The True Story of Andersonville Prison: A Defense of Major Henry Wirz by James Madison Page

Author:James Madison Page [Page, James Madison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, United States, Civil War Period (1850-1877), Military
ISBN: 9788026881483
Google: ZotODwAAQBAJ
Publisher: e-artnow
Published: 2018-01-01T22:21:30+00:00

"Camp Sumter, Andersonville, Ga.,

"August 1, 1864.

"Colonel CHANDLER, C. S. A.

"COLONEL: I have the honor to enclose consolidated report of the military prison under my charge for the month of July, 1864. Allow me to point out some items which, if possible, ought to be attended to. We have an inadequate supply of tools to put the interior of the prison in a proper condition. We need axes, wheel-barrows, and other similar supplies. We need lumber, lime, iron and sheet-iron for baking pans. The prison, although a large addition has recently been made to it, is still too crowded. Almost daily large numbers of prisoners arrive, and before two weeks it will be in the same condition it was before the addition was made, and all internal improvements, which you are aware yourself are of the utmost importance, will come to a dead halt for the want of room.

"As long as 30,000 men are confined in any one inclosure the proper policing is altogether impossible. A long confinement has depressed the spirits of thousands, and they are entirely indifferent. Manifold ways and means have been resorted to get out of the stockade. One prisoner alone has made his escape through a tunnel. All the others escaped from the guards while at work on the outside.

"The rations are mostly the same as for our own men, one-third of a pound of bacon, and one-fourth pound of corn-meal, or one pound of fresh beef in lieu of the bacon; occasionally beans, molasses, and rice are issued. Vinegar and soap, both very important articles, are very seldom issued, as the commissary says he cannot get them. Scurvy is the principal disease, and it and all other diseases are in undue proportion to the old prisoners, who were at first at Richmond and Belle Isle. The guard which I require for safe keeping of the prisoners is entirely insufficient, simply because the men have to perform guard duty every other day. This, it is not necessary for me to say, is too much. With the exception of a portion of the Fifty-fifth Georgia, the balance are militiamen, and are undrilled and undisciplined. A good deal could be said here as to how and why the prison is not in a better condition, but I deem it unnecessary, as you have seen for yourself where the fault lies. Hoping your official report will make such an impression with the authorities at Richmond that they will issue the necessary orders that will enable us to get what we so badly need,

"I remain, Colonel, most respectfully, your obedient servant,

"H. WIRZ,

"Capt. and Assistant Adjutant General

"Commanding Prison.

"Respectfully submitted with report.

"D. T. CHANDLER,

"Assistant Adjutant and Inspector-General."

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