A CONFEDERATE OFFICER TO HIS LADY LOVE.

Maj. McKnight (“Asa Hartz”), A. A. G., General Loring’s staff, while a prisoner of war, at Johnston’s Island, wrote the following:

My love reposes on a rosewood frame— A bunk have I; A couch of feathery down fills up the same— Mine’s straw, but dry; She sinks to sleep at night with scarce a sigh— With waking eyes I watch the hours creep by. My love her daily dinner takes in state— And so do I(?); The richest viands flank her silver plate— Coarse grub have I? Pure wines she sips at ease, her thirst to slake— I pump my drink from Erie’s limpid lake!

“Three Acres I.”

My love has all the world at will to roam— Three acres I; She goes abroad or quiet sits at home— So cannot I; Bright angels watch around her couch at night— A Yank, with loaded gun, keeps me in sight. A thousand weary miles do stretch between My love and I; To her, this wintry night, cold, calm, serene, I waft a sigh; And hope, with all my earnestness of soul, To-morrow’s mail may bring me my parole!

“We’ll one day meet again.”

There’s hope ahead! We’ll one day meet again, My love and I; We’ll wipe away all tears of sorrow then— Her love-lit eye, Will all my many troubles then beguile, And keep this wayward reb. from Johnston’s Isle.