Asa Hartz, Johnson's Island [Federal Prison], Lake Erie, to Miss A., n.p., [25 December] 1863.

Containers:

Box-folder 1:7

Extent:

4 pages.

Scope and content:

Decided to write to her, though he does not know her, when Col. W. read parts of her letter to him; has let his imagination wander to think of his home in the South, and wishes "'this cruel war was over'"; has amused himself by coaxing a rat out of his hole and then throwing Col. W.'s toothbrush at him; joined the Confederate Army with the notion "that it was a mighty funny thing; that there was a good joke in it somewhere, & that I was the Columbus to discover it"; finally "found the joke -- [through] curiosity morbid curiosity" when he stumbled upon a group of Union troops who pressed him to go with them, and so became a prisoner; asks her not to mention that he wishes to go back again; describes an "exchange" ceremony (a funeral); closes with poetry that makes clear his desire to receive a letter from someone back in Dixie.

Physical description:

ALS.

Access and use