FEBRUARY 22, 1863:
Camp
Douglas, Illinois, a Union POW Camp for Confederates is suffering a devastating
smallpox epidemic. The death rate reported for the month of February alone was
387 out of a total population of 3884---in just this one month! This amounted
to 10 per cent of the entire inmate body.
All Prisoner of War Camps, North and
South, subjected their “guests” to deplorable conditions. With little military
regulation and “afterthoughts” as to the food supply, the water supply,
sanitation, shelter, clothing and treatment, the camps were run at the whim of
the Commandants---some of whom intentionally abused the enemy prisoners, many
of whom had been appointed to their commands due to lack of competence, and few
of whom had the inclination, ability or the influence to assure better
conditions for the men.
Camp Douglas, which today would lie within the bounds
of the city of Chicago, was known as “Eighty Acres of Hell.”
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