Freddy
2nd Lieutenant
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2006
- Location
- Worcester, MA
Nice link. I was reading a few pages that spoke about thefts from Union POWs were not sanctioned by Confederate authorities. That policy apparently did not not reach the Confederate soldiers. I am sure my GGF could have used his US money and those shelter items at Andersonville where no shelter and little rations were provided.A Prisoner Exchange
Surgeon Spence:
"I was at Savannah and saw rather over 3,000 prisoners received. The list showed that a large number had died on the passage from Baltimore to Savannah. The number sent from the Federal prisons was 3,500, and out of that number they delivered only 3,028, to the best of my recollection....Thus about 472 died on the passage. I was told that 67 dead bodies had been taken from one train of cars between Elmira and Baltimore. After being received at Savannah they had the best attention possible, yet many died in a few days."
Richard H. Dibrell:
"I have never seen a set of men in worse condition. They were so enfeebled and emaciated that we lifted them like little children. Many of them were like living skeletons."
http://ebooks.library.cornell.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=moawar&cc=moawar&idno=waro0121&node=waro0121%3A2&view=image&seq=352&size=100
May 24th.
... kept on coming out to open field when I came upon a line of skirmishers lying upon the ground. Marched towards them supposing them our own men when suddenly a half a dozen or more jumped up took aim and yelled out “drop that gun”-kept towards them yelling out “don’t fire on your men”, only to receive a second yell from them. Then to suddenly realize that death or surrender was my alternative and with a feeling of shame and mortification, threw down my gun which I had hoped to carry home (with scar of rebel bullet received at Jackson, Mississippi) as a memorandum of the war. Was soon taken in charge by a member of the 7th Alabama with a reproof for not dropping my gun at their first call, and the remark that in “another minute you would of been a dead man.” Marched to the rear was relieved of rubber blanket, shelter tent, and cartridge box, and found myself with about 25 more unfortunates. Was humiliated to find myself alone of the 35th at first but not for long, for soon came in the three staff officers, and five comrades of the 35th. Were marched about a mile to Andersons station where we found more of wearers of the blue and by night we numbered about 70. Our guards treated us well. As we stretched out upon mother earth another shower greeted us so that with our previous duckings we were so well soaked that our weary bodies soon forgot it all in “nature’s sweet restorer balmy sleep.”
May 26th.
... At near 1 p.m. were put on board what were once passenger cars and off for Richmond, and at about 4 p.m. became an inmate in the second story of Libby Prison. Here we were searched. All U. S. money taken from us (i.e. all that which we did not succeed hiding). All our personal effects left us, but all our canteens, haversacks, knapsacks, rubber blankets taken. Found we were in a room which had just been whitewashed and cleaned up. Two of the windows looking out upon the James river. Windows large and devoid of glass and heavily grated with a fairly good place for sanitary and washing. Thus far have been well treated by our guards. In passing through the city we were greeted with a few of the citizens making insulting remarks about we “Yanks”, and a few youngsters had a little hooting for us. The guards would allow but little intercourse between us however. Feel I cannot be too thankful that I have been able to keep my writing case, sewing case, letters, an extra shirt, and my wool blanket. I find many a poor coward in the room disrobed of all but what he had on, and some who have been forced to exchange United States rigs for ragged rebel clothing.
May 30th.
Had a talk with an officer who passed the winter in Belle Isle, and now transferred to Libby. He freely confirmed the newspaper reports-that scores of poor fellows died of starvation and destitution, and hundreds from diseases incident therefrom-that they were forced to live upon dogs, rats, and other refuse to keep alive-that scores of stores sent by the Sanitary Commission, and boxes of clothing etc., sent by friends from home were in the most part confiscated by the authorities of their agents. He said that the executive management of the prison was slack. Washed shirt. Had sharp debate with comrades upon slavery. Notice I need to watch against self-conceit, and cultivate a spirit humble and candid yet earnest, and ever to content for truth rather than victory. New lots of prisoners came in today, so that now we are crowded and the air of the place is far from sweet and pure"
http://www.civilwardiary.net/diary1864.htm