The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1865-01-11

OF tobacco, and soon a crowd of tobacco seekers
gathered around the door of the tent, eager to
secure the cherished weed. OF course, was
obliged to turn them away with explanations
satisfactory to reasonable men, but which only
bring curses from the lips of certain despera-
does. After they had all dispersed I resolved to
gather the tobacco together and distribute it
properly amongst them. This attempt, however,
proved abortive, as they gathered around me in
such crowds to render it impossible to tell who
received, and after carrying me and the tobacco
both nearly away consigned it to them, and
the every one for himself principle carried
out to it's fullest extent.
About two hundred yards South from the
building divided into three apartments, the
two end ones being known Bull Ring number
one and two, while the middle apartment is more
mildly, well as justly appellated Gonzales
cent Barracks, where convalescents are detained
to await transportation, &C., to convey them to
their proper destination. In the rear of each
apartment is long yard which reminds one of
COW yard, and which will in all possibility
" when this cruel war is over" be converted in
to such by some enterprising Yankee farmer
The whole building is calculated to accommo-
date about two thousand men, the two Bull
Rings five hundred each, leaving the remaining
one thousand for the Convalescent Barracks
Each bunk is made to accommodate three men.
They are now in both Rings about four hundred
| and fifty prisoners. The greater number of these
men confined for very trivial Offenses, and
many of them no doubt are perfectly innocent
judging from those who have already been dis
charged 1t may be questioned how innocent
men should be thrown into such place, but the
question is easily answered. For every man
tod or,1 hxyt bo Sho1
the Detective receives thirty dollars. This makes
fine business for street-corner loafers, too cow
ardy to enter the SERVICE and too lazy and de-
moralized to be found engaged in honorable oc-
cupations It is in this way that many are cast
into this He'll upon earth, if may be allowed to
use the expression, and detained several months
| without receiving trial. There are however
some desperate characters such as bounty jump
ers, deserters &C., who are justly imprisoned
and who will all undoubtedly, as some have al
ready, meet their proper doom. There is now a
Court Martial being held at the Point, of which
General Coils is President, which is rapidly try
ing the cases as they are prepared by Capt
Rulon, Asst Provost Marshal. Those whose
offences are ascertaned to be insufficient to war.
rant Court Martial, he investigates and recon-
mends to Gen. Patrick for discharge.
While in conversation with Capt Rulon, he
gave me an idea of the character of some Of the
prisoners, and the means necessary to adopt to
bring the stubborn to terms. One fellow, he said
when brought to the Ring, threatened the lives
of some of the officers, but after being tied up by
the wrists five successive days, cooled down, and
is now easily approached and docile as the
most harmless
In the rear of the building is large cook house
wherein is prepared the soup, coffee, &c.
Great restitution prevails among the prisoners
Many have scarcely enough clothing to hide their
nakedness, while the vermin is actually knaw-