165th New York Infantry (Duryée’s Zouaves)

The following letter was written by a “paroled Confederate Prisoner,” otherwise unidentified. It was written to the editor of The Era, also known as the Daily Era or New Orleans Era—a prominent Union-occupied newspaper published daily from 15 February 1863 to 18 January 1865 in New Orleans, Louisiana. In the letter the paroled prisoner praises the manner in which he and other prisoners as they were being transported, presumably from New Orleans to Baton Rouge aboard the steamer Iberville.

Two officers in particular are called out in the letter for their kindness—Capt. Felix Agnus of Dryée’s Zouaves (165th New York Infantry) and Capt. Benjamin W. Frost of Co. H, 26th Massachusetts Infantry. Both officers were captains and known to be in the Mississippi River valley at the time this letter was written in early May 1863. The author wrote to the editor of the newspaper urging its publication. If it was, I could not find it in on-line documents.

Because the identity of the paroled prisoner is unknown, I could not confirm if it was truly written by them. It’s possible it was written by someone else trying to praise the officers mentioned, but I doubt either officer would want their superiors to know they were associating so freely and liberally with the enemy. There was an envelope accompanying this letter that does not seem to match its contents.

*The steamer Iberville, depicted in the foreground, was used as a hospital ship to treat wounded Union soldiers.*

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

*Banner of The Era, a daily newspaper published in New Orleans, La.*

A note of thanks from paroled Confederate Prisoner
On Steamer Iberville of Baton Rouge
May 3rd [1863]

Editor of the Era

Sir—we cannot refrain from expressing through your columns our sincere thanks for the kind manner in which we have been treated by the “Zouaves.”

As prisoners of war to be paroled, we have just been taken up the river by Company A, Captain Felix Agnes [Agnus] of the famous [Duryée’s] Zouaves. We received every care and attention possible from them and heard not a word calculated to wound our feelings. And to see us smoking and chatting together one could scarcely imagine us enemies.

The liberality of Capt. Agnes [Agnus] and his kindness to our sick men we shall never forget nor must we omit to mention the kindness of Capt. B[enjamin] W. Frost of the 26th Massachusetts. Although of course we are glad to get to our homes, we are one and all sorry to part with our guards and only hope that if the Zouaves must be captured, we may have the pleasure of guarding them and endeavoring to reciprocate the countless favors we have received from them.

Hoping you will give this a place in your paper, we remain yours very respectfully, — Paroled Confederate Prisoner