Unknown to Charles W. Hill, January 1, 1865
Col. CHARLES W. HILL, 128th Regt. Ohio Vol. Infty., Comdg. U. S. Forces, Johnson’s Island :
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following inspection report of the condition of the prisoners of war at this station for the week ending January 1, 1865:
Conduct—good. Cleanliness—good. Clothing—good. Bedding— no straw issued to prison since June, 1864, except three blocks and hospital; bunks and blankets wanted. State of quarters—nine blocks clean, two fair, and Block 10 dirty. State of mess-houses—fair. State of kitchen—fair. Food, quality of—good. Food, quantity of—prisoners’ ration, except potatoes. Water—lake water and good. Sinks— fair. Police of grounds—good. Drainage—good. Police of hospital— very good. Attendance of sick—good. Hospital diet—good and abundant. General health of prisoners—very good; one case of smallpox. Vigilance of guard—good.
Remarks and suggestions.—Whole number of prisoners, 3,209; number in hospital, 44; deaths since last report, 3.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
The deficieney of blankets it is expected will soon be obviated. The
order to erect barracks for the Sixth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps
came at so' late a day in the season as to render it very difficult to get
mess-halls, which had to be provided with a floor and partition, in
order to [accommodate] some 200 prisoners whom the superintendent
reported could not be quartered in the barracks. For the floor, partition, and increased number of bunks there was a new demand for lumber, which could be only partially met. Whenever the ice will permit