Testimony taken at Fort Delaware, June 21st, 1864
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT. — Dr. Wallace, Judge Hare.
GEORGE S. ROLER sworn and examined: —
I am from Virginia, was in the artillery, Ewell’s Corps; I am comfortable here; I have just come here last evening; came through Washington, from Spottsylvania Court House, where I was taken prisoner.
Was kindly treated on the way up; had been in the service (Confederate) three months when taken prisoner.
We had plenty of rations from Confederate Government; they issued us meal, some flour, bacon, sugar, coffee and salt; got meat every day, half pound bacon or a pound of beef; one and one-eighth pound of meal a day, which we made ourselves; plenty of coffee and sugar all the winter; we did not suffer for want of food.
Clothing plenty all winter; that was the case of the other men as well as myself; we all had two blankets—some more; none I think less than two.
GEORGE S. ROLER.
Sworn to and subscribed before me,
June 21st, 1864.
D. P. BROWN, JR.,
United States Commissioner.
HENRY DANIEL, sworn and examined:—
I have been in the Confederate service, infantry, Ewell’s corps, for two years; I came here yesterday; taken prisoner at Spottsylvania; am from Georgia.
Had plenty to eat while in the Confederate service; had half pound of bacon, one and one-eighth pounds of flour a day during the winter; in the spring, beef one pound a day; provisions of good quality; besides this had meal, Irish potatoes, peas, coffee, and sugar.
Had clothes enough to keep warm; two blankets, one overcoat; the army at large had them; nothing to complain of in the way of food and clothing.
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HENRY χ DANIEL
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Sworn to and subscribed before me,
June 21st, 1864.
D. P. BROWN, JR.,
United States Commissioner.
WILLIAM SHARP, sworn and examined : —
I have been three years in the Confederate service the 9th of next month, in Hill’s corps; I am from Georgia; taken prisoner at Spottsylvania.
Treatment was not so good part of the way coming up here; they did not give us anything to eat but four crackers a day till we got to Belle Plain, to the boat; after that we had plenty; the guards that were with us across to Belle Plain did not get it either; the infantry guard that fetched us to Fredericksburg had no more than we; the cavalry brought us, I don’t know how they fared.
Rations last winter in the Confederate service pretty good; got one and one-eighth pounds of flour, one-quarter pound of salt pork, when we got sugar and coffee; when we did not get sugar and coffee, had half a pound salt pork; sometimes we drew corn meal and got a pound and a quarter of it; got some potatoes once and a while; some beans occasionally, and some rice.
Clothes were very good last winter; had one blanket to each man; some had two blankets; had overcoats.
Heard no complaints of want of food or clothing, being well clothed and fed.
I was as fat as I ever was in my life, when I was taken at Spottsylvania.
We had tents and cabins built during the winter.
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WILLIAM χ SHARP.
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Sworn to and subscribed before me,
June 21st, 1864.
D. P. BROWN, JR.,
United States Commissioner.
J. S. MOORE, sworn and examined : —
I have been in the Confederate service nearly three years. Taken prisoner near Spottsylvania Court House; was treated tolerably well on the way up here; did not get quite enough to eat.
Plenty to eat last winter and spring in the Confederate service; got meal, flour, bacon, a quarter of a pound of bacon a day, and one and one quarter pounds of meal, sometimes sugar and coffee and potatoes; did not get beans; got no fresh meat last spring. Was in Hill’s corps.
Had plenty of clothing; one blanket a piece; overcoats; some had two blankets.
We could not carry more than one blanket a piece; could have had more if we had chosen to carry them.
Sometimes we threw them away. I came from Mississippi.
Sometimes drew flour, one pound, instead of meal; never got any more bacon than at first; had plenty to eat all the time; generally had coffee on hand all the time; used to have peas last fall; was as well fed, with the exception of coffee, last winter as before.
JOHN S. MOORE.
Sworn to and subscribed before me,
June 21st, 1864.
D. P. BROWN, JR.,
United States Commissioner.
L. S. CREWS, sworn and examined: —
I entered the Confederate service last December. I was taken prisoner near Spottsylvania Court House; came from Virginia; in Ewell’s corps; well treated coming up here; got more than I could eat, for I was sick; they all got plenty coming up here, as far as I know.
Rations last winter in our own army were tolerable; was on corn meal principally through the winter; got one and one-quarter pound of corn meal a day, half pound of bacon; sometimes molasses and potatoes; some fish, some sugar and coffee; drawed a little rice; got no fresh meat; had a little last December; had enough food to satisfy hunger.
The men were clothed tolerably well — all of the men had not blankets; some had thrown them away; it was so with the over- coats. I was conscripted.
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L. S. χ CREWS
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Sworn to and subscribed before me,
June 21st, 1864.
D. P. BROWN, JR.,
United States Commissioner.
R. D. BENEFIELD, sworn and examined —
Taken prisoner near Spottsylvania; was well treated, as well as could be expected on my way up here.
Got about enough to eat in the Confederate service — one and one-quarter pounds of meal, and one-quarter pound of bacon; got some sugar, some potatoes, rice, and coffee; no beans or peas; some sugar; allowance of bacon the same all the time; I don’t recollect drawing any fresh meat; got flour sometimes.
Got tolerable plenty of clothes; all had plenty of blankets; some overcoats.
The men did not suffer, as I know of, from cold; have been in the service since February, 1861. Was in Ewell’s corps.
R. D. BENEFIELD,
Company A, 37th Georgia.
Sworn to and subscribed before me,
June 21st, 1864.
D. P. BROWN, JR.,
United States Commissioner.
I certify that the foregoing testimony, taken at Fort Delaware, June 21st, 1864, was taken and reduced to writing in the presence of the respective witnesses, and by them sworn to in my presence, at the times, places, and in the manner set forth.
D. P. BROWN, JR.,
United States Commissioner.