6 February 1865: “To our enemies I have no complaint to make”

Item Description: A letter regarding the treatment of Confederate prisoners by Union troops at Fort Pulaski for February 6th, 1865.

18650206_01

Item Citation: From Folder 3, in the John Lucas Paul Cantwell Papers #3027, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item Transcription:

Fort Pulaski, Ga., 6th February, 1865

My Dear Sir,

Believing that it is not contraband & that the Federal Authorities don’t desire to conceal the facts, I write to you to state briefly the suffering of privation to which we are subjected & I challenge a denial. Since the 1st day of January last our ration has been per day 10 ounces of corn meal about 4 ounces of wheat bread salt & more pickels! than we can eat & until very recently this too was the only diet for those of us who were sick. Three fourths of our number are in consequence sick with Scurvy, Diarrhea, & Coughs. & Supplies have not been allowed to reach such of us as had friends to send them but were returned and we are directed to apply to Gnl Wepels at Washingon DC for permits to receive them, a number of applications have been made but as yet no reply has been received. I write requesting that these facts be made known in the proper quarter. To our enemies I have no complaint to make. Very truly yr friend

S Centwell Capt 3rd NC R(?) Prisr War

Hm Geo Davis Atty Genl OSA Richmond VA

 

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