Report that Lee is moving forces northward; Ewell at Harper's Ferry;
and a cavalry raid into Maryland. Whether this is to attract attention for
political effect, or is a military movement is a question. While writing,
sergeants of detachments have been called by Capt. Wirz and notified that he
has if attempted he will kill every man in camp. Reports of two cannon
startled the prisoners this afternoon, and we turned out to see Rebel soldiers
pouring into line double quick. It was soon evident that it was practice. They
formed on the hill, deployed skirmishers who indulged in a vigorous fire,
interspersed with several volleys of musketry from a brigade, showing how they
would do if Kilpatrick came, or if prisoners break out.
SOURCE: John Worrell Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a
War Prisoner in Andersonville and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864,
pp. 91-2
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