Camp Lawton, Millen,
Ga. — Arrived at our destination not far from midnight, and it was a tedious
journey. Two died in the car I was in. Were taken from the cars to this prison
in what they call ambulances, but what I call lumber wagons. Are now
congregated in the south-east corner of the stockade under hastily put up
tents. This morning we have drawn rations, both the sick and the well, which
are good and enough. The stockade is similar to that at Andersonville, but in a
more settled country, the ground high and grassy, and through the prison runs a
stream of good pure water, with no swamp at all. It is apparently a pleasant
and healthy location. A portion of the prison is timber land, and the timber
has been cut down and lays where it fell, and the men who arrived before us
have been busily at work making shanties and places to sleep in. There are
about six thousand prisoners here, and I should judge there was room for twelve
or fifteen thousand. Men say they are given food twice each day, which consists
of meal and fresh beef in rather small quantities, but good and wholesome. The
rebel officer in command is a sociable and kindly disposed man, and the guards
are not strict, that is, not cruelly so. We are told that our stay here will be
short A number of our men have been
detailed to cook the food for the sick, and their well being is looked to by
the rebel surgeon as well as our own men. The same surgeon who for the last ten
days had charge of us in Savannah has charge of us now He does not know over
and above much but on the whole does very well. Barrels of molasses (nigger
toe) have been rolled inside and it is being issued to the men, about
one-fourth of a pint to each man, possibly a little more. Some of the men,
luxuriantly, put their allowances together and make molasses candy of it. One
serious drawback is the scarcity of dishes, and one man I saw draw his portion
is his two hands, which held it until his comrade could find a receptacle for
it.
SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p.
109-10
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