The reason we have
not been exchanged is because if the exchange is made it will put all the men
held by the union forces right into the rebel army, while the union prisoners
of war held by the rebels are in no condition to do service; that would seem to
me to be a very poor reason. Rowe and Bullock are in the main prison I hear,
and well; it is one of the miracles that Bullock lived as he was ailing all
through Andersonville. Brass buttons with hens on (eagles) are eagerly sought
after by the guards. Mike still harping on escape, but I attend right to the
business of getting enough to eat. Although can't eat much have the appetite
all the same. The rebel M. D., by name Pendleton, or some such name, says if I
am not careful will have a relapse, and is rather inclined to school days I get
along all together too fast, and tells the nurse and Mike and Land, that I must
not eat but little at a time and then only such food as he may direct, and if I
don't do as he says, will put me in the main building away from-my friends.
Says it is suicide the way some act after a long imprisonment. Well, suppose he
is right and I must go slow. Names of yankee officers marked on the tents that
have occupied them as prisoner of war before us.
SOURCE: John L.
Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p. 102
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