Testimony taken at De Camp General Hospital, U.S.A., New York, June 17, 1864
COMMISSIONER PRESENT:— Mr. Wilkins
Deposition of A. B. BARRON, of Habersham county, Georgia, Co. K, 24th Georgia.
I have served in the Confederate service two years and three days. I arrived at this hospital two days since, and depose as follows:
That I have served in Virginia, and was wounded at Cool Arbor.
In the Confederate service we had no tents in the field, except shelter tents; had one blanket and one oil-cloth, and lay on the ground.
When wounded, had on a good suit and a change of clothes, but was not robbed of money, clothes, or anything which I had when taken captive.
To-morrow being the last day of the week, and the time for a regular supply of clothing, I expect clean clothes. Everything was in a proper state for my reception when I arrived here.
I have been in the Confederate hospitals in the field; there were straw beds and a few sheets.
Rations in our service were bacon, half pound, or one pound of beef; rice, coffee and sugar occasionally; rations of bread were six hard biscuit a day, or half pound of meal or flour a day.
We had a plentiful supply of wood; our people did not suffer from cold.
We had medical attendance and medicines as we had need.
The sick were treated kindly; there was care as to our cleanliness; it was the best; soap, &c., was issued to us; no want of salt.
Since we were captured, we have been treated very well, just as well as your own boys all the time, and we have no fault to find. I was told I could not find it so.
I was a farmer worked on my father’s farm. I expected to be made a conscript and volunteered in preference.
ALBERT B. BARRON.
Sworn to before me,
WARREN WEBSTER,
Assistant Surgeon U. S. A., in charge of Hospital.
Deposition of WM. M. FARMER, native of Franklin county, Georgia, Company H, 24th Georgia Regiment. Business, a farmer.
I entered the service of the Confederate States in August, 1861; was wounded and taken prisoner at Cool Arbor.
I had on, when wounded, a waistcoat, pants, drawers, shirt and boots, and not anything was taken away from me by my captors.
I have needed nothing since captured, having been supplied at the landing by the Sanitary Commission. I have had plenty to eat; no difference has been made since my capture between the wounded prisoners and the Federal wounded.
Rations in our service were bacon, half pound, or half pound of beef; rice, coffee and sugar occasionally; rations of bread were six hard biscuit a day, or half pound of meal, or half pound of flour a day. I have always had food enough of this kind, and while in Virginia the same as elsewhere.
In the Confederate service we had good tents in the winter, but on the march we had only blankets, and no shelter.
I was in No. 4 General Hospital, Richmond, during sixteen days, in May 1863; we had there as much as we could eat, with good bedding and sheets as we have here.
We were better off in the hospital than in the field, as we had there coffee, sugar and soft bread.
I have had every comfort and attention since I have been here. The same in all respects as Union solders.
WILLIAM M. FARMER.
Sworn to before me,
WARREN WEBSTER,
Assistant Surgeon U. S. A., in charge of Hospital.
Deposition of DANIEL F. PRINCE, native of Columbus county, North Carolina, Company H, 51st Regiment.
I entered the Confederate service in March, 1862, and arrived here on the 15th of June last. I was wounded at the battle of Cool Arbor; had some extra clothing in a bundle, which was cut loose by a Federal soldier at my request.
I lay in a cross fire, and the Federal soldiers dragged me out of the line of the fire into a ditch.
I was treated mighty kindly. The Federals dressed my wounds, and carried me to White House Landing, and sent me immediately North with your own boys.
In the Confederate service we always got one pound of beef or half a pound of bacon a day; we had flour or corn bread alternately, one pound of flour, or one and a quarter pounds of corn meal; we had no tea or coffee; we had salt, and a gill of peas or rice a day extra.
We had three full suits of clothes a year, if needed; if more, we drew them and had to pay for them; we had blankets and oil- cloths.
We had tents at stations, but no tents in the field.
We had overcoats in cold weather made of wool.
I have been supplied with everything I have wanted since I came here, and see no difference between my treatment and that of Union soldiers here in the hospital.
his
DANIEL F. χ PRINCE.
mark.
Sworn to before me,
WARREN WEBSTER,
Assistant Surgeon U. S. A., in charge of Hospital.
Deposition of JOSEPH WHICHARD, Pitt County, North Carolina, Company G, 8th Regiment, North Carolina.
I entered the service in September, 1861, and have served in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and at last in Virginia where I was wounded at Cool Arbor.
I had on at the time, pants, shoes, a shirt, and a pair of drawers; my clothes were cut off by the surgeon in order to dress my wounds, and clean ones were afterwards supplied to me by Union men, both on board the boat and since I have been here.
I have my jacket, and the rest of my property is on the little stand at the head of my bed.
A blanket was taken away from me when wounded, but another has been furnished.
Rations, half a pound bacon, and ten hard biscuits, daily; nothing else to eat; no rice, peas, or corn meal.
Was in the hospital at Wilmington, North Carolina, a year ago last May. The fare was tolerable.
On a march, had an abundance, except for a day or two, when it could not be got.
Have had everything I want, or have asked for, since I have been here.
J. WHICHARD.
Sworn to before me,
WARREN WEBSTER,
Assistant Surgeon U. S. A., in charge of Hospital.
Deposition of MICHAEL SUTTON, Sampson County, North Carolina, Company B, 51st Regiment.
I have been nearly three years in the Confederate service; this is my second enlistment; I might have been drafted if I had not re-enlisted. I served near Charlestown, South Carolina, and was wounded at Cool Arbor; had some clothes on; no clothes now except what was furnished me by Union men; my own clothes were bloody and had to be thrown away.
I have not been robbed of anything.
Rations for four days, one pound of bacon, and eighteen ounces of corn meal; same weight of flour, but rarely; had rice and peas, half pint of rice, and a short half pint of peas a day. Meal not always good, but lumpy and smelt bad, and then we were rather stinted for food. Since we have been ‘round Richmond we have been short; it was enough to live upon “without enough.”
Been in hospital in Wilmington, North Carolina; “fare awful hard;” want of food; beds, &c., were clean.
Treated well on board the vessel; the same as Union soldiers; kind and attentive here; fared fine while I have been here; I have not asked for anything but what I have got it.
his
MICHAEL χ SUTTON.
mark.
Sworn to before me,
WARREN WEBSTER,
Assistant Surgeon U. S. A., in charge of Hospital.