The former letter has been received by Adjutant General Schouler from Captain Henry Bowman of company C., fifteenth regiment, who is now in close confinement with others at Richmond, held as hostages for the privateers now under conviction at New York and suffering the treatment of convicted criminals.

Richmond Va. November 27, 1861

My Dear General: An opportunity having been afforded at sending letters, I shall avail myself of, writing you. I presume you will have been apprised of my situation. We are all (seven of us) confined in one cell, size 11’ by 177 feet. Our mess is made up of Cols. Coggswell and Wood of New York, Col. Lee and Major Revere of the Massachusetts twentieth,, Capt Keffer of Philadelphia, and Captain Rockwood and myself of the 15^th Massachusetts regiment. We were transferred from the tobacco warehouse ( where we had been confined since the battle of Leesburg) a fortnight ago. Standing as we do, for these privateers in New York, we are treated the same as persons charged with crime. What will be the result of all this I do not know. I trust all will be well; but,

“If we are marked to die, we are enough
To do our country loss: and if to live,
The fewer men the greater share of honor.”

I am fully confident that our good people will do all within their power, and in so believing, I shall patiently await the issue. May I not hear from you soon, Remember me kindly to all, and believe me

Very truly yours, 
Henry Bowman,
Capt. Co. C. Mass. 15^th Regiment.