, pies of various kinds, fruits, and candies. This was a feast
indeed to the thousand heroes gathered around the board, and to those
too ill to leave the wards a portion of all was taken, that at least
they might see the good things which the others were enjoying. The
thoughts of many of the sick had centred on this Christmas dinner, and
they had named the favorite morsels that they wished for.

An Episcopal service was held in the chapel in the evening, by the Rev.
Mr. Davenport of Annapolis. A crowded congregation gathered within the
walls, which were hung with scrolls bearing the names of our
battle-fields, and richly adorned with evergreen, while the national
flag gracefully draped the large window. Carols were merrily sung, and
the shattered, scarred, and emaciated soldiers in the most righteous
cause that ever brought warfare to a nation joined in heralding the
advent of the Prince of Peace.

The Christmas had been rendered still happier by the reception of a
telegram, that another exchange of paroled prisoners had been made, and
we were hourly expecting their arrival. In the cold, gray dawn of the
29th of December, the shrill whistle of the "New York" coming up the bay
was heard. Every one was soon astir in preparation for a warm welcome.
Large quantities of coffee, chocolate, and gruels were to be made,
clothes were to be in readiness, and the stretcher corps to be mustered.

As the sun arose, a great crowd assembled, and when the New York neared
the wharf, shouts and cheers greeted her. The decks were covered with
men, whose skeleton forms and vacant countenances told of starvation,
the languid glimmer that at moments overspread their faces feebly
betokening the gratitude in their hearts at their escape from "Dixie."

This time the Rebel authorities had allowed only "well men," as they
called them, to come, because so much had been said at the North about
"the last lot," who came in November. Those able to walk were landed
first, the barefooted receiving shoes. Many were able to crawl as far as
Parole Camp, a little beyond the city. The more feeble were received
into the hospital, where hot baths awaited them; and when they had been
passed under scissors and razor, and were laid in comfortable
beds,--only too soft after the hard ground they had lain on for months,
with as much earth as they could scrape together for a pillow,--they
expressed the change in their whole condition as like coming from the
lower r