There are many men of many minds here. That used to be a
favorite copy at writing school in Jackson, Mich. “Many men of many minds, many
birds of many kinds.” How a person's thoughts go back to the old boyhood days
in such a place as this. Happiest times of life are those of youth, but we
didn't know it. Everybody told us so, but we didn't believe it; but now it is
plain. Every one, I think, has that experience. We all see where we might have
done different if we only had our lives to live over, but alas, it is not to
be. A majority of the men here have about half enough to eat. Our mess has
enough to eat, thanks to our own ingenuity. Now expect to go away from here
every day. Have borrowed a needle, begged some thread, and have been sewing up my
clothing; am well fixed up, as are also the Bucks Am quite handy with the
needle, and it is difficult to make some of them believe I am not a tailor by
trade. If I always keep my ways mended as I do my clothes, I shall get along
very well. Eli has come with four large yams bought of a guard and we will
proceed to cook and eat a good supper, and then go to bed and perhaps dream of
something pleasant to remember the next day. Rumors of all kinds in camp, and
rebels say something is up that will interest us, but I can get no satisfaction
as to what it is. Drew cuts for the extra potato, and Dave won, and he cut that
article of food into three pieces and we all had a share. Good boy.
SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p.
133-4
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