The Paroled Prisoners At Annapolis

A letter from Camp Parole , Annapolis , gives a sorry account of matters at that place.  The writer says:  “Within three or four days our camp has presented a more pitiable sight even than before, by the arrival of five thousand paroled prisoners, just from Dixie, covered with rags, many without hats, shirts or shoes, and some with nothing but a blanket and pantaloons to cover them.

Some were in such a condition that they would not march from the wharf through the town to camp, but avoided observation by going round another way.  Many are sick and wounded, half cared for, and all half starved when they arrived.  Never were men more thankful for a piece of bread or a cup of coffee than they!  They are camped upon the bare ground, without cover or shelter, the tents and sheds being full, and it has been raining a portion of the time since their arrival.  Among them we find some of our prison associates we left behind.  Some of them were in Dixie a year, others only a few days.

We number about ten thousand paroled men, and are in a shiftless condition.  How long things will continue thus I am unable to say.  Some have left for their homes in disguise, and many others would had they the means.  We belong at home until exchanged, where we can take care of ourselves, and make ourselves useful.  We are doing nothing here but undermining our constitutions, while we might be well and strong at home.”