The New York herald., 1864-05-06
POINT LOOKOUT.
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Description Of tho Rebel Camp and
lts Occupants.
How the Prisoners Employ and
Amuse Themselves,
&sS H.. -

Point Lookout h Q neck OF land In St Nays county,
Maryland, at tho confluence Of the Potomac with
tho Chesapeake bay. Before tho war Il was q summer
resort OF soe note but now aad for tho last twelve
months has been depot for rebel prisoners. The fol
lowing brief description Of their camp and matters
OF interest connected therowith:-
THE PRISONERS CANT.
which s located about half milo from the landing place.
rectangular shaped lot or about thirty aores enclosed
by high fence having causeway along its outer fsos.
which the guards overlook the prisoners On enter
Ing only confused Of tents and houses aud
hurryng TO and fro and hears medley Of sounds
unlike the hum OF city business street, the entrance
gate opens upon plaza or main street, running tue
length OF the lot, which situated the o0okhouses
commssary building, suffers store aud post office.
Around these crowds linger from reveis 70 retreat,
Into this street empty at regular Intervals streets
leading the width Of the os along them either sde
arranged military exsctness, the dwellings Of
prisoners crackerbox houses At the foo. Of
these streets is . narrow wakway, parallel with the
main street, from which three paths lead to the
OF tho Chesapeake through narrow gateways in the
fence The gates remain open during shs DAY, bat are
means OF bitches and sewers all empsyng uto
too bay.
The HOSPITAL,
toe south end OF lot consists of double Of
large wall tents. each provided with stoves, plank floor
ing beds and bsdstoads SO The arrangements for the
comfort OF patients are ample.
CAMP GOVERNMENT.
Tho camp Ia laid OF in divisions OF which at present
there seven: and each division comprises ten
panies OF hundred men eaoh thus making thousand
men TO division. Each company In governed BY
gean attends 10 cleansing his part Of camp. calling
the roll. receiving and delivering letters, ood
conducting his company to meals at proper
hours. Besides, he is the medium Of comm lni .
cation between officials outside and prisoners within the
enclosure. There Union officers OF asy rank who
have offices inside the prison gate excepting tho commits
sary who simply issues rations to the several COOK
houses. Daily visits made 10 the hospital by tho
Union surgeon charge, and the camp Is inspected daily
by the officer Of the day. besides these
visits OF the Provost Marshal his assistants, to dsr
butte money letters, all else managed by rebel
sergeants aud details, wthout interference from auy
quarter.
REREL RESIDENCES.
Most OF the prisoners occupy the tents them
which regularly arranged along each side OF the
streets Thc aristocrstc and wealthy, however, occupy
comfortable looking houses made Of cracker boxes These
for camp commodous and geuteel some costing
high twenty dollars. Some marked with high
sounding names, such virginia Hail." Louisiana
Hall !" "Edon Hall y others unique, az "The Rebel
Retreat" "Rebel Den the ike and again attempt
at fun, rough drawing Of a dilapdated quadruped
with the inscription "Here's your mue,' and next
sambos white eyed open mouthed carcature. inscribed
Here your Rider
HOW AND WHAT THE PRISONERS EAT.
There are half dozen cookhouses, plain board build
ngs, each with its long eating ROOM with four or ave
tables down Its length, and mailer back room or
kitchen. Zach house feed about ave hundrsd al a
time Inc meniai work IN them IS performed BY voiua-
is esteemed so highly that nomination for vacaocy
easily commands from Ave ten dollars rebel ser.
seant superntends each house The table furniture IS
extremely primtvetn cups aud plates. There two
meals per day. For breakfast each prisoner tin
cup OF coffee. with the addition Of q spoonfu Of
moiasses once, or sometimes twice, week, and
for dinner piece OF meat either pork, picked beef
fresh beef the size OF the piece varying from quarter
10 breequarters OF pound weight and either coffee
soup bean SOUP when eher o the latter pint to the
man When meat and coffee sre provided a few Irish
potatoss are added. or course bread IS part OF the
tions bat is issued 10 the company sergeans who
II out loaf TO each man The oavcs weigh oins ton
bread-nme day per The aud ali cook
house servants are allowed three meals day and are
that positions have money value.
PLANNING"
from the above will be readily believed that dshon
est efforts are constantly bong msde by PRISONERS
20 ges moro TO eat than provided When suoh succeed
IL s called danking and may be effected 10 variety
Of ways One may at mealtmo report himself sick, aud
slip 10 the cookhouse secure his snare
he may got bis share at his proper place at table, pocket
y and move along with the incoming crowd 70 another
connvaocs OF company sereeants, one may muster on
Two company rolls and draw two meas rations.
DETAILS.
But hon orabe way for to ncreas his fatvGs
open 10 the sh ape 6 details for work IN or outside n
camp. latter. for repairs OF roads, constructing
rnose details work. Amos, daily b.. 20, on them Is 30
easy matter being so much in demand that many poor
fellow has often TO exercise HIS wits aud hts patience IN
get the privilege OF working day tor plug Of tobacco
piece Of meat and armfu OF wood. The wood, how
ever, Ia quite valuable One day last winter hearty,
strong detail man brought In enough shoulders At
one turn 70 se, for sixty dollars (ress currency.
rRApas AND MANUFACTURES.
The ingenious coutrvances made BY the prisoners are
interesting In consideration OF the for making
them, and are another illustration or the time honorod
adage, Necessity Ia tho mother OF Invention They
sst o. washing tubs, wooden pals. wood SAWS frying
quite eG"e IaS fus ana
vertabe steam engine, made by Georgia soldier, and
,,sM. rsn works q % y; ,.r small ,,ny WAY .0y ,ns
shoe,nakers, taors' and BARRIERS oy courtesy,
but tents Ia reality.
Do not imagine because Il 10 rebel camp. that reOe
are more valuable than greonbacts On the
CONTRARY. the latter very highly prizsd Ave cents be-
indeed viii act take the rsbs, currency 81 any price,
though reoeivs NJ the rate mentioned There
os@p currency howsyss .nen scs usn 'ss% ga
tobacco ono Of the fovmer equivalent a chew OF
the latter and pieces Of other msrcbautabs st
clss are valued at 40 msuy "hsrd JACKS !" 40 msnY
ohsws Of tobacco.
EATING uousRs AND asrKgsHMENr STANDS.
Scattered through camp Il Intervals arc tents sod
houses labelled 'hot bread, "pN and bread o cakes
cles named bat occasionally one etumbles on sgu.
Rebel Eating House, :, whore kept oysters (sonie
I,mcs) oakos coffee biscuit &c. These places though
are for the accommodation OF fortunate posssssors OF
greenbacks, and the common GLASS, the undssnso'shed
nass must needs ooptent themselves with govornment
ratons issued onl cool evenings with .hot coss"
mis- Ordinarily beverage here strongly
n Dixie being msJs from parched oraokars oo6so
rrouo0e aal inuooens u sugar muk Il realls 4 Qoe
tharl t60n n ona0kasl ohAa 4 L1nAooa sau4ni X