Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-25

The reading of diaries and letters
written by Pine Tree State sons dur
ing the Civil War, describing graphic
ally the horrible conditions of the
Confederate prisons, was feature oil
the meeting Monday evening of Gar
Held Camp, No. IL, Sons of Veterans
at which a number of the Grand Army
members We're guests. A great many
relics of the Civil War were exhibit
ed by the veterans and the sons and
daughters of the deceased veterans.
One Of the most interesting diaries
shown was one, which the late s. S.
Vose of Waterville brought home with
him when he returned from the South.
1t has never been as yet found out
who the author of the book was, it
being found among the personal be-
longings of Mr.. vose after his death.
A few of the most interesting sketches
in the diary follow:
Aug. 4, 1S64-Through the kindness
of Mike who gave me this book, am
enabled to go on with my diary, which
/ was obliged to stop on account of
being out of writing material. The
horrors of Camp Sumpter tanother
name for Andersonville PRISON. at this
time no tongue can tell or pen relate.
Exposed as we all are to the burning
sun through the day, and at night the
heavy dew customary in the South,
together with the prison fare and re-
duced state due to old Belle Isle, and
ii is not to be wondered at that men
die off in numbers daily which would
scarcely be believed at the North. The
dead book shows that S6s out of 500
of the End East Tennessee Company.
who were captured the same time with
me. have died SINCE we came into
Georgia and $50 were buried on Belle
Isle before we left that place. Have
now alive about 218, but of that num-
Der there are not 100 who will live one
month. Who are to answer for these
brave soldiersl =
1.-TWO men shot today One saw
Immediately after he was shot.-a
splendid looking man. The ball pass
ed through the brain. The other man
| did not see, but heard the report.
Almost an hourly occurrence. A per-
son is all the time in danger; any mo-
fnent likely to be shot. Some reports
about a parole agreed upon, but moth
fng reliable.
Aug. "a man just shot at the
creek; was STOPPING over dipping wa
ter and was perhaps a few inches over
the dead line, when the guard shot,
the ball hitting him right in the top
OF the head and lodging somewhere
In the body, killing him instantly At
least 40 mon are carried ont dead ey-
cry morning, besides what die at the
hospital. making fully 125 deaths daily
and some days half the number over.
my scurvy Is awful bad, and if
was a mind to ] could die very cas-
lily, that is, give up as hundreds do,
become discouraged, lie abed, worry,
etc. but that thing it will not pay
to do. AS long as there's life there's
hope. That's all / can do; then leave
the rest to an all-wise Providence. For
myself care not so much about. but
/ think it is duty owe to parents
and friends at home TO live as long
as can and reach that place if pos
sib1e.
Rowe had peach given him this
morning, and he divided with me. 1t
was deiicious,-the first ! had tasted
although there are many in camp. But
they cost from rs 10 40 cents apiece;
watermelons cost from three to five
dollars each; ears Of corn for roasting
cost from 20 TO SO cents per ear; TO-
matoes. the size Of piums. cost from
SO to rs cents per dozen: potatoes from
40 to so cents zach and small 81 tnat.