Excerpt from Selections From Chapter IX of the History of the Seventy-Third Illinois Infantry Volunteers: Eighteen Months' Experience in Prisons Down South of John L. Hesser and John W. North, Members of the Seventy-Third

Confinement in prison was very exasperating to Hesser. He very frequently grew impatient, and criticised the Government in language not very mild, considering that he was a member of the Preacher Regiment, for not bringing about an exchange of prisoners. North was very considerate and patient, and exercised a whole some influence over Hesser, curbing and modifying his tendency for outbreaking and turbulent denunciation of the way things Were going.

Time passed wearily; there was but little to relieve the dull ness and monotony of life within prison-walls. The hours seemed so long, even in day-time; and at night, when prisoners were rest less and sleepless, they seemed interminably lengthened out. Post number five! Half-past three o'clock, and all 's well I as squawked out by a guard in the early morning, was a reminder to many a wakeful prisoner that it was almost an age till daylight.

November 13th brought a change. The prisoners were moved across the street, and some distance farther east, and put in the Scott warehouse to remain until next day, on which date they were taken out and marched to the railroad, loaded into hog-cars, and shipped to Danville. They arrived at Danville, Virginia, at noon of Sunday, November 15th. On the way, Hesser and his regi mental comrades, by hustling, contrived to keep together, and so were quartered on the second floor of prison N o. 2, a frame build ing. Rations were issued once each day, instead of twice, as at Richmond. This made less trouble all around, and many prisoners made one meal only out of the morsel they received.

There was a good deal of talk, planning, and scheming, with reference to an outbreak; overpowering the guards, and attempt ing a wholesale flight. This was about all it amounted to. It seemed to facilitate the flight of time, and did some good in that way.

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