Page:The Immortal Six Hundred.djvu/95

   there would be an exchange of prisoners in a few days. The rolls were being made out and in a few days the first batch would be sent South. To disbelieve this was the rankest treason; so we all accepted the story, yet we looked upon it as "grape."

But about 3 o'clock p. m., of August 17th, confirmation of the story came, when an officer from the fort and Sergeant Murphy came into the pen and ordered the prisoners to fall into line and answer to their names, as they would be called, for exchange.

We soon fell into line, the roll call began and went on, while the prisoners stood in death-like silence awaiting the call of their names, each man showing on his face the hope of his heart; each asking God, in silent, earnest prayer, that his name would be called. I have looked into the faces of men in line before a battle, when defeat seemed inevitable; I have seen the joy of victory take the place of doubt; but never in all my life did I witness joy so perfect as in the face of the