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[letter 1]
            Norfolk 18 November 1864
Dear Sir
On the 9th I received a communication from
your Nephew Henry Robinson, a copy of which I enclose.
    It was handed to me at a late hour & I had time only
to procure for him an overcoat, being on my way to dinner, after
which I intended to visit him on board the Ship, then lying in our
harbor.        On reaching my home I received the sad intelligence
of the death of one of my sons, which caused us such distress that
[I] was unable to carry out my intention, but sent  on board my son
Henry an acquaintance of your Nephew to carry the Over Coat and to
inquire into the State of his health more particularly & whether I could
supply any other Comforts or Necessaries.
    The report of my son as to his health & appearance was so pain
-ful, that I determined to make an effort at once for his release.
    Not having a single acquaintance among our Military Au
-thorities I wrote a Note to Miss Dickson enclosing Henry’s letter to me
requesting her to see Major Hoffman the Adjt of the post with whom
she was acquainted, & explain to him the State of Henry’s health & the
circumstances under which he was captured & request that he might be
paroled & permitted to come to my house, offering myself as security that
he would report daily either in person or otherwise.
    His reply which was not secured until late in the afternoon, was
that he could do nothing—that the case was in the hands of the Provost
Marshall—that he was regarded as a prisoner of War and had been
sent to prison--    Early the next morning I called at the
City prison & found he was not there—I then went directly to the
office of the Provost Marshal where I ascertained that he had been
registered as a Prisoner—a Member of Co E 12th Va Regiment and
sent to Old Point—He could not inform me whether he would be
retained at OPt or sent further North.      Henry’s trunk has
been carried to the Office with instructions to be sent to my house until
called for, which after examination was done & it is now in my
possession.,
    It was not until Yesterday I secured the information
that H is in Hospital at OPt.    I went immediately to
see Mrs Dr Cooke who had obtained a permit to visit him and
requested her to take with her your letter to Henry which I had
received through our friend TT.    L.K. Chandler Esq our
District Atty has promised Mrs C his best efforts & influence to effect
his release--    They will go to OPt to day.
    I think you can accomplish more through Mr Falls
than any other—He is the intimate friend of Col Cassells
the Pro Marshall at Old Pt. who had the Management of all the
business--    I have recd several favors thro the influence of
Mr F which I could not obtain in any other Way.
    You may rely upon my doing every thing in my
power for the Comfort of your Nephew
                Very truly
                Yrs.
Moncure Robinson Esq    Richd Walke
    Philadelphia


[letter 2]
Dear Sir
    Yours of the 16th  received – and altho I have
not seen Mr Falls yet I have done several
other things in hopes of benefitting Henry and
will in due time see Mr F.  A letter to day from
Mr. CR which shows the Efforts are being made
in right quarters and that the case is
in the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Navy.
Mrs. R. was advised to procure certain proofs about
which I have this day written Henry, such
as medical certificate and proof from some of
the Lucy’s company that he was a passenger.,
Have you any friends who would be
willing to write to the Secretary of the
Navy.
The within letter from Walsh and
one I received to day from Miss Deana
B.  shew that Henry’s friends in N. are
not neglecting him.
    With sincere regards to Mrs. P. and
Agnes.    I am as ever yr friend
            J. J.
            Balt 19 Nov 1864
Cassells has no control over Navy Prisoners or
authority to release any either.  I wrote him
yesterday about Henry--knowing on all occasions
found him ready to oblige me when he could.