Didn't happen for this letter-writer: Zouaves demonstrating removal of the wounded (LOC - LC-DIG-cwpb-03950)
Although The New-York Times is a pro-Republican paper,
it isn’t afraid to publish a letter critical of Lincoln and Scott, which is interesting considering all the violence and suppression aimed at pro-Southern newspapers in the North at about this time.
From The New York Times September 3, 1861:
A SOLDIER OF THE SIXTY-NINTH.
The Augusta (Ga.) Constitutionalist publishes the following letter, which an Irishman in that city received from, his brother, a member of the Sixty-ninth, held as a prisoner of war at Richmond:
NEW-ALMS HOSPITAL, RICHMOND, Va., Tuesday, July 30, 1861.
Wouldn't let the 69th go home - Winfield Scott (c1861 Mar. 11; LOC - LC-DIG-pga-03666)
DEAR PAT: I wrote you a few lines last week, which a gentleman either posted or took on with him, as he resided near Augusta. I know you were surprised to hear that I was in Richmond, wounded; but if we had got our rights I would have been in New-York the day the battle was fought, [???] term of service having expired the day before, but Old ABE or SCOTT would not let the regiment go home. Well, it served us right, when we were fools enough to fight in such a cause; but I hope the time will come when Irishmen will mind their own business.
Early in the fight, I got a bell [ball?] in the thigh, which broke the bone. I lay on the field thirty-five hours, a rain falling most of the time, and might have laid there since, if it was not for the kindness of the Southerners — enemies, I cannot call them, for they have treated us more like brothers than anything else. I got a hard shaking on the railroad; but now, thank God, I am very comfortable here. I expect to have my leg set to-day. If it is, I hope to recover soon, when I will be a much wiser man.
Owing to the great number of wounded, I could not be attended sooner; besides the doctor was afraid of mortification; but I think I am now safe, and that with God’s help, I will have the use of my leg.
Hero or Culprit: Col. Corcoran, prisoner at Richmond (ca.1861; LOC - LC-DIG-ppmsca-08358)
Dear Pat, you could not believe the way our soldiers were treated by SCOTT. There were eight regiments on the field whose time was up, but could not get home. But worse than all, they left the dead and wounded on the field, and never sent a flag of truce in to know how or what would become of us. It is Col. CORCORAN I blame for keeping us; he is now a prisoner here. Many is the heavy curse he got from wounded and dying men. I wish you could send a letter to my wife; poor creature, probably she thinks me dead. She lives at No. 212 West Twenty-sixth-street. Direct, care of THOS. KIERNAN. Tell her I hope to be with her soon; also, that I am well treated, get meal three times a day, and splendid soup at dinner time. I remain, dear Pat, your affectionate brother. B.R.
When I read this letter I think of the American prisoners in North Vietnam reading their lines to the camera, although I’m not saying that this writer was tortured. But the Augusta paper must have loved being able to print it.
