Perched on a hill overlooking the rows of tents sat two cannon. This prison was not guarded like most prisons. It was Belle Island and it's walls, the white waters of the James River made escape impossible and the need for guards a waste of good calvery. The cannon kept guard over the twenty-thousand plus who lived, died and survived Belle Island. When ever any prisoners became disruptive the cannon would quickly quiet any forms of rebellion. As soon as everyone laid down only then would the cannons cease.