(partial letter, undated, probably around

                                                                        February 20/21, 1864 due to content)

 

They have some very severe modes of punishing men for offences one mode is tying their hands behind their backs and hanging them up. it is very painful and hard. an other way is walking with their head stuck through the top of a barrell. for serious offences, they have to wair a ball and chain. others have their two legs chained together all I have mentioned can been seen every day. Col. Dudley will make a man walk in a barrell for a very slight offence, he is a hard task master. I am in hope we shall not be under him long. the other day he was trying to tie a man up by the kneck with his (the Prisoners) hands tied and feet. but they could not. the man deserved it he cursed the Col. We have been under about a dozen Generals but there never was one that found so much fault with us as he has they all gave us great praise as you will see by an order I shall enclose in this letter from Gen McMillan. I think I written all I can think of this time I shall close my letter tommorow so if there is any more to write about I can do it Give my love to all the neighbors hope they are well. ask them to write and I will answer

 

                        I remain

                                    Your affect Son

                                                Reuben Haworth

                                                            Co. B. 1^st Regt N. H. Cav.

                                                                        New Orleans

                                                                                    La

 

P.S. I thought there would be some thing to write about before it was tomorrow There is going to be a National Concert tomorrow. it will be great. all the bands and music will be collected together by Mr Gilmore. The Bass part of the music will be played forty pieces of cannon. if I am spared I shall go and see it.

SOURCES