There are about fifteen acres of ground enclosed in the
stockade and we have the freedom of the whole ground. Plenty of room, but they
are filling it up. Six hundred new men coming each day from Richmond. Guards
are perched upon top of the stockade; are very strict, and today one man was
shot for approaching too near the wall. A little warm to-day Found W. B Rowe,
from Jackson, Mich.; he is well and talks encouraging. We have no shelter of
any kind whatever. Eighteen or twenty die per day. Cold and damp nights. The
dews wet things through completely, and by morning all nearly chilled Wood
getting scarce. On the outside it is a regular wilderness of pines. Railroad a
mile off and can just see the cars as they go by, which is the only sign of
civilization in sight. Rebels all the while at work making the prison stronger.
Very poor meal, and not so much today as formerly. My young friend Billy Havens
was sent to the hospital about the time we left Richmond. Shall be glad to hear
of his recovery. Prevailing conversation is food and exchange.
SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p.
42-3
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