UNION AND CONFEDERATE
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE FROM
JUNE 11, 1863, TO MARCH 31, 1864.--#22
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, Va., November 21, 1863.
Brig. Gen. S. A. MEREDITH, Agent of Exchange:
SIR: I herewith forward to you Major Carrington's report upon
the condition of the prisons in this city, two abstracts of provisions
issued for the quarter ending September 30, 1863, and Surgeon Wilkins'
report on the prison hospitals. I hope the evidence furnished by these
papers will be sufficient to show the utter falsity of the representations
of the returned chaplains. I know Major Carrington to be a gentleman of the
highest honor and veracity. I am confident that every statement in each of
these papers is strictly true.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
RO. OULD, Agent of Exchange.
[Inclosure No. l.]
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF HENRICO, Richmond, Va., November 18, 1863.
Brig. Gen. JOHN H. WINDER:
SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to orders received
from you on the 16th instant, I have proceeded to inspect the military
prisons in this city occupied by prisoners of war.
On the 17th instant there were--
In Libby Prison
building, all commissioned officers
1,044
In Crew's Prison
453
In Pemberton's
Prison
1,115
In Smith's Prison
928
In Scott's Prison
1,082
In encampment on
Belle Isle
6,300
In hospital
728
Total
11,650
In the Libby Prison there are eight large rooms occupied by the prisoners,
of which one is used as a hospital. These rooms are 103 by 42 feet. There is
a water-closet on each floor. There is an ample supply of water on each
floor, and there is also facility afforded for bathing, <ar119_545> of which
each prisoner can avail himself at will. The prison is thoroughly policed
daily and is in a cleanly condition. The officers are allowed to purchase
such articles as they wish, not prohibited by the rules of the prison, and a
competent person is employed whose sole business it is to make these
purchases.
The other buildings, used as prisons for the privates, are comfortable, are
policed thoroughly each day, and are in a cleanly condition. Scott's Prison
and Pemberton's Prison are at present crowded somewhat beyond their capacity
for health and comfort, if the number now confined in them were kept any
considerable length of time. This evil is temporary, arrangements having
been made to remove a portion of these prisoners to quarters now in course
of preparation. The men are generally comfortably clad. I observed some few
of the privates who were suffering for clothing. The supply of clothing and
blankets sent for them from the United States is now being distributed by
officers of the U.S. Army selected from the prisoners. The encampment at
Belle Isle contains 6,300 prisoners, all privates and non-commissioned
officers, who are quartered in tents. The tents are pitched on an island,
upon a dry knoll, from which the surface water is thoroughly drained. The
contiguity of the river renders the police of the camp easy. There is an
abundance of excellent water, afforded by eight wells within the encampment.
The camp is thoroughly policed daily. I observed that some of the tents were
dilapidated by weather and some injured by carelessness in building fires. A
supply of tents has been sent to the island to supply these deficiencies.
I return a report made by Surgeon Wilkins on the condition of the hospitals
occupied by the prisoners. The buildings occupied are comfortable and well
furnished, the supplies are ample, the attendance fully equal to the wants
of the patients, and my inspection fully confirms the report of Surgeon
Wilkins.
I file a copy of abstract of provisions furnished prisoners of war in this
city for the quarter ending September 30,1863. The average number of
prisoners during this quarter was 4,933. The abstract shows the actual
amount of provisions issued. In addition to this an additional amount was
issued as "extra provision" to the hospitals, an abstract of which is also
filed. It will be seen from these abstracts that the prisoners received
during this quarter within a small fraction of the army ration. If the extra
issue be included, the amount is fully made up. Upon full inquiry and
examination not only of the officers in charge, but of the subordinates, I
learn that during the present quarter there have been issued full rations of
all the articles mentioned in the abstract, excepting meat. Owing to the
large number of prisoners suddenly consigned to their care without notice,
the officers have not always been able to provide a full ration of meat. The
deficiency has never existed but for a short time, and whenever it did exist
it was remedied as far as possible by extra issue of other articles.
The ration now being issued consists of one pound of bread, half pound of
meat, half pound of potatoes, rice or beans, vinegar, soap, and salt,
according to the regulations. The bread is baked at bakeries and weighed to
the commissaries of each prison. I inspected the bakeries and found them
well conducted. The meats and other articles are cooked at the prisons. The
provisions are weighed and measured to messes of 100 men each, and are
delivered to one of their own number selected to receive and distribute it.
I inspected the kitchens and found the arrangements for cooking good and in
good order; care is taken to lose nothing from the rations,«35 R R--SERIES
II, VOL VI» <ar119_546> and once each day each prisoner has soup, made from
the water in which the meat is boiled, with the addition of rice and begins.
I doubt not but what there are cases of individual hardship and suffering;
they are unavoidable in the management of such a number of men; they may
proceed from accident, from the abuse of authority of a subordinate officer,
from the neglect of the prisoner himself, or from the cruelty of his fellow
prisoners.
On the day I made this inspection a prisoner complained to the officer in
charge that he had had nothing to eat since the day before, and that lie was
starving. On investigation it appeared that the sergeant who was intrusted
with the distribution to his mess, and who was also a prisoner, had refused
to give him his ration. In another case, one of the prisoners was found
badly beaten and robbed of his clothing by some of his fellow-prisoners.
Some among them are in a very filthy and disgusting condition, simply
because they will not avail themselves of the opportunities for cleanliness
accessible to them.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ISAAC H. CARRINGTON, Major and Commissioner.
[Inclosure No. 2.]
Abstract of extra provisions issued to
C. S. military prison hospital and bakery for the quarter ending September
30, 1863, by J. Warner, captain and assistant quartermaster.
Date.
Voucher.
Wheat, rye, or coffee.
Sugar.
Carrots, potatoes, turnips.
Snaps.
Meal.
Butter crackers.
Cabbage.
Lard.
Milk.
Yeast.
Mutton.
Beets.
Lbs.
Lbs.
Bush.
Bush.
Pk.
Lbs.
Heads.
Lbs.
Gal.
Qt.
Lbs.
Bunch.
1-Jul
2
Hospital
....
....
1
....
....
....
279
....
....
....
....
20
13
6
Bakery
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
18
12
Hospital
....
....
74
....
....
....
308
....
....
....
....
77
22
14
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
104
....
....
....
....
Sept. 30
17
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
70
....
....
....
....
....
30-Jul
20
do
....
1,302
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
31
22
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
15
1/2
....
....
....
31
23
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
880
....
....
....
....
403
31
24
do
....
....
4
1/2
....
....
....
530
....
....
....
....
108
31
25
do
....
....
13
1/2
....
....
....
524
5
....
....
....
191
31
26
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
104
....
....
....
....
Aug. 1
27
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
52
....
....
....
1
28
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
178
....
....
....
1
29
do
56
....
....
....
....
....
....
2
....
....
....
....
8
30
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
1,260
....
....
....
....
150
15
31
do
....
....
5
....
....
....
590
....
....
....
....
108
23
32
do
....
....
8
....
....
....
1,310
....
....
....
....
213
31
36
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
294
....
....
....
....
31
37
do
7 1/4
33 1/2
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
31
38
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
186
....
....
....
31
40
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
15 1/2
....
....
....
Sept. 1
41
do
....
....
10 1/5
....
....
....
850
....
....
....
....
114
1
42
do
....
....
11
....
....
....
1,510
....
....
....
....
....
1
43
do
98
....
4-Mar
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
2
45
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
62
....
....
....
7
46
do
....
....
3
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
10
49
do
....
....
11
....
....
....
1,835
....
....
....
35
....
15
50
do
....
....
10
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
16
51
do
....
....
43
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
19
52
do
....
....
5-Feb
....
1
....
....
....
....
1
....
....
21
54
do
....
....
8 1/2
....
....
....
430
....
....
....
....
120
22
55
do
....
....
....
....
....
20
....
....
....
....
....
....
24
56
do
....
1,080
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
25
58
do
....
....
45
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
25
59
do
....
....
9
4-Mar
....
....
4
....
....
....
....
20
25
60
do
28
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
26
64
do
....
3,600
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
Total
189 1/4
6015 1/2
184 1/10
4-Mar
1
20
10,380
509
509
1
35
1,524
[ActualTotal--Ed.]
508
<ar119_547>
Abstract of extra provisions issued
to C. S. military prison hospital, etc.--Continued. 1863. July 1
Date.
Voucher.
Onions.
Hops.
Eggs.
Chickens.
Butter.
Corn.
Pepper.
Black beans.
Cucumbers.
Tomatoes.
Squash.
Greens.
1863
Bunch.
Lbs.
Doz.
No.
Lbs.
Bush.
Strings.
Qts.
Doz.
Bu.
Doz.
Bbls.
1-Jul
2
Hospital
21
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
13
6
Bakery
....
144
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
18
12
Hospital
87
....
9
6
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
22
14
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
Sept. 30
17
do
....
....
19
19
....
....
2
....
....
....
....
....
30-Jul
20
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
31
22
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
31
23
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
157
78
208
1
31
24
do
17
....
49
16
....
....
....
7
....
1
15/32
....
....
31
25
do
20
....
....
....
30
....
....
....
23
1/2
....
25
....
31
26
do
....
....
....
....
....
12
....
....
....
....
....
....
Aug. 1
27
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
1
28
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
1
29
do
....
....
....
6
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
8
30
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
297
....
273
....
15
31
do
17
1/2
....
74
20
....
....
....
....
....
5
....
....
23
32
do
2
....
....
....
....
a240
....
....
....
6
1/2
245
....
31
36
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
31
37
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
b1/2
....
....
....
....
....
31
38
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
31
40
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
Sept. 1
41
do
37
1/2
....
50
30
....
....
....
....
....
9
....
....
1
42
do
....
....
....
....
5
a85
....
....
6
6
219
....
2
43
do
10
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
7
45
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
10
46
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
15
49
do
....
....
....
....
10
....
29
1/4
....
....
13
196
....
16
50
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
19
51
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
21
52
do
6
1/4
....
52
27
....
....
b1/2 2
....
....
....
....
....
22
54
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
5
1/16
....
....
24
55
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
25
56
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
25
58
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
25
59
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
4-Mar
....
....
26
60
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
14
64
do
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
Total
218
1/4
144
253
124
45
a32512
b133 1/4
7
483
1/2
46
29/32
1,166
1
(a) Dozen.
(b) Pound.
I certify that the above abstract is correct.
J. WARNER, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.
Approved:
JNO. H. WINDER, Brigadier-General.
[Inclosure No. 3.]
Abstract of provisions issued to the C.
S. military prison at Richmond, Va., by J. Warner, captain and assistant
quartermaster, in the quarter ending September 30,1863.
Libby
Prison, July 1 to September 30:
Rations
453,845
Beef
pounds
400,641
Bacon
do
36,545
Flour
do
510,311
Beans
bushels
509
Rice
pounds
19,897
Vinegar
gallons
763
Candles
pounds
1,131
Soap
do
3,729
Salt
bushels
281
quarts
8
I certify that the above abstract is correct.
J. WARNER, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.
Approved:
JNO. H. WINDER, Brigadier-General..
<ar119_548>
[Inclosure No. 4.]
GENERAL HOSPITAL, NO. 21, Richmond, Va., November 17, 1863.
Maj. ISAAC H. CARRINGTON:
SIR: Agreeable to your request, I have the honor to submit the for
lowing report of the C. S. prison hospitals under my charge in this city. At
present they are three in number, exclusive of one ward in the Libby Prison
building, which is used as an "office hospital." They are large and well
ventilated, and until recently have been used as Confederate hospitals. The
largest of them was turned over to me with all its appointments and effects,
and the Confederate patients sent to another hospital. The supply of beds,
bedding, and medicines is drawn from the medical purveyor, and no
discrimination is made between the Confederate sick and wounded and those of
the enemy. My instructions from the medical department have invariably been
to treat the prisoners with kindness. They have repeatedly expressed their
surprise and gratitude for the kind treatment they have received from every
one connected with the hospitals, which was entirely at variance with their
preconceived ideas of the treatment they might expect. The medical purveyor
furnishes me with an abundance of medicines and instruments of the finest
quality, also with bedding and all other articles necessary for the comfort
of the sick, including tea and spirits. Federal surgeons who have visited
our dispensary have expressed their surprise at the fine quality and
abundance of medicines and instruments, which in spite of the rigorous
blockade, the Confederate Government is able to furnish to the sick and
wounded of that Government which has endeavored so strenuously to deprive us
of a supply for even our own men. I am assisted in the discharge of my
duties by a medical corps of fourteen assistant surgeons, who are skilled in
their profession and attentive to every want Of the sick confided to their
care.
The ration issued to the hospital has been, until the last few days, one
pound of fresh beef and eighteen ounces of wheat bread daily to each
patient, taking my morning report as a guide as to the number. In addition
to the above, Capt. J. Warner, acting commissary of subsistence, C. S.
prison, furnishes me in bulk, to be used at discretion, sugar, rice,
vinegar, salt, flour, meal, sweet potatoes, and pease. The ration is
frequently in excess and is almost invariably of good quality. The beef
furnished is always the hind quarter, as is usually furnished to the
Confederate hospitals. In addition to the above articles, I am authorized to
purchase any delicacies that may be required for special cases. I frequently
make purchases of chickens, eggs, &c. On the 4th of November there were in
hospitals 632 patients; on the 5th, 760. On the 4th the hospital steward
purchased $8 in cabbages, $16 in potatoes, $6 in onions. On the 5th he
purchased $8 in cabbages, $7 in onions, $5 in eggs, and $30 in rye, a
substitute for coffee. Four gallons of milk are purchased daily for the use
of the sick.
The vegetables purchased on the 4th and 5th are purchased daily to season
the soup, which is of excellent quality and well adapted to the use of the
patients.
Nothing demonstrates more clearly the good treatment which they receive in
hospital than the rapidity with which they recover from serious diseases and
injuries and the small percentage of deaths.
