The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-07-01
A HISTORY OF PRISON LlFEiN LIBBY
Captain John w. Chamberlin


The supply Of bedding was very scant
At night after the lights were out there
was considerable noise up stairs, when q
squad Of guards would be taken out in
the street and kept there all night. l9sh,
Received large box of eatables from
friends in Ohio. 18th. Large invoice
of public and private boxes, arrived from,
the North Yesterday. The board have
been busy all week, furnishing men with
clothing. Libby, internally, has been
Nhtewashed this week by the negroes
Last night two officers, Capt. Anderson
ant LIT, Skelton, made their escape from
the officers hospital. 18th. An order
was published prohibiting the reception
of any more supplies from either the Fed
eral Government or Commissions. We
were also Informed that ouly one bill
would be taken out to fill in the City -
Consequently a very large one was made
up, amounting 10 near $1,000, Confed.
The squad Of sergeants who had been
engaged in aiding us in the distribution
OF clothing, were sent back to their quar-
ters. l6lh. Roll call instead of being
held in the morning is now changed to
3 p. NJ. 10th. Mail arrived. l7lh. Ex.
change rumors ahoat again. To day
commenced making out the lists in the
Hospitals. Saw three boys of the 1881.
Found number of men very destitute.
ht. Ackcr, 1881, was sent TO quarters to-
day. l9th. James river very high. Col.
A, D. S;rcight and Capt. B G. G. Reed
attempted 10 escape last night. They
had passed the sentinels by meaus of
heavy broe, but owing to preconcerted
arrangement between, the prison officials
and the guard, they were arrested imme-
d'atelt after, and placed in the cell, hea-
Willy ironed. To-day found men in the
hospital who had brbed the Surgeon On
Belle Isle, to send them there, they being
perfectly well. 2lst. It. Col. Archer
l7th Iowa, attached to board rs assistant
by request of Capt. Seph. Mail arrived.
Received couple of letters. 2qnd. The
New England, Captains, 2j in number
were requied to draw lots for three Der
sons, to be placed in close confinement
at Salisbury N. G. as hostages for three
rebel Captains, held by our government
at Alton, Illinois. The unfortunate men
were Capts. Chase, Litchfeld and Ken
mel. 23d. l visited the Island to dav for
The first time, were not permitted to 90
inside of the inclosure, We crossed
the river on lighter that being the only
means OF communication with the CITY,
unless they go around some distance. -
On my return l was permitted to walk
the Whole length of Main Street. A
invoice of Of private boxes srriyed. 9Th
Received box from home to-day, in
which was ingenionsly concealed some
greenbacks, long letter &c. Show down
stairs again in the evening. 25th. We
received but very little wood to-day.
which occasioned considerable difficulty
IN the cooking arrangements, especially
as number Of Christmas Dinners, were
being prepared, but nevertheless, the ia
blos, partitions and doors, suffered some.
what, and the Dinners were cooked
Maj. White was taken to Salisbury. Ex-
change stock on the rise, caused by an
interview between JHdge Oud and Col.
Hunter. 27th. All excitement in regard
to exchange. A Boat load of Conleder
ate prisoners at City Point. Three Fed
elal officers and 500 prvates were sent
North. 29th. Exchange down. After
% dav we are 10 be permitted to burn
lights at night until o. instead of 8 p.
NJ. lst, January, cold. Some liquor
was smuggIed into the building and a
ew of the officers felt quite merry in the
evening. end. 1t was so cold last night
hat the Hydranls were all frozen up, ard
lid not get opened till evening. 4th
Completed the distribution of clothing
1t the Hospitals. Mail to-day. Preadh-
ng in our room in the evening, by Capt,
Joldwell. 5th. Exchanged greenbacks
o-day for confcd. Got l9l for /. 1t. c
Zen. A. P. Hill, Maj. Gen. A. Elzey and t
'ome officers of their Staff, spent two |
II three hours at Capt. Selph's Office I
PEcy were very sociable. 9th. The Fol. 7