ming
verdict of the people at home.

The National Thanksgiving was celebrated by a service in the chapel, and
a fine dinner, which one man said he "could not have enjoyed better had
he eaten it at his grandmother's,--only the folks would have been
there."

At last, in December, the earnest entreaties of hearts breaking with
wild anguish and suspense prevailed upon the authorities in Washington
to effect the release of our prisoners. To no one person was this happy
result so much due as to General Mulford, our Commissioner of Exchange.
He was unceasing in his exertions to accomplish this end on almost any
terms, for he knew what tortures our men were enduring, and how rapidly
they were dying. The soldiers looked upon him as their deliverer, and
with good reason. His arduous care and kindly manner deserved their
warmest enthusiasm and gratitude. His personal watchfulness in receiving
the men may be illustrated by a little incident. A man who was feebly
walking fell down quite exhausted, just before reaching the New York; he
lay behind a pile of wood, and could not make himself heard. Just as the
boat was about putting off, General Mulford stepped on shore to look
round and be certain that no one was left. "I should have lain there
till I died had he not in his kindness found me," said the man.

The first exchange was of ten thousand men. Large ocean steamers found
their way up Chesapeake Bay, and our band played "Home again," "Home,
Sweet Home," and other strains of welcome, to their ghastly passengers.
As one man looked up, in landing, to the flag waving in the hospital
grounds, he said earnestly, "We're glad to see you; we know there's grub
enough under you." Such inexpressible relief and joy were never felt by
mortals before. Libby Prison and Belle Isle had startled the ear of
humanity by their records of woe, but the story of Andersonville far
exceeded theirs. The revolting torments inflicted in that place are too
well known to need repetition. Rather let us dwell upon the happiness of
those fortunate enough to escape. The hospital was crowded to its utmost
capacity. Many lived only a few minutes or hours after reaching the
wards; others survived but a day or two, breathing their last in peace
and comfort. An elderly man, quite pulseless when brought in, was
resuscitated with brandy sufficiently to express his gratitude. "God has
been very good in bringing me here," he said, as a beam of joy
irradiated his wan face