Edward Kittoe Inspects Chicago's Camp Douglas Prison in 1864-- Part 3

"The barracks and grounds in the northwest square, occupied by Morgan's men (John Hunt Morgan), were pre-eminently  filthy."

Things are also bad in the center square.  "The old privies have been removed, and the sinks have been but imperfectly covered, so that the filth is seeping up through the ground.  When there is a rain the grounds are flooded with an infusuion of this poisonous matter...."

The hospitals are in good order and a new one is being built.

When Edward Kittoe was there, the prison held 5,616 Confederates of whom 225 were sick in the hospital.  The previous month, December 1863, there was a total of 2,011 with 57 deaths. Most prevalent camp disease is diarrhea, arising from poorly cooked food and conditions.

--Old Secesh

Edward Kittoe Inspects Camp Douglas in Chicago-- Part 2

Continued from February 6, 2023.

The part of Camp Douglas where the Union guards were quartered were by and large very good.  However, when it came to the Confederate prisoners being held there, it was quite another story.

The prisoners stayed in quarters built in 1861, when Camp Douglas was used for traing Union troops.  The floors were not raised to allow the flow of  of air beneath.  The floorboards were taken out to prevent tunneling and as a result floors were a "mass of mud and filth."

The buildings were 100 feet by 30 feet and into which 125 to 150 men were crammed, "who are mostly in a filthy and disgusting state and swarming with vermin."

They are supplied with ample rations, but arrangements for cooking are poor and food improperly prepared, resulting in much waste.  There is a great "neglect of police duty"to the grounds.

--Old Secesh

Edward Kittoe Inspected Camp Douglas Prison in Chicago in 1864

From Official Records War of the Rebellion.

Report of inspection made by Edward Kittoe by order of  Cpl. R.C.  Wood, Assistant Surgeon General , U.S. Army,  on January 18, 1864.

He reported that the site was not very good  because of drainage and proximity to Lake Michigan and exposure to cold, damp winds.  "Marshy character of the soil" perfect for fostering diseases.  Plus, at time of inspection ground covered by frost and snow.

As far as prisoners, the soil is excellent for tunneling for escape.  Plus, proximity to large city pf Chicago makes it hard to guard against southern sympathizers.

Barracks and latrines of guards in very good shape.

However, this can not be said for the conditions of the prisoners.

--Old Secesh