Life in Southern Prisons. — Personal Experience of the Author. Capture. Gen. Stuart. Incidents of March to Staunton, Va., ting. The Debating Club.-"Libby Lice-I-see-'em," (Lyceum). -The Weekly Libby Chronicle. — Literary Classes. — Religious Services. The Author Preaches to our Prisoners in Pember- ton Castle. - Wretched Condition of our Men. - Release. - Guides Cavalry Corps from Fair- fax C. H. to Frederick City, Md., June, 1863.- Ordered to Watch Movements of Rebel Army, Marching on its Grand Invasion of Pennsylvania. In Disguise he Visits Rebel Gen. Stuart. Captures Rebel Army Mail, with Important Dispatches, at Hagerstown, Md. Carries Dispatches from Gen. Grant to President Lincoln, during Battle of the Wilderness. Among the Rebels near Weldon & Petersburg R.R. Selections from the Files of the Libby Chronicle. -Prospectus. - Kansas Brigade's Version of John Brown.-South Window, No. 1. Conundrums. - Castle Thunder, in Three Parts, a Poem. Facts and Fun. - News of Libby. - South Window, No. 2. - The Libbyad, a Poem. - Petition to Governor Bradford of Maryland. — Who is Responsible for Non-Exchange of Pris- CHAPTER I. Our Cavalry Deficient at Bull Run.—This Arm Recruited.— Organization of the Fifth New York Cavalry.- Hon. Ira Harris lends his Name and Influence.-Early History of Regiment.On Staten Island, New York.-Flag Presentation.- Speech of Senator Harris.- Regiment Leaves the State.-In Baltimore.In Annapolis. At Camp Harris.- July 26th to Dec. 31st, 1861. The first battle of Bull Run clearly demonstrated the importance of the cavalry arm of the service, and that the enemy's cavalry, including his notorious Black Horse, was far superior to ours. Fully aware of our deficiency the authorities went directly to work to reënforce this weak arm and to invigorate it with new life and discipline. Recruiting officers at once appeared in every section of the loyal north, whose calls were made for cavalrymen, who would be expected to take the field against the proud chivalry, whose success, thus far, had made them more defiant and confident than before. On the twenty-sixth of July, 1861, the secretary of war authorized Col. Othniel De Forest, of New York city, to raise a regiment of cavalry for the field service. With earnest zeal the colonel began the work assigned him, and by the last of September he had gathered on Staten Island, New York, the nucleus of a fine cavalry brigade. From this assemblage of recruits Col. De Forest organized the Fifth New York Cavalry, known as the First Ira Harris Guard, in honor of Senator Ira Harris, of Albany, under whose patronage the organization was commenced and completed. New York City had contributed liberally of men, though whole companies and parts of companies were raised in Essex, Wyoming, Allegany, Tioga and Orange counties. A few men were also obtained from the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey. No bounties were then paid to recruits, and a bounty of only one hundred dollars was promised to be paid by the United States, at the expiration of term of service. or On the first of October, on Staten Island, New York, the field and staff of the regiment were mustered into the service of the United States for three years, by Capt. L. S. Larned, of the United States army. The muster took effect from that date. The regiment was now quartered in common, A tents, furnished by the United States, and the place where the boys received their first lessons in discipline and drill was called Camp Scott, after the old veteran, who, at that time, was closing his active military labors. The first and second battalions received their horses during the month of October, and began to be instructed in mounted drill. October 31st. The regiment was inspected for the first time by Lt. Col. D. B. Sackett, of the United States army. The last company had now been mustered in, and the command stood with a strength of 1,064, besides the officers. On this day of inspection the regiment was also mustered in for pay, preparatory to receiving its first remuneration from the government, which came on the sixth of November. At that time the government had not yet learned to deal in paper money, and the boys received their pay |