Mike traded off the gold rings for three pecks of sweet
potatoes and half a dozen onions; am in clover. Make nice soup out of beef,
potatoe, bread, onion and salt; can trade a sweet potatoe for most anything.
Mike does the cooking and I do the eating; he won't eat my potatoes, some
others do though and without my permission. 'Tis. ever thus, wealth brings care
and trouble. Battese came to-day to see me and gave him some sweet potatoes. He
is going away soon the rebels having promised to send him with next batch of
sailors; is a favorite with rebels. Mike baking bread to take with him in his
flight. Set now at the door of the tent on a soap box; beautiful shade trees
all over the place. Am in the 5th Ward, tent No. 12; covered still does me good
service. Many die here but not from lack of attention or medicine. They haven't
the vitality to rally after their sufferings at Andersonville. Sisters of
Charity go from tent to tent looking after men of their own religion; also
citizens come among us Wheat bread we have quite often and is donated by
citizens. Guards walk on the outside of the wall and only half a dozen or so on
the inside, two being at the gate; not necessary to guard the sick very close.
Should judge the place was some fine private residence before being transformed
into the Marine Hospital. Have good water. What little hair I have is coming
off; probably go home bald-headed.
SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p.
102-3
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