Foote also articulated one of the greatest fears that every POW
had in crowded prison conditions; the fear of a disease
outbreak. On August 3rd he wrote, “If we are not moved from here
before long, some disease will break out. We are crowded up in
filth.” Yellow Fever outbreak was particularly worrisome to the
prisoners as well as to the city. If the ‘Fever’ broke out among
the prison population there was also great concern among
Charleston residents that it would spread into the civilian
population. In fact, it was a Yellow Fever outbreak concern that
resulted in Foote being moved from Charleston and transferred to
Columbia in late September. His Sept 29th diary entry reads,
“One of our Officer’s died this morning (Lt. Stahl). Billious
fever. Yellow Fever in the City.” But Yellow Fever was a
constant concern in all prison camps. At least one officer died
in Columbia – Camp Sorghum – on October 16th according to
Foote’s diary. - Bible saved a Civil War soldier’s life at
Sailor’s Creek - How important was Unio