O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME IV [S# 117]

CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE FROM JUNE 13, 1862, TO NOVEMBER 30, 1862.--#6

CASTLE THUNDER, October 13, 1862.

My Honorable PRESIDENT:

I say my, for I own no other; will no other own. I come to you, a poor weak woman whose future looks, oh, so cheerless. I come to you, the relict of him who has paid the penalty of his wrongdoing, if wrong he did, of which I know nothing. I come to you begging. I wish to go home. It was hinted an exchange. Oh, sir, exchange me, a Southern born, a South-adoring woman. No, no; rather let me remain here in my people's prison and die than exchange me for one of my own countrywomen. They say I might harm some one. Does a mother harm her child, a child her mother? The South is my mother. I will not harm her. Her glory is my pride. I look to her like a bleeding bird for succor. I have suffered. Oh, you can feel for the suffering; let me go home where I may seek some spot, and unnoticed pass the remainder of my dreary, dreary days. I will pray for you; do you no harm. There is nothing so ingenuous as fear but I fear nothing. I am protected here and my Holy Mother knows my heart, but I have ties in Maryland--interests there. Please let me go home.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

MRS. T. WEBSTER.

[ First indorsement ]

Secretary of War for inquiry and advice.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[Second indorsement.]

OCTOBER 17, 1862.

Referred to General Winder for inquiry and report.

G. W. RANDOLPH,
Secretary of War.

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