Head Qrs 2^nd Div 23^rd A.C.

Wilmington N.C. March 1^st 1865

 

                 I hardly feel dear wife like writing tonight but believing that you would rather have a stupid letter than none I will make the effort. I feel very tired, and low spirited. I rode out this afternoon to examine the progress making in a work on our building and unexpectedly came upon over a thousand of our prisoners who were in the act of being returned to us by the rebels. They came by railroad, and I watched the delivery from several cars with a sickening heart. It is impossible for me to describe to you truly the horrible condition of these prisoners. / It is past belief unless you actually see with your own eyes their squallid misery. I thought as I looked upon them that if the whole scene could be truly daguerrotyped, there is scarcely any one who would not think there must be some additions to make the reality more than it really was. Scarcely any of them could walk without staggering from weakness and a large number could only walk with assistance, and others had to be carried altogether. They had been starved into this condition, and I am forced to believe, with the deliberate intention of rendering them unfit for the service. It is hard to think this, but the facts which prove it are too strange to be resisted. How long will a merciful God permit / such conduct to remain unpunished? As I looked upon the scene my faith was strengthened in our course and the certainty of the destruction of the rebels. The joy of those poor prisoners at their release was in many instances most touching. Many shed tears, and cried out we are home again. The presence of our soldiers everywhere seemed to them like their home. Others whilst dragging themselves slowly and miserably along muttered bitter curses upon the rebels for their cruel treatment. I could not keep from shedding tears and I have rarely had my heart so stirred up with bitterness. The exhibition of these prisoners to the army will cause many a rebel to bite the / dust who might otherwise have been spared. Many have already sworn to take a bitter revenge, and the feeling seems to be gaining ground that our government must retaliate. None of these men are fit for duty and the greater portion of them never will be, whilst our rebel prisoners are in better condition than when they were captured. As yet our time of moving is unknown, but we cannot delay very long if we are to cooperate with Sherman and he is advancing as rapidly as we suppose. As yet we have no transportation and we cannot move without some way of getting our supplies. No letter from you since my arrival of a late date but I hope every day for better, as there must be many on the way for me. Love to Lindy and the children with many good night kisses to darling wife.

M^cLean

SOURCES