This letter appeared in the Indianapolis Daily Journal on March 19, 1863 on page 1 column 6. The spelling and punctuation are unchanged from the original publication. The formating of the letter has been changed for easier reading.

Paroled Prisoners at Annapolis.

Washington, March 12, 1863.

ED. JOURNAL: Having just returned from a visit to Annapolis, I drop you a brief line as to matters there. Your readers are aware, probably, that Parole Camp is near this place and Navy Yard Hospital, within the city limits, upon the shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

There have been at one time as many as twenty-five thousand paroled soldiers in this camp and over one thousand sick and disabled in Navy Yard Hospital.

I visited our Indiana soldiers, numbering over five hundred, who appeared to be in good spirits, but very desirous to be sent to their own State, or exchanged, that they may again be returned to their regiments in the field. It was a common expression among them: “We want to go back to Dixie and pay our debts.”

Many sad tales are told by our soldiers of their harsh treatment and want of food. Our Western troops are well spoken of by the officers in charge as being more easily managed than others who have been enlisted from the cities of the East.

The charge of the paroled prisoners at this place is with Col. George Sangster of the 47th New York State Militia, who has been in command since August last. Not one who has visited this camp but speaks in the highest terms of Col. Sangster. He is one of the most energetic and prompt officers I have met. It seems to require a peculiar talent to manage paroled men, and all officers with whom I am acquainted, to whom the care of paroled soldiers has been entrusted, speak of the command as most disagreeable and difficult. Colonel Sangster, however, is quite at home in his command. An officer of fine business habits and a strict disciplinarian, he is especially fitted to this most arduous work. The length of time he has been retained in his present position is evidence of his standing with the military authorities, whilst the citizens of Annapolis regard him with great favor. I learned, while there, that his name has been presented to the President for promotion to a Brigadier Generalship. I think he would wear his honors well.

Camp Parole Hospital, two miles from the city, is, in all particulars, the best field hospital I have ever visited. It consists of tents with good pine doors and floors, and is kept in the best order, neat and clean. The best of cots are used, and good mattrasses. Bed clothes are in abundance, and kept clean.-Each cot is dressed with white sheets and spread.

The storehouse is filled with all that is necessary for the comfort of the sick.

I found here fifty four Indiana soldiers. They were much cheered with a visit from the Agent. Each one was visited as he lay on his cot, and a word of comfort and encouragement spoken. We talked of home, and parents, and friends, until our hearts seemed knit together. To me it was a delightful season and profitable to the sick, so lonely in a land of strangers. I felt very much like staying with them, so delightful did the hours pass.

These hospital tents have paper hangings along the ridge pole, around the square, and in several places overhead, giving to them quite a home-like appearance. Camp Parole Hospital is in charge of Dr. James Norval, of whom our soldiers speak with great favor.

I was requested by Dr. Norval to procure for this hospital a box of magazines, or such reading matter as would be suitable to the wants of the convalescent. Will some of the good friends of your city gather a quantity of magazines for this hospital and send them to this office, free of charge. I start to Fort Schuyler to morrow to look after some disabled there.

Isaac W. Monfort,
Ind. Mil. Ag’t.