; but
this uncertainty and suspense is enough to drive one _mad_."

I quote this to show how