We have been too busy with the raiders of late to
manufacture any exchange news, and now all hands are at work trying to see who
can tell the biggest yarns. The weak are feeling well to-night over the story
that we are all to be sent North this month, before the 20th. Have not learned
that the news came from any reliable source. Rumors of midsummer battles with
Union troops victorious. It's “bite dog, bite bear,” with most of us prisoners;
we don't care which licks, what we want is to get out of this pen. Of course,
we all care and want our side to win, but it's tough on patriotism. A court is
now held every day and offenders punished, principally by buck and gagging, for
misdemeanors. The hanging has done worlds of good, still there is much stealing
going on yet, but in a sly way, not openly. Hold my own as regards health. The
dreaded month of July is half gone, almost, and a good many over one hundred
and fifty die each day, but I do not know how many Hardly any one cares enough
about it to help me any in my inquiries. It is all self with the most of them.
A guard by accident shot himself. Have often said they didn't know enough to
hold a gun. Bury a rebel guard every few days within sight of the prison Saw
some women in the distance. Quite a sight. Are feeling quite jolly to-night
since the sun went down Was visited by my new acquaintances of the 9th Michigan
Infantry, who are comparatively new prisoners. Am learning them the way to live
here They are very hopeful fellows and declare the war will be over this coming
fall, and tell their reasons very well for thinking so. We gird up our loins
and decide that we will try to live it through. Rowe, although often given to
despondency, is feeling good and cheerful There are some noble fellows here. A
man shows exactly what he is in Andersonville. No occasion to be any different
from what you really are. Very often see a great big fellow in size, in reality
a baby in action, actually sniveling and crying and then again you will see
some little runt, “not bigger than a pint of cider,” tell the big fellow to “brace
up” and be a man. Statue has nothing to do as regards nerve, still there are
noble big fellows as well as noble little ones. A Sergt. Hill is judge and jury
now, and dispenses-justice to evil doers with impartiality. A farce is made of
defending some of the arrested ones. Hill inquires all of the particulars of
each case, and sometimes lets the offenders go as more sinned against than
sinning. Pour receiving punishment.
SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p.
86-7
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