The Civil War
Diary of Harmon Anderson
May 22, 1863 –
January 1, 1865

Transcribed by
Margaret Mckinney Brown
(Harmon’s great-granddaughter)

2007, Depoe Bay, Oregon

Formatted and Edited by
Richard Holmes Anderson
(Harmon Anderson’s great-grandson)

2008, Denver, Colorado

Diary Content

May 22 to Jul 26, 1863: Home on Sick Leave, Return to Unit
Jul 27 to Aug 15: Duty on line of the Rappahannock River
Aug 16 to Sep 12: New York for draft disturbances, return to Rappahannock
Sep 12 to Oct 30: Picket duty, camp at Culpeper, Bristoe Campaign
Oct 31 to Nov 7: Battle line on Rappahannock, Kelly’s Ford
Nov 8 to Nov 26: In camp near Brady Station
Nov 26 to Dec 2: Payne’s Farm and Mine Run Campaign
Dec 3 1863 to Feb 5, 1864: In camp, setting up hospital, chapel
Feb 6/7: Demonstration at the Rapidan
Feb 8 to May 2: In camp up to campaign from Rapidan to James River
May 3 to 6: Battle of Wilderness, capture on May 6
May 7 to May 23: Journey as POW from Virginia to Georgia
May 24 to Sep 11: Stay at Camp Sumter (Andersonville)
Sep 12 to Dec 5: the journey to freedom
Dec 5 to Jan 1, 1865: Home at Last!
The Final word

This version of the civil war diary of Harmon Anderson is an edit of the transcription created by Margaret McKinney Brown and distributed to the great-grandchildren of Harmon Anderson: John McKinney, David McKinney, Richard McKinney, Mary Ann McKinney(all children of Harmon’s grand-daughter, Mary Holmes Anderson McKinney); Richard Anderson, Mary Lou Anderson Hornaday, William Anderson (children of Harmon’s grand-son, Haramont Nathaniel Anderson, Jr); and Jonnel Anderson Fagergren and Janis Anderson Scorrar (children of Harmon’s grand-son, John Harmon Anderson).

Margaret provided some annotation to the diary as well as including material obtained from various libraries, and web pages. Some of these have been included with this version and others left out in order to keep the copy relative short and focused on the words of Harmon Anderson as he recorded his experiences while serving in the Union Army and his imprisonment at Camp Sumter prison camp near Andersonville, Georgia.

Richard Holmes Anderson
Denver, Colorado
November 20, 2008

Introduction

Margaret McKinney Brown, Harmon Anderson’s great-granddaughter, transcribed this diary from the original. Margaret provided annotation to the original text in the form of maps that show the path followed by Harmon Anderson upon his return to active duty in 1863 with Company C of the 110^th Ohio Volunteers. I have included these maps as figures in the edited version.

Harmon had enlisted August 27, 1862 at the age of 38 and he presumably spent time with the Union Army before the dates covered by this diary. We have no definitive information on this other than the official record of his enlistment. Harmon was captured by the Confederate Army on Friday, May 6 at the Second Battle of the Wilderness by Gordon Bryon of Johnson’s Division. He spent several days traveling south, all the time expecting to be released or paroled. Instead Harmon was transported southward, eventually arriving at Camp Sumter near Andersonville, Georgia at 1 p.m., May 24, 1864. He observed his 40th birthday at Camp Sumter in June of that year. He was moved from Andersonville (Camp Sumter) on September 12, 1864 where he continued to be held outside of Macon, Georgia. Harmon was finally paroled with two comrades on November 27, 1864. He arrived home on December 23, 1864 – what a wonderful Christmas present that must have been!

The first part of Harmon’s diary talks about the weather, the duty to which he was assigned, his struggles to stay well and how food was prepared. As the Army of the Potomac, to which the 110th Ohio Volunteers had been assigned, came closer to battle, the talk turned increasingly to religion and to Sunday sermons and evening prayer meetings that a number of the enlisted men managed to put together. A few officers did join them in these events.

Once Grant took command of the Army of the Potomac, the routine changed dramatically. Now Harmon writes of inspections, target practice and close order drill as the men were prepared for battle. Marches to picket duty are described as are several skirmishes. We eventually come to the description of what today we call the Second Battle of the Wilderness, where Harmon was captured.

After his capture he was conveyed southward through Virginia, North and South Carolina to Georgia, finally arriving at Camp Sumter near Andersonville, Georgia. He arrived at the camp on May 24 at 1 pm, shortly after the initial work on this camp was completed in the early summer of 1864. The conditions at the camp were deplorable, but seemed at least to be tolerated initially. Harmon notes increased fighting among the men and remarks upon the general lawlessness and absence of any kind of religious activity or morality among the prisoners.

In the summer of 1864 he notes the opening of the new part of the camp and the capture and trial of the infamous raiders who had been preying upon their fellow prisoners. Later he notes the hanging of these raiders.

Throughout these early days in the camp Harmon remarks on how many new men are brought in and how the conditions in the camp continue to deteriorate with the arrival of each new group. He also notes the number of men who die each day or week and are taken out to be buried. He describes the deadline inside the prison stockade and the death of at least one man who was shot when he crossed that line.

Toward the end of his stay at Camp Sumter he becomes increasingly despondent and irritated by the lack of action on the part of the Federal government to lead to their release and to improve the deplorable conditions in the camp. Food is a constant issue for Harmon and the lack of adequate nourishment led to a severe case of scurvy, a condition that later provided the basis for his invalid pension from the government.

As the Union prisoners began to be moved out of Camp Sumter, Harmon’s anguish and displeasure increases dramatically. He is finally moved with a group of compatriots to a camp near Macon where he is held in conditions that include what he described as intentional starvation to convince the captives to swear allegiance to the Confederacy so that they might receive an increase in rations. Harmon refused to do so and seems to have suffered for this refusal.

The diary closes with travel home to Ohio and the opportunity to once again eat good meals. I recall my grandfather, Dr. H. N. Anderson saying that the diary was really not too interesting because all that was mentioned was the lack of food and the terrible sanitary conditions. Certainly this theme dominates the later pages of the diary, but there is also chatty commentary upon life in the Army and about his family, comrades and his religious experiences. I leave it to the reader as to which of these views prevails.

In the original introduction to the transcription Margaret describes the condition of the diary (the first two pages were farm records, the written pages were fading badly and several pages were loose and inserted among the bound pages of the diary) and how she faithfully transcribed the spelling and syntax of the original. The reader will note that there are map sketches by Margaret to show where Harmon went during this time. Margaret also added some items from web pages at places in the transcription which I have not included here. In addition to the words of Harmon Anderson, his youngest son (our grandfather, Dr. H. N. Anderson) added notes or commentary on may pages. These are included by Margaret as italicized phrases.

I have copied this transcription and placed it in digitized, machine readable form so that it may receive wider distribution. I have combined the original pages in an effort to reduce the number of pages needed to produce the final document.

During my visit to Andersonville National Historic Site in the fall of 2008 I had the opportunity to talk with Fred Sanchez of the National Park Service and offered to send a copy for inclusion in the research library at the Andersonville National Historic Site.

This is the product to be passed on to the Park Service.

Richard Holmes Anderson
Denver, Colorado
November 2008
Revised June 2012

Introduction to second edition, June 2012

The original version of this diary was completed in November 2008. Since that time I have spent additional effort cleaning up the pages, linking to the footnotes added by Margaret McKinney Brown and generally altering the format a bit. In 2010 Margaret lent me the original diary which I have scanned and digitized. I have made that scan into a continuous PDF document to accompany this work. At the earlier date I also created a set of pages that could be pulled together for publication in the form of a hardback book. That was also accomplished and self-published through Blurb.com. That version of the diary was readable, but the format left something to be desired. I had simply scanned the pages the Margaret created and published and pasted them together to be published.

As I was not particularly pleased with that effort, I further scanned the transcription with text recognition software and converted the result into a MS Word document. That has been worked on and cleaned up and made into a publishable form of the diary that flows with consistent margins, illustrations and so forth.

The document has further been exported as a PDF document and is available in that format. The new document format permitted me to take the diary and quickly created a web document (HTML format) for publication on the web and as a web document on a CD. There are now three versions of the diary available in digital form: the PDF scan of the original diary, the PDF document and the web document.

This should be the last revision of the diary. I am making it available upon request to anyone who wishes to have a copy. You may simply contact me and I will send you a copy.

Richard Holmes Anderson
2330 S. Cook St.
Denver, Colorado 80201-5527
rholmesanderson@earthlink.net
303 757-4582
June 2012

Before we begin:

The following lines are a preface that Margaret prepared to set the stage for the transcribed diary. I have reproduced them here and added my own commentary in square brackets and italicized: [ Italics ].

[The actual] Diary begins on page 3 of the book. 1 and 2 seem to be farm records.
The words and sentences are transcribed as they appear in the diary so spellings may not coincide with today’s spelling and grammar.
Maps and drawings are taken from research in books and internet sources. Some are based on memories of other soldiers in the same battalion. [The original transcription included copies of web pages from “The Battle of the Wilderness Virtual Tour” . As of December 11, 2008 these pages are no longer available on the web. However the National Park Service has created a virtual tour of the Wilderness Battle site]
Pictures and data from the battles and from Andersonville are taken from the same above sources. Photos of Andersonville were taken by reporters at that time. [These have not been included in this edited version of the transcription, though I have included photos by A.J. Riddle created in August 1864 — RHA]
Some of the diary was in separate pieces and so I put the diary entries in chronological order. The numbering changes for a final section which was a folded set of pages of a different size and type of paper. [These separate pages are indicated at the place where they occur in the diary – most of them were written after Harmon left Camp Sumter in the fall of 1864 and while still being held elsewhere in Georgia.]
The meanings of some words were not familiar to me and I thought might not be to readers from today’s world so I added a one page dictionary.
Comments in parenthesis and in italics are by Haramont Anderson, son of Harmon, Granddad. These comments were in the diary at the top of a few pages that Granddad found significant.
Underlined entries and the notes at the bottom of the pages are by me. [These have been included as endnotes when the entries provided additional information about fellow soldiers mentioned in the story, e.g., unit, enlistment date, ultimate fate while serving – RHA]
Some letters and notes were saved in the diary and are added at the end. Two are letters to Granddad. [These were not included in the final edit as they are relevant to the family and were written from 15 to 40 years after the end of the war – RHA]
At the end I noted what I had found out about the family history so far and traced the family up to and including Mary Anderson McKinney’s offspring. [These pages have not been included in the published version of this transcription but will be in the private version distributed to the family – RHA]
I scanned one loose page so the reader could see Harmon Anderson’s handwriting. It was one of the easier pages to read as it was in ink. [This scan is included in the published document following the page the transcription reproduces – RHA]

[In my editing I added brief divider headings that match up to a degree with the service history of the 110^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After Harmon’s capture by the rebels at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, I have divided the diary into sections relating to the travel from the battlefield to Camp Sumter, the period in Camp Sumter, the brief period in other prisons on the way to parole, the trip home and finally the days spent at home.]

[Finally, I have added page numbers that reference the original pages of the hand-written diary]

A Civil War Diary:
Harmon Anderson

I. May 22,
1863 to July 26:
Home on sick leave, Return to Unit

page 3 [the transcription begins with page 3 of original]

May 22^nd 1863 Left Winchester on sick furlough. got home 23^rd. Remained at home til July 16^th Started to my regiment. Left Columbus July 19^th Arrived at Harrisburg 2 0′ clock AM and slept on the woodpile until morning. Left Harrisburg July 20^th at 8 o’clock. A.M. Arrived at Baltimore at 12 o’clock n. Stayed ovenight at the soldiers home,

July 21^st Left the soldiers home & put up at a hotel to stay overnight

July 22^nd Left Baltimore at 8 o’clock A.M. train. Arrived at Sandyhook Near 12 o’clock N. Found 4 of Co C boys there. Stayed over night with the boys. Left Sandyhook

July 23^rd at 4 o’clock P.M. Arrived in Washington City on the morning of the 24^th of July. Got breakfast at the Soldiers home. Left Washington at 12 N on boat. Arrived at Alexandria at 2 P.M. Started from there out to Camp distribution some three & half miles distant from town but when we got near there we concluded not to report in camp for fear that we could not get out next morning

page 4

We struck camp under some old aple trees that stood near a little stream of water & stayed there until next morning. Went back to Alexandria. Left Alexandria July 25^th at 3 P.M. Arived at Manasus Junction at 6 P.M. (stayed overnight) Left (July 25^th left there) there at 8 P.M. Arived at warinton Junction where we met the 1^st armey corps and also the 11^th corps

July 26 we still remane at warenton junction had a very nise rain left the junction at 12 N. for warenton. Arived there at 5 P.M. our regament had pased through town sone 2 hours before we arived. We overtooke the bregade in the Evening just as the 110^th was going out on picket. the boys looked very much jaded and tired but the most of them were well and in good spirits but looked rather dirty & badly taned & some with out shoes to ware. Our company M 34 men fit for duty

II. July 27 to August 15:

Duty on line of the Rappahannock River

Page 5,

July 27 & 28. We are stil in camp where we overtook the bregade. I cannot tel when we will leave! My bed was rather uncumfertable last night as I had no blanket I got rather cool before morning. donot feel very well this morning. Et very little breckfast. James Hicks ⁽¹⁾ started for home this morning. Sent all my extra lugage home by him. bunked with J. McCinan ⁽²⁾ & C Hope ⁽³⁾. I begin to think that I never new anything about Soldiering before I would much rather be in our old 8^th armey corps.

July 29^th 1863 one more night put in this camp Nothing of interest has occured. I feele some better this morning. Some of the boys are lounging around some & some are sleeping & some are closing there gunes, While I am Sitting against a tree wrighting a letter to my wife, & Leut. Cannon⁽⁴⁾ & the orderley are making out the payrole I stood gard last night at brg headquarters, very hevy rain before Morning.

page 6

July 30^th, 1863. O me but I feel sore and stiff this morning. Can hardly get up when down. General inspection at 3P.M. Veri heavy shower of rain in the forenoon.

July 31 63 Moved our camp back one half mile. Got our tents up & in less than one hour we got orders to strike tents and get ready to march. Marched 3/4 of mile & the order was countermanded. Right about faced & marched back to camp. We are comfortable quartered in our tents. Feel pretty well this evening. Received a letter from home.

August 1^st, 1863. Called up at 3 A.M. and started to hunt a picket post on the Rappahonoc River without getting breakfast. Wandered round over hills and hollows & old fields & meadows & fine thickets til we were entirely exhausted for it was an extremely hot day. Got breakfast at 12 N. Rested one hour then started again to hunt the post. Found it at 6 P.M. after marching 16 miles –

page 7

to get there when we could have got there by marching 7 miles if they had not mised the way! but that is the way we are led round by drunken officers some times! got supper then posted the Sentinals out & then ley down to rest, I stood the tramp pretty well. but came very near playing out in the afternoon. it was extreemely hot.

August 2^nd 1863 Sunday Morning I feele pretty with the Exception of feeling very sore & stiff. Sleped out in the open field my clothes were wet with dew. I did not rest very well during the night. Henry Benett ⁽⁵⁾ got his rest disturbed. he had spred his blanket down and leyed down to take his rest and to his greate surprise he found that he had a new comrade to sleepe with a Snake concluded that he would ocupy the bed himself & made a leap at henry but did not bite him. but scared him pretty bad. We were relieved at 10 A.M. It is very hot today

page 8

After being relieved we went in to a new camp. Near the Rappahanoe River some 3 miles from the picket post. I went out this afternoon to hunt blackberyes, got my quart cup full by going one mile & 1/2 they made me a pretty good supper.

August 3rd. 1863 Cizers but it is hot this morning. Went out to the waggon train to get some tobaco got a plug for which I had to pay $1.50. Wrote a letter to my wife today 10 AM good gracious but it is hot now had to go out and get under the shade of a tree to coole off. We are 13 miles from Culpeper!

Tusday August 4 1863 still remain in camp, Colonel Foster⁽⁶⁾ Started home on sick furlough this morning Nothing of Emportanc had ocured up to 10 A.M. There was hevey canonading All this afternoone. In the direction of Culpeper! very hevy rain at 5 PM and is still raining some yet 6 P.M.

page 9

August 5^th 1863 Wrote part of a letter but did not finish it. Expected to have gotten one from home today. but it failed to come. It rained pretty near all night last night. It is raining this evening.

August 6^th 1863 Thirsday 9 A.M. went out and got a cup of blackberries for my diner We have preaching at 11 A.M. today Doc Owen⁽⁷⁾ wanted to have me detailed as nurse in bregade hospital. I beged off finished my letter & mailed it.

August 7^th, 1863 had a very hevy rain this Evening.

August 8^th the sun rose Clear this morning & it is very hot

August 9^th Sunday went out on picket this morning, My Self & Joseph Bennett⁽⁸⁾ & George Achers⁽⁹⁾ & F.B .Nilson⁽¹⁰⁾ are on one post together on the bank of the rappahanoc river. A post that the bush whackers fired in the night before last. but no body hurt.

August 10^th Were relieved at 7 A.M. got onto camp at 9 A.M.

page 10

August 11^th 1863 Some sines of an engagement, Wrote a letter to my wife it is Extreemely hot today.

August 12^th. very plesant this morning Nothing of interest today.

August 13^th very hevy rain it commenced bout 3 A.M. morning and rained til 9 A.M. We had to go out on picket this morning. Cizers, but it rained

August 14^th was relieved and got back to camp at 9 AM. got a letter from home

August 15^th got orders to put 3 days rations in our haversacks and Strike tents every thing is redy to march do not know where we are going. it is very hot this morning. took up line of march at 7 A.M. & came out to Bealton Sta. Some 6 miles from our camp. got a board the carrs. For Alexandria Arive at Alexandria at 8 P.M

page 11

Marched in to the baries & camped for the night, went to bed without my supper!

III. August 16 to September 6, September 7 to 12:
New York during draft disturbances, return to lines on the Rappahannock.

Sunday Morning August 16^th 1863 do not feel very well, but went down to the potomac river & took a good bathe feel conciderable better, All kinds rumors as to where we are going. but cannot find out to any cirtainty, We have role call Every hour in order to keepe the men from stragling off up town.

Monday morning August 17^th 1863 feel quite wel. Wrote a letter my wife. Stil leying here in the sand & dirt

Tusday Morning August 18^th 1863 All Quiet on the potomac D. F. Johnson & Freeman Marchal & Leonard Scott⁽¹¹⁾ of Co G rejoined their compay, at this place.

Wedensday Morning August 19^th 1863 we stil ley at Alexandria yet. Struck tents at 6 P.M. & marched to the East part of town & camped on the bank of the potomic river & ley til morning

page 12

Thirsday Morning August 20^th 1863. marched a board the Ship Mifsipi [Mississippi?] ⁽¹²⁾ moved out of harber at 7 A.M. Arived at New York harbor

Satturday at 2 P.M. we ley in harber some time then got on a packet & wer landed on goveners Island at dusk.⁽¹³⁾

Sunday morning August 23^rd 1863 put up our tents. Then wrote a letter to my wife. This Island is a butiful plase surounded by the butiful harbour of New York the harbour is continuely filled with Ships from all Nations, it is a butiful camping ground it being very clenley with such a plesant breese continuely.

Monday, August 24^th 1863 We were payed for 2 months at 3 P.M. Received $26.00.

Tusday Morning August 25^th 1863 donot feel very well. got a hevy dull headach feel rather stupid. did not rest well last night. Wrote a letter to my wife & sent $20.00 in it

page 13

Wedensday Morning August 26^th 1863 it is Quite cool for this season of the year it rained some last night then turned cool.

Thursday August 27^th Nothing of interest today.

Friday August 28^th 1863 We were moved over to Brooklyin got in to Quarters at dusk I recived a letter from home just as we was leaving the Island.

Satturday August 29^th 1863 It seamed to be Equal to a circus to the Citizens of brooklyn to se our regament in camp for we looked a goodeal like indians were dirty & ragged & taned very bad. but we had not been on our camping ground one half hour before theire was I think four hundred boys and girles colected to see us!

Sunday August 30^th 1863 We wer kindley envited to attend servis at the diferant Churches. I Embrased the opertunity & herd Quite good sermon

page 14

This has been a very throng(?) day with visetors. I think that theire has been something near one thousand men, women & children in camp to se us and in the afternoon the Sunday school of one of the churches came out and sung for us I attended church at 10 A.M. and had the plesure of listning to a very interesting sermon from these words [“]it is finished[“] We are treeted very kindley here indeed, I hope that we may stay here for some tine, I am not very well I have the diarea pretty bad and not much appetite for anything. This Evening a kind lady brought me a good cup of tea which I relished very
much. I wrote a letter home yesterday.

Monday, August 31^st Were Mustered for pay, The draft⁽¹⁴⁾ commenced in brooklyn this morning. Everything went off smothely

Page 15

Tusday September 1^st, 1863. feel very bad this morning, did not Eat any brekfast, feel wors this Evening.

Wedensday Sept 2^nd. No better this morning. The ladys of brooklyn made a splendid super for our regt. but I was not able to attend, The boys all went and say it was splendid indeed!

Thirsday September 3^rd They also gave us brekfast & then brought the ballance into camp, Which made it a dinner, I have found Some of the most humain people in brooklyn that I have Ever found in any plase! Do not feel any better. Mr. & Mrs. Renolys and theire three daughters. They tend to the wants of the Sick like Father & Mother & Sisters, Mrs. Doubleday and may others did the same, Theire was one Little Angle of a girl She seamed to take a great deal of interest-

page 16

in the welfare of the Sick She could not do to much for any one that was Sick She came to se me Several times and brought me many nise things to eat She would Say it would make me get well. May god bless her dear Soul and keepe her by his divine love until he takes her up to heven.

Friday, Sept 4^th Feel a little better this morning, but not so well in the evening

Satturday Sept 5^th I feele a good deal better and wrote a letter home. got Marching orders. Got Every thing packed up

Sunday Sept 6^th, Left brooklyin at 8 A.M. and crossed over to New York & got on board the Merrimac! Left New York at 10 A.M. Arived at Alexander on tusday 8^th at 1 P.M. and wrote a letter home Alexandria va

Wedensday Sept 9^th 1863 I feel conciderabl better this morning

Thirsday Sept 10^th 1863 Stil remane at Alexandria. I feele Quite well this morning

page 17

It is not decided yet. Wheather we Shal be Sent back to the Armey of the potomac or back to our old 8 corps at baltimore Wrote a letter home today

Friday September 11^th 1863 Stil remain on the bank of the river yet but Left here at 12 N. and went as fare as fairfax courthouse. distant 12 miles from Alexandria. It was the hardest march that I ever have had, I gave out & had to fall out to rest. did not get into camp til after night,

IV. September 12 to October 30:
Picket duty, camp at Culpepper, Bristoe Campaign

Satturday September 12^th 1863 Formed in line at 5 A.M. and resumed our line of march. pased through Centerville over the bull run battlefield. crossed bull run Creek on the old stone bridge. Saw a greate many graves of our Soldiers. Some of them the sleepers ley there uncovered or partley so. Some I could see theire faces and others thire legs & feete. horable to behold to see our galant brave boyes that have fought and died on the field of battle to find –

page 18

them buried in such a condition we camped on one edge of the battle ground. Marched 16 miles today

Sunday Sept 13^th 1863

Monday Sept 14^th 1863 got back to the old Camp on the rappahanoc at 1 P.M.

Tusday Sept 15^th got Marching orders at 5 P.M. Struck tents and put out just at sundown Marched till midnight, then camped for the night.

Wedensday morning Sept 16^th our regt was assigned to gard the amunition train through we marched till 12 M that night & camped for the night

Thirsday Sept 17^th 1863 up this morning by daylight. Got breckfast then off on the march again. we left the wagon train & went to our bregade. Marching in line of battle this morning. marched some 3 miles and camped or rather stoped on a high and elivated peice of ground. the mail came-

page 19

in at 4 P.M. and I received a letter from home & one from A Huston ⁽¹⁵⁾ of the 122 o. v.i. We moved forward a few rods to camp for the night. Wrote a letter to A Huston.

Friday morning Sept 18, 1863 We still remain in the same place. It commanced bout 5 A. M. It just poured down in torrants for some 2 hours and it is still raining now 10 A.M.

Saturday morning Sept 19 1863 We still lay in the same camp. All seems to be quiet in our front.

Sunday morning Sept 20 1863 Still remain here yet. I had the opportunity of attending preaching at 11 A.M. The text was these words, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, saith the Lord God Almighty”.

Monday morning Sept 21, 1863 Had general inspection at 2 P .M.

Tuesday morning Sept 22 1863 We still remain here yet but how much –

Page 20

Longer I cannot tel as we are ordered to have 3 days rations in haver Sacks and 5 in knapsack which makes 8 days rations to carry. I think we will soon make pretty good pack Mules. We had orders to be reddy to march at 5 P.M. The order was revoked. I wrote a letter home.

Wednesday Sept 23 1863 we still remain here

Thirsday Sept 24 1863 Stil remain remain here yet. I cannot tel the reason that we do not move forward.

Friday Sept 25^th 1863 S.J. Peters⁽¹⁶⁾ & Enoc Bennett⁽¹⁷⁾ & L.J. Reeder⁽¹⁸⁾. Came to the Company. & also Co. D.

Satturday Sept 26^th 1863 got a very bad cold in my head & gathering in my ear

Sunday Morning Set 27^th 1863 Still remain here yet

Monday Morning Sept 28^th 1863 We have general enspection at 2 PM

Tusday Morning Sept 29^th 1863

Page 21

received pay for 2 months. My transportation was taken out Which left me $15.88 cts. Transportation from Coloumbus to baltimore was $10.12 cts. We were paid Buy Major S.B. Williams

Wedensday Morning Sept 30^th 1863 wrote a letter home, & sent home by express $25.00

Thirsday October 1^st 1863 got no letter this Evening

Friday Morning Oct 2^nd 1863It is raining and looks very much like being a very wet day. we stil remain in Camp Near Culpeper!

Satturday Oct 3^rd 1863 Camp Near Culpeper, va it is very plesant today All Quiet on the front not much indications of movement

Sunday Morning Oct 4^th 1863 I am on gard duty.

Monday Oct 5^th The sixth corps moved out to the front this morning.

page 22

Tusday Oct 6^th 1863 Nothing of note today

Wedensday Oct 7^th 1863 Still in camp Near Culpeper. All is Quiet on the front

Thirsday Oct 8^th 1863 Some indications of having a brush with the rebs soon!

Friday Oct 9^th 1863 I had general Review at 10 A.M. Was ordered up at 11 P.M. to draw 5 days rations. Suspect a movement on hands, As the enimy is said to be in forse in our front.

Satterday Morning Oct 10^th 1863 Called out in line of battle at 10 A.M. Then Marched Some thing near 3/4 of mile from Camp and ley in our armes til next morning!

Sunday Morning Oct 11^th 1863 The ball has not opened yet. We still ley in line of battle did not get to sleep any last night. took up our line of retreat at 9 A.M. and Marched til 9 P.M. and crossed the rappahanoc river

Monday Oct 12th 1863 Still on the retreat with our enimy following us up!

Tusday, Oct 13^th 1863 We held Election in line of battle in the field Between Warenton –

page 23

and Warenton Junction While our comrades that were in front were fighting the Enimy they engaged our front not more than one mile from us. Whil voting! I see them bringing the wounded back. And as we pased over the battleground I saw one man leying ded close to the roadside, I am almost peped out can hardley drag one leg before the other one great god when shall this rebellion end!

Wedensday Oct 14^th The Ball has opened this morning just in our rear. pretty hevy engagement but we were not engaged in it we marched on til we reached Mannasis Junction and took our stand & stood in line of battle some 2 hours. While the 2nd corps was Engaged with the Enimy & drove them with hevy loss on the reb side. I gave out this Evening and had to fallout

Thirsday Oct 15^th & Friday 16^th I got up with the regament at Union Milles

Satturday Morning Oct 17^th 1863 Camp at union mills, va. I have got a very –

Page 23 of Original Diary

page 24

very sore mouth can hardly eat. it rained nearley all day yesterday, but is Quite plesant this morning. we had to go out on picket on Bull run. the reble pickets line were in plain view of ours! The caverley had conciderabl Scirmish in our front and drove the Johneys back considerabl distance

Sunday Morning Oct 18^th 1863 Still on picket post, was not disturbed last night. heard some cannonading Erley this morning. but did not last long it opened again just 10 minuts before 2 PM we remained on picket 48 hours.

Monday Oct 19^th 1863 We got 5 days rations this morning Then Waded the river and are on the March to the front after the Joheneys. Arived at Mannasis Junction at 12 N Where the battle was fought on friday last. got our diner on the Battle ground. I see a good may ded horses that was shot & several new –

page 25

graves, I feel pretty well today my mouth is getting better.

Tusday Oct 20^th 1863 Marched hard all day did not camp til after Sundown

Wedensday Oct 21^st 1863 We got to catlets Station at 12 N . And went into camp have enspection at 5 P.M. This makes 11 days hard Marching cince we left camp Near Culpepper & we have not been out of the Sound of cannonading or musketry in all that time, I am pretty well rundown I had to through [throw] everything a way that I posibly could do without! The rebs has destroyed the railroad from Manasis Junction to culpeper!

Thirsday Oct 22^nd 1863 R.B. McCollum ⁽¹⁹⁾ Came to the to the regament today we left him sick at New York when we left there, I feel very sore today.

Friday Oct 23^rd 1863 Left Catlets Sta at 6 A.M. and went back to Bristow Station to gard the rail road while is being rebuilt

page 26

Satturday Morning Oct 24^th 1863 Went out on picket or to gard the hands that was at work on the road. it rained all last night & has been raining all day it is a very cold rain. Called in off gard just at Sundown. With Marching orders

Sunday Morning Oct 25^th 1863 Left Bristow Sta 7 A.M. For catlets Sta distance 7 miles roads desperate bad arived at catlets Sta 12 N. got our diner & put up our tents & and now we are reddy for another March got our supper over then we lit out at 7 P.M. Went half mile & camped for the night in some timber. We were Caled up at 4 AM and forned in line of battle,

Monday Morning Octo 26^th we are still leying in the woods yet it was very cold last night did not sleepe hardly any it is very cold today for the time of year, put up our tents & geathered a fin lot of leaves & made a nise bed and supper and turned in for the night

page 27

Expecting to get one good nights rest but was sadley disapointed. Called up at 9 P.M. And on the March back towards Briston Sta Marched 2 miles & camped- for the ballance of the night Ley in line of-battle.

Tusday Morning Oct 27^th 1863 Still ley in line of battle. There was a very hevy frost last night. havent had a good nights rest for nearly 3 weeks!

Wedensday Oct 28^th 1863 We got to ley in camp all night Last night for the first time for nearly 3 weeks. Struck tents at sundown. packed knapsacks with 8 day rations and off on the again. Marched down the rail road some 7 miles to the front to relieve General Smiths ⁽²⁰⁾ bregade we got to camp at 11 P.M. And leyed down to sleepe Called up at 4 A.M. And went out on picket to rerieve Smith’s men.

Thirsday Oct 29^th 1863 on picket 3 miles below Warenton Junction

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Quite plesant this morning. but was very cold last with a big white frost.

Friday Oct Oct 30^th 1863 We were relieved at 9 A.M. And have got back to camp again

V. October 31 to November 7:
Battle line on the Rappahannock, Kelly’s Ford

Satturday Morning Oct 31^st 1863 we had a good nights rest last night Were mustered at 9 A.M. for pay. it has been raining ever cince last night. 7 P.M. feel pretty near played out

Sunday Morning Nov 1^st 1863 had one more night rest. I found a sutler ⁽²¹⁾ this morning Sunday as it was & got a can of peaches for which I payed $1.25 and 65 cents for one pound of old strong Cheese! I felt that I must some Chang of diet for we had been liveing on hardtack and sowbelly for 5 weeks

Monday Nov 2^nd 1863 Still remain in camp Near Bealton, feel very unwell.

Tusday Nov 3^rd 1863 do not feel any better today

Wedensday Nov 4^th 1863 Nothing of note to day not any better

page 29

Thirsday Nov 5^th 1863 I donot feel any better yet.

Friday Nov 6^th 1863 feel some little better this morning we are still lying in the same camp! Nothing of interest has occured cince we came to this camp!

VI. November 8 to November 26:
In camp near Brandy Station

Satutrday Nov 7^th 1863 Left our old camp at 5 AM And are on the march to the front reached the rappahanoc river at 3 PM. When the Ball opened we drove the rebs back. But they disputed our wright to cross, but they had to give back. we leyed our pontoons & crossed the river the 2^nd Division of 3^rd Corps crossed over first. Our division Crossed over after dark & camped with the 2^nd.

Sunday Morning Nov 8^th 1863. we wer ordered out at 5 AM in sirch of the rebs. they had mostly all fled, We brought in several prisners. We are still driving the rebs before us with but little loss on our side. I have had to stand today what I never had the trial of before. We ley under fire thirty minutes –

page 30

out in the open field with nothing to Shield us from the enimys shot and shell. They came thick and fast they lit all around us some went not more than 3 feet above our heads. one man got his harver sack tore all to pecies spilt his grub all out. Not one man in the 110^th regt recived a wound our regament was in the front all day We had made a charge on one of there batteries and made it get out in a hurry before they gave us a shelling We had taken the hights and I had drove then Near 2 mile beyond brandy Station & just as we had pased beyond brandy Sta.& got out in fare vew of the rebs. then was the time they gave us the shelling. & at that time we were entirely unsuported by any artillery and had our artillerry been detained 15 minutes longer they would have knocked our regament all to pecies. But just as soon as our artillery opened on them, they limbered –

Page 31 Battle

up in a hury & skedadled off, The 138 P.V. Regt had one capton & one orderly wounded, The capton had his leg tore off by a shell. it was said that he must die The orderley had his arm torne off!

Monday Morning Nov.9^th 1863 We are leying in the rear of our Division where we was taken when taken off the field Last Evening All seames to be Quiet this morning it is hard to tell what may transpire before night

Tusday Morning Nov 10^th 1863 We were ordered to move last night but it was Countermanded & we still remain here Near Brandy Sta, Va this morning We moved out of the woods at 10 AM & marched bout one mile and camped on the field.

Wedensday Nov 11^th 1863 My self with eight others of our company were detailed picket on Johnell Bottser farm, Near where the rebs had there batteryes planted on Sunday, when they were shelling us.

Page 32

General Carr had his head Quarters this winter in the house! Where the rebs had there battery planted they had on on each side of the house,

Thirsday Nov.12^th It is a very plesant day we were relieved at 2 PM

Friday Nov. 13^th 1863

Satturday Morning Nov 14^th 1863

Sunday Morning Nov 15^th 1863 Last night we had one of the heviest raines that I most Ever saw it run into our tents til it was shoemouth deep in water

Monday Nov. 16^th 1863

Tusday 17^th and Wedensday 18^th Thirsday 19^th All pased off with the useual routine of camp duty.

Friday Nov 20^th 1863. I was admited into the hospital this morning By order of Dr. Owen ⁽⁷⁾ Surgeon in Charge of 110^th Regt. o.v.i My health is very poore.

Satturday Nov 21^st 1863 The useual routine of camp duty

Page 33 Battle

Sunday Morning Nov 22^nd 1863 Quite a nise morning. All seames to be Quiet at present. We wer payed off yesterday up to the 31st of October 1863. recived $26.00.

Tusday Nov 24^th 1863

Wedensday 25^th & Thirsday 26^th Left Brandy Station at 10 AM. We pased through Stphenburg. Crossed the Rapadan at Sundown. At Jacobs ford and Bivoucked for the night.

VII. November 26 to December 2:
Payne’s Farm and Mine Run Campaign.

Friday Morning Nov 27^th 1863 took up line of March at 7 A.M. & moved catiously on but we very soon halted, hark I here the sound of musketry just in the front. We did not get into a general Engagement until three P.M. It Lasted til after dark, we lost in battle killed Leuit Fox ⁽²²⁾ & 5 privites. 20 men wounded

Satturday Nov 28 There has scrimishing all day.

Sunday Nov 29^th 1863 passed off tolerabl Quiet occaisonally a shot

Monday Morning Nov 30^th 1863 From every appearance theire must –

Page 34

Be a general Engagement today for our troops have theire position & our batteryes are all in position. Canonading opened at 9 AM but no general engagement has taken plase yet there was prety hevy canonading on the right & center & Also on the left. Goodeal of scirmishing with musketry all day.

Thirsday Morning, Dec 1^st 1863 we ley in line of battle until 8 PM Then we commenced our retreete We moved out very slowley until we got to the plank road. Then lit out on the double Quick for miles, it was pel mel with two bregades marching side by side, but was not panic stricken. We Marched 20 Miles by 4 A.M. Crossed the rapadon River Then ley down to rest & to take a short nap I rested some 4 hours. then got breckfast Then came on with the hospital corps.

Wedensday, Dec. 2^nd 1863 The hospital corps Came on in advance of our troops and –

Page 35

Got back to Brandy Station by dark. Making a March of 40 miles in 13 hours.

VIII. December 3, 1863 to February 5, 1864:
In camp, setting up hospital, chapel

Thirsday Morning Dec 3^rd 1863 We have dressed all our wounded men this morning and find them All getting along Quite well.

Friday Morning Dec 4^th 1863 Sent all the wounded to Washington And Moved back towards Culpeper 2 miles from brandy Sta

Satturday Dec. 5^th 1863 We got orders in the Evening to pack up & be redy to move! got Everything packed & loaded into waggon. and we ley waiting to here the word fall in, until 10 PM. Then the order was Countermanded. then we leyed down on the ground to rest til morning.

Sunday Morning Dec 6th 1863 it turned very cold last night. We moved a little way in front of the regament into one of the rebs Shantys & found –

Page 36

found it Quite Comfertable as it had a good fireplase in it. We have got the sick in it also. The size of the Shanty is 18 by 14 foot & there is 14 of us to sleepe in it to night. It is turning very cold, we will have to cook, eat and sleepe & keepe the sick altogether until we can get a nother shanty put up

Monday the 7^th & Tusday 8^th & Wedensday 9^th & Thirsday 10^th, Friday, 11^th Were spent in fixing up our hospittal & Cook shanty. got Quite a Comfertable Cook shanty & good bunk put up to sleepe on! the sick occupy the other on

Satturday morning Dec 12^th 1863 it has been raining pretty much all this morning

Sunday Dec 13^th & Monday 14^th, Tusday 15^th were put in with the useual rotiene of hospital duty

Wedensday Morning Dec 16^th 1863 & Thirsday 17^th & Friday 18^th & Satturday –

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19^th passed off in the same way.

Sunday Morning Dec 20^th 1863 & Monday 21^st & Tusday 22^nd, Wedensday 23^rd & Thirsday, 24^th & Friday 25^th Were put in with the usual rotiene of hospittal duty. I recived a box of provision from home to day everything came safe and nise. had Quite a good Christmus supper. It was a nise Christmas presant to me!

Satturday Dec 26^th 1863 Moved one the hospittal shantys up on to a more elivated piece of ground just in front of the regament

Sunday morning Dec. 27 it is raining this morning

Monday 28^th rained all day.

Tusday 29^th and Wedenssay 30^th was nise fine days

Thirsday Dec 31^st has been raining all day! had oister supper this evening!

page 38

Friday morning January 1^st 1864. It is rather gloomy it is threatning very much. This day one year ago We Arived at Wincester Va. Little did I think then that I would have to spend another New Year in the Service of my Country. But so it is I am in it yet and god onely knows when this Crewel war wil come to an End. Where will I have to spend next New Years, Should I live to see it. Shall I be permited to Spend it with my loved ones at home or Shall I have to spend it in some dark homeley cabin in the army of the potomac.

O may god grant us the desires of our hearts & bring us safeley out of these troubles & restore unto us peace and prosperity once more

Satturday, January 2^nd 1864 Was occupide in putting a stable for the doctors horses

page 39

Sunday Jan 3^rd 1864 Was spent as Quiet as possible for it to be spent in Camp life

Monday January 4^th 1864 was spent in poleaseing round the hospital and finishing up the stable it Snowed pretty near all day. Rather bad day to be out!

Tusday, January 5^th 1864 Turned much warmer this morning & hreatning to rain

Wedensday January 6^th 1864 Some Cooler but was plesant til Evening when it turned Quite coole

Thirsday Morning Jan 7^th 1864 Cleare & Cold. The Coldest day that we have had this winter!

Friday, January 8^th 1864 We were greeted with a snow storm last night & this morning

Satturday Morning January 9^th 1864 Our regt went out on picket for –

page 40

for 3 days it is Quite cold.

Sunday Morning January 10^th 1864 Very Cold last night but Cleare and plesant this morning, There being but very little wind stiring

Monday January 11^th 1864 & Tusday 12^th were plesant days nothing of interest ocured

Wedensday January 13^th 1864 & thirsday 14^th & Friday 5^th, Satturday 16^th were Quite plesant days Nothing of interest ocured this week

Sunday January 17^th 1864 Was Cloudy and Cool, our Chapel was dedicated that is our bregade Chapel

Monday Morning, Jan 18^th 1864 Cloudy and raining -some

Tusday Janu 19^th 1864 was rather plesant but turned rather cool in the Evening with high winds and freesing up the mud again

Wedensday Morning Jan 20^th 1864. Quite Cold

Thirsday Jan 21^st 1864 Myself & Harmon Commenced our

Page 41 (chapel)

Little chapel. We cut a portion of the logs in the forenoone. after noon we had two of the boys to help us.

Friday Jan 22^nd, 1864. Theire was ten of the boys vollenteered to help and we got it up to the Square

Satturday Jan 23^rd 1864 We finished leying the floore. & put up the rafters and then dismissed it til monday We have had meeting at the bregade -Chapel every night this week Exception Friday night I have attended Some of them, The weather during this week has been very pleasant & spring1ike

Sunday morning Jan 24^th 1864 This is a butiful Spring like morning Preaching at the brigade chapel at 10 A.M. I did not attend Church til night.

Monday January 25^th 1864 Weather very plesant almost completed our little Chapel to day, attended –

Page 42

(note from H N Anderson son of Harmon ” Religion of my Father, I am proud of him”)

Class meeting at bregade Chappel at night. had a very good meeting, and there resolved by the help of gods grase to live a more devoted life in the servis of my blessed master

Tusday, January 26^th1864 We still have very plesant weather remarkabley so for this season of the year We finished up our chappel and held one of these old fashioned prayer and Speaking meetings, in wich the good Lord was pleased to meete with us & pour out of his holy spirit upon us. I left the little chappel with the determination by the grase of god asisting me to make heven my home.

Wedensday Jan 27^th 1864 it is remarkabley warm & plesant, prayer meeting at night in our chappel

Thirsday Jan 28^th 1864 very warm & plesant attended prayer meeting at night at Bregade Chappel

Page 43

Friday Jan 29^th 1864 I and Mr Taylor west up to brandy station and to the Christian Collision and got some testaments & other good books & reading matter. It has been a delightful day. we have prayer meeting in our chappel tonight. May god bless our comeing togeather this evening. The chappel was filled to its extent. It wiil seat 50 persons. very comfortable

Satturday Jan 30^th 1864 Cloudy with appearance of rain. did not rain til evening. Stil remaines warm.

Sunday Jan 31^st 1864 Still remains Cloudy. There has but very little rain fall yet. Turned a little Cooler this morning

Monday Morning February 1^st 1864 Still blowing & raining Some little

Teusday, Feb 2^nd 1864 There was a very hevy fog this morning it did not disapeare til 11 A.M.

page 44

Then the sun showen for a little while then blowed up and rained some at night. I attended prayer meeting at the Chappel & had a very good meeting!

Wedensday Feb 3^rd 1864 it has been very Coole & very high winds from the north all day We had a man to die this morning at 3 A.M. with smallpox buryed this afternoon. he leaves a yong wife to mourn his departure! We had an old fashioned clap meeting this evening

Thirsday Feb 4^th 1864. It remanes Cool & windy. A prayer meeting at bregade chappel this Evening

Friday Feb 5^th 1864 I am considerable cripled up in my back can hardly get about, I hurt my back by lifting and took cold & it settled in it had no prayer meetting this Evening on the account of the regament going –

page 45

out on picket.

IX. February 6/7:
Demonstration on the Rapidan

Satturday Feb 6^th 1864 My back is some better this morning We got orders to pack up & hold ourselves in rediness to March in a moments notice I have no Idea where we shal go or wheather we shal go at all, There was very hevy fireing in the after noone on the left of our pickets & it was keped up til 7 P.M. as dark & rainey as it was. I have not not herd the result of the fight onely that our forses have drove the enimy back

Sunday Morning Feb 7^th 1864 very hevy fireing herd in the direction of orange court house. our troops returned this Evening.

X. Feb 8 to May 2:
Camp life leading up to campaign from the Rapidan to the James River

Monday Morning Feb 8^th 1864 All Quiet againe and still remain in our Quarters

Tusday Morning Feb 9^th 1864 very pretty this morning but coole

page 46 (letter from Mel)

Wedensday morning Feb 10^th 1864 Clear & Coole. All remaines Quiet as yet!

Thirsday Feb 11^th 1864 Cleare & Coole. Nothing of interest.

Friday Feb 12^th 1864 Quite plesant this morning! got to read a letter this morning J. W. Anderson⁽²³⁾ that is in the South western armey

Satturday Feb 13^th 1864 Some fireing on picket last night. All quiet this morning, very plesant spring like recived a letter this Evening from M.L. Anderson ⁽²³⁾ was very much pleased to get a letter from him as it was his first attempt to write a letter! I was glad to know that he is learning to write so well

Sunday Morning Feb 14^th. Meetting at bregade Chappel at 11 A.M.

Monday Feb 15^th 1864 Cloudy with the appearance of raine or snow it –

Page 47

Commenced snowing at 3 PM

Tusday Feb 16^th 1864 Cleare & Cold this morning! We had a very interesting meeting last evening in our Chappel! Two were converted and general manifistation of the Spirit of god was felt by all those engaged in his servis.

Wedensday Feb 17^th 1864 very cold I think the Coldest day that we have had this winter. I left the hospital this morning. Went to company

Thirsday Morning Feb 18^th 1864 very Cold this morning, O but it was Cold last night

Friday Feb 19^th 1864 Still remaines Cold.

Satturday Feb 20^th 1864 it has Moderated a little

Sunday morning Feb 21^st 1864 it is very plesant

Monday Morning Feb 22^nd plesant

page 48

Tusday Feb 23^rd 1864 Quite plesant went to Brandy Sta.

Wedensday Feb 24^th 1864 went out on fatigue duty & a portion of our regt went on picket

Thirsday Feb 25^th 1864 & Friday 26th Were rather unplesant Coole & windy the pickets were attacted on friday there was five hundred men sent out in the evening to reenforce them!

Satturday Feb 27^th 1864 Quite plesant this morning I am out on fatigue again today, Marched to bregade hed quarters then to brandy Sta to work out my road tax Capt. Moore⁽²⁴⁾ died last night at 1 AM. the 110 regt looses a fine man and a noble officer. he was Captain of Co. E. he was Enspector General & on Col. Keifer ⁽²⁵⁾staff

Sunday Morning Feb 28^th 1864 it is quite plesant. We are to pack –

Page 49

up knacksacks & hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moment’s notice.

Monday morning Feb 29^th 1864 We are still in camp yet & was mustered for pay today.

Tusday March 1^st 1864 It commenced raining last night & has been raining slightly all day

Wedensday March 2^nd 1864 It snowed last night & turned Cold. but it has moderated & is Quite plesant this afternoone

Thirsday Morning March 3^rd 1864 very plesant spring like morning nothing of interest occurred today

Friday Morning March 4^th 1864 Went out on picket for 3 days. it is some eight miles from camp to our picket post. pased through Culpeper, it made me very tired in going out. I do not feel very well got a very bad headache

Page 50

Satturday Morning March 5^th 1864 got up this morning with a very bad headache & no appitite to eat breckfast. had the headach all day it has been trying to rain some to day but Cleared off in the evening

Sunday Morning March 6^th 1864 pretty cold last night very hevy frost, but a butiful Saboth morning. O how I would love to be at home this morning to attend Chirch with my family insetd of haveing to sit around our Smokey fire or stand on our post to watch for the johneys.

Monday Morning March 7^th 1864 Quite plesant, We were relieved at 12 N today. got in to camp at 5 P.M. was pretty tired! Signed the pay role & was payed off at 8 P.M. Amount due me was $52.00 owed the sutler $10.50 which left me 41.50.

Page 51

Tusday March 8^th 1864 It is raining this morning. Cleared up in the evening.

Wedensday March 9^th 1864 It is Quite plesant. though a little coole I am on gard today. today was appointed for grand review of the 3 corps, but the order was Countermanded this morning for what reason I cannot tell this is the Second time that the order had been Countermanded, The order was again Countermanded and had had to go out at 2 P.M. on Revew. our division was all that had to go out. We was revewed by Col. Keifer of the 110 o.v.

Thirsday Morning March 10^th 1864 It commenced raining at 7 A.M. We got our New Chapel done yesterday & had it dedicated last night by Rev McCabe, his text was this [“]the spirit & the bride say Come & let him heare say come & whomsoever will Come, let him partake of the water –

Page 52

Of life freely”! The house was filled to its extent, It rained all day & bids fair for a wet night, O how I feal for those that have to stand gard to night but I Cannot reach them, I just came off gard this morning myself

Friday Morning, March 11 1864 It looks very much like raining

Satturday Morning March 12^th 1864 It is very plesant this morning we had a very pleasant meeting today the greatest preacher that ever preached a Sermon was at it. Jesus was theire to the joy & comfert of our harts, Our Chaplin got here this Evening & had prayer & speaking meeting at night veI’y good very good feeling prevaded the hole house

Sunday Morning March 13^th 1864 this is a very plesant sabbath morning had prayer meeting at 10 A.M. & preaching at 11 A.M. our Chaplen preached for us & also again at night. I think him –

page 53

pretty good speaker!

Monday Morning March 14^th 1864 It still remains plesant I am cook today! Wrote part of a letter to my brother Preston

Teusday morning March 15^th 1864 Not so plesant today it is turning Coleder and has been trying to snow some I am still Cooking today. finished my letter, that I was writing to my Brother, We lost one of our new recruits yesterday he died at the division hospittal. Amos Ervin⁽²⁶⁾ has gone from his labours to his reward in heven he said that he was prepared for death, glorious hope.

Wedensday March 16^th 1864 Corps Revew to day very cold Went out on revew at 9 AM. Got in at 4 P.M, Reviewed by General French⁽²⁷⁾ Caught a very bad cold, I am pretty near layed up with it

Page 54

Thirsday March 17^th 1864 Still raining Cold & windy. My cold no better

Friday March 18^th 1864 Quite unwell this morning got a severe cough & breast very sore from the Effects of the cold! General Enspection to day at 10 AM! New recruit of Co J died last night. We were ordered at 5 P.M. to pack up with three days rations in haversacks. The order Came to fall in & Each Company fell in line & Stacked armes. To wate for further order. Expecting that Some person had got to much Comisary on & the mistake would Soone be found out & and the order Countermanded! It was the case I supose as the order was countermanded

Satturday March 19^th 1864 All is Quiet this morning in Camp it is very plesant My Cold does not seam to be any, better yet. felt very bad all day Ley in my bunk nearley all day

page 55

Sunday morning March 20^th 1864 Quite plesant, Sargant Shull⁽²⁸⁾ & Sargant McCullom⁽²⁹⁾ & Corperl Pierce⁽³⁰⁾ Started home on furlough this Morning, I feel Some better my cold is breaking up, Turned very cold in the Evening

Monday March 21^st 1864 I & C. J. Reeder⁽³¹⁾ are Cooks to day Reeder was not well & I had it all to do myself, Bregade revew at 3 PM again

Tusday March 22^nd 1864 it is very Cold and windy to day & I feele very unwell have conciderable feaver! It commenced Snowing in the afternoon.

Wedensday March 23^rd 1864 the Sun rose Cleare this morning tho Snow fell to the depth of eight inches last night. We had to go on picket this morning it was pretty heavy! It pretty near played me out for I did not feele able to march so far, it was nine miles to our post. It was Quite plesant near –

Page 56

the middle of the day. Stood my trick from 3 til 5 P.M. Then from 11 til 1 A.M.

Thirsday Morning March 24^th 1864 the Sun rose Clear this morning & it was Quite plesant. I do not feele any worse this morning. plesant all day

Friday March 25^th 1864 Clouded up last night & has been Spitting Snow this forenoone! on thirsday one of our Caverly pickets had his horse shot from under him & also one tuesday night. The bush whackers seam to be pretty plenty in this vicinity! We are 4 1/2 miles west of Culpeper on the Southwest side of the pike! I do not feel Quite so well today! It commenced snowing at 3 P.M. & then bout 5 P.M. it turned into raining & rained until one A.M. The Reble Caverly made a dash on our caverly pickets on the pike, the dash was made between 12 & 1 A.M. Some 17 shots was fired.

Page 57

Satturday March 26^th 1864 All Quiet this morning! Cloudy & coole We was relieved at 3 PM by the 3^rd division

Sunday Morning March 27^th 1864 Cleare & pretty this morning this is Easter Sunday! We have been attached to the 6^th Corps 3^rd division 2^nd Bregade We have just gone through with our Sunday morning Enspection

Monday March 28^th 1864 very plesant to day, nothing of interest

Teusday Morning March 29^th 1864 got orders to pack up to move, but it was countermanded, it is raining it rained all day

Wedensday March 30^th 1864 it is verry disagreeable this morning it has been raining & snowing We had Quite a good meeting last night, Not with standing it was raining & dark! Some of the boys made a raid on the sutler

Page 58

last night & distroyed conciderable amount of goods. Some of the boys have been detected. I supose that they will have to foot the bill perhaps it may learn them a lesson if they have all this summers wages taken from them to pay the damage that they done in fifteen minutes time We had a very good meeting this Evening

Th1rsday March 31^st 1864 We broke up Camp this morning or rather Changed Camps with the first division of our Corps. We are Quartered in the Camp of the 105 P.V. nothing like as well fixed as we was in our old camp

April 1^st Friday Morning 1864 Went out on picket. Commenced raining at 10 A.M. & rained til 5 P.M.& then turned to snow I believe that I never Saw it snow harder in my life

page 59

Awful disagreable!

Satturday April 2^nd 1864 It has been raining & snowing til 12 N. today.

Sunday April 3^rd 1864 It Cleared up this morning & was a very pretty all day. All has been Quiet a long the picket 1ine.

Monday Morning April 4^th 1864 It Clouded up last Evening & rained a little last night & this morning and is considerabley Colder & looks very mutch like rain or snow! I had nothing to Eat this morning for my breckfast. I et the last for my supper last Evening. Some of the boys went up to a farmhouse & got two buiskets a peise for which we had to pay eight & 1/2 cts apeice pretty dear bread & not any to good at that. We had plenty grub in Camp but did not take out enough to last us three days. It commenced raining at 12 N. & has been raining ever cince it is now 10 P.M.

page 60

We was relieved to day at half past 12 we have a very muddy tramp back to Camp. I feele for the pickets tonight but cannot reach them, We got back to Camp at 5 P.M. pretty tired & hungry

Teusday Apri1 5^th 1864 it has been raining all night & is still raining 9 AM. Every thing seames to be in a flood! I am cook to day & it is hard to Cook anythy thing to day The Sut falles down the Chimney so bad but not with standing I got up a Splendid dinner We had potatoes & turnips & beef boiled & plenty of soft bread & butter & orange beere & coffee & consentrated milk It rained all day good gracious but it is very mudy our new Camp s very mudy there has never been any draining done We will go to work as soon as the weather settles and drains it off. I think we can make it look like a nother camp before we are two weeks

page 61

Wedensday Morning April 6^th 1864 The weather Cloudy & Coole nothing of interest to day

Thirsday Morning April 7^th 1864 this is a butiful morning. I commenced writing a letter to Frankey⁽³²⁾ last night

Friday Morning April 8^th 1864 this is a very pretty morning I feel like I would like to be at home to commence making garden but duty Calles & I must obey. O May god hasten the day when union & harmoney & pease may be restored to our land againe

Satturday Morning April 9^th 1864 very gloomey this morning It has been raining all morning & has the appearance of being a wet day there is but little news in Camp or in the daley papers there seames to be a general stillness prevailing both –

Page 62 (Father’s Hope)

Armys. They are preparing for the desparate struggle that soon must follow this calm. O how many men there are now enjoying the blessing of health & life that must fall in a very short time. O may God, the searcher of all hearts, enable us to look to him for divine help. And should our lot to fall on the battlefield, O may we fall in sight of heaven feeling that all is well & that we are going where Jesus is. O happy home, a home in heaven. A home from sin and temptation & toil set free. A home where God will wipe all our tears away. O blessed hope a hope through Jesus given.

Sunday morning, April 10^th, 1864. The general inspection of Sunday morning is over with & we are now left to enjoy Sabbath until dress parade. We had a very gloomy day yesterday. It rained all day –

page 63

and all last night. the water run into our shack so bad that we had to dip it out frequently. I recived a letter from home last night & wrote one to J. W. Anderson⁽³³⁾ that is in the westeran army,! & wrote one to my wife also it commenced raining again at 5 P.M.

Monday Morning April 11^th 1864 The weather seames to be some what settled this morning. Nothing of interest only that our Company was out target shooting

Teusday Morning April 12^th 1864 Indications of rain againe this morning We had orders last Evening that we could pack up all our private & surpelous property & it ould be sent to Alexandria & stored away.

Wedensday April 13th 1864 G.O. McMillen⁽³⁴⁾ Returned last night to the regament, I am detaled for picket –

Page 64

Our company is on the Extreme left of the line, It has been rather plesant day though rather coole in the evening & night

Thirsday Morning April 14^th 1864 Clear and Quite plesant this morning all was Quiet last night

Friday Morning April 15^th. 1864 It has been Coole & Cloudy all day it commenced raining in the Evening & rained pretty much all night

Satturday Morning April 16^th 1864 Still raining. We was relieved at 12 N. by the 87^th P.V. got into camp at 5 P.M. pretty tired roads Quite mudy bad walking

Sunday Morning April 17^th 1864 Received a letter from home last night. Sunday Morning Enspection over with! I wrote a letter home, I feel some what cast down rather gloomy. Atended prayer Meeting in the –

page 65 (Gen Grant reviews the 110 Ohio Reg.)

Evening out in the grove very good Meeting

Monday Morning April 18^th 1864 Let Geo McMillin⁽³⁴⁾ Came out this morning for the first time with his uniforme on! Grand Revew of the 6 Corps to day by Leut General Grant⁽³⁶⁾. We formed on the Coler line at 9 A.M. Then marched to division hed Quarters, Then marched some 5 miles to the ground prepaired for the revew pased the revew & returned back to Camp in the Evening. very tired & hungry. It was a very pretty day for the occasion

Teusday Morning April 19^th 1864 rather Coole and Cloudy

Wedensday Morning April 20^th 1864 General Enspection of our regament formed on the Coler line at 9 A.M. Then marched out into the field & was Enspected by Col Keefer & staff the most rigid Enspection that we –

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have had. Company Enspection this aftemoone. it is a perfect imposition a pon the private to have to undergo so much red tape as there is practiced in the Army of the potomac

Thirsday Morning April 21^st 1864 Quite Coole & Clouday. Company drill from 9 to 11 A.M. battalion drille from 2 til 4 P.M! Last night was our regular night far Class meeting. we had a good meeting four united with our little band it now No bout 84 members god was with to Cheere & Comfort our hearts & there seames to be a growing interest a mong us May god Almighty direct us by his holy Spirit & Keepe us by power devine until the perfect day

Thirsday Morning April 22^nd 1864 plesant morning. we are going to shoote at target, from 9 A.M. til 12 N. to day Our prayer meeting was pretty well represented last night two more united with the little band the work of the –

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lord is still going on

Satturday Morning April 23^rd 1864 It is Quite plesant rather hasey has Some indications of rain! My health is very good. All is Quiet on the front afternoone had very strong indications of a move! I got a letter from home this Evening.

Sunday Morning April 24^th 1864 It is a butifull morning Attended prayer meeting at 10 A.M. had my blessed attended preaching at 11 A.M. I herd an exelant serment from these words. [“]This is the day of Salvation[“] Wrote a letter to my wife to day. On last teusday night we convenanted to pray for our officers on all ocasions Thank god we are beholding the desires of our hearts! last night Major McElwain⁽³⁷⁾ joined with our little band or Christian asociation our hearts was made glad to see our officers coming to our –

page 68 (His nephew Wm Anderson of Iowa )

little prayer Meetings to give there influence on the side of Christianity I recived a letter from My nephew William Anderson in Iowa, I was detaled for gard duty reported to adjutant at 5 P.M. got on third relief, had a very wet night night

Monday Morning April 25^th 1864 It has Cleared up & lookes like being a very nise day Came off duty at 5 P.M.

Teusday Morning April 26^th 1864 Clowdy with the Sun breaking out ocasionaley, Target shooting from 9 AM til 12 N! Last night we met as usual for prayer meeting & I think we numbered over one hundred persons. We had a glowrious meeting. god was with us in his mighty power to covict siners & to bless his believing Children There was eleven united with our little band, T.J. Hicks⁽³⁸⁾, J. Coss⁽³⁹⁾, J. Anderson⁽⁴⁰⁾, G. Hamilton⁽⁴¹⁾, J. Cooper⁽⁴²⁾ All of Co C I disremember the names of the others. I was appointed to take –

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Charge of the meeting tonight O May god bless my humble Effort to Serve him. we met at the usual hour for prayer meeting & glowry be to god his holey spirit was with us to comfert & bless our soules & thank you god the spirit of god- got hold- many who have hither to Carless & indifferant 22 more united with our Christian union association of the 110 reg bless god Co. C is getting pretty well represented 11 of Co C. has joined with in the two last nights. We had a very large congregation I believe there must have been near 200 hundred presant

Wedensday Morning April 27^th 1864 It is Quite plesant & spring like morning! Target shooting from 9 til 11 A.M. dresperade at 5 P.M. then our prayer meeting as Erly as we can get out. had a very good meeting this Evening

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Thirsday Morning April 28^th 1864 It was Quite Coole this morning & has remained Coole all day. There is a rumer in Camp & has been for Several days. That our division is to do gard duty. this summer! gard the railroad at Culpeper & brandy Station The band has Come over from bregade head Quarters to suronade Co J Keefer They are pleying now half past 4 P.M. The Chaplin gave us his farewell adress this Evening, We are again left with out a chaplin

Friday Morning April 29^th 1864 Very plesant this morning Company drill from 9 to 11 A.M. bregade drill from 2 til 4 P.M. prayer metting at 7 P.M. our meetings are well attended every night three more joined last night very good meeting, the lord always meets with us

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Satturday Morning April 30^th 1864 Quite Smokey & very hasy this morning though plesant. was Called out in to line at 9 A.M. to be mustered for pay Dorwin Peirce⁽⁴³⁾ was promoted to 5^th sargant & John Hendrix⁽⁴⁴⁾ & Joseph Bennett⁽⁴⁵⁾ to Corporals on the 29^th of April 1864 Met at 7 P.M. at our usual plase for prayer meeting had a good meeting 19 more united with us this evening, Making one hundred & fifty eight members, have 5 comisioned officers.

Sunday Morning May 1^st 1864 Thirty Six men detaled last night for picket & I was one of the Nomber We formed on coler line at 8 A.M. Reached picket line at 11 A.M. We can see the rebs Skulking a round as many as 8 or 10 in a squad, I am on the same post that I was on the first day of April. I missed getting a letter last Evening from home. It is the first –

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time that I have mised getting a letter once a week for a long time

Monday Morning May 2^nd 1864 Cool & cloudy, Some firing a long the picket line last night. It is now 10 A.M. & I am out on vidett post watching for the Johneys but have not seene any this morning unless those three men that are planting Corn, just in front of me are! Recived a letter at 11 A.M. from home & sit down and wrote one in answer to it.

XI. May 3-6:
Battle of the Wilderness, capture on May 6.

Teusday Morning May 3^rd 1864 We had some rain yesterday Evening Turned considerable Cooler! Pretty Smart frost this morning, The mountains are Covered with snow again! All very Quiet a long the line last night! What few Citizens are left in this godforsaken Country are trying to put out a small Crop of –

page 73 (May 3, 1864 Battle Rapidan)

corn! I can see six farm houses from the vidett post, I see that they are all or the most of them are putting out some corn! Picket line drawen in after dark Reached Camp bout 10 P.M. Called up at 3 AM & left or broke up Camp.

Wedensday Morning May 4^th 1864 Marched out of Camp at 4 AM for the Rapadan Crossed it at 5 PM at germina ford, Met with no resistance & Bivwacked for the night

Thirsday Morning May 5^th 1864 Our bregade was manuvered a round from one point to a nother until the noone, Then we wer brought up in line of battle on the Extreme right. our regt & 126 regt formed the first line of battle. We made a Charge on the rebs at or near 7 P.M. & drove them something near 1/2 mile & then fought them til 9 P.M.

page 74 ( Wilderness Battle )

Then we fell back & the rear line took our plase. We ley in line on our gunes the ballance of the night had nothing to eat, our Company lost none killed in action, had several wounded, G. W. Little⁽⁴⁶⁾ & W. Powell⁽⁴⁷⁾, M. dewire⁽⁴⁸⁾ & J. Whiteman⁽⁴⁹⁾ & J. Wheatley⁽⁵⁰⁾ & Wm. Hufman⁽⁵¹⁾ & Thomas Vance⁽⁵²⁾.

Friday Morning May 6 1864 Went into action at 1/2 past 4 AM & was under a very heavy fire bout one hour! The front line began to give back but we ralleyed them & held our ground. The rebs then fell back to there breastworkes! We was then moved a little further to the left & then threw up a tempoary brestwork out of old loggs & Chunks. We was then relieved from the breastworks by the first division as they had been leying in line of battle in front of us they fell back into the breast works –

page 75 (Friday PM 4 oclock was taken prisoner May 6, 1964

We then fell back bout two hundred yards & ley in line of battle parallell with them & ley in that condition until 7 P.M. When the rebs flanked us on the right & Then we all gave way & fell back in Confusion. I was taken prisner just at dark. lost Everything on the field, I think that I got bout 3/4 mile back before they tooke me I was perfectly exausted. could not go any further if it had been to save my life. I was struck on the left breast by a spent ball. it struck my testament & done me no damage at all! The rebs traveled me back tooke me a little to the right of the ground that we had occupied they let me rest some 2 or 3 times in going back. There was 2 others taken with me They took us to there rear & there gathered togeather 62 of us into one squad. Then they permitted us to ley down to rest for the night as I thought, They gave us –

page 76

water & the surgeon dressed the wounds of the wounded men, but we had not leyed there long until we herd a very heavy bolley of musketry. our men had ralleyed & drove them back & retooke the ground that we had lost. The balles came whistling over where we was leying pretty thick Then the rebs huried us back some 2 miles to locust grove or Robison’s tavern there we ley til next morning

XII. May 7 to May 23:
Journey as POW from Virginia to Georgia.

Satturday Morning May 7^th 1864 we left robison Tavern at 8 AM for orange Court house distance 20 miles. Arived there at 6 P.M. we wer put into the Court house yard & kept there until near 11 P.M. then we wer put a board the Carrs & shiped to gordenvill Arived there near 3 A.M. then we was marched to where they had a squad of our men then we lay down in the dirt to rest –

page 77 ( $2.00 for a dozen soda crackers) (1500 prisoners )

til morning

Sunday Morning May 8^th 1864 had nothing to eat yet. We ley here til near 3 P.M. I bought one dozen of soda Crackers. which I had to pay two dollars for we was put a board the carres & Started for Linchburg, VA. Arived there next morning at 5 A.M.

Monday Morning. May 9^th 1864 we was then marched through town and up James river Some 2 miles where we was put into a gully surrounded on all Sides by high hilles with a very nice Stream of water running through it I think there is about one half acher of level ground in this gulley or valley I think there is some 1500 of us on this little Spot of ground (1500 prisoners)

page 78

We never got the first ration issued to us till this Evening & when we got them they was not very much. We got 5 hardtack & 4 oz of bacon for one days ration. We have a very good spring to get our watter out of & a nise runing stream to bathe in

Teusday Morning May 10^th 1864 Had breckfast on 2 hardtack & a small piece of bacon There was seven hundred more prisoners brought in to day

Wedensday Morning May 11^th 1864 There was another squad prisnors brought in this morning I donot know the number of men not over two hundred. There is now about 2600 of us here togeather They are taking the first squad of men 10.75 away to some other Camp

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I understand that the citizens are feeding us They are doing the best that they can for us They have not got the wherewith to feede us very hevy

Thirsday Morning May 12^th 1864 it rained all night last night & a very hevy rain this morning

Friday Morning May 13^th 1864 We left Linchburg at 11 A.M. & got a board the Carrs for danville they put us in to pasenger Carrs we have been used very well cince we have been prisnors our rations are very slim but they do the best by us that they can They have not got it to give us & I cannot see for my part how they can continue this war much longer for there is but little farming going on along the rout that I have traveled over. I Scarsely ever –

page 80

see any stock of any kind I see a hog now & then & a few sheepe. Cattle are very scrse & horses also & there roling stock is in a miserable condition in short I think the Southern Confedersy bout played out we are now bout 40 miles of danvill

Satturday Morning May 14^th 1864 had one hardtack for my breckfast and thee bites of fat meat & I do not Expect to get anything more til tomorow for we will not get to danvill to day in time for them to issue our rations to us Arived at danvill at 5 P.M. We was then put in Close confinement. We was put into a large ware house three story high, Each floore containes four hundred men or more We are Crowded in as thick as we –

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can ley down, dirty miserble hole how long will we have to stay here. We scarcley can get water to wash our faces with, We get Enough of Corn pone to live on & we get a small portion of boilt bacon

Sunday Morning May 15^th 1864 I hope that we will soon be Exchanged or paroled. That we may get out of this dirty Stinking hole.

Monday Morning May 16^th 1864 One more night put in in this dirty hole. They off one squad of men for georgia! There is continual tumult on our floore. it is Enough to set one beside himself. it seames to me that it is the hardest crowd of men that I ever have had to mix with Cursing & Swearing and gambling are going on continualy

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Teusday Morning May 17^th 1864 one more night put in of our prison life in this dirty hole & iff we have to stay here many days there will be Conciderable sickness a mong us for there is several sick already We are so crowded and the floores are becoming so filthy for we have nothing to sweepe them with! There was another squad of men sent off for georgia. I hope that they will send us out of this dirty hole where we Can breathe the pure aire once more We cannot get any news fron the front. I Cannot tell any thing a bout what is going on, one thing I know that they are not bringing in any more of our men as prisoners of war

Wedensday Morning May 18^th 1864 we are still shut up in this dirty filthy hole The air is so impure –

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that a good may are getting sick but I trust we will not have to stay here mutch longer for they sent off another squad this morning & I think that we will get off tomorrow morning They are issueing two days rations to us this morning. I hope that we may get off yet to day for we cannot get into a worse plase than where we now are, I donot feel very well I have got a dull heavy head ach & it is no wonder for we have to ley round in the dirt like a a pack of hogs, dirty & lousy

Thirsday Morning May 19^th 1864 Left our old dirty prison at 5 A.M. a how plesant it was to get out where we could breathe the pure aire again, We marched out to the railroad & got a board the Carres for georgia. We went out on the new-

Page 84

Railroad that has lately been built leading from danvill a cross North Carolinia & on through South Carolinia & down to georga. We Came 37 miles by rail then walked 5 miles the road not being finished for a spase of that distance. It seames to me that this is the maine road on which the rebs ship there supplys on! There main supplys Come from Georga & is drawen over this road. They seam to have plenty of Corn & bacon & the principal part of it Comes from South Carolinia & Georga! We are now waiting for transportation at some station I do not know the name off it is at the terminis of this road & ther is Quite a large supply of Corn & bacon stored up here it is drawn by waggons 5 miles then loaded on the Carr again then-

Page 85

To danvill thence to theire armies! We got to make Some coffee this Evening. We take our supper in North Carolinia! We got a board the Carrs at 10 P.M. but did not start until about 1 A.M. Reaching Greenboro bout 5 A.M!

Friday Morning May 20^th 1864 this plase is 52 miles from danvill va The portion of north Carolinia that I have pased over is very poore & broken & conciderble of a wilderness. Greenboro is a County town though not very large it is a very pretty plase & there is conciderable buisness done done there There is a machine Shop or Carr factory & waggon factory & conciderable of King Cotton stored up there. it is a Coole shady. plesant High point Station next distance 10 miles & it is a very pretty little place with good brick buildings –

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& there is coneiderable of King Cotton stored up theire! Thomasvill Sta is next do not know the distance. It is Quite handsom the buildings are all new Salesburg is Quite a Citty dont know the distance. Arived at Sharlettsvill at 6 P.M. distance from Salesburg 44 miles it is Quite a large plase with two machien shops & two foundrys & one large steem flouring mill all in full blast, it a plase of conciderable buisness! We marched bout one mile N.W. to a R.R. runing S.W. Then Camped for the night drew two days rations. got 5 hard tack & 4 oz of bacon for my portion.

Satturday Morning May 21^st Caled up at 4 A.M. & put a board the Carrs again & now are redy to be off, We have pased through Several –

page 87

little villages but did not learn theire names, We are now stoped to water in Wainsboro South Carolinia 3 P.M. We reached Columbia the Capital of South Carolinia at 6 PM & pased through on one side of town & out some 2 miles & stoped for the night Nothing but starvation Stares us in the fase. We have nothing to eat to day & when we do get rations we donot get more than half Enough for one meal at a time. It may be posible that we may fair better when we get to our destination and if not god help us My only hope is in him that rules all things he will take Care of all those that put their trust in him!

Sunday Morning May 22^nd 1864 It is 105 miles from Charletts –

page 88

ville to Columbia, We crosed a trussel work that was said to be 6 miles long, Just before we crosed Long green river! It was one of these Cypress swamps & wildirness Reached Augusta Georga bout day light

Monday Morning May 23^rd 1864 Crosed the Savanna River just before we got into town. We ley in the Carrs there until 1 P.M. We drew rations before leaving. got a very good ration of bread and meate

XII. May 24 to September 11:
The stay at Camp Sumter (Andersonville Prison)

View across Camp Sumter stockade area, obolisk is Ohio monument

Teusday Morning May 24^th 1864 Arived at Macon City at 5 A.M. Crosed the oak Mulge River Just before we Came to Macon. All the officers was put into prison there! Macon is a very pretty place. We have to go 65 miles farther to Andersonvill We –

page 89 (Andersonville)

pased through fort valley it is a small plase. We arived at Andersonvill⁽⁵³⁾ at 1 P.M. & then marched ½ mile & then Counted off & put into messes of ninety men & then Marched in to the bull pen. O what a horable looking plase. They Say that there is 15,000 men here. We are as thick can be packed in appairantley

Wedensday Morning May 25^th 1864 and yet they put 700 more to day We got Cheated out of our rations yesterday Evening & I had but one hard tack & a small piece of meat to eat until this Evening. I suppose we got 12 oz of corn bread baked with out being sifted & about 4 oz of bacon. The stockade that we are in Containes bout Eighteen achers, With a small Stream runing through –

Artist rendition of Camp Sumter and stream through middle

page 90⁽⁵³⁾

the Center of it. There is a spase of some three rods wide on one side that is boggy mixed with Sand & black muck The soil of the hole Camp is Sand & black dirt mixed with it. Which makes the men looke very black & dirty I see a good many men that it is hard to tell whether they was a negroe or had been a white man once. There is Quite a number of men that is almost destitute of Clothing & what little they have on is as black as the ground. & there is no End to the lice in this horable plase

Thirsday Morning May 26^th 1864 It rained last night & some this morning, It is very warm through out the day & fore part of the night but gets Quite Coole in the after part of the night we can –

page 92

feel feverish & want to drink a greate deal of water. but the water is hardley fit for a hog to drink Much less a man, for there is 15,000 men that has to wash & drink from this same little Stream that runes through the stockalle. This morning Makes three weeks & one day cince I was taken prisoner. It is very hot through out the daytime but coole at night!

Sunday Morning May 29^th 1864 My dierhea is no better! one of the gards shot one of our men this morning he had got over the ded line! It is very hot to day! Recived a letter from Leut. Horney this Evening. he is at Macon and in good health

Monday Morning May 30^th 1864 I feel Quite bad & very weak this morning. It is very hot again to day

This picture shows the creek as it was used for a latrine, note the railing and board walk over which the men squatted

page 93

Teusday Morning May 31^st 1864 I feele Some better this morning it is very hot, but was Coole last night. There was a nother squad of 1,000 prisoners Came in yesterday!

Wedensday Morning June lst 1864 I am better of my diarhea, It has been a little more plesant to day we had a very shower this after noone! There was one thousand more prisoners put in this after noone, the most of them are old prisoners that was at Salesbury South Carolinia, They are sending all the prisoners to this plase & we are so thick in here now that there is hardley room for us to ley down! I think that there must be something near Twenty thousand men in here now

page 94

Thirsday Morning June 2^nd 1864 We had a very heavy thunder Shower in the after noone & in the Evening a very heavv rain

Friday Morning June 3rd 1864 it has continued to rain to day

Satturday Morning, June 4^th 1864 it is still raining this morning & has the apearance of bein a wet day. It is very disagreable in this black mud & sand. There was another squad of 500 men Came in yesterday. one man from the 110 regt Brown of Co. F. he was Catured on the 18th Of May at Spotsleyvania Court house! he said that our regt had been badley Cut up only bout 400 men left of them!

(400 left)

Sunday Morning June 5^th 1864 it is still Clowdy & warm & looks like having more rain. O how I would like to be at home this morning –

page 95

to attend Church once more Wrote a letter to my family

Monday Morning June 6^th 1864 it is Still Clowdy & raining Some I had a mess of beans & Corn dumplings boiled to geather for my dinner to day pretty good! I was told that there was one hundred men died yesterday. It averages about 35 deaths per day.

Teusday Morning June 7^th 1864 it is very hot this morning There was a nother squad of 500 came in to day. very rainy in the Evening

Wedensday Morning June 8^th 1864 There was another squad of men Came in to day it has not been Quite so hot today

Thirsday Morning June 9^th 1864 we got two onions for which we payed one dollar for & one pint of beens for 35 cts! We are going to have –

page 96

beanes soup with onions in it & then put in corn dumplings & have a regular dutch dish of it. Heavy rain again to day Thirsday Morning

Friday June 10^th 1864 very hot this morning There has not been less than six nock downs this morning before I got my brekfast, I understood from one of the Reble Sargants that Atlanta was gone up.

Satturday Morning June 11^th 1864 another fight this morning it is very warm & was Quite warm last night did not sleepe two hours last night, had a very heavy rain had a very heavy rain in the Evening & it rained til 9 oclock P.M., a goodeal of rumer bout being paroled soon

page 97

Sunday Morning June 12th 1864 It is clowdy & warm & looks very mutch like raining. O how I would like to be at home to attend Church to day for there is not mutch religious sentiment here! One cannot hardley here anything but Swearing & See fighting most any time in the day! There has ben some 405 a ready this morning We had another heavy rain between 4 & 5 oclock P.M. We drew one third of pint of rise & bout 2oz meat this Evening for tomorrows rations petty short living that will be! But heartofore we have had cornbread or meal Enough to Keepe Soul & boddy to geather! The meat ration has always been very short not Enough to make one meal on

Line up to receive rations

page 98

Monday Morning June 13^th 1864 it rained all night & is still raining yet. It is now 2 oclock P.M. it rained all day & all night

Teusday Morning June 14^th 1864 it is still raining this morning and has the appearance of continuing all day. It did rain all day & pretty mutch all night

Wedensday Morning June 15^th 1864 Gloomy & Still raining it is getting aufful mudy, Men lookes more like hogs than human beings dirty & raged & shoeless & a greate many not Enough of Clothes to hide there nakedness with no tongue can tell the amount of human suffering that men-

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have to indure in this horowable hell for I cannot Call it nothing less There was another squad of 100 men Came in today & among them was James Vance⁽⁵⁴⁾ of our plase he was Captured at richmond on the 10^th of May

Thirsday Morning June 16^th 1864 the sun broke out yesterday in the after noone the first time four days for it had rained Every day for fifteen days in succession & this morning it is Clowdy & looks very mutch like having more rain this Evening

Friday Morning June 17^th 1864 it rained pretty near all night & is still raining! There was another squad of eight or nine hundred men Came in yesterday all from the potomac armey! No word from our regament, it rained all day and I got as wet as water Could make me

Page 100

I went out for wood & it Just poured down. but we must have wood or go without Eating for we draw raw rations & no wood to Cook with or so little that it does not amount to annything! We are treated worse than dumb brutes! O the Suffering of this Camp Can never be told until the greate day of reckning of acounts when Every thing Shall be brought to light & Then these men that has Caused this Shamefull suffering will meete there just reward!

Satturday Morning June 18^th 1864 last night I ley down in my wet Clothes to try to sleepe. but there was but very little sleepe for me until the after part of the night it rained all night & is still raining this morning & rained all day

Page 101

Sunday Morning June 19^th 1864 Fighting Seames to be the order of the day I believe that there is not one day but there is Eight or ten nock downs the hardest plase that I ever was in my life! O I do hope that our government will do Something Soone to get us out of this miserable hole. For it is murdering men by inches! Iff I Could but take the wings of a dove how Soone would I leave this miserable prison! and land my self in my own native land where I Could breathe freedoms air once more! this morning is very warm with the sun breaking out ocaisonaley! O how I would like to here from my family this morning for I have not herd one word from them for over two months heavy rain again this Evening

page 102(54)

Monday Morning June 20^th 1864 Clowdy & lookes like being another wet day, it rained pretty near all night Ther was Said to be nine hundred men Came in yesterday from Shurman Armey & a Small Squad from Smiths Army. At petersburg one of the men told me that he was taken within one mile of petersburg, heavy rain in the afternoone & at night

Teusday Morning June 21^st 1864 Clowdy & looks like more rain pretty fair day until the afternoon then we had a nother rain, one man was shot just after dark he had got over the dead line⁽⁵⁵⁾. he was shot through the hips

page 103

Wedensday Morning June 22^nd 1864 Some what clowdy & warm it sprinkled a little to day, There was five of us hired an ax to day for half a day We had to pay one dollar for the use of it. We grubed up a pine Stump & got bout ten dollars worth of wood out of it. It takes but a very small bundle of wood to bring twenty five cts!

Thirsday Morning June 23^rd 1864 It is Clear & warm this morning No rain to day. The first Clear day for 23 days.

Friday Morning June 24^th 1864 Clear & warm this mornIng. Evening

Satturday Morning June 25^th 1864 It has been a very hot day almost hot Enough to roast a ginia Niger

Sunday Morning June 26^th 1864 Not mutch appetite for dry corn bread this morning

Page 104 (40^th birthday)

Monday Evening June 27^th 1864 This has been a very hot day! This is my fourtieth birth day! There was a squad of Seven hundred Came in today

Teusday Morning June 28^th 1864 Quite plesant this morning Erley but will be another very hot day! We had a very heavy rain at 3 P.M. & another at 7

Wedensday Morning June 29 1864 Clowdy & lookes like raining Extremely hot yesterday before the thunder storm, there was a nother Squad of four hundred Came in yesterday in the after noone & a nother Squad Came in to day

page 105 ( thieves 12 sgts for jury)

Thirsday Morning June 30^th 1864 Clear and warm this morning but clowded up near the midle of the day! The raiders had be Come so bad that the reble orthoritys gave us assistance They Commenced Gathing them yesterday Evening & have been at it pretty mutch all day! They have caught Some Seventy five of them I never Saw Such a time as there was in camp to day! The raders was taken out side the Stockade and are under a heavy gard! We have a Court organised to try them there is 12 sargants for the Jewrymen The Commander of the post says he will Sanction there verdict, There was 2 or 3 men found buryed under some of their tents –

page 106

& in Some they found fifteen hundred dollars & in others they found 7 or 8 watches there has been a good many men killed by those raiders & they wer becoming bolder Every day! They would knock a man down in braud day light & rob him & it was becoming daingerous to go out of your tent at night. I suppose that of them will be hung & others of them will have heavy irons put on them til they are returned to our lines

Grave markers of raiders at the Andersonville National Cemetery. The raiders were convicted and hung. They are buried separately from other prisoners in the graveyard

Friday July 1^st 1864 It is very hot to day! The New Stockade was opened today & fifty detatchments moved into it. Making thirteen thousand five hundred men! We worse crwded in there than we was –

page 107

in the old & had no water! had to go back in to the old Camp for all our water

Satturday Morning July 2^nd 1864 We Came to the Conclusion to move back to our old position on turd iland where we had plenty of tolerable good water & not Quite so mutch crowded!

Sunday Morning July 3^rd 1864 very plesant erly this morning but very hot the after part of today O how I wish I was at home this day to have a good wash & to get some Clean Clothes on & to attend Church once more

Monday Morning July 4^th 1864 very hot this morning We got no rations yesterday, We have not had any meete cince friday It comes very near living on the wind! I do hope that we –

page 108

may get into our lines this month! We had a very heavy thunder shower bout 3 P.M. today This fourth of July has not been spent as agreable as I have been acustom to spending them! It has generaly been a day of feasting but with us here in this miserable hole! It has been reverse for we have onley got one days ration out of four, & we begin to feal rather lank & weak in the knees!

Teusday Morning July 5^th 1864 very warm We got rations yesterday Evening Corn bread & beef. The beef was Covered with Small Magots & was conciderable tainted! but prisoners Can Eate any thing that they can get! I have often thought that I would –

page 109

to have the Chance to get to my own Slop barrel I Could make a better meal of what I could pick out of it; than I can get in these Corn federate States

Wedensday Afternoon July 6^th 1864 very warm but a little more plesant than yesterday! To day makes two months prison life for me! My time has been put by reading 3 or 4 Chapters in my testament Every day & a portion to look my grub & a portion for lousing & some portion of my time in getting wood & some portion in lounging in my tent! There was a Small Squad Came in this Evening bout one hundred

Thirsday Morning July 7^th 1864 very hot this morning very hot all day

Page 110

Friday Evening July 8^th 1864 It has been more than hot to day! Another squad Came in to day bout three hundred men!

Satturday Morning July 9^th 1864 It is Extremely hot this morning had a very bevy rain in Evening

Sunday Evening July 10^th 1864 It has been very hot to day! there was another squad of men Came in yesterday bout 300 or more & another Squad to day. I am not very well to day. Passing blood & matter conciderable

Monday Evening July 11^th 1864 There was another squad of 3 or 4 hundred men Came in to day This Evening at 5 oclock 6 of those raiders were hung til dead I believe they all pled inocent to the last, I feel Quite bad to day My Bowels Still are runing off I am afraide it may prove cirous-

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as I Cannot get any medicin

Teusday July 12^th 1864 I do not feele any better! It has been very hot all day!

Wedensday Morning July 13^th 1864 very hot to day My Bowels are no Better yet

Thirsday July 14^th 1864 has the aperance of rain but did not I donnot feele any Better yet

Friday July 15^th 1864 had a Small Shower in the Evening. My diareah is no better yet I got some red root⁽⁵⁶⁾ this Evening and made a strong tea and am using it now

Satturday Morning July 16 1864 Clowdy and has the apearance of rain

Page 112

Sunday Evening July 17^th 1864 O how I would like to have spent this Saboth at home with my family, but such Could not be the case. I have to be resigned to my lot, I attended surgeons Call this morning & got some medicin in the Evening it seamed to Ease my bowels Imediately after taking it. They onley sent me half a dose It was all that they had prepaired.

Monday July 18^th 1864 The medicin that I got helped me some & I went out again today to get more

Teusday Morning July 19^th 1864 My diareah seames to be better this morning. do not pass as mutch blood! I have had but one pasage to day Did not go to Sick Call this morning

Page 113

Wedensday July 20^th 1864 Not so well to day

Thirsday July 21^st 1864 Not any better to day

Friday Morning July 22^nd 1864 Some better this morning. It is very warm, O when Shall our government get us out of this horrowable hole, Iff they let us stay here very mutch longer, We will all or most all of us find a grave in Georga! There was another Squad of 500 prisoners Came in from the armey of the Potomac this after noone.

Satturday Morning July 23^rd 1864 Some what more plesant this morning & my diareah is some better. The rebs are fortifying here they are throwing up pretty strong works

missing pages 114 and 115. (dates July 24 to July 28, 1864)

page116(56)

From Shearmans armey⁽⁵⁶⁾ & they say there will be another lot in to morrow Making bout 1100 yanks that was taken on the 22^nd of this month

Friday Morning July 29^th 1864 very warm this morning more yanks Came in to day had rain in the Evening

Satturday Morning July 30^th 1864 Very warm & sultry this morning day by day passed Slowley a way and day by day takes from forty to fifty to there graves! O how Slow times Seames to pass away! And yet when when we looke back over the time that has alredy beene Spent in this horrowable plase it does not seam so long

Page 117 missing form the transcription (dates
July 31 and August 1, 1864)

page 118⁽⁵⁸⁾

Thousand Caverly & mounted Infantry at Macon & had Captured the plase!

Teusday Morning August 2^nd 1864 Clowdy & pleasant but has the appearance of rain. There was but very little rain yesterday! O how I long for that to arive when we will leave this dirty stinking hole for our lines! I do hope that day is not far distant! Had a very heavy rain in the afternoon! There was four hundred more yanks Came in this Evening They was Captured at or near Macon, Gorga

Wedensday Morning August 3^rd 1864 Clear & tolerable plesant this morning. The sick are all ordered out this morning Some say they are going to macon I do not know where they are going to. I hope they are going to our lines!

Page 119

Thirsday Morning August 4^th 1864 Clear & pleasant a fine Coole breese no more sick taken out this morning there was bout one thousand taken out yestermorning

Friday Morning August 5^th 1864 No Sick going out this morning Sick Call put off until 2 oclock P.M.

Satturday Morning August 6^th 1864 Clowdy & has the appearance of rain This day three months ago I was taken prisoner!

Sunday Morning August 7^th 1864 very hot this morning! I would freely give one hundred dollars if I could but leave this horrowable hell for our lines

Monday Morning August 8^th 1864 Clowdy & pleasant this morning it was reported last night that a lot of us was to go out this –

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morning but I think it all a lie! We Can hardley believe anything that we here anymore There has been so many reports that has proved false! Rain in the afternoon.

Teusday Morning August 9^th 1864 Clowdy & looks like raining! Prospects for getting out of this hell soone is rather gloomy! I am getting the scurvy Quite bad! I see one Case of it. that his fase is all swollen up and his legs with running sores all ove him. Horrowable to se the Suffering that men have to Endure in this miserable dirty hole & all for the love of Country! But when men get in this condition it seames to me that our government looses all sight of the
sufferings of thousands of her brave soldiers

Page 121

While they remain at home living on the fat of the land, I think they very well know the Suffering of our Prisoners in there reble prisons! There has died in this Camp or prison hell over seven thousand men in less that four months & still are going at the Same rate! It seames to me that our government should do som thing for us & that Quickly to! We had the heavest rain this afternoone that we have had atall it raised the branch so high that it washed the stockade down in three different places on the lower side, it broke it for four rods!

Wedensday August 10^th 1864 The Johneys are reparin the stockade to day! It is very-

Page 122 ( copied very dim pencil)(HNA.)

warm today! had a very heavy rain the afternoon.

Thirsday Morning August 11^th 1864 Clowdy & lookes like haveing more rain to day! rained some in the after noone

August 12 1864 very warm this AM Continued very warm all day

Sat. Aug. 13, 1864 Very hot today We are getting less than half rations and have for 3 days back! It does seam hard that our government does not do something for us! They very well know the Sufering of the prisoners of Camp Sumter! There has died in one week ten hundred and fifty two men! That was from Aug 2^nd to the 9^th, 1864. That is paroleing pretty fast & iff we are left here a few months longer there wil not be very many men to parole or exchange. onley the new men that are Comeing in lately! O the Sufering that there is in this camp No tongue can tell.

Page 123

Sunday Morning August 14^th 1864 Clear & warm. But I think it would be a very plesant morning if to me if I wer at home to spend the day with my family & to enjoy the blessing of a comfertable meal once more! This morning I had half a ration of cold corn bread and a cup of cold water for breckfast. It hard living but it keeps soul and body togeather! I am thankful that it is no worse with us than it is. Camp Sumter prison.

Monday Morning August 15^th 1864 weather still very warm! Men are ding very fast at the rate of one hundred & twenty per day!

page 124

Teusday Morning August 16^th 1864 Went out to Surgeons Call to get Something Skervy. I am getting it Quite bad, it is getting all through my sistem. Iff I Cannot get something to Cure or Check it. My time will be but very short in this world! I understood yesterday Evening that grant was opposed to paroleing or Exchanging at all! But I do hope that lincon will not grant his request & iff he does I hope that he may be defeated at this coming Election⁽⁵⁹⁾

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thirty or forty thousand of her prisoners! is not worthy to be Caled a government at tall! When she very well knowes the condition and sufering of them & that she is loosing more men in prison than she is on the battle field & not onely that. There is hundreds of men that have faithfuley served there Country for three years and they are still left to pine away and die in some horrowable prison it is enough to kill all the patriotism that men had for there Country when they are treated in this manner!

Wedensday Morning August 17^th 1864

Photo of the prison taken on this date, August 17. Note the “deadline” running diagonally at lower right.

Page 126

I had a pretty bad sepell of Choleramorbus bug last night but am better this morning. It is very hot weather.

Thirsday Morning August 18^th 1864 Weather still very warm! No prospect of getting out soone.

Friday Morning August 19^th 1864 Weather still warm. Sickness inCreasing & more deaths!

Satturday Morning .August 20^th 1864 Clowdy & Set in to raining bout 10 AM. rained pretty much all day

Sunday August 21^st 1864 had aother spell of colerymorbus last night. Ley in my tent all day. et nothing til in the evening. O my got when shall we be delivered –

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from this horrowable Condition. If we are not paroled soone I shall never se my family in this world. may god put it in to the hearts of our arthorites to do somthing for us and that very soone

Monday Morning August 22^nd 1864 Clowdy & it lookes like haveing more rain to day! I feele some better this morning with the exception of my mouth it is getting worse

Teusday August 23^rd 1864. It has been very warm to day! can’t see any prospects if getting out soon.

Wedensday Morning August 24^th 1864 very hot! I tried to get out to Surgeons Call to get medicin for the skervy but –

page 128

There was such a crowd that it was almost imposible to get out. So I left and went back to my tent. I see them carying out a greate meny ded men this morning! It is Enough to kill the Sick the way that they have to be gotten but to Sick Call. They have to be Caryed up to the gate & then ley there in the hot sun for 3 or 4 hours. O the in human treatement that we receive in this horrowable place! Today makes three months cince we entered this miserable hole.

Thirsday Morning August 25^th 1864 very hot this morning

Friday Morning August 26th 1864

Page 129

Still Continues very hot! More rumers of a parole again but we here so many reports! that has proved false that we have lost all confidence in any thing that we here, I do hope that it is true & that we will get out soone!

Satturday morning, August 27^th, 1864. Still remains very hot! It is so hot through the day that we cannot stir round much in the heat of the day & the musketoes are so bad at night that we have no rest last night, I did not sleepe two hours for them! They have onely got so bad three or four days back.

page 130⁽⁶⁰⁾

Sunday Morning August 28^th 1864 Still remaines hot. Although it rained some last night. We left the iland this morning & went up to the baries. I think it will be much plesanter in them than it was in our tent! James King⁽⁶¹⁾ of Co I Who has tented with us Ever cince we have been prisoners! was detected to day of Steeling notes of G.W. Forbs⁽⁶²⁾ to the amount of two hundred & thirty Eight dollars. He was araigned before the police Court. He was bucked & gaged all night. on Monday morning his trial was put off til teusday morning 10 AM

Page 131

Monday August 29^th 1864 Quite coole last night & erly this morning! but got very warm again by ten oclock.

Teusday Morning August 30^th 1864 has the appearance of being a very hot day. King trial was put off again til wens day.

Wedensday Morning August 31^st 1864 Clowdy & Quite plesant this morning

Thirsday Morning September 1^st 1864 Still in Camp Sumter prison It is Quite plesant this morning though rather Coole last night James King trial Came off this morning his sentence was to ware a ball and Chain til further orders

Page 132

Friday 12 N Sept 2^nd 1864 It has been Quite plesant thus far. Quite Encouraging News this morning If it turnes out to be true paroleing to begin next monday.

Satturday Morning Sept 3^rd 1864 Coole & clowdy & indicates rain! I saw upwards of fifty ded men Carried up to the gate to be taken out.

Mass burial of the dead at Camp Sumter

Wooden grave markers, since replaced by marble markers

Sunday September 4^th 1864 It has been Quite plesant all day! Corporal Brown of the 110^th ONS died this afternoone bout 5 oclock! O how I long to se home once more & to enjoy its blessings of Something to eat that I could relish & to get Something for the Skervy

page 133

Monday September 5^th 1864 rather warm today! I do not feele very well. I am afraid that I will get so that I cannot help myself. my knees are hurting so bad & ancles.

Teusday September 6^th 1864 Quite warm today & had Some rain in the afternoone. I do not feel any better today! It seames to me that the skervy is growing worse every day! I cannot get one drop of medicine for it. I have just got to watch the slow progress of death day by day without any hope of getting any relief until death relieves me of my disease

page 134⁽⁶³⁾

Wednesday Morning Sept 7th 1864 The best newes this morning that we have had cince we came into this stockade. Ten detachments wer taken out to go to our lines.

Thirsday September 8^th 1864. Still they are leaving for our lines! I am Quite unwell today. Sargant Miller left last night.

Friday Morning September 9^th 1864. Some better this morning. Four detachments left this morning at 2 oclock

Satturday September 10^th very hot to day! It seames to me about as hot a day as I have felt this summer

page 135

Quite unwell today not in — life

Sunday September 11^th 1864 I feele some better. 4 detachments left this morning & another lot this Evening. our detachment is the next after they leave that are ordered out this Evening!

XIV. September 12 to December 5:
The journey to freedom

Monday Morning September 12^th 1864 Quite warm I feele some better We left Camp Sumter just at sundown this Evening & got aboard the Carrs & wer off in short order.

Teusday Morning September 13 & Wedensday September 14 Thirsday September 15^th 1864 We arrived at florrance Station in South Carolinia

(from a folded single sheet in pencil North Carolinia ley in the morning and then they run us out half mile & then got out & marched bout Quarter of mile to an old reble Camp. Where we are at present)

(this is on the inside of the folded page but I see a date on it. Crossed the oak Mulge River at 5 AM into Macon City where they kept our officers. Macon is a very pretty place. We have to go some sixty miles further to Maricus Fort Nalley.)

page 136 (this is a very faint loose page and difficult to read)

Satturday Morning Sept 17^th 1864 Still leying in the open field good meny tried to make there escape last night! The gards wer shooting all round I donot know if any got away at all! Very cold last night but Quite warm again to day.

Sunday Morning Sept 18^th 1864 Clowdy & has the appearance of rain. Not so Cold last night! O how I wish that I wer at home this morning to enjoy a good wash & a suit of Clean Clothes & then a good breckfast with my family! in stead if having to ley here in the sand and dirt without eather & without water

Page 137 (this is a very faint loose page and difficult to read)

-in the Carres until the afternoone & then they run us out half mile & then got out & marched part of mile to an old reb Camp Where we are leying at present

Friday Morning Sept -1864 Quite Cold in the after part of last night but Quite warm today again It begins to looke like to me that there is no exchange going on at present or they would not stoped us here. Some Say that they are building a Stockade here to put us in if that be the case we are elected for the war or until death removes us of our misery.

This is another fragment that fills in some the time in mid September 84 [sic – 64?]

day (and lay there until the afternoon & then they run ? Us out half mile & then got out & marched about quarter mile to another old rebel camp where we are laying at present.

Monday, ‘Sept. 19^th, 1864., —Tuesday, Sept. 20^th — Wednesday, Sept 21.

Rain in the evening

Thurday, Sept. 22^nd. Had a very heavy rain in the evening.

Friday morning, Sept 23^rd, 1864. Very heavy rain early this morning. It flooded our tent but the soil being sandy it soon dried it up. We got about a half peck of sweet potatoes for which we had to pay five dollars in confederate money. They made two small meals for the four of us, myself, G. W. Forbes⁽⁶²⁾, C. Hope⁽³⁾, Wm Scorse, We all draw portions together & cook it. [unreadable??—–] back to buy a pan to cook in for which we had to pay eight dollars in confederate money. The pan was made of old tin that had been taken off some old carrs. The corners of it being locked together and then bent around to the side & no sodder being used in it at all.

Saturday morning, Sept 24^th, 1864. Still we lay in this open filed yet quite warm this morning. There was a petition read to each detachment this morning concerning the conderate [confederate?]-

(from a fragile loose page in back of the diary.) (found loose page which may be a fit with above portions.)

government to give us a parole by us not to take up—

Here begins a section composed of a group of separate pages bound together with thread and some pages are very deteriorated

Page 1

page 2

brave soldiers. Who has kindley stood in many a hard fought battle. But who has unfortunately been taken prisoner and cast into Some Stockade with out anything to Shelter them from the burning rays of a Southern georga Sun or to Shelter them from the dewes of heven at night & and from the dirt & filth of a Camp of fourty thousand men! It does Seam to me that our government has lost all humanity &

page 3

feeling for her Soldiers. That has been so unfortunately as to fall in to the rebles hands! When the suffering of us are so well known to them! & now a winter is fast approching us & all of us or nearley all of us are destitute of blankets or Cothing to hide our nakedness. May gods & the rebs & our government have mercy apon us & relieve us from our suffering Condition before Cold weather set in apon us! May the sentiments of the people of the north at home be aroused on the Question & for there friends that are in Southern prison

page 4

Sunday Morning Sept 25^th 1864 Still we ley in the open field yet! General Starvation Seames to be our doome if we have to stay here very long! This morning we had bout half a meal of mush then we got bout as mutch at 9 oclock at night!

Monday Morning Sept 26^th 1864 very Cold last night! With a very heavy dew. Yet it has been Quite warm to day! I donot believe that the rebs have the rations to give to us; and if we have to Stay with them long we will have to –

Page 5

Go hungry to bed more than once! Starvation Stares us in the fase Conciderable! but I do hope that we will not have to stay mutch longer with them!

Teusday Morning Sept 27^th 1864 Quite Cold last night again! but Quite plesant through the day O for Something to eat. When I think of home and the abundance & to Spair it almost makes me hartsick to think a bout it but if I had the privelidge of going to my own slop barrel I would think my self Quite will off!

Wedensday Morning Sept 28^th 1864

Page 6

Quite Coole last night a gain but not so Cold as last night was! We begin to need more Cothing to make us Comfortable! Nothing to eat this morning as usual & perhaps will get nothing before night. had but one small meal to day & that was not half a meal

Thirsday Morning Sept 29^th got the fourth part of pint of Choped corn this morning fot breckfast & in the afternoone. got the same of rise to the man & five tablespoonful of molases

Friday Morning Sept 30^th 1864 Nothing for breckfast yet & it is eight oclock! General Starvation begins to stare us in the fase

Page 7

Saturday Morning October 1^st 1864 Nothing to eat as usual & I am as hungry as a starved wolf! O when shall we be delivered from this land of starvation! Quite warm & plesant this morning. We are still in the open field yet. We got three table spoons of meal & one hard tack to do us twenty four hours

Sunday Morning October 2^nd 1864 Quite Cold last night & coole & Cloudy this morning! We got nothing to Eat til after night. one of the hardest day that I ever fased through! I was s[o] weak that I could hardley walk & all for the want of something-

Page 8

to eat. I had nothing to Eat for thirty six hours & the last meal that I had was three Quarters of a pint of corn meal grewel. I have not had half enough of foode for two weeks past! We was moved in to the new stockade today! It was bout 3/4 of mile from the field that we wer Camped in! The Stockade Containes fifteen or Eighteen Achers with a little stream of water runing through Something near the Center of it! Which will be a great benifit to us to wash our selves in.

Monday Morning October 3^rd 1864 Cloudy & looks very much like raining! We got a pretty good ration of corn meal last night. Had about as

Page 9

much as we wanted to eat at one meal! after starving as long as we had. O Cannot our government do Something for us soome! or will they they Suffer us to ley here this winter to suffer by Starvation! Got no rations til after dark. Which made us a pretty good meal ( crossed out).

Teusday Morning October 4^th 1864 Clear & warm got rations bout 4 P.M. to day. rise & flour & molases had enough to make us two pretty good meales. We can get along if we can get two meals a day

Wedensday Morning October 5^th 1864 Pretty Coole last night but Quite warm this morning. There has been Something near one thousand men taken the oath of Alegance to the Southern Confedercy

Page 10

just on the acount of starvation & on the acount of our government letting them remain so long in a Suffering Condition! I was told that the Major Commanding this Camp had said that he intended to Starve every yankey in the Stockade til they would take the oath of Alegance to the Southern Confedersy! I think that he will have a greate many to Carrey out feete foremost first!

Thirsday Morning October 6^th 1864 Quite warm this Evening makes five months for me a prisoner & I do not see any prospect of being Exchanged yet, Rained in the Evening & night

Friday Morning October 7^th 1864 Clowdy and the Camp full of smoke! Nothing but

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beanes for supper last night & for breckfast this morning! I feele so weak that I can hardley walk. O Must we have to ley here and star to death by inches. When there is so mutch provision in the north to suply our wants & to spare!

Satturday Morning October 8^th 1864 very Cold & Chilley & nothing to eat this morning

Sunday Morning October 9^th 1864 very Cold last night. So cold that I could not sleepe any & it has been cold all day & will be colder to night than it was last night. O the Suffering that we will have to indure if we have to stay here this winter by cold & starvation

Page 12

Monday Morning October 10^th 1864 Some white frost this morning & very cold but quite plesant after the Sun Rose! There was two hundred & fourty four took the oath and went out to go into the rebel army.

Teusday Morning October 11^th 1864 very Cold last night with a pretty heavy frost! but has been quite plesant through.

Wedensday Morning October 12^th Coole

Thursday Morning October 13^th 1864

Friday October 14^th 1864 Nothing to eat yet today It is pretty near night. We are Starving to death by inches.

Satturday Morning October 15^th 1864 had tolerable meal for breckfast

Sunday morning. October 16^th, 1864. Pretty coole last night but Quite –

Page 13

today had two pretty good meales today

Monday Morning October 17^th 1864 Wrote for a box this morning

Teusday Morning October 18^th 1864 Got pretty good rations today Rined pretty ner all day

Wedensday Morning October 19^th 1864 Very cold last night Did not sleepe harley any

Thirsday, October 20^th

Friday October 21^st

Saturday October 22^nd all passed off with the usual up roar of Camp

Sunday Morning October 23^rd very Cold last night. do not feele very well today O how I dred these Cold nights if we have to stay here mutch longer

Page 14

Monday October 24^th & Teusday October 25^th & Wedensday October 26^th Pased off with the usual uproar of Camp.

Thirsday Morning October 27^th 1864 Clowdy & looks very mutch like raining

Friday October 28^th & Satturday October 29^th Nothing new

Sunday Morning October 30^th 1864 I am tired of draging out this miserable life O how I wish I Could get back home once more

Monday Morning October 31^st 1864 Quite unwell with rhumatism in my knees & leges

Teusday Morning November 1^st 1864 rather Coole & Clowdy this morning

Wedensday Morning November 2^nd 1864

Page 15

Rain & very Cold

Thirsday Morning Nv 3^rd Still raining & Cold. O what suffering we have to indure!

Friday Morning Nov 4^th 1864 Cleared of & tolerable plesant!

Satturday Morning 5^th 1864

Sunday Morning Nov 6^th 1864 & Monday Morning Nov 8^th1864 today is the greate day of Events Clowdy but plesant & warm! O how I wish that I was where I Could pole my vote! Ensed of being pened up in this miserable bull pen

Wedensday 9^th & Thirsday 10^th & Friday 11^th & Satturday 12^th & Sunday 13^th & Monday 14^th

Page 16

& Teusday 15^th & Wedensday 16^th & Thirsday 17^th & Friday 18^th All pased of as miserable as usual

Satturday Morning November 19^th 1864 Clowdy & raining some little, O but my Knes panes me! Conclderable talk bout an Exchange again, I hope it is true

Sunday 20^th & Monday 21^st & Teusday 22 & Wedensday 23 & Thirsday 24 & Friday 24^th Wer Cold & disagreable

Satturday 25^th & Sunday 26^th they commenced paroleing the Sick in hospital & camp

Monday Nov 27th I was taken out & paroled with Forbs &Hope

Tusday morning got a board the train at 5 A.M. & Started Charleston Arived there at dark & ley there til Next day

Wedensday Nov 30^th 1864 ley all day

Thirsday December 1^st 1864 one PM we are still leying here yet left Charleston at 10 AM for florance again Arived there at 7 P.M.

Friday Morning Dec 2^nd 1864 Just back in to the bull pen agane

Satturday Dec 3^rd & Sunday Dec 5^th 1864 taken out agane to sart for our lines got aboard the Carrs at 5 PM & arived

Page 17

Charleston Next Morning at 5 A.M! got aboard transport bout 1 P.M.

XV. December 5 to January 1, 1865:
Home at last!

Teusday 6 & Wednesday Dec 7^th left Charleston harbour for Camp parole at Anopolis Mayland We wer out on the waters

Thirsday 8th & Friday 9th & Satturday 10 Arived at Anopolis bout 2 P.M. & landed after having a very rough voiag! We wer Quarterd in good Baricks!

Sunday Morning Dec 11^th 1864 lost one man by sickness & two fell over board on Friday nigh & wer lost! Raind & turned Cold

Monday Morning Dec 12^th 1864

Page 18

New Suit of Colthing & took a good bath, felt considerable better. After getting over the Chill!

Teusday Morning Dec 13^th Clowdy & not Quite so Cold. Mustered for tw months pay this morning at 10 AM

Wedensday Dec 14 was sent out to parole camp & other new prisoners taking our plase

Thirsday 15^th Mustered for our Computation money & got our cirtificates at head Qarter & then went to Barricks No 24.

Page 19

& got our Checks for fifty three dollars & fifty sents. got it Cashed at the Sutlers by trading out five dollars worth

Friday the 16^th & Satturday the 17^th not got our two months pay yet!

Sunday Morning Dec 18th 1864 Recived 32.00

Monday Dec 19^th Stil ley in Camp. Not got transportation nor our furloughs yet

Teusday Morning Dec 2Oth Called up at 4 this morning, got breckfast & marched over to hed Quarters to get our furloughs. got them & Started for town

Page 20

To Quarter Masters head Quarters & Recived our transportation then got board the transport for Baltimore Reached Baltimore Bout 3 P.M. Done Some trading & was redy to leave for home. got a board the Carrs at 9 P.M. And left Coming over the Baltimore & ohio RRR

Wedensday Dec 21^st Reached Belar ar or near 11 that night & ley there til morning

Thirsday Dec 22 left Belair at 7 A.M. Arived

page 21

At Columbus at 3 PM got home at Sun down! C Hope & G. W. Forbes being left at Belair this morning!

Friday Morning Dec 23^rd 1864 At home once more had a good Squair meal for Breckfast. Weather pretty Cold & Clear to day! Not So well my feete are swelling up & pain me very mutch

Satturday Morning Dec 24^th 1864 Not so cold but Clowdy & looks like snowing!

Sunday Morning Dec 2S^th Went to Church herd a very good sermon By Bro Fitrgeeles! Wer invited to Mr Landakers for diner had

page 22

A splendid dinner

Monday Morning Dec 26^th 1864 Clowdy & lookes like raining Mr Pearson of Jeffersonvill Cald to se me this morning!

Teusday Morning Dec 27^th 1864 Raing Some My legs pain me very Bad to day

Wedensday Morning Dec 28th Turning Cold & freezeing up a gain

Thirsday Morning Dec 29^th 1864 Petty Cold & snowing Some little. I was

page 23

Weighed yesterday the 28^th and weighed one hundred & twenty nine pounds! This time last year I weighed one hundred & seventy pounds! We are Invited to take dinner at Mr Haughy to day

the 29 of Dec 1864! And it was as splendid a dinner as I ever sit down to

Friday Morning Dec 30^th 1864 Quite Cold Snow fell last night to the debeth of two inches!

Satturday Morning Dec 31^st 1864 Still Cold & Snowing Some! Nathan & Rhoda Came up yesterday on the one oclock trane

page 24

Rhoda gave me two woolen shirts & 2 pair of good socks & one pound of tobaco those wer things that they intended Sending to me, While in prison in S C had I not been Exchanged when I was

Sunday Morning January 1^st 1865 Still Cold & pretty good Slighing! My legs hurt me worse for two or three days past than they have at all

XVI. The Final Word:

Mustered out of the U.S. ? Sirvis the 23^rd of June, 1865. And paid thre months Extra pay the 26^th of August, 1865 forty Eight dollars

(found written on a single sheet of paper folded in thirds along with these words – “I was captured on the sixth of May at the battle of the Wilderness on the second day’s fight by Gordon Bryan of Johnson’s Division of Nels? Corps.”)

And so ends this diary. Harmon, Margaret and the family moved to Iowa from Ohio between 1867 and 1870. Harmon and Margaret had three more children after the war: Elizabeth Jane born in Ohio in 1866; William Horney also born in Ohio in 1867; and Haramont Nathaniel Anderson, our Grandfather, born in 1876 in Scranton, Iowa.

Harmon and Margaret completed raising their family in Scranton, Ohio where he had a hardware store. Later in life he applied for and received an “invalid pension” for the damage done by the scurvey he contracted while at Camp Sumter. Harmon died at the age of 61 on July 3, 1885.

Glossary – Dictionary for the Civil War Diary

Cholera -an acute disorder of the digestive tract, marked by diarrhea, vomiting and cramps.

Corn pone -corn bread, esp. of a plain or simple kind

Dead Line -At Andersonville prison this term meant a line across which prisoners would be shot.

Hardtack– a kind ofhard biscuit much used by sailors and soldiers (f hard + tack taste )

Haversack– a soldier’s bag for rations

Knapsack– a leather or canvass case for clothes and the like, carried on the back especially by soldiers

Paroled– sent home under an agreement not to fight again until the other side received an equal number of parolees.

Pike -a hill or mountain with a pointed summit.

Raiders -A group of Union soldier prisoners who were thieves at the Andersonville prison. They had murdered some of the prisoners by the Great Grandfather’s account (page 105). Seventy five of these men were tried by a jury of fellow prisoners (12 sergeants)

Regiment -organized by the governors of their state and grouped by region. Consisted of 10 companies of approximately lOO men each; -1000 men

Scantling -a timber of comparatively small cross section.

Unbolted -not sifted through a cloth or sieve.

Vidette or Vedette Post -a mounted sentry in advance of the outposts of an army or in the case of Harmon Anderson probably the vedette boat, a small naval launch used for scouting

Notes placed by Margaret McKinney

Margaret McKinney located men mentioned in the diary and recorded the dates of enlistment, service and exit from the 110^th Ohio Volunteers. This is her reference: Notes from www.bright.net/~irm/110thcompanyc.htm. These pages no longer exist on the web, however, I was able to find similar information at this site: http://freepages.history.rottsweb.ancetry.com/~cemeteryproject/110th/CoC.html. These pages cover all of the companies that were a part of the 110^th, each company has its own page: …/CoA.html; …/CoB.html, and so forth.

Where I have found additional information relevant to the notes that Margaret McKinney placed in this document I have used a square bracket [] to show that.

1. Thomas J. Hicks – Sergeant; Enlisted 8/21/62; Appointed Corporal 2/1/64; Wounded 5/6/64 in battle of the Wilderness, Va; Sergeant 5/2/65; Mustered out with company 6/25/65

2. James T. McKinnon – Coporal; Enlisted 8/14/62; Discharged 2/25/64 at Columbus, Oh. For wounds received 6/15/63 in battle of Winchester, Va.

3. Christopher Hope – Private; Enlisted 8/15/62; Captured 5/6/64 in battle of the Wilderness, Va; Paroled 6/6/65; Mustered out 6/23/65 at Camp Chase, Oh. by order of War Department

4. John Cannon – 1^st Lieutenant; Enlisted 8/25/62; Discharged 2/5/64 at Washington, DC on Surgeon’s certificate of disability

Note from www.bright.net/~lrrp/110thcompany.html

[search by RHA found all people mentioned in pages on this web site:
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cemeteryproject/110th/CoC.html]

5. Henry L. Bennett – Corporal~ Enlisted 8/20/62~ Appointed 1/5/65~ Mustered out with company 6/25/65

6. William N. Foster – Lt. Colonel ~entered service: 13 September 1862 ~ left unit: 24 December 1863 ~ Resigned

7. Thomas C. Owen – Assistant Surgeon; Enlisted 8/20/62; Captured 6/15/63 at battle of Winchester, Va; Escaped 7/4/63; Resigned 4/20/64

8. Joseph F. Bennett – Corporal; Enlisted 8/14/62; Died 3/26/65 at South Charleston, Oh.

9. George w. Akers – Private; Enlisted 8/12/62; Wounded 6/12/64 in action; Mustered out with company 6/25/65

10. F.B. Nilson not listed on list of company C 100^th Ohio Volunteers

Possibly Finley B Newson age 18 Corporal; enlisted 18 August 1862; mustered out 25 June 1865; Promoted to Sergeant on 5 January 1865; Mustered Out at Washington, DC

11. Could not find roster of individuals in Co. G 110 Ohio Volunteers

12. [D. F. Johnson, Freeman Marshall, Leonard Scott all found on roster for Company C, 110^th Ohio Volunteers: David L. Johnson – private; Enlisted 8/20/62; mustered out 2/14/64; Transferred into Co F, 18th Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps; Discharged for disability on 6 May 1865 at Washington, DC. Freeman Marshall – private; Enlisted 8/18/62; mustered out 4/8/64; Transferred into 110th Co, 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps: Leonard Scott – private; Enlisted 9/1/62; mustered out; POW on 6 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA; Died a POW at Florence, SC.
(http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cemeteryproject/110th/CoC.html)

13. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebellion Series I Vo12 Operations of the Cruisers Jan 1, 1863- March 31, 1864, Washington Govt Printing Office 1895

Page 315 Boston, June 26, 1863.

“Iron screw steamers Mississippi and Merrimac are in New York unemployed. They are 2000 tons each, fast, wide, and well adapted to carry a heavy battery. Ought not they to be fitted and dispatched immediately to capture Confederate pirates?”

In behalf of harbor defense committee of Board of Trade: E S Tobey chr.

To the Ron. Gideon Welles, Sec’y Navy

14. Draft riots had gone on in New York and so the men of the Army of the Potomac were perhaps part of the troops sent to quiet the situation. The Civil War an illustrated history, Geoffrey C. Ward, Ric Burns and Ken Bums, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, 1990 page 243 “‘The prospect of involuntary service,’ said the New York Illustrated News, ‘develops an amount of latent diseases and physical disabilities that are perfectly surprising’ politicians fanned their anger. ‘Remember this’ said New York Governor Horatio Seymour, ‘that the bloody and treasonable and revolutionary doctrine of public necessity can be proclaimed by a mob as well as by a government.’ On Saturday, July 11, the names of the first draftees were drawn in New York City on Monday morning a mostly Irish mob attacked the draft office “

See note 12 above for note on ship probably used for transport back to Alexandria.

Note: A Brief History of the 8^th Regt. OVI by T.M.F. Downes can be found at http://.cwreenactors.com/history.htm. Civil War Reenactors web site. It is 10 pages. 2nd battle of Bull Run was August 29, 1862. page 147 from The Civil War an illustrated history by Geoffrey C. Ward, Ric and Ken Burns Alfred A. Knopf, Inc 1990. “Twenty thousand men were killed, wounded or missing at Second Bull Run, five times the figure that had so horrified the country the first time the North and South fought there.”

15. [A. Huston] Ohio Volunteer Infantry OVI 122 has no roster I can find. [Archibald Huston, 38; Private; enlisted: 8 October 1862; mustered out: 26 June 1865; Promoted to Chaplain and transferred to Field & Staff on 4 May 1864; Mustered Out at Washington, DC; Born in 1825 – Died in 1908; Buried in Englewood Cemty, Clinton Twp, Henry Co., MO (Roster of Company A, 122^nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cemeteryproject/122nd/CoA.html)]

16. Samuel J. Peters – Private: Enlisted 8/21/62; Captured 6/15/63 Battle of Wincester, Va; Mustered out with company 6/25/65

17. Enoch M. Bennet – Private; Enlisted 8/14/62; captured 7/9/64 in battle of Monocacy Junction, Md; Mustered out with company 6/25/65.

18. Lewis J. Reeder – Private; Enlisted 8/22/62. Wounded 6/15/63 at battle of Wincester, Va; Also 7/9/64 in battle of Monocacy Junction, Md. Died 8/3/64 in hospital at Fredrick, Md.

19. Russell B. McCollum– 1^st Sergeant; Enlisted 8/15/62; Captured 7/9/64 in batt1e of Monocacy Junction, Md,; Appointed from Sergeant 7/25/65; Mustered out with company 6/25/65.

20. Gen. Smith is the name of several generals both Union and Confederate! but I think that this Gen. Smith was William Farrar “Baldy” Smith, graduate of West Point 1&45. He was Brig. Gen of Volunteers in 1861 and commanded troops in Virginia. Did not receive Senate approval for promotion to Major Gen. This statement is not well substantiated but in reviewing the Gen. Smith’s for the Union he seems to be the best fit.

21. Sutlers were government approved vendors licensed to a post or regiment. Unscrupulous sutlers were frequent and often a soldier paid about 5 times the value of an item. A newspaper correspondent covering the War wrote that sutlers were “a wretched class of swindlers and well deserved all their troubles.”

22. James A. Fox was promoted from Sergeant Co. F 10/4/62 to Sergeant Major and promoted to 2nd Lieutenant Co. D 11/25/62. [James A. Fox: enlisted 8/20/62 ; Promoted to Sergeant Major on 10/4/62 (
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cemeteryproject/110th/CoF.html);
Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 11/25/62; Promoted to 1st Lieutenant and transferred to Company B on 18 December 1862; Promoted to 1st Lieutenant and transferred to Company B on 18 December 1862; Killed at Mine Run, VA (
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cemeteryproject/110th/CoD.html)]

23. I think J. W. was James William Anderson who was a nephew, son of Harmon’s older brother Joseph. Mel was Harmon’s oldest son, Melvin Leewood Anderson. [James W. Anderson age 20, private; enlisted 4 July 1863; mustered out 25 June 1865; Wounded on 23 June 1864 at Petersburg, VA; Mustered Out at Washington, DC; Applied for a Federal Pension on 13 March 1880 – application # 351,100; His Widow (Esther J Anderson) applied for a Federal Pension on 13 November 1917 from the state of OK – application # 1,110,168. (http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cemeteryproject/110th/CoD.html)]

24. Information on Captain Moore not found. [William Moore – Captain; Enlisted 8/15/62; left unit (died?) 2/27/64; Detached as Acting Asst Inspector General 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps on 5 December 1863; Died at Brandy Station, VA. (http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cemeteryproject/110th/CoE.html)]

25. Colonel J. Warren Kiefer was promoted from Lt. Col 3^rd OVI 9/30/62; wounded 6/13/63 & 6/14/63 in battle of Wincester. Va. ; wounded 5/5/64 in battle of Wilderness, Va.; Brevet Brig. General 10/19/64 & Assigned to 2^nd Brig., 3^rd Div., 6^th AC; Brevet Maj. General Volunteers to date 4/9/65; Mustered out 6/27/65 by order of War Department. Appointed Lt. Col. 26^th Infantry , USA 10/18/64 Declined.

26. Did not find Amos Erwin on the roster. [search of all rosters of 110^th Ohio Volunteers failed to turn up this name]

27. General William Henry French commanded the 111 corps (7 July’63-28 Jan. ’64) at Manassas Gap, Auburn, Kelly’s Ford, Brandy Station and in the Mine Run failure. When the Army of the Potomac was reorganized that winter, he was displaced. Gen. Meade held Gen. French principally responsible for the Mine Run failure. Saw no further field service after commanding the III corps again from 17 Feb.- 24 Mar. ’64.

28. Amos Shaul -1st Lieut., Enlisted 8/21/62; appointed 1st Sergeant from Sergeant 4/20/64; Promoted to 2nd Lieut. Co K 12/9/64; Mustered out with company 6/25/65.

29. Russell B McCollum– 1st Sergeant; Enlisted 8/15/62; captured 7/6/64 in battle of Monocacy Junct1on, Md.; Appointed from Sergeant 7/25/65; Mustered out with company 6/25/65.

30. Darwin Pierce – Corporal; Enlisted 8/15/62; left unit 6/25/65; Promoted to Sergeant on 20 April 1864; Wounded on 3 June 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA; Wounded on 9 July 1864 at Monocacy, MD; Mustered Out at Washington, DC

31. Lewis J. Reeder– Private; Enlisted 8/14/62; wounded 6/15/63 at battle of Wincester, Va.; also 7/9/64 in battle of Monocacy Junction, Md.; Died in hospital at Fredric, Md.

32. Frankey was probably Harmon’s son, James Francis who was about 4 years old at the time.

33. J. W. Anderson is James William son of Harmon’s older brother Joseph. James was about 22 years old at that time. See note on page 46.

34. George O. McMillen-2nd Lieut.; Enlisted 8/14/63; Promoted from 1^st Sergeant 4/12/64; Promoted to 1^st Lieut., but not mustered; Died 8/21/64 at Fredrick, Md. of wounds received 7/9/64 in battle of Monocacy Junction, Md.

35 See above for information on Lieut. McMillen.

36. See note 24 for Col Kiefer. Lieut General Ulysses Simpson Grant was from Ohio. He had been promoted to Lieut. Gen. 3/4/64 and made General in Chief of the Armies of the United States on March 12, 1864. He had taken over the strategic direction of the war.

37. William S. McElwain, Major 8/12/62; Promoted from Captain Co. D 1/1/64; Killed in battle of the Wilderness, Va.

38. Thomas J. Hicks -Sergeant; Enlisted 8/21/62; Appointed Corporal 5/1/63; Sergeant 8/1/64; Mustered out with company 6/25/65

39. John Coss -Private; Enlisted 8/15/62; Wounded 6/3/64 in battle of Cold Harbor, Va. Mustered out with company 6/25/65

40. Issac Anderson -Private; Enlisted 8/18/62; Captured 6/15/63 at battle of Wincester, Va. ; Wounded 9/19/64 in battle of Opequon Creek, Va.; Mustered out with company 6/25/65

41. George B. Hamilton -Corporal; Enlisted 8/18/62; Captured 6/15/63 at Wincester Va.; Wounded 7/9/64 in battle of Monocacy Junction, Md.; Mustered out with company 6/25/65

42. Joseph Cooper– Private; Enlisted 12/28/63; Mustered out with company./p>

43. Darwin Pierce -Sergeant; Enlisted 8/12/62; Appointed from Corporal 4/20/64; Wounded 6/3/64 in battle of Cold Harbor, Va.: also 7/9/64 in battle of Monocacy Junction, Md.; Mustered out with company 6/25/65.

44. John Hendrix -Corporal; Enlisted 8/20/62; Appointed 4/20/64; Wounded in battle of Monocacy Junction, Md.; Died 8/11/64 in hospital in Fredrick, Md.

45. Joseph F. Bennett -Corporal; Enlisted 8/14/62; Died 3/26/65 at South Charleston, Oh.

46. George W. Little -Corporal; Enlisted 8/15/62; Wounded 5/5/64 in battle of the Wilderness, Va.; Mustered out with company 6/25/65.

47. William Powell– Private; Enlisted 8/21/62; Mustered out with company 6/25/65

48. Michael Dwyer -Private; Enlisted 8/18/62; Wounded 5/5/64 in the battle of the Wilderness, Va. Killed 5/25/65 in action near Petersburg, Va.

49. John Whiteman -Private; Enlisted 12/31/63; Wounded 5/6/64 in battle of the Wilderness, Va. ; Died 6/15/64 in hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.

50. Joseph H. Wheatley -Private; Enlisted 2/18/64; Wounded 7/9/64 in battle of Monocacy Junction, Md. ; Died 7/24/64 in hospital in Annapolis, Md.

61. William Huffman -Private; Enlisted 8/22/62; Wounded 5/6/64 in battle of Wilderness, Va.; Died 7/12/64 in hospital in Washington, D.C.

52. Thomas Vance -Private; Enlisted 8/14/62; Captured at the battle of Wincester, Va.; Wounded 5/6/64 in the battle of the Wilderness, Va.; Discharged 10/25/64 at Columbus, Oh. on surgeon’s certificate of disability

53. Notes on Andersonville from History of Andersonville Prison by Ovid L. Futch, 1968 U of FL press. [pages 90-98 in Margaret McKinney’s original transcription.]

The site was in Sumter County GA and Andersonville post was officially called Camp Sumter. It was chosen because Gen. Lee was anxious about keeping prisoners near the fighting lines where they might be released and go back to fighting against his men. Anderson, GA was a town of about 20 people and so couldn’t protest as loudly as some other places that were considered. The job of setting up Confederate prisons for Union soldiers was assigned to Gen. John Winder who appointed his son Sid to pick the site and his nephew, Richard to get the camp built, and supplied, be the quartermaster.

It was built to make use of Sweet Water Creek as water source so a rectangle was built 750 ft. in the east/west direction and 1540 ft. in the north/south direction. An 18-ft inside line marked the “deadline”. It was designed originally for 6000 prisoners but immediately enlarged for 10,000. The walls of the stockade were 15 ft high with sentry boxes on top with the box floor low enough on the outside so body was shielded up to waist.

Southern lack of resources contributed to the suffering and deaths at Andersonville. Winder could not get tents for prisoners or provisions. Lt. Col. Alexander Persons of the 55th GA was sent to command prison guards and take cl:large of prisoners. He spent from February to June 1864 at the prison and was well liked by the prisoners. He had great difficulty getting lumber. Supplies went to Lee and Johnston including food supplies rather than to Andersonville, Supplies that did come were stolen when Persons was off duty. Persons left to obtain medical supplies and while he was gone, the Confederate Inspector Gen had him replaced.

The prison was originally built for 10,000 and no supervision of structures the prisoners made caused there to be poor air movement through the camp and difficulty in policing by guards. By May 9^th there were 13,218 prisoners already of these 1026 died by report of Capt. Walter Bowie 40^th V A. The ground bordering both sides of Stockade Creek, about 1/4^th of the total area in the stockade, was “altogether unfit for an encampment”. He estimated prisoners had 42 sq. ft/man. Capt. Henry Wirtz was given charge of prisoners on March 27, 1864. Wirtz was Swiss, he had gotten into trouble there was imprisoned, divorced by his wife and banished from Switzerland so came to the States in 1849. Joined the 4th LA infantry in 1861, became a sergeant and was wounded painfully in the wrist. He was made captain in June of 1862, detailed to Gen. Winder and detailed to a military prison at Richmond. He spent a year in Europe and then was sent to Andersonville. The blame for the shameful conditions at Andersonville fell to Wirtz after the war and he was executed for

Note: A regiment was usually 1000 men ( see Civil War dictionary included in this book).

Dick Winder helped to make Stckade Creek unhealthy by locating bakery and cookhouse upstream from stockade. Other causes of deaths were from unhealthy prisoners from other prisons, some from Richmond had small pox. the hospital was located inside the stockade and drainage from prison sinks passed through the hospital grounds. Chief Surgeon Isaiah White urged that the hospital be moved outside the prison and it finally was relocated.

Prison fare: The fIrst prisoners got uncooked rations because the bakery and kitchens were not finished until May, 64. Wirtz reported also that bread was inferior “fully of 1/6 husk, that it is almost unfit for use.”

Note: Food may have been purchased from other prisoners but more likely from sutlers who operated outside the camps and near the armies wherever they were camped.

Part of Captain Walter Bowie’s report in May ’64 stated that the rations were about “the same as those issued to Confederate soldiers in the field, viz., 1 # beef or in lieu of 1/3# bacon and 1/4# meal.” Sometimes there was rice, beans, peas, molasses and vinegar.

To distribute rations, take roll and discipline, prisoners were divided into 270 men detachments which were divided into 3 equal squads. Squads of 90 men were divided into messes of 30. The squads had a sergeant responsible for division of rations and sergeant of mess got double rations for doing this. Sergeants were also charged with getting ranks out for roll call at 7 AM. They were to report missing, failure was severely punished. Sick were to be taken to the hospital after roll call.

Notes from Andersonville book: Raiders terrorized the camp and were the most dreaded horror of prison life. These generally were big city thugs who had joined for the bounty money offered, sometimes never paid though, and were cutthroats and petty criminals. The numbers of these men grew to 400 – 500 ruffians and robbers. They attacked tents and took possessions. On June 30, Gen. Winder issued General
Order No.57 establishing a court by prisoners for trial and punishment. Inmates organized “Regulators”. Captain Wirtz assembled all sergeants and picked 24 as jurors, 12 for each trial. On July 10 Sunday, 6 men were hung.

Note: Suggestions in reports by inspecting Confederate officers of “gross mismanagement and want of system” sited that the hospital location was in the “very worst place possible”, Stockade creek was too small and sluggish and recommended wells be dug on higher ground. Needed another stockade built. A site
on Sweet Water Creek 1/4 mile south of camp where the stream was ten times the volume was recommended. Wirtz ignored the 2^nd stockade suggestion and did the easier thing, extended the stockade and therefore 3 1ines of palisades had to be moved instead of 4. A detail of prisoners made 10 acre addition on the north end of the prison. With the new stockade completed in June the prison held greater than 25,000 prisoners.

Notes from Andersonville: The sutler at Andersonville was James Selman, Jr. a regularly appointed sutler. He had to pay high prices for goods and he sold at enormous profit. No one could afford to buy much from him.

The food was described by other prisoners also as “spoilt beef and maggotty mush alive with Worms'”. When uncooked rations were issued detail prisoner crews could go out and cut wood near camp. It was mostly pitch pine and the smoke blackened clothes and skins. Soap was inadequate and scarce. There was a real lack of clothing but the Confederacy couldn’t clothe their own soldiers so had none for prisoners.

54. James Vance was not found on the list of Co. C but a Thomas Vance was listed. [Did also find a Harrison Vance, serving in Company B, who was captured 5/5/64 at the Battle of Wilderness: Harrison Vance – Private; Enlisted 8/6/62; left unit 6/25/65; Promoted to Corporal on 15 January 1863; POW on 5 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA]

55. From Andersonville book: The Deadline was marked by scantlings nailed on top of poles driven into the ground 18 feet inside the stockade wall. This kept prisoners away from the wall and led to less escapes. It also prevented trading between guards and prisoners. Some prisoners in desperation crossed the line hoping to put an end to their suffering.

From “Tenting Tonight, the Soldier’s Life” by James I. Robertson, Jr. published by Time Life Books, Alexandria, VA 1984. The guards were instructed to call out a warning to a prisoner who approached the line; if he stepped over it the guards would open fire. During Andersonville’s brief existence, many men would be killed beyond the dead line.

Note: see discussion of raiders on page 96.

Note: from Andersonville book: The new stockade was completed by the end of June and there were then over 25,000 prisoners. Detachments with a number over 49 were ordered into the new addition. Many were reluctant to move.

56. “Red root” looked up web pages – there are several plants called ‘red root’ that are used for medicinal purposes. These were used as expectorants, to treat dysentery and various pulmonary affections. From a variety of sources on the World Wide Web.

57. Sherman’s Union Army was fighting around Atlanta, Ga. at this time against Johnston’s Confederate Anny. and moving westward.

58. Neither the North nor the South had thought out the idea of captured men who would need to be held of a period of time. No coherent policy was present in 1861 for handling of prisoners and there was no military prison able to hold more a handful of prisoners. Both sides thought the war would be short and men would be sent back to their own lines when captured. There was little action at first and few prisoners taken to the end of 1861. Prisoners from battles such as Bull Run began to accumulate in larger numbers, and in July of 1862 the two governments agreed to set up a cooperative system of prisoner exchanges. Prisoners who could not be exchanged were to be paroled. This only worked well for about a year partly because the mountains of paper work. It rested upon gentlemen’s agreements but the South refused to exchange black soldiers. In May 1863 the agreement disintegrated. Of necessity the number of prisons increased dramatically.

59. It is the reelection of President Lincoln that is mentioned. George Brinton McClellan Union General, ran against Lincoln. McClellan had command of the Army of the Potomac in the early part of the Civil war but after the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862 when McClellan was reluctant to pursue General Lee, Lincoln lost patience and replaced him. McClellan was thought to be a commander who consistently overestimated the strength of his adversary and who always demanded more men and supplies before taking offensive action.

60. Dick Winder finally after August 8, 1864 moved the cookhouse and worked on barracks. There was enough room for 270 men. First in were the sick.

61. [James King – Private; Enlisted 7/28/62; left unit (mustered out) 6/30/65; POW on 6 May 1864 at Wilderness, VA; Paroled on 10 April 1865 (Place Unknown); Mustered Out at Camp Chase, OH]

62. George W. Forbes -Private; Enlisted 8/14/62; Captured 5/6/64 in the battle of the Wilderness, Va. ; Mustered out with company 6/25/65

63. Note from Andersonville book: General Sherman’s Army occupied Atlanta at this time so the Confederate government decided it was not safe to have all those Union prisoners at Andersonville. On September 7th the fIrst 18 detachments left for Charleston and Florence, South Carolina.

Duplicate pages:

Here begins a section composed of a group of separate pages bound together with thread and some pages are very deteriorated (This section is repeated by Margaret in the original transcription.)

–government to give us a parole by us-taking oath not to take up arms against them until duley Exchanged It met with the approbation of every man in Camp! The Major & — commanding this Camp agree to sign it & sent it up before the reble athorities for Consideration. I do hope that it may meete with there consent to get us our prayers as it does seame that our government has lost all Sight of us or Care nothing for the Sufering offourty thousand of her brave soldiers. Who has kindley stood in many a hard fought battle. But who has unfortunately been taken prisoner and cast into Some Stockade with out anything to Shelter them from the burning rays of a Southern georga Sun or to Shelter them from the dewes of heven at night & and from the dirt & filth of a Camp of fourty thousand men! It does Seam to me that our government has lost all humanity &

The Civil War Diary of Harmon Anderson May 22, 1863 – January 1, 1865

Transcribed by Margaret Mckinney Brown (Harmon’s great-granddaughter)

2007, Depoe Bay, Oregon

Formatted and Edited by Richard Holmes Anderson (Harmon Anderson’s great-grandson)

2008, Denver, Colorado

Contents

Diary Content

Introduction to second edition, June 2012

A Civil War Diary:Harmon Anderson

I. May 22, 1863 to July 26: Home on sick leave, Return to Unit

II. July 27 to August 15: Duty on line of the Rappahannock River

III. August 16 to September 6, September 7 to 12: New York during draft disturbances, return to lines on the Rappahannock.

IV. September 12 to October 30: Picket duty, camp at Culpepper, Bristoe Campaign

Page 23 of Original Diary

V. October 31 to November 7: Battle line on the Rappahannock, Kelly’s Ford

VI. November 8 to November 26: In camp near Brandy Station

VII. November 26 to December 2: Payne’s Farm and Mine Run Campaign.

VIII. December 3, 1863 to February 5, 1864: In camp, setting up hospital, chapel

IX. February 6/7:Demonstration on the Rapidan

X. Feb 8 to May 2: Camp life leading up to campaign from the Rapidan to the James River

XI. May 3-6:Battle of the Wilderness, capture on May 6.

XII. May 7 to May 23:Journey as POW from Virginia to Georgia.

XII. May 24 to September 11:The stay at Camp Sumter (Andersonville Prison)

XIV. September 12 to December 5:The journey to freedom

XV. December 5 to January 1, 1865:Home at last!