Then there was a great demand for poles to stretch blankets over to make tents; the Rebels, with their usual stupid cruelty, would not supply these, nor allow the prisoners to go out and get them themselves.

Many of the older prisoners had poles to spare which they were saying up for fuel.

They sold these to the Plymouth folks at the rate of ten dollars for three--enough to put up a blanket.
The most considerable trading was done through the gates.

The Rebel guards were found quite as keen to barter as they had been in Richmond.
Though the laws against their dealing in the money of the enemy were still as stringent as ever, their thirst for greenbacks was not abated one whit, and they were ready to sell anything they had for the coveted currency.

The rate of exchange was seven or eight dollars in Confederate money for one dollar in greenbacks.