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discharge us； and we could not make any engagements with its enemies that
might come in contravention of that duty。 In short； it looked very much
like desertion； and this we did not feel at liberty to consider。
There were still many among us； who； feeling certain that they could not
survive imprisonment much longer； were disposed to look favorably upon
the Non…Combatant's Oath； thinking that the circumstances of the case
would justify their apparent dereliction from duty。 Whether it would or
not I must leave to more skilled casuists than myself to decide。 It was
a matter I believed every man must settle with his own conscience。 The
opinion that I then held and expressed was； that if a boy； felt that he
was hopelessly sick； and that he could not live if he remained in prison；
he was justified in taking the Oath。 In the absence of our own Surgeons
he would have to decide for himself whether be was sick enough to be
warranted in resorting to this means of saving his life。 If he was in as
good health as the majority of us were； with a reasonable prospect of
surviving some weeks longer； there was no excuse for taking the Oath；
for in that few weeks we might be exchanged； be recaptured； or make our
escape。 I think this was the general opinion of the prisoners。
While the Rebel was talking about our signing the parole； there flashed
upon all of us at the same moment； a suspicion that this was a trap to
delude us into signing the Non…Combatant's Oath。 Instantly there went up
a general shout：
〃Read the parole to us。〃
The Rebel was handed a blank parole by a companion； and he read over the
printed condition at the top； which was that those signing agreed not to
bear arms against the Confederates in the field； or in garrison； not to
man any works； assist in any expedition； do any sort of guard duty； serve
in any military constabulary； or perform any kind of military service
until properly exchanged。
For a minute this was satisfactory； then their ingrained distrust of any
thing a Rebel said or did returned； and they shouted：
〃No； no； let some of us read it； let Ilinoy' read it〃
The Rebel looked around in a puzzled manner。
〃Who the hl is 'Illinoy！' Where is he？〃 said he。
I saluted and said：
〃That's a nickname they give me。〃
〃Very well；〃 said he； 〃get up on this stump and read this parole to these
d…d fools that won't believe me。〃
I mounted the stump； took the blank from his hand and read it over
slowly； giving as much emphasis as possible to the all…important clause
at the end〃until properly exchanged。〃 I then said：
〃Boys； this seems all right to me；〃 and they answered； with almost one
voice：
Yes； that's all right。 We'll sign that。〃
I was never so proud of the American soldier…boy as at that moment。 They
all felt that signing that paper was to give them freedom and life。 They
knew too well from sad experience what the alternative was。 Many felt
that unless released another week would see them in their graves。 All
knew that every day's stay in Rebel hands greatly lessened their chances
of life。 Yet in all that thousand there was not one voice in favor of
yielding a tittle of honor to save life。 They would secure their freedom
honorably； or die faithfully。 Remember that this was a miscellaneous
crowd of boys； gathered from all sections of the country； and from many
of whom no exalted conceptions of duty and honor were expected。 I wish
some one would point out to me； on the brightest pages of knightly
record； some deed of fealty and truth that equals the simple fidelity of
these unknown heros。 I do not think that one of them felt that he was
doing anything especially meritorious。 He only obeyed the natural
promptings of his loyal heart。
The business of signing the paroles was then begun in earnest。 We were
separated into squads according to the first letters of our names； all
those whose name began with A being placed in one squad； those beginning
with B； in another； and so on。 Blank paroles for each letter were spread
out on boxes and planks at different places； and the signing went on
under the superintendence of a Rebel Sergeant and one of the prisoners。
The squad of M's selected me to superintend the signing for us； and I
stood by to direct the boys； and sign for the very few who could not
write。 After this was done we fell into ranks again； called the roll of
the signers； and carefully compared the number of men with the number of
signatures so that nobody should pass unparoled。 The oath was then
administered to us； and two day's rations of corn meal and fresh beef
were issued。
This formality removed the last lingering doubt that we had of the
exchange being a reality； and we gave way to the happiest emotions。
We cheered ourselves hoarse； and the fellows still inside followed our
example； as they expected that they would share our good fortune in a day
or two。
Our next performance was to set to work； cook our two days' rations at
once and eat them。 This was not very difficult； as the whole supply for
two days would hardly make one square meal。 That done； many of the boys
went to the guard line and threw their blankets； clothing； cooking
utensils； etc。； to their comrades who were still inside。 No one thought
they would have any further use for such things。
〃To…morrow； at this time； thank Heaven；〃 said a boy near me； as he tossed
his blanket and overcoat back to some one inside； 〃we'll be in God's
country； and then I wouldn't touch them d…d lousy old rags with a ten…
foot pole。〃
One of the boys in the M squad was a Maine infantryman； who had been with
me in the Pemberton building； in Richmond； and had fashioned himself a
little square pan out of a tin plate of a tobacco press； such as I have
described in an earlier chapter。 He had carried it with him ever since；
and it was his sole vessel for all purposesfor cooking； carrying water；
drawing rations； etc。 He had cherished it as if it were a farm or a good
situation。 But now； as he turned away from signing his name to the
parole； he looked at his faithful servant for a minute in undisguised
contempt； on the eve of restoration to happier； better things； it was a
reminder of all the petty； inglorious contemptible trials and sorrows he
had endured； he actually loathed it for its remembrances； and flinging it
upon the ground he crushed it out of all shape and usefulness with his
feet； trampling upon it as he would everything connected with his prison
life。 Months afterward I had to lend this man my little can to cook his
rations in。
Andrews and I flung the bright new tin pans we had stolen at Millen
inside the line； to be scrambled for。 It was hard to tell who were the
most surprised at their appearancethe Rebels or our own boysfor few
had any idea that there were such things in the whole Confederacy； and
certainly none looked for them in the possession of two such poverty…
stricken specimens as we were。 We thought it best to retain possession
of our little can； spoon； chess…board； blanket； and overcoat。
As we marched down and boarded the train； the Rebels confirmed their
previous action by taking all the guards fro