Soon after my escape from captivity and my arrival at the home of my father-in-law, at Elmira, New York, where my good wife was, my sister Sarah, who was older than myself, and her husband, came to see me. She sat down by my side and said: "Now Daniel, tell me all about it. How you were captured, how treated while a prisoner of war, how you made your escape and worked your way from Columbia, South Carolina, to Elmira." She held me to a strict account until she had the full story. I then told her that if after that I should be asked about it I would refer them to her (she would have given a good narrative), but unfortunately she is not living now.

I have never been much inclined to talk about my prison life, nor had thought of writing about it until recently when some of my comrades, who had been talking with me about it, suggested and strongly urged that I write it out. The result of which is these reminiscences. Doubtless I could have told this story better fifty years ago, for, as I did not keep a diary or any memorandum, it is entirely from memory, yet the events made a fixed impression on my mind and I believe that what I have herein narrated is correct. I was born January 3rd, 1832.

DANIEL AVERY LANGWORTHY.

Minneapolis, Minn.
April 3rd, 1915.