Capt. Robert E. Park

Capt. Robert E. Park. 12th Alabama Infantry. , Alfred Parkins, a prisoner in the "bull pen" as the quarters of the privates is designated, came to see Lt. Arrington. Parkins says there is great destitution and suffering in the "pen". Their food is insufficient, many are in rags and without blankets and very little wood is furnished for fires. He says that several of the Negro soldiers guarding them were once slaves of some of the prisoners and have been recognized as such. Some of them are still respectful and call their owners "master" and declare they were forced to enlist. A majority however, inflated by their so-called freedom are very insolent and overbearing. They frequently fire into the midst of the prisoners, upon the slightest provocation. One a few days ago shot a prisoner as he walked slowly and faithfully from sheer debility away from the foul sinks of his tent, simply because he did not and could not obey his imperative order to "move on faster dar". Instead of being courtmartialed and punished for wanton murder, the villain was seen a few days afterwards exulting in his promotion to a corporalcy., Parkins showed some very amusing caricatures or cartoons depicting the humorous side of prison life…, Many of the men have dog deep pits or cellars, beneath their cabins and tents and used them as protection against the chilling winds and intensely cold weather… These resolute suffering private soldiers and their comrades in the field are the true heroes of the war; they and not the men of rank deserve the most honor and gratitude., Dairy entry Dec 9, 1864.