April 1st, 1865
Sunday--
Chaplain William H. Paddock, of the United States army, stationed at
Fort Delaware, passed through the ward, and learning that he was a minister, I asked for and was given a Bible, on the inside cover of which was pasted the following printed card, the blanks of which I have filled out:
From the
Maryland State Bible Society, to
Captain Robert E. Park, soldier in company “F,” Twelfth regiment, Alabama Volunteers.
Should I die on the battle field or in the hospital, for the sake of humanity, acquaint my mother,
Mrs. S. T. Park, residing at
Greenville, Georgia, of the fact, and where my remains may be found.
Chaplain Paddock seems a very genteel, good man, but his visits to the prisoners must be very rare, as to-day is the first time I have ever seen or heard of him. Perhaps the soldiers of the garrison require all his time and attention.
The
Inquirer gives news of the battle of Fort Steadman, which occurred on the 26th ultimo, and in which that unreliable sheet states that
General Gordon made a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to capture the fort, but was repulsed with great loss.
Gordon is cautious as well as gallant, and I believe he gained a victory.
General Gordon began service as captain of the “Raccoon Roughs,” a company in the Sixth Alabama of my brigade, from
Jackson county, Alabama, was successively elected major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel, and promoted brigadier-general,
major-general, and I hear is now commanding
Early's old corps, with the rank of lieutenant-general.
In his case, real merit has been promptly and properly rewarded.
The confronting lines near
Petersburg are stretched out over thirty
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miles, and the papers report numerous deserters, who relate doleful tales of scarcity, hardships and despondency within the
Confederate lines.
How chafing and irritating this protracted confinement in a Yankee bastile is to a Confederate soldier, who sees and keenly feels the great necessity for his presence in the
Southern army by the side of his old comrades, now sorely pressed and well nigh overwhelmed by vastly superior numbers, and suffering from want of sufficient food and too great loss of sleep and necessary rest.
If I could be released from this loathed imprisonment, I would gladly report on my crutches for duty with my company in the trenches around beleaguered
Petersburg, the heroic “Cockade city.”
For, while I could neither charge nor retreat, should either be ordered, yet I could cheer by my words and inspire by my presence those who might be dispirited or despondent.
