English Diary 1

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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.

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22d. Great excitement this morning about the exchange of prisoners. The prisoned officers across the street in Libby shout to us that all is right now, that the Cartell has been resumed and all hands are going to be exchanged.

hands-crew, a group of people who work closely together.

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23d. Rations about the same as yesterday and we feel better. The rebs say we will get fat now since we are getting the extra rations. I think there are some here who will never get fat. Poor fellows ! I have not received an answer to the letter I sent my mother in Bristol. Sent another today. Told her to send me a box for a Christmas present and put some shirts and notions in it. The rebel officers in charge of us say that any of the prisoners who wish to send word home for anything like clothing and edibles could receive them, as an agreement has been entered into by the commissioners on both sides.

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24th. Rations good today. Have as much as we want now. Some of the prisoners who are weak eat too much since the U. S. rations came in and it almost killed them. Several taken to the hospital this morning in a poor condition. They are never taken from here until they are about dead.

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25th. Very cold last night and a cold rain this morning. This is hard on us, as we have hardly any clothing. And oh! how filthy it is here! The prisoners busy themselves two or three times a day to try and rid themselves of the vermin which are crawling all around. There are about three hundred of us on this floor, and as many more on the second and third.

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26th. Rations very good for the last four or five days, but I am afraid it will not last long.

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27th. Rations for today three-quarters of a pound of biscuit and half a pound of beef. The doctor paid us a visit and said we were getting fat living so high. The guards will not allow us any privileges at all and say their government ought to shoot everyday Yankee that is captured.

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28th. Bitter cold last night; no blankets; some of the prisoners have hardly enough clothing to cover their nakedness; rebels took almost everything when we were captured,

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29th. Two doctors here this morning and they say that all hands must be vaccinated at once, that being their orders from the Confederate Government; no rations to be issued in this room till the work is performed, so the quicker it is done the better.

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30th. Sergeant Webb, of my company and myself were vaccinated yesterday and immediately washed it off and put the cloth on again to close the guard's eye. Usual quantity of rations; raining hard; prisoners making bone rings, trinkets, etc. They want to take something home to remember this infernal place. I, for myself, need no reminder.

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December 1, 1863. Rations not as large as yesterday but it does not do any good to growl. This building was formerly a tobacco warehouse, thirty feet wide and ninety feet deep, contains three floors. There are about seven hundred prisoners here, and a dirtier, smokier, drearier and more unhealthy place, I cannot imagine where so many are huddled together. The poor fellows have little or no clothing, and what we have is filthy and ragged.