Lew Powell's Frostbitten Feet

[BettyO]

(08-22-2012 07:53 AM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Speaking of such things-how did they use the privy? Were they allowed to bath? These things come to mind when you think of the conditions they faced in that old prison.

They were given ONE bath that I know of -- right before the trial in an empty cell with a blanket over the door and an apparent portable tub. Sam Arnold mentioned that the water was cold as ice. What was particularly gross was that each man washed in the same water - all seven of them. They toweled off and where given clean clothing and underclothing. That is about the extent of their hygiene as far as I know. They were given cleaning clothing from time to time as Powell as well as Spangler appeared in different pants and shirts. Powell sometimes wearing a gray shirt, sometimes the blue Navy undershirt, and another time with a collar stud and collar as well as the blue Navy pants and occasionally a black pair of trousers as well. Spangler would appear in a gray shirt and another time in a purple shirt!

Their laundry lists are also in Hartranft's book. Washing of clothing was done approximately once a week. Whether this also signified that they were allowed baths is not recorded. The clothing was therefore fresh, even if their bodies were NOT. Sounds disgusting to put fresh clothing on hot, sweaty bodies.... their hair was also cut at least twice and they were shaved- once at the beginning of June and then again on July 4.

I don't know about the other. Apparently they had slop pails.