Hey, Chief. I was in and out of San Diego several times during my hitch in the Navy, and I have fond memories of the wonderful weather there. They once sent me to the Fleet Anti-Air Warfare Training Center at Point Loma. We were billeted in sub-standard WWII-era barracks, but the cool ocean breeze up there on the hill was a blessing after the winter winds of NTC Great Lakes. I've always remembered FAAWTC as my "Riviera vacation."

Talking about incipient diseases contracted at Camp Douglas -- the old saying, "that which does not kill us makes us stronger," certainly did not apply to the Confederate POWs. Like your ancestor, a great many of the Confederate pension applications I've reviewed discuss the fact that their POW experience broke their health for good. Bronchial ailments led the list, followed by rheumatism and arthritis, all of which were attributable to the poor food, clothing and shelter, aggravated by the wet, freezing weather.