It is said prisoners from main prison are being removed
every day, and the sick will go last. Quite a batch of the nearest well ones
were sent from here to-day to go with the others. Am to be a nurse pretty soon
Don't think I could nurse a sick cat, still it's policy to be one, Winn tells
me that he has made money dickering at trade with the rebels and prisoners. He
has trusted me to twelve dollars worth of things and says he don't expect or
want pay. The twelve dollars amounts to only one dollar and twenty cents in our
money. The surgeon who has had charge of us has been sent away to the front. It
seems he had been wounded in battle and was doing home duty until able to again
go to his command. shall always remember him for his kind and skillful
treatment. Came round and bid us all good bye, and sick sorry to lose him. Are
now in charge of a hospital steward, who does very well. The atmosphere here
makes gentlemen of everybody. Papers say that the city must be fortified, and
it is being done. Considerable activity about the place. Trains run through at
all hours of the night, evidently shifting their troops to other localities. Later
— Since the surgeon went away the rebels are drinking up our whiskey, and
to-night are having a sort of carnival, with some of the favorite nurses
joining in; singing songs, telling stories, and a good time generally. They are
welcome to my share.
SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p.
107-8
