I never heard it stated among the Confederate authorities that Col. S., had given any information or intimation of a proposed attempt at escape of his fellow-prisoners. If it had been so, I would have known it. On the contrary I knew it was not Col. SANDERSON; but another prisoner who gave all the information that was necessary, especially in the case of a Major (White, I believe,) who escaped by going with the Surgeons, but was brought back from City Point. Col. S. frequently expressed to me his sentiments, and I believe that he reposed the fullest confidence in me. He was, as a gentleman, opposed to the violent voluntary expression of political opinions in his intercourse with the Confederate officers, but I have seen him frequently drawn out, and have induced him to speak myself, but in all his conversations he firmly and ably defended his actions and the cause of his Government. I have never heard him express any but the most loyal sentiments, and have thought, as did other Confederate officers, that he was the truest Union man that we had met. In all of his meetings with several of his old friends Col. S. expressed his firm Union sentiments, and opposition to the South and Secession. It would have been impossible for Col. S. to have had any communication with any of the principal officers of the Confederate Government, without my knowledge, and I am certain that he had no intimacy with any of them, and that individually he received no favors from them; I am personally cognizant of the fact, that permission was refused him to accept the hospitalities which were tendered to him by an old friend on Christmas Day, 1863. I was severely reprimanded by Gen. Winder for my course towards Col. S. and the other members of the Board with whom I held some feelings of esteem and friendship; a feeling which is not impossible for even enemies to entertain. Col. SANDERSON did not receive any favors or privileges other than those which were incident to his official position or which were accorded to the other members of the Board, indeed Col. S. did not receive as many as the other members of the Board, because he was at Belle Isle during most of the time. I do not know that Col. S. ever applied for or received any particular personal favors from others, from myself he never asked and never accepted any, but he made many applications in favor of his companions, and frequently obtained special privileges for his fellow-prisoners from myself, such as the delivery of private boxes, &c., when the distribution was suspended by order of Gen. Winder, and furnishing those who received none from home, with provisions from the confiscated goods. The distribution of clothing and other supplies which were sent by the U. S. and the Sanitary and other Commissions, was under my control, and Col. S. could not have appropriated or disposed of any of them without my consent or the knowledge of the detectives of Gen. Winder. Gen. Winder, no matter how censurable he may have been in other respects, was too honest to have permitted anything of the kind, and would certainly have known it. I remember that it was owing entirely to Col. SANDERSON's representations that the boxes of Gen'l Neal Dow were delivered at all, and his representations and refusal to take his own boxes until their boxes were delivered, induced me to deliver the boxes of Gen'l Scammon, Col. Streight and Col. Cesnola. Col. S. on two occasions requested and obtained the delivery of boxes for Dow and Streight, when the delivery of boxes was suspended by order of Gen. Winder I, in those cases, took the responsibility. I am confident that no member of the Board sought or obtained as many special favors for his fellow prisoners as did Col. SANDERSON, or that they did more to ameliorate their condition. Yet I must express my esteem for every member-they conducted themselves with great courtesy, and gave me great assistance. I certify on honor that the above statement is true. C. MCRAE SELPH, Capt. & A. A. G., late C. S. A. BROOKLYN, 20th March, 1865. Brig. Gen'l J. C. CALDWELL, Pres't Military Commission." GENERAL: I have the honor to forward you two original letters written by me, whilst in Libby prison, to my family in New-York. My object in placing before you these letters is to show : 1st. The mental difficulties and private griefs I was laboring under at the very moment I was charged with having disclosed our plan of escape. 2d. To prove where I drew all the luxuries and conveniences of my mess which have been charged against me, by my enemies, as coming from rebel sources. 3d. To establish the date of my visit to the hospital, about which there appears to be some discrepancy between Capt. Fentress, and Col. Fisher. This is of importance to show that Neal Dow, who arrived, according to his own statement at Portland, from Mobile about the latter part of October, could not have been present at an incident occuring not later than the 21st. My own impression is that he did not reach Libby until the 28th or 29th of October. 4th. To prove that in the midst of my personal griefs and discomforts, I was still resigned to the action of my Government, and did not fear to say so, although I knew that every letter was subject to the scrutiny of the Confederates. The friend referred to as having sent me some dainties was a brother hotelkeeper, who I had known in Baltimore. This was the only instance of such kindness to me during my whole stay. Very respectfully, &c., JAMES M. SANDERSON. COPY OF A LETTER FROM LIBBY. LIBBY, October 6th, 1863. Yesterday the letters per last "flag of truce" were delivered, but none from my darling child, and no news of her dear mother. When the last name is read and your own is unheard, there comes over the heart a chilly coldness, hard to describe, but bitter to feel; and when you look around and see the triumphant and glad smile of the fortunate, one seems inclined to do or say something very malicious, or very sentimental. The only thing that tempers my thoughts just now, however, is the hope that the worst has not, as yet, befallen me, and that I can still think of your darling mother as being with and near you. And yet the state in which you describe her is heartrending and painful, bearing with it the consciousness that your loss is her gain. May God give her strength to bear bravely her burden. I see no prospects of an exchange this winter, and, in fact, it has been intimated to us to provide ourselves as soon as possible with every needed requirement for shielding us from the rigors of the coming season, I have written, some time ago, for some necessaries, but fear the letter has miscarried. I require immediately, warm underclothing, undershirts, drawers, stockings, warm mitts; fur-lined slippers with stout soles, and if there be any warm, thick coat among my old clothes, send it along. My fur-cap is in Washington, if not put it in the box; also an old-fashioned magnifying or "burning glass," the German are the cheapest, about 2 or 23 inches in diameter; a pint of alchohol, with an ounce of camphor dissolved in it; a cake of camphor ice; a very small pair of dividers or compasses; another pair of linnen drawers— they are good to sleep in-and if there be any silk undershirts or drawers among my stock send them along. By all means send me a canvass hammock, complete with slings and heavy iron hooks. Send me monthly, with bill, the articles enumerated on the other side. If Leonard wants money to purchase anything for me, I have requested him to draw on your husband. Give him my love and tell him to honor the drafts. With many kisses to your dear mamma, if she still lives, and for yourself, I am as ever, Your dearest papa, JAMES M. SANDERSON, Mrs. J. A. HEWLETT, 82 Wall Street, New-York. 5 lbs. Coffee, ground; 10 lbs. White Sugar; 10 lbs. Brown Sugar; 5 lbз American Cheese; 10 lbs. Butter in tin cans; doz. Currant Jelley in tumblers; 1 doz. cans Condensed Milk; 1 doz. cans assorted Meats; 1 doz. cans assorted Vegetables; 1 bottle Worcestershire Sauce; 1 bottle English Mustard; 1 jar of Preserves; doz. Lemons; 1 quire Letter Paper and Envelopes; doz. Essences for Cooking; 6 doz. box. Parafine Candles and Matches; doz. best Syrup or Maple Molasses; Bed Bug Killer; 3 Soup Plates, 1 dinner Plate, Ironstone or China; 2 Table Cloths, 4 ft. square. My Dear Children: "LIBBY," 14 Oct., 1863. Your joint note of Sept. 27 and Oct. 1, reached me last week. I am greatly delighted to know my letter reached your dear mamma in time. My pain at hearing of your marriage was of course due to my forbodings for her health, for had she been well, and such an incident occur, of course, I should have known that some proper reason influenced it. I dont remember of her ever being wrong in an event of such magnitude. A quarter of a century has elapsed since our wedding day, and a most momentous era it has been not only for us, but for the world at large. Rumors are constantly reaching us as to exchanges, and I have been constantly buoyed up with the hopes of release in time to see her before her release from this earth and its pain, but I have now ceased to hope, and await with quiet resignation the decision of my Government quite satisfied to remain, if, by so doing, I fill the measure of my duty. The authorities here have lately greatly ameliorated our condition and improved our accomodations, especially the hospital department. To-day I have been the recipient of some dainties from an old friend of years gone by, and am anxious to return it, and know of nothing better than a couple of pounds of tea, which costs here something fabulous. Have it put in the first box. I began to fear my letters were destroyed, but your announcement of the receipt of those of 7 and 8th Sept., reassure me, and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the box, having just reached the end of my coffee, sugar, milk and everything in fact, but my tea. For three days past I have been quite ill, but am now quite recovered. Don't forget the hammock, subjoined is a list of a few additional articles I require. With my deepest love, and constant prayers, as ever, Your Father, J. M. SANDERSON. 1 Bottle Velpeau's remedy for rheumatism; 1 Paper Tacks; 1 Small Hammer or Hatchet; 2 Camel's Hair Brushes; 5 b. Italian Macaroni; Paper of CourtPlaster; A small Spring Balance; Camphor Ice. October 20, in pencil. I have just recovered from another severe cold, which sent me to the hospital, whence I have just returned. I am anxiously awaiting a letter or a box, especially the hammock. J. M. S. Send me some Musk, let it be strong,-lice dont like it. October 23. Your letters of Oct. 6 and 9, just received, but no box as yet greatly to my discomfort. Will write again shortly. J. M. S. OFFICERS ADDRESSED, FROM WHOM NO REPLY HAS BEEN RECEIVED. Lt. Col. S. M. Archer, 17th Iowa-2 letters. Col. W. B. McCreery, 21st Michigan-2 letters. Lt. Col. H. B. Hunter, 123d Ohio-declines answering. Lt. Col. J. F. Boyd, Q. M. Army of the Ohio-2 letters. Lt. Col. A. Von Schrader, A. I. G., 14th Army Corp-declines answering. Capt. F. E. Wentworth, C. S.-reply miscarried. Lt. W. C. Robinson, 34th Illinois-declines answering. Brig. Gen. E. P. Scammon-1 letter. Lt. Col. E. L. Hays, 100th Ohio-1 letter. Lt. W. F. Randolph, 5th United States Artillery-3 letters. Col. W. F. Wilson, 123d Ohio-1 letter. Lt. Col. J. P. Spofford, 97th New-York-3 letters. Capt. J. H. Whelan, Ass't Adj't Gen'l,-2 letters. Major W. D. Morton, 14th New-York Cavalry-reply miscarried. Capt. W. H. Douglas, C. S.-2 letters. Major E. M. Pope, Ass't Insp. Gen'l--3 letters. Capt. Fred. Barton-2 letters. Lieut. Ira Tyler, 5th Maryland-1 letter. Lieut. John Egan-1 letter. Lieut. Butler Coles, 2d N. Y. Cav.-1 letter. Isaac Johnson, Eng., U. S. Navy-1 letter. |