I borrowed a book of Hatfield, which I read half through. This is the
first reading I have done since we have been here. There were one
hundred more men put in to-day, all of whom were captured at the James
and Morris Island.
_7th day, 7th mo. 9th._ This day was hotter than any day we have had.
At four o'clock P. M. had a heavy thunder-shower which lasted until
sunset. Spent the day in reading, sleeping, and walking about camp. Two
hundred and fifty more prisoners put in to-day. They were mostly from
the Potomac Army.
_1st day, 7th mo. 10th._ Drew rations as usual, consisting of meal,
pork and salt. Cooked flapjacks and made gravy for supper. Our wood
is almost out and I know not where the rest will come from; there
is plenty in the place, but it is claimed by others. There were six
hundred more prisoners put in to-day from Grant's army.
_2d day, 7th mo. 11th._ Hot, with a little shower in the afternoon.
Drew meal, salt and bacon. I had a hard time cooking cakes for
breakfast and mush for supper; the wood and roots were too wet. Six of
the "raiders" were hung, inside the stockade, by our own men, at five
o'clock this evening. The rope of Moseby broke when the drop fell, and
let him to the ground; they made him mount the scaffold and try it the
second time. One broke loose before he mounted the scaffold and ran
through the crowd, but was arrested. I was down helping to draw rations
and saw the execution. A large number of prisoners put in to-day.
_3d day, 7th mo. 12th._ Was busy most of the day getting wood out of
the run, but could not get much. We are out of wood. I made a small
furnace to put my plate on. Was running about a good deal--am as well
as I could wish to be. There were two hundred more men put in to-day.
I was determined to get an axe to cut some wood, but did not quite get
it. I got on the right side of a rebel sergeant, who is a mason, but
he could do no more than ask for me of the one who had charge of the
shovels and axes.
_4th day, 7th mo. 13th._ Very warm. Could get no axe to-day, but got
the promise of one in the morning. Our furnace works first rate. We
gathered some roots out of the run, and both of us went down to-night
and worked and fished for roots until after ten o'clock. Have got the
floor of our tent raised so that the water will not flood us.
_5th day, 7th mo. 14th._ Very hot day. I was up early this morning and
down at the run and spring. Got a pot of mush made before roll-call.
Got the axe for an hour; we cut enough good pitch pine off a large
stump to last us nearly three weeks. Could do little else but lay in
the tent after cutting the wood, I was so tired. The diarrhoea shows
signs of coming on me again. General Winder had the three sergeants
of each detachment taken out, and he told them that he knew of an
organized gang of six thousand who were going to get out, &c., and that
the men must not get in crowds within one hundred yards of the gate, or
he would fire on them with shot and shell; that they had tried to get
us exchanged, but could not, and were compelled to keep us; and that
they had plenty to keep us with. I noticed plenty of good-looking pies
in market for one dollar and fifty cents, watermelons for two and three
dollars, and apples for twenty-five and thirty-five cents each.
_6th day, 7th mo. 15th._ Suffered very much with the diarrhoea, which
has come back on me as bad as ever.
_7th day, 7th mo. 16th._ The weather continues to grow hotter. I am
some better to-day; made gruel by soaking corn meal and boiling the
water of it. Yesterday drew a ration of wood which was only half enough
to cook a meal.
_1st day, 7th mo. 17th._ The hottest day we have had. I lay in the
tent, very weak from the diarrhoea, which is getting better. Made some
corn meal gruel for my breakfast. Drew meat, salt and molasses, six
spoonsful of the latter as a ration. Had flapjacks for supper.
_2d day, 7th mo. 18th._ Cloudy and cool all day, with rain in the
afternoon. The diarrhoea has left me, but I am very weak yet. Had a pot
of mush for breakfast. Drew nothing but corn meal to-day; they issued
bacon to some of the detachments, but it did not get to us. Some of the
men are trying to get up a petition to be sent to the United States,
asking its influence towards getting us released.
_3d day, 7th mo. 19th._ Cloudy and pleasant; last night was very cold.
Am getting over the diarrhoea again. Drew yesterday's pork at nine this
forenoon; then got a breakfast of flapjacks, fried pork and gravy.
There was a meeting held to-day in reference to the petition to our
Government for our release. The committee appointed at yesterday's
meeting reported. General Winder gives his hearty co-operation to
the movement, and suggests that six instead of three be sent to our
Government with these petitions, which the meeting took steps to
appoint. Last evening I got a pint of beans for five postage stamps,
and this morning got a _dagger_ for five more.
_4th day, 7th mo. 20th._ Was up soon after four this morning. Cooked G.
Hatfield a pot of gruel before roll-call; got our own breakfast after
roll-call. Washed a pair of drawers and stockings this morning. The
rebels threw up some earthworks as if they expected to be attacked.
They appear to be getting reinforcements here. The rumor is that the
railroad between here and Macon is cut, and that they are expecting a
raid by our cavalry, and that Atlanta is ours.
_5th day, 7th mo. 21st._ Got breakfast after roll-call--had "corn
dodgers" and gravy. Drew meal and molasses; got wood for three days.
Traded a ration of pork for twenty-five cents worth of wood, and traded
a ration of pork for tobacco for Griffith. The rebels seem to be busy
fortifying outside. They put a few prisoners in every day.
_6th day, 7th mo. 22d._ Very cloudy and hot. Lay in the house most all
the time. Have contracted a cold. More prisoners put in to-day. The
rebels are still busy at their earthworks. They find out a tunnel every
day and fill it up. Drew meat, salt and meal.
_7th day, 7th mo. 23d._ I caught a bad cold last night, and suffered
considerably all day from it. To-day the weather was rather cold.
_1st day, 7th mo. 24th._ Last night was the coldest we have had for
some time. My attack of bronchitis has extended far into the chest, and
is going to bring on that terrible "army scourge" again. The day was
very warm with a good breeze. Drew fresh beef and rice only.
_2d day, 7th mo. 25th._ Suffered last night very much with the cold.
This night was the coldest yet. The diarrhoea has returned and is very
bad. The day was warm with a good breeze. Drew rice, raw bacon and no
salt. I sold a ration of pork and bought two spoonsful of salt.
_3d day, 7th mo. 26th._ Was a pleasant day. Made corn meal gruel for
breakfast and supper. Borrowed Clark's infantry tactics and read and
slept all day. Drew meal, salt and bacon.
_4th day, 7th mo. 27th._ Was rather pleasant all day. Spent the day as
yesterday and drew the same kind of rations. There are a great many
rumors about our going to be paroled about the fifth or sixth of next
month. There were over two hundred prisoners, mostly one hundred days'
men, from the Shenandoah valley, put in to-day.
_5th day, 7th mo. 28th._ To-day is pretty warm. Eat nothing but gruel
and boiled rice. About two hundred prisoners put in to-day from
Sherman's army. Just as they were ready to enter, the rebels fired a
shot across the camp.
_6th day, 7th mo. 29th._ To-day some of the detachments drew molasses;
I traded a ration of pork for molasses for supper. Had gruel for
breakfast, and boiled rice with the molasses for supper. To-day was
warm, with a heavy shower in the evening.
_7th day, 7th mo. 30th._ Was warm. I sold two rations of my meat for
twenty-five cents worth of soap, and after roll-call, washed my red
shirt. Sold a piece of meat, which Griffith and I had a dispute about,
for five cents, and got him a chunk of tobacco.
_1st day, 7th mo. 31st._ Eat my breakfast and lay in the tent most all
day. Am very weak from the diarrhoea which I cannot get rid of. J.
Matthews is a prisoner here and has come to see me.
_2d day, 8th mo. 1st._ Lay in the tent most of the time. Took a pill
which "Gad" got for me to-night; he got one opium and two other pills.
_3d day, 8th mo. 2d._ Took the rest of my medicine to-day, and
think I am better. They commenced taking the sick out and away this
morning--suppose they have gone to Macon. During fifteen minutes this
evening, we had the heaviest shower I ever saw; Griffith was at the
spring and got caught in it. Have been drawing rice, salt and bacon
this week.
_4th day, 8th mo. 3d._ They have been busy taking the sick away. Drew
meal instead of rice to-day. Borrowed Roberts' Bible and read some.
Took an opium pill last night which made me sleep until roll-call this
morning.
_5th day, 8th mo. 4th._ Was in the shade under the tent most of the
day reading the Bible and getting to sleep. Helped to wash Dr. Buckley
this evening; he has been very sick all day. Drew pork and rice. Had no
roll-call for the first time since we have been in the new stockade.
Some sick were sent out to-day--rumor says they are being sent into our
lines. To-day was a warm one.
_6th day, 8th mo. 5th._ Spent most of the time in the house. Dr.
Buckley is some better; we were going to carry him out. The sick of
the first eleven detachments were taken out this afternoon. Drew fresh
beef, salt and rice. The diarrhoea has left me again; am pretty stout.
Ate only rice soup. Occupied in reading the Bible to-day.
_7th day, 8th mo. 6th._ Was very hot; lay in the house, slept and read.
Drew fresh beef, salt and a pint of meal.
_1st day, 8th mo. 7th._ Lay in the tent most of the day, slept and
read. Dr. Buckley still keeps poorly.
_2d day, 8th mo. 8th._ Had a heavy shower this afternoon. Spent the
day as I do most of them. Read almost through Deuteronomy to-day.
Dr. Buckley is no better, but gets worse. Have been drawing fresh
beef, meal and salt. We make soup. Reports are favorable to our being
paroled, but as yet we know nothing certain about it. The Quartermaster
came in yesterday, and told it around among us, that a parole or
exchange was to take place soon, and they were going to commence in a
few days.
_3d day, 8th mo. 9th._ Was cloudy until about four o'clock this
afternoon, when there came up one of the heaviest showers of rain we
have had since we came here; it flooded the run and washed some of the
stockade above and below, and moved it in several places. They fired
off two guns as a signal and out came a large guard. Drew no rations
to-day for our detachment; they ceased to issue after getting up to
the twentieth. Tried to sell my red shirt, but could not get more
than half I asked for it, so I kept it. They have got the frame of a
large barracks, large enough for a detachment, at the upper end of the
stockade.
_4th day, 8th mo. 10th._ Rather warm. From 9 A. M. to 3 P. M. had a
very hard rain, which did not stop until midnight. We got wet, the tent
leaking very badly. Did not draw rations until this morning, when we
got beans and half a ration of bread. This evening drew half a ration
of bread, salt, and a _very small_ ration of beef. Had beef and bean
soup for supper; nothing to eat before of any account. I was detailed
to draw rations. I carried up a hind quarter of beef. Went and gave Dr.
Buckley a sponge bath and washed his shirt in the run.
_5th day, 8th mo. 11th._ George Hatfield died last night or early
this morning. Dr. Buckley is getting better. The "Rebs" have got the
stockade almost repaired; they are busy putting up a stockade outside
of ours. They have some of our boys putting up barracks near our
detachment. Had a heavy rain this afternoon. Did not get our rations
until very late; got fresh beef and half a ration of bread, but no salt.
_6th day, 8th mo. 12th._ Spent the day reading the Bible and sleeping;
it was warm and pleasant. Gave Buckley a sponge bath this afternoon; he
is improving rapidly. Have had roll-call the last two mornings. Drew
a little meal, a ration of beans, a small ration of beef and a half
ration of salt. They are cutting down the rations. The committee of six
which were to go into our lines with the petition, went last First day.
_7th day, 8th mo. 13th._ Was cloudy most of the time and pleasant.
After roll-call, got five others to help to carry Dr. Buckley to the
gate to sick call. The person that Gad sent to attend to his man, ran
off, and we did not get him out. Dr. Buckley fainted twice in our
hands; carried him part of the way, and helped him the rest. I washed
him this evening--he is better. I am busy reading the Bible. There are
many rumors about the parole commencing on the 15th. Drew a ration
of beans and half a ration of bread and fresh beef. We ate only two
pots of bean soup. Sold a ration of beef for ten cents and bought two
spoonsful of salt.
_1st day, 8th mo. 14th._ Was a very hot day. Buckley was much worse
during the day, but seemed to get better in the evening. I wrote a note
to Dr. White, on the outside, asking relief for Buckley, and took it
to the Doctor outside, at Doctor's call. Some one told me to put it in
the letter box, which I did, after consulting two Masons I had found;
one belongs to Ohio and the other is a sergeant in the ninety-eighth
detachment. I washed Buckley this evening. Drew beans, half a ration
of beef and bread, with a little salt. Ate bean soup for breakfast and
rice soup for supper. Have the diarrhoea.
_2d day, 8th mo. 15th._ Spent the day as we did yesterday.
_3d day, 8th mo. 16th._ Was very warm, like yesterday. No signs of a
parole yet--rumors are all false about it. Have given Buckley a washing
every day; he seems to grow better.
_4th day, 8th mo. 17th._ The weather has been extremely warm. Have been
drawing half a ration of bread, fresh beef, salt and beans. I have quit
eating beans.
_5th day, 8th mo. 18th._ Was out and got prescribed for. After
roll-call got six pills; am very weak; am busy reading the Bible.
Still give the Doctor a washing every day; he continues to improve.
_6th day, 8th mo. 19th._ Suffered very much with the diarrhoea. Am
getting weaker. Went to the Doctor's and got my medicine continued. Did
not get any medicine to-day. Sold my ration of bread and Griffith's
for twenty cents, and two and a half rations and one of my own for
twenty-five cents, which made me twenty cents in cash. Had a heavy rain
this evening.
_7th day, 8th mo. 20th._ Was very warm, with a heavy rain in the
evening. Was so weak that I only got out of the tent four times.
Buckley was worse. I was not able to bathe him to-day.
_1st day, 8th mo. 21st._ Was in the tent most of the day. Went to the
run in the evening and took a bath; gave Dr. Buckley a washing. Had
some rain. The Doctor gave me his photograph.
_2d day, 5th mo. 22d._ Very warm. Diarrhoea no better--am very
weak--lay in the tent most of the day. Buckley is worse, and has a
prospect of getting out to the hospital, through the influence of his
friend Rickers.
_3d day, 8th mo. 23d._ Drew rice, molasses and a little pork yesterday,
and an old ration of beef, beans and bread, with a little salt to-day.
Carried Buckley out of the gate at seven o'clock this morning; got him
out among the first, but could not get him in the hospital on account
of too many being admitted yesterday.
_4th day, 8th mo. 24th._ About as hot as ever. Went to the Doctor's
call and saw Rickers, but there was no chance for Buckley, except by
his own surgeon. Have got no medicine for three days. Drew fresh beef,
a mouthful of bacon, corn meal, beans and salt. Ate two rations of
beans to-day, which is going to make me worse. Some of the commissioned
officers, who have been passing off for privates, were taken out
to-day, it is said, to be exchanged. Rumors are favorable to a speedy
parole.
_5th day, 8th mo. 25th._ Did not go to the Doctor's to-day. Diarrhoea
something better. Lay in the house most of the day. Bathed Buckley, who
is still very low. Drew one-half ration of bread, salt pork, boiled
beef and rice; they are going to give us cooked rations now, and some
other detachments raw ones.
_6th day, 8th mo. 26th._ Very warm. Changed our sergeant of mess by
putting out Warner and electing George Suson. Went out to the Doctor's
and got prescriptions for Buckley, who has the scurvy. My complaint is
almost well. The cooked rations agree with me very well. Drew one-half
ration of bread and salt, about a pint of boiled beans, and a ration of
molasses. Took a walk over to see Mathews this evening.
_7th day, 8th mo. 27th._ Was out to the Doctor's call for Buckley.
Spent the day in the old way. Drew some extra molasses this forenoon,
and boiled rice, beef, pork and salt for our rations this evening.
There was only a mouthful of bacon and the rice only half cooked.
_1st day, 8th mo. 28th._ Was extremely warm. Spent the day as usual.
_2d day, 8th mo. 29th._ Was not well the fore-part of the day and did
not get out to the Doctor's. Repeated the vote again for Suson, which
elected him, as before. Put Warner in for sergeant of detachment, in
place of the sergeant-major, who went out on parole to take charge of
ration wagons.
_3d day, 8th mo. 30th._ No Doctor's call. Buckley was worse; I bathed
him and washed a shirt for him.
_4th day, 8th mo. 31st._ Washed my drawers this forenoon, and lay about
most of the day afterwards. Drew bread, boiled beans, beef, salt and a
bit of bacon. Traded my beef for a ration of beans; ate my beans and
pork for supper; traded Griffith's bread for tobacco. Was a warm day.
_5th day, 9th mo. 1st._ Was out to the Doctor's call--no medicine--no
prescription. Lay in the house most of the day reading the Bible--have
got through Jeremiah. The news in the Macon papers is favorable to a
speedy exchange. Buckley gets no better. Traded half my bread and beef
for beans; ate nothing but a ration and a half of beans for breakfast.
Drew the same kind of rations except beans--rice only partly cooked.
Last night was so cold that I could not sleep.
_6th day, 9th mo. 2d._ Lay in the house--slept and read most all day.
Drew the same rations as yesterday--got a piece of pork as large as my
fist for a mess of thirty.
_7th day, 9th mo. 3d._ Was cloudy and pleasant to-day. I am rather bad
yet. No news about the exchange to be relied on. Griffith has a lame
back; complains of the rheumatism.
_1st day, 9th mo. 4th._ I am very ill indeed; lay quiet all day.
_2d day, 9th mo. 5th._ Seemed to be the warmest day; suffered terribly
from the heat; lay in the tent most all day; am very weak. Drew bread,
pork, a large ration of molasses, and boiled rice.
_3d day, 9th mo. 6th._ My disease is better. Lay in the tent most all
day. Eighteen detachments were ordered to be ready to leave at any
moment--commencing at the first, going up to the eighteenth.
_4th day, 9th mo. 7th._ Lay in the tent most of the day and am better.
They commenced at the first detachment at seven o'clock this morning
and by night got as many as six, and gave orders up as high as eighteen
to be ready to leave at a short notice. They ordered at first eighteen
detachments to be ready, but could not find transportation for all
to-day. They say they are ordered to Charleston to be exchanged.
_5th day, 9th mo. 8th._ Lay in the house most of the day. Helped Dr.
Buckley all I could. Drew beans, boiled beef, salt and corn meal. They
send off prisoners as fast as they can get transportation; have not
got more than twenty detachments away yet; they took some of the higher
detachments after getting up to the eighteenth--seventy-six to eighty.
Mathews got off.
_6th day, 9th mo. 9th._ Was extremely warm to-day. Helped to carry
Buckley up to the barracks; was busy waiting on him until near noon; he
is very ill; at noon he was admitted to the hospital; I went outside
the gate with him; the rebel sergeant would not allow me to stay out
with him. The barracks were vacated and filled up with the sick of the
detachments which have left. The Drs. commenced and admitted large
numbers into the hospital. I have the diarrhoea very bad. About two
thousand more were taken away; they ship them off as fast as they can.
_7th day, 9th mo. 10th._ Had a severe spell of chills and fever last
night; being so bad the day before, was the cause of it; drank plenty
of water, which soon stopped the chills, and threw me into a fever.
Was so weak to-day, could hardly go about. About the same number as
yesterday were sent off; they mostly started in the night. Drew bread,
boiled rice, molasses and salt.
_1st day, 9th mo. 11th._ This was a very warm day. There was not so
many got away except this morning. About all the old prisoners are
gone. Yesterday evening, all from 19 to 23 were ordered to be ready.
About three, o'clock this afternoon, all from 23 to 33 were ordered to
be ready. No sooner was the order given than the "boys" packed up and
moved off to the gate. Each detachment took up its position, ready to
go. Here we lay, anxiously waiting for the cars to come, which were
expected at five o'clock, but they did not come. We lay down on the
ground. Drew boiled rice this forenoon. After getting to the gate, got
boiled beef. I am some better, but so weak and thin, I can just get
along. Griffith has such a lame back, he cannot get along much better
than I.
_2d day, 9th mo. 12th._ We lay ready to go until almost five o'clock.
Drew rice, molasses, and bread, for two days rations. I am very weak,
hardly able to walk. At five the trains began to come in; we moved out
and got in the cars; sixty to a car. About six o'clock they gave us two
days rations of corn bread and pork; started about dusk and arrived at
Macon about the middle of the night.
_3d day, 9th mo. 13th._ Lay in the cars until daylight; then started
and got to Augusta by evening; stopped there about two hours, then
changed cars and started again about dusk.
_4th day, 9th mo. 14th._ Kept on all night, going on the Columbia road,
and came to a junction which went to Charleston; and, at noon, came to
another junction, one leading towards Wilmington, which we took, after
changing cars, and started about five o'clock, and continued going on
pretty steady all night.
_5th day, 9th mo. 15th._ Arrived at a village called Florence, South
Carolina, and encamped here. Arrived here about two o'clock last night;
lay in the cars until eleven o'clock to-day, then were moved out about
a mile from the place. Clark, Joice, Griffith, and I, put up a snug
tent of two blankets. The day, and, in fact, the weather, has been very
warm since we started; we are almost worn out.
_6th day, 9th mo. 16th._ Slept very cold last night; have the diarrhoea
very bad, and am so weak that I can hardly go about; did not get any
rations until twelve o'clock at night, and then only a pint of meal and
a little piece of pork. The rebel Captain called the roll this evening.
The camp is divided into messes of one hundred, and detachments of
three thousands. I am in mess sixth of our detachment.
_7th day, 9th mo. 17th._ Was a very warm day; I got no better; am so
weak, can hardly help myself. Last night was so cold I could not sleep
until we took down the blankets and put them over us. Drew a pint of
rice for two days' rations.
_1st day, 9th mo. 18th._ Drew a pint of beans, pork and salt. Had roll
call; all that were sick and not able to go, were excused; and, after
roll call, were ordered to the hospital. I was put on the sick list.
About noon we were taken outside of the camp for the purpose of drawing
better rations. In the evening drew a good ration of sweet potatoes, a
leaf of cabbage, a little beef and salt. I have Griffith's overcoat,
which is the only shelter I have. Close, Roberts, Clark and I are
together.
_2d day, 9th mo. 19th._ Lay under our tree, and sit by the fire all
night; it was very cool. Drew same rations as yesterday, excepting the
cabbage; got a square inch of pumpkin. About noon got orders to move to
the opposite side of the camp, when the most able men, the nurses, and
those who wished, were sent back to camp; the rest put in detachments
of one hundred. I am in the seventh detachment; are in the woods, with
water handy.
_3d day, 9th mo. 20th._ Had a cool night of it last night; lay in the
woods until five o'clock; then were taken up to the shedding, in the
field. Clark and I went back to the woods to sleep. It was cloudy all
night, and in the evening rained. Drew same rations as yesterday.