1862 October 19 Quarantine Camp, Richmond

                Quarantine Camp 3 miles of Rich=
                   mond Monday Oct 19 1862 [sic]
Uncle Jno
             I drop you a few lines to inform you that
I have at last reached the Confederate lines and am
now for the first time treated as a prisoner.  Our
steamer reached Aiken's Landing yesterday mor=
ning, having on board 214 Confederates, most of
whome were wounded men.  There we met at the
wharf another steamer with probably as many more
prisoners who had arrived the day before but

had not yet been paroled About sunset our
transportation train arrived so that we were per-
mitted to land & getting into the carts & wagons
about 300 of us who were wounded were started to
Richmond, but to our surprise were driven through
the city out here to an encampment where we
are now under close guard. not permitted to leave
the grounds Of course we were all indignant at
this treatment & many a hard oath has been
sworn at hte party, whoever he is, responsible for
this seemingly inhuman treatment, Here we are
in cold, uncomfortale tents to suffer in our present
condition, many of the men with their death wounds
upon them. Last night I was so chilled I had actually
to leave my tent & go out to get some comfort by
a neighboring fire. & have not time to analyze upon
this matter.  It has put me quite out of  [touch?] Now
what do you supose all this has been done for? Some
foolish man among the prisoners started a villanious
rumor about having been where small pox was
what the rumor was I don't know---Finally I have been
so fretted about the think that I don't want to know.
However the rumor is believed by the attending physician
to be utterly without foundation.  But the Richmond
authorities got wind fo the rumor, and s a consequence

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we are all out here in quarantine--to die & go to Har
ry scratch for all we are cared for by those in power at Rich
mond.  The matter ought to be unvestigated.  We have been
teated most inhumanly--I will not say more
about it, except that we are promised to be sent
off in six or seven days if no cases of small pox appear.
& if any does appear of course we are here for time indefinite
If we die during the seven days ordeal it makes no
difference of course; I would give anything to get to Peters-
burg or to Orange.  I can only indulge a hope that at some
future day--the Lord only knows when--I will al-
lowed to leave this place. I shall go immediately to Petersburg.
Tell Mr Fisk[?] & cousin Sarah that unless like the officers
here they have lost all sympathy for suffering soldiers--I will
be glad to accept their many kind invitation to make their
house their home until I can make arrangements to go to Orange
My wounds continue to improve & I can get about a
little with my crutch & stick.  Until getting to this
abominable place I have spent a most delightful
time-particularly in Baltimore, where we met friends
by the dozens. I have not time to enter into particulars
I would like to see you--If you can do so conveniently
come over some morning.  If not write to me. I have
not heard a word from home since August the 20th. Send
this letter to Pa. I would write to him, but have not the
paper, What has become fo Brother? Was Dick hurt
much at the battle of South Mt?  Tell me the news
Direct letter care of Dr A. S. Cousins 3 Division Winder[?] Hospital Richmond Va. He is
one of our attending physicians.  Give my love to Sister
& all my friends.  Write or come over as soon as you can.
                                         Yr friend
                                                   George S. Bernard