Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 02.djvu/188

 at sarcasm, I said no one but an inhuman monster would force me to crawl down and up those stairs in my weak state that if my poor meals could not be carried to me, I might at least be permitted to use the dumb-waiter in descending to and ascending from the mess-room. He smiled grimly, said I "would soon get used to it," and walked away. I went up the steps on my knees and hands, dragging along my crutches, and halting often on the way. Was very tired indeed when I reached my bunk.

November 12th—Rising early I descended by the same tedious process as yesterday. Breakfast for the officers consisted of two slices of loaf bread, and some black, but very weak coffee, minus sugar and cream. The privates had only one slice of bread and cup of coffee. How wistfully the brave fellows looked at our two pieces of bread, as they snatched up and quickly ate their single slice. The true heroes of this war are the brave, self-denying, illy fed and poorly clad Confederate privates. All honor to them!

November 13th, 14th and 15th—A new batch of wounded prisoners came in from Winchester. Among the officers are Major Geo. H. Kyle, of Baltimore, A. D. C. to General Breckinridge, wounded in the stomach and both arms; Captain M. Russell, Sixtieth Georgia, right arm amputated near the shoulder; Captain J. G. Rankin, Thirty-eighth Georgia, wounded in the arm; Lieutenant S. R. Murphy, Thirty-first Georgia, wounded in mouth and cheek; Lieutenant J. P. Arrington, formerly of Fifth Alabama, A. D. C. to General Rodes, wounded in the knee. Lieutenant Murphy is an old school-mate of mine, and lives in Hamilton, Georgia. Captain Rankin was born, reared and educated in Massachusetts, but married at Stone Mountain, Georgia, and is a sincere and unflinching defender of the South, his adopted home. He chafes much under confinement, and longs for exchange. He is a leading Free Mason, has been master of his lodge, and is a very intelligent gentleman. Exchanged some Confederate money for five dollars in greenbacks, and buy loaf bread, butter, mince pies, postage stamps, etc., from the sutler. The rations bought are very acceptable. There is an encouraging rumor that 10,000 prisoners are to be exchanged immediately at Savannah. Heaven grant it may be true, and that we may escape this horrible imprisonment, and be once more in dear "Dixie's land."

November 16th—The aged father and sister of Major Kyle are permitted to visit him for ten minutes, and interview him in the presence of an armed sentinel and Dr. Butler, one of the hospital