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CV
Vol. XXII pg 212
J.E.Paddison, Prince William County, Va. age 19.
Captured at Ft. Fisher when it fell-had been
sent there from his station at Fort Buchanan to send a message-he was left
behind when troops in his ship left. Jan 15,1865. The trip to Point. Lookout
was in a very filthy cattle boat.Confederate States Signal Corps They were 3 days on the trip, arriving at Pt. Lookout in the morning. It required all day to register them, search them, (all their possessions were taken from them), and arrange for their quarters. At this time the prisoners had to stand in mud and water over their shoes, cold and shivering, with nothing to eat until they were almost frozen. Sixteen or eighteen were put in small tents filled with smoke. In spite of the cold, they just had to go outside occasionally to breathe freely. a cup of bean soup, with one or two beans floating in it, was their breakfast. Their next meal was of decayed codfish with stale light bread, and they were furnished only two meals a day. Major Paddison secured better quarters when some prisoners were released. The had huts made out of cracker boxes with confortable bunks. Young Paddison met with success again as he fell in with a squad of men who dug ditches, and they divided their rations with him and treated him with kindness. A large number died of scurvy and other diseases. It was common occurance to see dead prisoners carried out for burial. Young Paddison was a prisoner five months, and during the time he never received letters or papers. For diversion the prisoners played cards and this comrade says he never wated to see another card and has never played since. "June 16,1865 was the happiest day of my life" says the major. He was released from prison on taking the oath of allegiance and turned his face homeward. |