English Diary 1

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November 1. 1863. Some of the prisoners altering one dollar greenbacks into tens and succeed in passing them on the guards, who were furious when they discovered the fraud, but they have no redress as they are not allowed to trade with the prisoners. The guards content themselves by vowing vengeance.

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2d, Great talk of sending us to Pemberton building, our old quarters, opposite here. They say they must make room for some officers that were captured and that Libby is going to be for them, so that all the officers will be in one place. Well, I think that the change will be for the better for us, as Pemberton is much brighter and we will have the sun shining in on us almost all the day, and that is quite a comfort, for in this place we cannot see the sun more than two hours any day.

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3d. Moved to Pemberton this morning, and as a consequence, we did not get our rations till three o'clock this afternoon, almost starved waiting and not much when we did get it; four ounces of bread and two ounces of beef.

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4th. Things same as yesterday.
5th. Rations a little better to-day. Guards slot at one of the prisoners this morning because he was looking out of the window. The rebels shoot a prisoner for looking at the light of heaven.

slot-slang used in the British armed forces meaning to kill or shoot

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6th. No change in the program today. Have nothing of interest to put down in my diary but hardships and misery, and plenty of that. No one can form an idea of what suffering there is here, and no pen can describe the hardships we have to endure, all through bad management in some department, either Union or rebel. There is talk of sending a petition to Washington to see if we cannot be gotten out of here. Our government should not allow its citizens and soldiers to remain in rebel prisons to rot and die. The rebels blame our government.

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7th, About a dozen of our men taken to the hospital, among them one of my company. Don't expect to see the poor fellow again. One of the guards said today that they only take them to the hospital to get them ready for burial, and advised us all to stay where we are, if we had any one to care for us, as at the hospital the doctors are all young fellows who have no experience and only practice on the prisoners. The old doctors are with the army tending to their own men.

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8th. Saw Capt. D. B Meany, of my company, at the window in Libby, opposite here. They say that the officers have all they can to eat. I wish we could say so.

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9th. Rations three-quarters of a pound of corn dodger and about half a pint of bean soup for today. We are used to this and there is no use grumbling but make the best of it.

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10th. Great excitement in the building this morning. One of the guards said we would be on our way home in a week, I hope so; Richmond and I will willingly part. There is something the matter today; we can hear the bells ringing. The guards say they are rejoicing over some victory. I hope not. I don't want to hear anything like that.

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11d. Rations about the same; no change. Boys are getting slim of clothing, and in consequence are almost frozen these mornings. This place is filthy and full of gray-backs.

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12th. There is great talk of our government going to send us something to eat. We would rather they would send for us. We would not require much coaxing.

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13th. Rations half a loaf of corn bread, to last till this time tomorrow. The doctor is in the building now and he is examining the sick, sending the worst cases to the hospital. He said our government is sending us provisions and that they are at City Point now. Well, if that is the case, there is very little chance for parole or exchange this year.

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14th. It is hardly worth my while to say what we had to eat today. but I must say something. Can see the rebel capitol and the dirty rag on top. We have a good view of it from here, it stands on high ground, almost in the center of the city. Half a loaf of corn dodger and a spoonful of molasses today.

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15th. Doctor in again this morning and sent five to the hospital. One of the prisoners died here last night. Cannot learn his name, but he is from some New York regiment. The Doctor said the provisions from our lines arrived this morning. One of the guards said he was going to have seme of the Yankee grub or it would not be his fault. I expect they will get more of it than we will.

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16th, One month in Richmond to-day. Little I thought they would keep us a month in this place. Rations very poor today.

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17th. Reported today that all the Yankees in Richmond are going to be vaccinated.

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18th. I went to the canal this morning with a squad of prisoners to get some water. Saw my Captain (D. B. Meany,) and had a friendly salute from him. He threw me a loaf of corn dodger. It was a god-send, for I was very hungry.

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19th. Nothing but a half a loaf of dodger today. The guards say that Uncle Sam's rations will be issued to us tomorrow. Two prisoners died this afternoon from starvation. What fine looking fellows they were one month ago. Now they are mere skeletons.

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20th. First of Uncle Sam's rations today. Quarter-pound of corn dodger, large biscuits and about half a pound of corn beef. Men feel more cheerful.

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21.Rations about the same as yesterday. Prisoners in high glee and think that something is going to happen when there is such a change in the program.