From Point Lookout the prisoners were taken by ocean steamer to Fort Delaware, located on Pea Patch Island in Delaware Bay, where they were confined until June, 1865. The following letters are of interest in this connection:
“Division 27, Officers’ Barracks,
“Fort Delaware, Del., December 7, 1864.
“My dearest Sister Lily:
“Again was I made glad, this evening, upon the receipt of your kind letter of the 1st. Having postponed several days in hopes of getting a letter before writing, at last I was successful, and the realization has made me again cheerful. For, to tell you the truth, I was quite sad. There is nothing so depressing to one’s spirits as the absence or non-arrival of letters from one’s friends, which you will please bear in mind.
“But what added most to my discomfort was not hearing from ——, for in his letter of the 14th of November he wrote me that he would send me a check soon. I answered immediately upon receipt, it being the 19th, but have received no answer or check, although I have not yet given up all hopes. With a little assistance of that kind, now and then, we expect to live through the winter, and without it it would indeed be hard living, as prisoner’s fare is not very flattering.
“I have several times been reduced to that predicament. This has been the case particularly for the last three or four weeks, since I preferred to pay a few small debts with the five dollars you sent, rather than purchase what I really needed. I miss my coffee most, and therefore I am often hungry, and when once hungry, without some assistance you will always be so, when restricted to a certain amount of rations. But enough of this; neither space nor restrictions will permit me to say more. I am trusting something may be done.
“Write soon and often, and tell me something of Mummy now and then. Glad to find your last letter some longer, but you can still do much better. Love to all.
“I am, my dear sister,
“Truly your affectionate brother,