The Daily Dispatch: December 30, 1863., [Electronic resource]

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The returned prisoners from Point Lookout.

The five hundred Confederates who arrived here Monday night on the steamer Schultz were from Point Lookout, Md.--From conversation with some of them, we learn that a large number bought their places on the truce beat from the prison authorities, paying in whatever sums of greenbacks they could get hold of — from $10 to $100--for the privilege of going off in the number selected. One of them had $15 in the hands of the Yankee clerk of the post, and secured his place by offering to surrender it. The offer was accepted. The returned prisoners say that, with the exception of the Marylanders, our men are in a bad condition at Point Lookout — many of them being barefooted, and nearly all ragged. Those from Maryland, being near home, receive much attention from the women of their State. These ladies do as much as they can for the troops from other States, but, not being relatives, are not allowed by the prison authorities to go far in their benevolence.

The "oath" was tendered to the prisoners at Lookout, but not a corporal's guard took it.