The field officer of the day was accustomed to make a complete tour of the camp during the day, and usually visited each guard post at least once during the night. Whenever he was seen approaching any of the principal posts, the entire guard had to be turned out in order to be inspected and reviewed by him.
During the night, from 8 o'clock in the evening until 6 in the morning, every half hour was called by the guard on the fence, at the same time giving the number of each post and the word "All's well."
The prisoners were divided into companies, each company being under the charge of an officer detailed for that purpose. Roll was called morning and evening, at one of which the officer was required to be present and to make a daily report to the commandant of the post. Two meals per day were given the prisoners, one at 8 A. M. and one at 3 P. M. They were furnished with good, wholesome food, prepared in an immense cooking establishment. Each company marched to this house at the regular hours, and were served with their rations, going immediately back to their quarters to eat them.
Several large and commodious hospitals were provided for the sick, arranged with all possible convenience, and attended by a corps of competent Surgeons.
One might draw a grand comparison between the way in which our men were treated in the different prisons of the South, and the treatment of rebels at the hands of our Government. We who have seen the worn-out, hobbling rebel prisoner, go forth exchanged, after a few months' imprisonment, a strong and healthy man, cannot but feel the contrast when we see old friends, who, months ago were freed from Southern prisons, even now unable to stand the burden of any daily toil, and still wearing in their deep-lined faces the marks of past hardships. And when we think of those who once filled the vacant places in our homes and in our hearts, who might now be with us but for such hardships, we can reflect only with shuddering upon the treatment they have received, and feel grateful that we are at peace again. Verily, many a tale that we might tell were better left untold.
On the morning of Friday, Oct. 7th, one of the guard on the outside of the fence discovered a hole, through which it was evident some of the prisoners had escaped. The alarm was given, but it was too late. On investigation there were found to be 16 prisoners missing. They had made a tunnel about four feet under ground and sixty odd feet long, large enough to allow a man to crawl through. The night in which they made their escape was very dark and stormy, and taking advantage of this, they completed their excavation, crawled through, and were free.