Friday, September 30. — Meade received a letter from home, saying that Captain Williams had called, and said that the exchange had been effected. Day pleasant. In the evening 100 sailors came up from Charleston. They are to go on to Richmond to be exchanged. Major Gist was here on an inspection tour. He said that the exchange would be resumed in a few days. Wrote to General Ripley and Dr. Marks.
War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld
Thursday, September 29. — No news for the navy as yet. Good news still from Sheridan, and gold reported down to 200. More escaped prisoners brought in. Wrote to Mr. Saunders for money. Had my letter to Father, which was to run the blockade, returned me to-day. Captain Senn on as officer of the day.
Thursday, September 29. — No news for the navy as yet. Good news still from Sheridan, and gold reported down to 200. More escaped prisoners brought in. Wrote to Mr. Saunders for money. Had my letter to Father, which was to run the blockade, returned me to-day. Captain Senn on as officer of the day.
Wednesday, September 28. — Navy officers expected news in regard to their going to Charleston for exchange, but received none. Some more car-jumpers and men who escaped from Florence arrived here to-clay. Some of them got within 30 miles of Newbern. Several hundred escaped at Florence. Bought myself some stockings and a shirt. Clean clothes came in to-day.
Tuesday, September 27. — The Carolinian came out with a long letter in reply to Captain Senn. Renewed our subscription to the Carolinian. Major Filler sent a petition to Secretary Seddon that he be allowed to go to Washington to effect the exchange of prisoners here.
Monday, September 26. — Captain Senn’s letter in reply to the article “Outrage” in the Carolinian, appeared in the Guardian. Last night chilly. Weather to-day delightful. Some more car-jumpers[1] brought in.
[1] Prisoners who had escaped from the cars, and were recaptured while trying to get back to the Union lines.
Sunday, September 25. —Wrote a letter to Father, enclosing it in one to Mr. Kidder. Shall try to have it run the blockade. Finished Hopes and Fears. Weather delightful. More like an autumn day at home than anything we have had yet. Navy officers hear that they are to be exchanged October 1.
Saturday, September 24.— A new officer arrived at the navy room. He was captured at Plymouth last February. The navy made some egg-nog, of which we had our share. Day cloudy most of the time. Scrubbed out the room. Spent the evening in the navy room, singing, etc. Had quite a scene in jail to-day. A rebel deserter was brought in. He was captured in the street, his two sisters being with him. When he was brought into the jail the sentry tried to keep the sisters out, but they shrieked and screamed and fought, and finally dodged in under the guard’s bayonet, and joined their brother amid the applause of the surrounding multitude.
Friday, September 23.— We had a rainy day. Went upstairs to see the officers there. Heard of the victory in the Valley. The deserters were sent away to-day.
Thursday, September 22.— Day cloudy. Dr. Marks called on me this morning. One of the deserters was roughly handled by the men. They tore his clothing off, and robbed him of his money. He did not meet with much sympathy. Had our usual concert in the night from drunkards in the lock-up.
