Tuesday, August 23. — News better to-clay. Learned that our forces hold the Weldon R. R. Captain Senn said that he would give us a room by ourselves as soon as possible.
War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld
Monday, August 22. — Heard bad news from Petersburg with regard to General Hayes’s capture.
Sunday, August 21. — Went down to the navy room and spent most the day with them, and dined there. Read most of the day and finished Waverley.
Saturday, August 20. — We amused ourselves with draw poker and whist. Hot as the devil during the day. Night cool, consequently did not suffer much from bed bugs. Major Filler’s bed was taken downstairs. Went outside the prison to get some money from Lieutenant Eichberg. We have to pay $5 per pound for butter, $2.50 a dozen for eggs, 50 cents for small loaf of bread, $4 for watermelons, $1 per dozen for small apples, etc.
Friday, August 19. —Went outside the prison to-day for the first time. Lieutenant Eichberg sent for me to pay me the money for my watch. It was sold at auction for $102, of which I got $85, the balance being for commissions, etc. Afternoon and evening cool. Had a general clearing out of bed-bugs. Had the usual number of watermelons. Some letters were received from the North to-day by flag of truce.
Thursday, August 18. — While we were playing whist to-day, Colonel Morgan, brother of the rebel general, came up to see us. He has just been released. Porter came up to see us. Weather very hot, as usual.
Wednesday, August 17. — Usual routine of prison life. At night the air was terribly close, and one finds it a relief to see daylight. What with bed-bugs and foul air the nights are unpleasant. They found a tunnel our men were at work on to-day.
Tuesday, August 16. — Inspector of Prisons was here to-day. He said that we were much better off than the Charleston prisoners. Asked if our rations were sufficient. Had our usual games of cards to-day.
Monday, August 15. — Played whist in the navy room. Had a drunken sergeant on guard who would not allow any one to come in with watermelons, etc. It is reported that Secretary Stanton has resigned.
Sunday, August 14. — Unusually dull, as we did not like to play cards and had nothing to do. Some of the navy officers came up in the afternoon.
