nd am I named for the
lady who was kind to Uncle Hiram?" Such are the strange links in life.

At this time there was in the wards an elderly man, who for months had
been vainly trying to recruit his strength. He had not been a prisoner,
but had been sent to the rear on account of feebleness. Now John Bump
thought it a great waste of time to be staying here in the hospital,
where he was doing no good to the nation, while, if he were at home, he
might be acquiring quite a fortune from his "profession," for he was a
chair-maker. His descriptive list not having been sent from the
regiment, he could draw no pay. One day he received the following
important queries from his anxious wife, who with eight small children
at home did seem to be in a precarious condition: "The man who owns the
house says I must move out if I cannot pay the rent: what shall I do? I
have nothing for the children to eat: what shall I do? There is nothing
to feed the hens with: what shall I do? The pigs are starving: what
shall I do?" An application was made, which resulted in John Bump's
being sent to his regiment, from which he no doubt soon received his
discharge papers.

Around the post-office at noon might always be seen an eager group
awaiting the distribution of the mail. A letter from friends was the
most cheering hope of the day, often proving more effectual than
anything else toward the restoration of health, by bringing vividly to
minds languid with disease all the little interests and charms of home.

Gathered about the fire on a wintry day, the men would recount the
experiences of their captivity, from the moment when they first found
themselves with dismay in the power of the enemy, and, relieved of
muskets, were marched without food to Richmond. There whatever they
chanced to have of money or of value was taken into the care of a Rebel
officer, with the assurance that it would be returned on their release.
The promise was never fulfilled, and the men were hurried off to the
sandy plains of Belle Isle. The death of companions was the principal
change in their dreary, monotonous life, varied also by the addition
from time to time of others doomed to share their fate. Efforts to
escape were not always unsuccessful. At one time eight men burned spots
on their faces and hands with hot wire, and then sprinkled the spots
with black pepper. When the doctor came round, they feigned illness, and
he ordered these cases of small-pox to be taken to