From the Richmond Dispatch, 9/1/1862
Belle Isle – There are now considerably over 5,000
Yankee prisoners confined on Belle Isle. As may be imagined, the place is
crowded. In dry weather the prisoners can get along excellently; but in rainy,
wet weather – such, for instance, as yesterday morning – many more
desireable stopping places can be thought of. It takes an enormous quantity of
victuals to feed so many hungry mouths as are to be found on Belle Isle, and the
onerousness of the burden to the Government is not lessened when we reflect that
all of the consumers are non-producers. The necessity of getting rid of the
incubus is fully impressed on the Government. By the middle of the week
arrangements will have been made to send 2,000 or more of the present inmates of
Belle Isle to Varina for exchange. By that time, perhaps as many more will have
been received from Gen. Jackson; but the oldest prisoners will go first.
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last updated on
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