Your memory serves you well. The first group did indeed come from Ft. Donelson. The big problem was that when the camp was built there was no fence around it. No need for one at that time. When the POW's came in of course they needed one. They kind of split the Camp into two sections and placed the prisoners in the west half of the camp. About 40 acres more or less (its a corn field as I type this). They did build some shanty's for the POWs but as you can imagine they were not much. They had only what they wore when they arrived so you can imagine what the winter weather was for them to bear. Many POW's escaped from the place and it is reported that the Federals did not do to much to find them. So I guess some made it back to safety but it was a long way to go and a big river to cross. Very little heat and not much to cook on or with. The only good thing about it if there can be any good in being penned up is that they had a lot of space considering the number that were there. By the way, General Sherman picked out the site for the camp. There was plenty of good water there if that counts for anything.
Frank