The Press., 1896-05-14

formed into squads and soon marched in- to prison. It contains about eight acres of land, with high stockade around it. About twelve thousand of our men are confined within the stockade. It is a dirty, filthy place. A large number die here daily. Twenty-one did to-day.
 May 4.-Another hot day. The rest of the boys arrived to-day. We have some prisoners who have been captured for two years. Men are here from the First Conn., Cavalry, the 9th, 9th, 7th, 10th, 18th, 14th, 18th, 18th and 18th Conn. regiments Major General Howell Cobb inspected us to-day. Our rations consist of corn meal, bacon and salt.
 May 5.-Several of the boys escaped last night. It is reported that Plymouth, N. C., has been retaken by our forces, and two rebel rams are sunk, and four thousand of Gen. Hoke's men are cap- tured. No one is allowed outside of the stockade to-day. Drew for rations to-day meal, rice, nolasses, bacon and salt. A nice day.
 May 6.-The day has been very warm. We hear all kinds of rumors. It is re- ported that we are soon to be exchanged, or parolled. It is further reported that Gen. Grant has driven Gen. Lee into Rich mond and has him where he had Pem- berton at Vicksburgh. It is also report ed that Gems. Mcclellan, Meade and l Hooker command divisions in the Army of the Potomac. I saw eleven dead bodies this morning at the gate, ready to be car ried out.
 May "A hot day. Twenty-two dead bodies lay in a row over the dead line this morning, ready to be taken out and buried. A number of ladies came to the stockade this forenoon and talked with us, and threw some biscuit, soap and oth- CT things to the boys. One lady was formerly from Hartford, Conn. We heard tonight that Major Turner had come from Richmond to exchange or parol us. Drew cooked rations to-day consisting of a small piece of bread and meat.
 May 8.-Another warm and pleasant day. We heard that a great battle had been going on between Gen. Grant and Gen. Lee for three days past, and that Gen. Ewell had taken over three thou sand of Gen. Sykes men prisoners. Heard again that Major Turner was here to see about exchanging us. The report is that the Steamer Empress and several trans ports had arrived with Rebel prisoners to be exchanged for us. The boys are in quite good spirits. They enjoy them selves evenings by singing the "Battle Cry of Freedom" etc.
 May 9.-Pleasant and warm. It is very hot weather here and makes it very un- healthy in this dirty camp. read the Macon Telegraph of the 9th, which said that Gen. Grant had been repulsed at ev- cry point. The report this evening ie that Gen. Grant had driven Lees army into Richmond, with a loss to Lee of twenty thousand men. It is said that Fort Darling is captured. We are all in good spirits tonight. and the boys spent the evening singing the ''Star Spangled Banner" and other songs.
 May 1O.-Cloudy, but hot. Several fights take place in this camp every day Gen. Grant has been beaten at all points. It is also said that we have captured Fort Darling and have cut off twenty thousand of Lees army. The Rebels refuse to let us see the war news, and cut it out of their papers.
 May 11.-Cloudy; it began to rain about two o'clock this morning, and we had quite thunder storm. Showery all day. Heard that Gen. Steel had surren- dered his army of nine thousand men to the Rebels. Good news from Gen. Grant. The Rebels refuse to loan their papers to us. They feel and keep rather "mum." " It is said that when the fighting before Richmond is over we are to be sent north.
 May 12.-Cloudy and colder. About twenty-four more prisoners came in to- day. The report here is that Petersburg and Richmond are taken. 1 am tired oi being prisoner. Had much rather be in the field with Gen. Grant before Rich. mond. We do not get very good food.
 May 13.-Pleasant part of the day, Cloudy towards night, and, in the even ing, rain. A few more prisoners came ir to-day from Gen. Sherman's army neal Dalton, Ga. They say that our army is over one hundred thousand strong, anC the Rebel army is but fifty thousand They also report that we have Daltor nearly surrounded; that fighting is going on, and all is working well. We drew corn bread and bacon to-day, as usual and also aaiaae littIe rice.
 May 14.-Pleasant to-day. About one hundred and forty more prisoners came 1T from New Berne, Charleston and Dalton They report that Fort Dalton is ours that Gen. Gilmore is in command of oul ) fleet on the James River, and Freemont ) commands at Charleston. Ginger cakes are thirty to fifty cents apiece; eggs are } three and four dollars dozen; molasseE ) five and six dollars quart; beans thirty and forty cents pint; onions twenty-five and fifty cents pint.
 May 15.-This is a very beautiful Sab bath day. This morning I got up anC ) fried some ham and some bread in th' grease for breakfast. then went around } up to the gate and saw one legged maI