The principal topic of conversation and excitement in Libby was the “Exchange Question.” When we first made our advent in that highly popular institution, it was certainly thought that we would not possibly remain longer than ten days or two weeks. But at the end of that time we were still there, the Commissioners not having met; “but just as soon as they do meet we will be exchanged sure, and go home by the first Truce boat.” In this manner we consoled ourselves in our misfortune. Well, the Commissioners met, but did not agree. And the Rebel authorities then published a statement, that they had made a proposition to our Government, which was so plausible on its face that we thought it would be immediately accepted, as a matter of course, but something intervened to prevent the exchange. And so it went on, first one rumor and then another; first would come the report that the surgeons and chaplains were going to leave on the next boat, and the officers were to follow immediately; this statement would be directly succeeded by the report that the Commissioners had disagreed and there would be no more exchanges during the war. The next report would come from the hospital, to the effect that a clerk in the War Department had just been to see a friend there and told him that a boat was up, and that the chaplains and some of the officers would be exchanged. And so on without end, each day bringing some new sensation relative to the exchange question, and each one without foundation. Upon the arrival of any of these statements it would be followed by the vociferous cries of “get ready,” “pack up,” “pack up,” from all parts of the house, while the inmates would soon gather in crowds to discuss the correctness of the report. One would be certain of its truth, for it came from a reliable gentleman; the next would be a little doubtful, while the third one declared he would hardly believe we were exchanged even if Capt. Turner should come up himself and announce the fact. Lieut. Flick, for an attempt to bribe the guard and escape, was taken out and confined in the cell for some three weeks, then released and sent back among the officers.