r in quality, and occasionally in lieu thereof
baked corn-bread from one to two inches thick, three inches long
and three inches in width, containing a large quantity of water
and very hard; rice half a tea-cupful, or in lieu thereof the
same quantity of beans; salt, a teaspoonful; bacon, from three
to four ounces; invariably decayed and maggoty, with only two
exceptions, two issues of soap were made and that was the end of
trying to keep clean; meat of any kind except the bacon above
mentioned we never saw. No cooking utensils were issued. The
rations of wood were not sufficient to do our cooking. From the
11th to the 18th of July, none whatever was issued, and rations
had to be eaten raw.

This caused much hunger, suffering, and misery, as the beans and
rice could not be eaten. The quality of the water in this prison
was good and usually plenty, though some days the supply was
short. Our treatment here was generally bad. The length of
confinement was three months.

At Savannah we were better treated in every respect than in any
other prison, provided with tents, and cooking utensils, and a
good supply of rations of good quality. Fresh beef was issued
nearly every day. The water though, was very poor; having a
fetid smell, and unpleasant taste, and could only be used for
drinking purposes by filtering through charcoal; or burnt rice
or meal steeped in it. The length of confinement was six weeks.

At Charleston Jail Yard, only a part were provided with shelter;
and in rainy weather the yard was flooded with water, so we
could neither lie down nor do any cooking. In pleasant weather,
it was as hot as an oven. Little or no fresh air could come
within those walls which were twelve feet high, and in addition
surrounded by buildings. When there was a breeze, there were
whirlwinds of dust which would almost suffocate us. The water
was very poor, making a great many sick. The rations consisted
of small quantities of corn-meal and rice, and one ounce of
bacon per day; but after a week or so the bacon was dispensed
with. There were no utensils for cooking, and but little salt
was issued. In addition to our deplorable condition we were
under fire from Gilmore's batteries, whose shells were
continually bursting around us, occasionally coming amongst us
and twice tearing the wal