MOUNT JACKSON, September 23, 1864.
(Via Harrisonburg 4 a.m.)
General R. E. LEE:
Late yesterday the enemy attacked my position at Fisher's Hill and succeeded in driving back the left of my line, which was defended by the cavalry [dismounted], and throwing a force into the rear of the left of my infantry line, when the whole of the troops gave way in a panic and could not be rallied. This resulted in a loss of twelve pieces of artillery, though my loss in men is not large. I am falling back to New Market, and shall endeavor to check the enemy if he advances. Kershaw's division had better be sent to my aid, through Swift Run Gap, at once. (*)
1)
J. A. EARLY. (OR 43/2, 878)
J. B. Travwick was captured at Fisher’s Gap, near Strasburg. After some delay at Winchester, Harper’s Ferry and Baltimore, I was carried by steamer to Point Lookout , Maryland, arriving there on October 3. On entering prison we were divested of everything except personal wear and blankets. Not long after our arrival an inspection was held, and in every case where prisoners had more that one blanket, unless concealed, they were all taken except one to each man, and then those who didn't have any were supplied with blankets that had been taken from their fellow-prisoners. Barefooted prisoners were supplied with shoes, and a scant quantity of clothing were give to the most destitute.
The tents were mostly bell or round-shaped. They had been refused for use in the Federal army and generally leaked. The rations as to quality were, as a rule, good. Pork two out of three days, the third day beef, but occasionally the ribs of beef were round, which showed that it was mule-beer. Hungrey prisoners ate it all the same. The bread was served in pound loaves daily, one loaf to be divided between two prisoners-it was short weight. A pint cup of soup went with each loaf of bread. Two day’s rations were issued on Saturday, and so small was the quantity that men frequently ate all given at one time.
The ration for a day was about sufficient for a well man one meal. It was said by the prison authorities to be one-half ration a day. The pork was very fat, and always boiled. The prisoners never got the lard that came out of the pork, and it was commonly reported that the provost marshal and other officers there relized a vast amount from the sale of this grease to soap-makers and lard-refiners. The water used by the prisoners was mineral, giving the sharpest of appetites with so little to eat. Our sufffering from hunger was indescribable.
I have heard men pray to be made sick that the appetite might be taken away. The prisoners being so poorly clad, and the Point so much exposed to cold, it caused them great suffering. Every intensly cold night from four to seven prisoners would freeze to death. Almost no wood was furnished. About a cord of green pine to one thousand men for five days. It was mockery.
I was paroled and left Point Lookout February 18, 1865. While free from any special sickeness, I was reduced sixty-five pounds in weight, purely for want of sufficient food. (SHSP Vol. 18, 1890, pp. 431-435) , Rev. J. B. Travwick)