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prisoners," six hundred and forty-five prisoners of war, and one hundred Federal soldiers, besides the officers and crew of the steamer. I subsequently learned that the only stores put on board for our subsistence consisted of one thousand and six pounds of hard bread, one hundred and twenty-eight pounds of coffee, and two hundred and fifty-eight pounds of sugar.
Thus loaded down almost to the water's edge, we headed for Long Island Sound. The discomfort of our situation cannot be described. Moreover, we all knew, for the naval officers among us had so said, and the officers of the boat admitted, that the vessel was, in her then condition, utterly unseaworthy, and that, if a moderate gale should catch us at sea, the chances were largely in favor of our going to the bottom.
About dusk I heard that supper had been prepared in the dining saloon, for the officers who had us in charge, and that, as far as it would go, those of us who chose to pay for it, could partake of it. It was at the same time stated, that the officers of the boat had received no notice of the number of the prisoners she was to carry, and had not made the slightest provision for them. Under such circumstances, but very few of us could get a single meal in the dining saloon. By dint of great patience and perseverance, I succeeded in getting some supper about nine o'clock at night. The next day, after many ineffectual efforts, I managed to get a very late breakfast, and that was the last meal I got from the officers of the boat or Government. I was far better off, however, than the mass of my companions; for Mrs. Gelston again stood our friend. She had heard we were to leave Fort La Fayette, and had thoughtfully sent to those occupying the casemate in which I was, a huge basket of provisions for our journey. It contained pheasants, chickens, tongues, pies and other delicacies, and one of my room-mates, Mr. Warfield, and myself, consented, or perhaps volunteered, to take it under our especial charge during the journey. On these stores, I and my former room-mates lived for the ensuing two days, sharing them, however, as far as we could, with
