The sunshine was streaming
through the prison bar this morning when I awoke. It was
some minutes before I could realize the circumstances. The
painful fact that I was a prisoner and treated as a convict
soon forced itself upon my senses and, rising, I joined
my fellow prisoners in their morning toilet. I had scarcely
dressed, when the sentinal who stood at the door of the
cell announced breakfast; mechanically following the crowd
of half clad, filthy looking soldiers, who I now saw for
the first time, I entered a large, one story frame building
where some three hundred soldiers were already seated to
just such a meal as had been set before us the night before.
I turned away disgusted, and walked out of the door, when
to my pleasant surprise I saw Mr.
Broaddus in the yard. After quite a warm greeting, he most
agreeably informed me that he had obtained the consent of
the keeper of the prison to invite us
to breakfast with him. The invitation was soon conveyed
to my companions and gladly accepted. Dr Broaddus led the
way up four pair of creaking stairs, stained by time and
the accumulation of dirt, where we found Mr
Gill, Mr McGuire, Mr
Wellford, Mr Bradley, and Mr
Knox, who had been previously arrested under similar circumstances
with ourselves at Fredericksburg. These gentlemen informed
us that the room they then occupied was all that was allowed
them for lodging, sitting room, and kitchen. On three sides
of the room were three forms attached to the wall, about
three feet and a half wide, five feet and a half high and
seven feet long, these forms were divided into two stories,
making two bunks each similar to those on board steamboats.
A grate occupied the other side of the apartment, near which
was a small cupboard in the wall. On a small table in the
middle of the room, however was placed quite a savory and
inviting breakfast, consisting of fried ham, cold chicken,
sweet fresh bread and good strong Java coffee. This being
the first regular meal which we had seen since our arrest,
we did ample justice to its excellent provisions.
