two rows of tents, thus allowing every
tent to front on an avenue.

Every day the prisoners were called out of their tents and formed in
line; roll was called and the prisoners searched. And while they were
being searched, the guards were searching the tents. For just what
purpose this search was done I do not know, unless it was for fear that
arms might be smuggled in to be used by the prisoners for making their
escape.

Many of the prisoners had a peculiar affection of the eyes, caused,
perhaps, by the glare from the white tents, the sand, and the reflection
from the water. There was nothing green to be seen anywhere,
consequently many of the prisoners became blind for a portion of the 24
hours. Just as the sun was sinking behind the fence they would become
totally blind, and had to be led about by someone. As morning light came
the blindness would disappear.

Some of the prisoners who were mechanics or artisans got work outside,
but I believe they got no pay except full rations and the privilege of
bringing things into camp, such as blocks of wood, pieces of metal, etc.
Out of these were manufactured a great many interesting little
articles--small steam locomotives, wooden fans, rings from rubber
buttons set with gold and silver, and sometimes gems. One ingenious
fellow built a small distillery and made whiskey from potato rinds or
whatever refuse he could pick up, and got drunk on the product.

All about the camp were boards on which these manufactured articles were
exposed for sale. A cracker would buy a chew of tobacco. The tobacco was
cut up into chews and half chews. The crackers were brought in by the
men who went out to work. I cannot recall all the curious things that
were exposed for sale within the camp.

Whilst in prison, twice I was very kindly remembered by Miss Melissa
Baker of Baltimore, Md., who sent me boxes containing provisions,
clothing, towels, soap, toothbrush, jars of preserves, cooked ham,
crackers, lemons, tea, coffee and sugar. When I received the first box I
just concluded that I was going to kill myself eating. I ate, and ate,
and ate. I simply could not stop; and so did all my comrades in the
tent.

So, of course, the box didn't last long. However, at first I suffered no
evil consequences, but finally, like most of the other prisoners, was
taken sick (but not from eating), and my comrades made application for
my entrance into the hospital. I had to wait a week or ten days before
t