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make conditions critical all winter long. The captors were unable to obtain suitable beef, pork, flour, firewood, clothing, shoes or blankets for their prisoners. And all the while there were problems with getting and keeping enough guards. Compounding matters was that the Germans� baggage and back pay were five months late and wouldn�t arrive until April 1782. Because of these dire circumstances, some of the prisoners were allowed to go to work out in the country for a time, and many were forced to sell their clothes and possessions for food. 

According to D�hla, 

�Frequent epidemics occurred, and bugs and lice in great numbers appeared in our tattered clothing�At present, we receive poor rations, raw bread, almost rotten and stinking, salted meat, and occasionally stinking herring fish. Many of us prisoners went barefoot and half naked; most no longer had a shirt on their body, and many went with only a rag, which was full of bugs.� 

Beginning the 4th of June, 1782, Prechtel wrote in his diary that �no one is allowed any longer to give shelter to one of the prisoners of war. In case of violation, the guilty person must pay the sum of five hundred Pounds Sterling, and in case he is not able to pay, he must serve as a marine on an American ship for three years. In case his health does not permit this, he will be punished with thirty nine stripes.� 

As the months went by, the summer proved to be hot and humid, and the captives became restless. One routine they could count on was the early morning roll call, held by Major Mountjoy Bailey, Commander of the Guard at Frederick Town. Major Bailey allowed the prisoners lots of freedom. They were not closely monitored and traveled freely into the countryside; they left and returned as they pleased.

According to D�hla, on August 27, 1782, Garrison orders were: 

�Every prisoner of war who has the desire to remain in this country shall be set free at once and receive a Certificate from the Minister of War permitting him to enjoy the liberties as a native of the country. In this case he must pay the sum of eighty dollars.� 
Signed: John Wood, Colonel

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24 Johann Conrad D�hla. 
25 Johann Ernst Prechtel