Others ate the mortar and stone which they
chipped from the prison walls, while some were found with bits of wood
and clay in their mouths, which in their death agonies they had sucked
to find nourishment." [Footnote: This account is quoted by Mr. Bolton
in a recent book called "The Private Soldier under Washington," a
valuable contribution to American history.]
Boudinot has something to say about these wretched sufferers in the
City of Brotherly Love during the months of January and February,
1778. "Various Reports having reached us with regard to the Extreme
Sufferings of our Prisoners in Philadelphia, I was directed by the
Commander-in-Chief to make particular inquiry into the truth. After
some time I obtained full Information of their Sufferings. It was
proved by some Militia of good Character that on being taken they were
put under the care of the General's Guard, and kept four or five days
without the least food. That on the fifth day they were taken into the
Provost, where a small quantity of Raw Pork was given to them. One of
their number seized and devoured it with so much eagerness that he
dropped down dead:--that the Provost Martial used to sell their
provisions and leave them to starve, as he did their Allowance of
Wood. I received information from a British Officer who confided in my
integrity, that he happened in the Provost just at the time the
Provost Martial was locking up the Prisoners.
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