daylight; had a cold night of it. The nurses put up some boughs over
poles for us, but they made poor shelter, excepting from the sun. We
were worse off here excepting the rations. Drew a sweet potato, five
spoonfuls of flour, the same of rice, and half a tablespoonful of salt.
My diarrhoea is almost checked, but my strength is poor yet.
_5th day, 9th mo. 22d._ It rained last night, but I lay in my overcoat
and kept dry. Drew the same rations of flour as yesterday, two
spoonsful of corn meal, rice, salt and a mouthful of bacon. Make gruel
and rice soup mostly for Close and I. Am decidedly better to-day. Had a
good deal of rain this evening.
_6th day, 9th mo. 23d._ Was cloudy all day; rained in the fore-part
of the night; made out to sleep a little. Got some dead pine leaves
and spread on the ground for my bed. My overcoat kept me from getting
"wringing wet." Got everything dry to day, and went to the creek and
took a bath. All who were able were sent to the creek to bathe, and
before they got back the doctor sent three hundred and fifty of them
back to camp. I cannot gain strength. Drew hominy, rice, flour and a
pinch of salt.
_7th day, 9th mo. 24th._ Lay about all day and cooked. Had a heavy rain
in the evening. Drew corn meal, rice, fresh beef, and a pinch of salt.
My old complaint is back on me as bad as ever.
_1st day, 9th mo. 25th._ Was a clear, warm and windy day. My diarrhoea
gets no better. Drew fresh beef, a good ration, and salt only. Made
soup of rice. I cook for Close. All who could walk were sent back to
camp; I was left out, being able to walk only a little. Clark was sent
in. Had a cool night.
_2d day, 9th mo. 26th._ Last night was very cold--cold enough for
frost. To-day was fine and clear, but rather cool. Am very weak and
prostrated. There are some rumors of an exchange going on.
_3d day, 9th mo. 21th._ Was warm; last night was cold. All excepting
the worst cases were sent to camp. I got some medicine this evening--a
pill of camphor and opium; some with dysentery got oleum ricini and
spirits of turpentine. The scurvy cases, a decoction of Sumac berries,
which was pleasant to drink. Some kind citizens sent some boiled sweet
potatoes, ham, cabbage and bread for the worst cases. The steward, who
seems to notice me considerably, gave Close and I some of all the above
named articles, so we wanted no supper. Drew corn meal, fresh beef and
salt. I cooked beans until eleven o'clock at night for our breakfast.
Am no better, but have a good appetite.
_4th day, 9th mo. 28th._ Was very warm all day; spent the day as
yesterday. Drew meal, beans and salt.
_5th day, 9th mo. 29th._ Was a warm night; I slept well. My complaint
is no better; am very weak. Drew meal, rice, salt, molasses, and some
sweet potatoes; the molasses is of the worst sorghum. They give us
medicine once per day.
_6th day, 9th mo. 30th._ Spent the day laying in my shed. My disease is
on the mend. Got to the creek and took a bath this forenoon. Drew fresh
beef, rice, meal and salt. Got medicine to-day. The men die pretty fast.
_7th day, 10th mo. 1st._ Lay quiet as possible. Drew one-half of a
large hard tack, eight spoonsful of molasses, and salt.
_1st day, 10th mo. 2d._ Was busy pottering around all day. Drew one
half of hard tack, eight spoonsful of molasses, salt, corn meal and
flour. The men are dying off very fast all around me. Griffith was put
in the third Ward. Got my cap and gum blanket.
_2d day, 10th mo. 3d._ Spent the day as yesterday. Had some rain in the
evening. Drew fresh beef, beans, flour and salt. My health is better.
_3d day, 10th mo. 4th._ Lay quiet; my complaint is some better. Drew
molasses, rice, flour and salt--a good ration.
_4th day, 10th mo. 5th._ Lay quiet. Took a dose of olium vicini last
night. Did not eat much to-day; am getting stouter. Drew meal, beans
and salt. Was a warm and pleasant day. Edward Roberts died in the
afternoon. I went down to see how he was, and found him only breathing.
_5th day, 10th mo. 6th._ Am getting better; walked around a good deal
to-day. Sold my knife for six dollars in Confederate money; also, five
pearl buttons for fifty cents. Partly cooked some beans after ten
o'clock this evening. Had a heavy rain.
_6th day, 10th mo. 7th._ Am better to-day than I have been for some
time. Bought seven sweet potatoes for fifty cents and ate the half
of them. Drew fifteen small crackers, sent to us by the Sanitary
Commission, and some flour and salt. Wrote a letter for Close to his
father; he has given up all hopes of recovery.
_7th day, 10th mo. 8th._ Was clear and cold all day. Drew fifteen small
crackers, a small spoonful of beef tea, some condensed milk and coffee.
Two rations made only a pint of coffee; I gave all to Close--he seemed
to relish them. Shirts and drawers were issued to those who needed
them; they were sent by the Sanitary Commission. I feel better and
stouter to-day, and made out to draw three buckets of water and carry
it. Sold a knife for Close for one dollar, and bought one dollar's
worth of sweet potatoes.
_1st day, 10th mo. 9th._ Was very cool all day. Drew the usual rations.
The men are dying off very fast.
_2d day, 10th mo. 10th._ Last night it was so cold that it was as much
as I could do to keep from freezing. It was clear and cool all day.
Drew thin half-blankets for those who had none, also socks, hats and
drawers, from the Sanitary Commission.
_3d day, 10th mo. 11th._ Spent the day, which was very cool, as
yesterday. Drew same kind of rations.
_4th day, 10th mo. 12th._ Was warm to-day. Have been troubled with
a sore mouth, arising from a bad cold. Medicine does no good. Drew
medicine, got drowsy and went to bed.
_5th day, 10th mo. 13th._ Have had a worse attack of that "terrible
scourge" to-day than I have had for a long time. Took medicine to no
purpose.
_6th day, 10th mo. 14th._ I am no better; worse if anything. Drew
"Sanitary stuff" for the worst cases, and fresh beef, flour and corn
meal.
_7th day, 10th mo. 15th._ Was a fine day; lay quiet most of the time.
Sanitary stuff for Close, and the worst cases, were issued. Drew some
crackers with a ration. Put Close's and mine in soup. My complaint
seems to be better.
_1st day, 10th mo. 16th._ A pleasant day. Close about the same. Drank
concentrated coffee and sconce. I feel better, but cannot get my
disease checked. Took three cathartic pills this evening. Drew no
rations.
_2d day, 10th mo. 17th._ Was the same kind of day to me as others.
Close was worse all day; the ward-master got him an egg, some beef tea
and coffee, which he ate and yet seemed hungry. We think he cannot live
over night.
_3d day, 10th mo. 18th._ Covered Close up with all the blankets, and
got permission to sleep by the nurse's fire. The night was cool. Close
kept sinking until four o'clock this morning, when he died. It looks
like rain again this morning. Burns, one of the nurses, and I, put up
a tent of my gum blanket and one of the new blankets. I am not much
better.
_4th day, 10th mo. 19th._ Warm and pleasant; was busy most of the time,
but did not do much. The Sanitary Commission has been sending clothing
here, but it is rather light stuff, such as red pants, gray drawers,
and red and gray shirts.
_5th day, 10th mo. 20th._ Lay as quiet as possible all day. Am better.
_6th day, 10th mo. 21st._ Lay as quiet as possible all day. The nights
are very cool.
_7th day, 10th mo. 22d._ Last night was very cool, but I got a good
night's rest. To-day was blustery and cold, but clear. At ten o'clock
the hospital was moved inside of the stockade, and to the northwest
corner of it. All who were able to walk were sent ahead, and after
getting in were taken across the creek and put in charge of a corporal.
I took a walk around and bought two Confederate dollars worth of sweet
potatoes for my dinner; traded all my beans for salt; then took a walk
to the hospital grounds, and found our steward and nurses, who told me
to bring my things. Burns and I put up a tent as before and prepared
for a cold night; ate a little boiled rice. The steward gave me four
spoonsful of canned tomatoes and a biscuit for my supper.
_1st day, 10th mo. 23d._ Was cool; lay about, and kept warm in the sun
and tent.
_2d day, 10th mo. 24th._ Lay in the tent most of the time. A Mason,
ward-master, came to see me. A rebel Lieutenant was looking around for
us. The backs of my hands are so badly chapped I can hardly do any
thing.
* * * * *
It appears that from inability or some other cause, Charles Smedley was
unable to give us any further account of his trials and sufferings; and
that the 24th of the 10th month, 1864, was the last day he was able to
write. I have deemed it appropriate to add the following account of
his last days, (obtained from Richard Dobbins, who was the steward or
ward-master, referred to by Charles, and who attended him until near
his last moments,) as a finale to his own history, as given in his
diary.
JOEL SMEDLEY.
* * * * *
Having had some acquaintance with Charles Smedley--the writer of the
foregoing diary--for some time previous to his decease, at the request
of his father, I shall endeavor to give some account, from memory,
of the last days of his existence; also, a brief account of my own
experience while in the hands of the rebels, as their prisoner.
My name is Richard Dobbins, a native of western Missouri. I belonged
to Company H, 18th Regiment Iowa Volunteers--was taken prisoner at
the battle of Missionary Ridge, Nov. 25th, 1863--was sent to the
Libby prison, in Richmond, Va., where I remained a short time--Then
I was sent to Belle Island, where I suffered very much from cold and
starvation. I often thought of death, which stared me in the face
daily; though I was not worse off than the majority of the other
prisoners. I remained there until the 16th of March, 1864, when I was
sent with others to Andersonville, in Georgia, where I suffered very
much; not so much from starvation as on the island, but from the rain
and cold; also from smoke, from the burning of pine wood. We were of
course thinly clad, some destitute of blankets, some of shoes, some
of pants, while others had scarcely any clothes on them. The majority
of us had been searched and robbed of all our good clothing, money,
watches, boots, &c. It seemed as though we could expect nothing but
death to relieve us from our sufferings. Over twelve thousand of the
prisoners died at Andersonville.
On the 8th of September, I, with others, was sent from there, and in
due time arrived at Savannah. From thence we were moved to Charleston,
South Carolina, where the rebels made a kind of military display of us,
by marching us through the city, and putting us in the prison, near the
officers who were under the fire of our own guns.
We remained there only one day and night, and then were marched to the
rear of the city on the race-course track, where we staid but a short
time; then I was sent to Florence, South Carolina. Shortly after I
arrived there, I was taken out on "parole of honor," and sent to the
Federal hospital by the rebel surgeons, as master of one of the wards
there.
It was there I became acquainted with Corporal Charles Smedley, of
Company G, Ninetieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, (although I had
frequently seen him at sick call, while at Andersonville, but did not
make his acquaintance,) who was a patient in my ward.
A little incident occurred there that manifested his kind and generous
disposition, which attracted my attention, and caused me to feel a deep
interest in his welfare. I had prepared some food for him, the best
I could get, and took it to him. He immediately gave it all to David
Close, (who was a fellow prisoner with him, and very sick,) saying,
"you need it worse than I."
When he first came to the hospital, he complained of chronic
diarrhoea and dysentery. After a few days the dysentery left him,
though he was very weak. He kindly waited on David Close, and seemed
willing to do all he could for him, as he considered Close worse than
himself. I think he hurt himself by over exertion. He waited on Close
all he could, until he died, which appears to have occurred on the
morning of the 18th of October.
A few days after the death of David Close, the hospital was moved
inside of the stockade, to the North-west corner. Charles, with others,
walked in. In the evening Charles came over to the hospital. We told
him he had better get his things, and come back to the hospital and
stay, which he did. Shortly after he came, his hands became very sore,
apparently from a dropsical affection, and were bandaged up.
His walk, from the hospital to the inside of the stockade, appeared to
have been too much for his strength. From that day he became worse,
though he was able to walk about, almost every day, until the day
before he died.
He gave me his watch some time before, saying, "he might drop off any
time," and requested me, if it should so happen, to take it home to
his father, and tell him all, which I promised him I would do, if it
was possible. He seemed cheerful, and manifested no fears of death.
In fact, he always appeared cheerful and in good spirits, and seemed
confident that he would get home again. He certainly had a very hard
and trying time while in prison, but was seldom heard to complain or
find fault. _He was a good soldier and a true patriot._
He died on the night of the 16th of November, 1864. He was washed,
shaved, and clean clothes put on him, but no coffin was provided for
him. His body was wrapped in a sheet and buried in the burial ground,
a short distance north of north-west of the stockade. The number of
his grave was probably recorded at the rebel headquarters, as is their
custom, but I do not know the number. I tried to get the number, but
could not, for reasons best known to the rebel officers.
After his death I secured his Bible, diary, a small book in which he
kept the photographs of his family, and a few little tools, with which
he used to while away the time in making bone rings, &c.; all of which,
with the watch, according to my promise, I have succeeded in delivering
to his father.
I was paroled on the 29th of November, 1864, and sent from Florence,
South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia, where I was put on shipboard, and
brought, with many others, to Annapolis, Maryland, where I arrived on
the morning of the 5th of December, and immediately informed Charles
Smedley's father of his sad fate.
RICHARD DOBBINS,
Co. H, 17th Regiment Iowa Volunteers
FOOTNOTES:
[4] His little tent as described under date of "3d day, 5th mo. 24th."
[5] The term street must be applied to the road in the centre of the
stockade. It cannot possibly be a street in the town.
[6] By the term "raiders," the writer designates a set of thieves and
cut-throats among the prisoners, who made a practice of robbing newly
arrived Union soldiers.
MARCH TO AND BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
SIXTH AND SEVENTH MONTHS, 1863.
On the march into Maryland, _5th day, 6th mo. 25th, 1863_, were called
in from picket about nine o'clock; went to the old camp, and joined,
or followed the division, which has been on the march for some time.
Should have remained on picket, as the column passed the right of the
picket line. Followed the road to Edward's Ferry, where we crossed on
one of the pontoons; went on, and passed through Poolsville, and then
on to Barnesville, where we encamped in a clump of thick, low pines,
on the north side of the town; had a difficult time getting into the
woods. It had been raining all day, and still continued; Jos. and I put
up Clay's tent, and took Chaplin in with us; we were almost "wringing
wet" from perspiration and rain. Had a hard march, and were almost worn
out.
_6th day, 6th mo. 26th._ Were called up at daylight by the Adjutant,
but did not get out until all the other regiments were off. We got
ready, and were off by five o'clock, and went on as fast as possible,
but did not catch up to the brigade until we had gone several miles.
All of our things were wet, which made our load heavy to carry. We
crossed the Monocacy river, went through Adamstown, and came to
Jeffersonville, where we took up our camp for the night. I gave out
about the middle of the day, and fell down; got a pass from the
Captain, signed by the Doctor, as I could not keep up, and took my
time; got to within a mile of Jeffersonville by the time the division
halted. Made some coffee, and went to a cherry tree and got some
cherries, which was the most I had to eat to-day. We put up our tent,
and went to a stack of straw and got an armful for our bed; took the
sergeant in with us. It rained some all night; our clothes were very
wet--could almost wring them.
_7th day, 6th mo. 27th._ The bugle sounded about four o'clock, we got
up about five, and were packed up by eight. Went to a house near by to
get water and wash; then went to a cherry tree and got some cherries.
Made some tea for breakfast. By half past eight were in line, and
started. Went through the town, and followed the road leading towards
Middletown. We made an easy march of it, a distance of eight miles. The
roads were hard, which made the marching good. We got to Middletown by
one o'clock, passed on through towards the mountains, and encamped.
We appear to be in a valley. All of the First and Twelfth Corps are
encamped around here. The country we have passed through the last two
days is of the best farming land.
_1st day, 6th mo. 28th._ Last night we got one day's rations of sugar,
coffee, crackers, beef and pork. The Adjutant said we would be likely
to move at three o'clock this morning. Had inspection of arms and
accoutrements about twelve; at one I was out on guard; about two the
bugle sounded to pack up, and at three the Corps was off. The guards
acted as rear guards. Took the Frederick City pike, and got within a
mile of the city by night, when the Corps encamped. The rear guard had
to go on guard on arriving.
_2d day, 6th mo. 29th._ The bugles began to sound the reveille about
three o'clock. The third relief went oh at four, when the bugle sounded
"pack up;" by five the Corps was off. The sergeant of the third relief
took charge of us, and we staid behind to get breakfast. I took three
hard-tacks and a piece of pork and ate them on post for my breakfast.
Our camp is in a meadow, with a fine run of water in it. We passed
over a very mountainous country yesterday, but very beautiful. The
marching was easy, on good pike; weather cloudy and misty. We soon
started, in charge of the sergeant, who had a few lines from the
officer of the day. When we came to the pike, we joined the middle of
the First Division, which was in the rear. After going one-fourth of
a mile, the road branched off, one leading towards Frederick City and
the other to Pennsylvania. We followed on, and caught up to the Second
Brigade by noon. Passed the Second and Fifth Maryland Battalions. Had
very muddy roads, the mist turning into rain at times. Followed a pike
leading towards Hagerstown; passed through as far as Cotocton Furnace,
halted half an hour, after going three or four miles past the furnace,
and ate our little dinner. After the half-hour was up the column
started. I joined the regiment, and kept with it past Mechanicstown,
when the roads were so muddy and wet I could no more than keep up. We
followed the pike, passing through Emmettsburg, amid the waving of
flags and handkerchiefs by the ladies. After going one-half a mile past
the town, we encamped in a field.
_3d day, 6th mo. 30th._ Slept pretty well--it rained some in the night.
Got up at five o'clock, and started at eight; went back through the
town, then across the Pennsylvania line, and halted and encamped. We
met the Eleventh Corps coming through Emmettsburg, going the road we
came. Just before we started, an old gentleman and lady came into camp,
bringing bread, butter, biscuits and doughnuts, and gave them to us,
saying, "poor fellows, we'll give you all we have, if you will drive
the rebels off, and hope you'll not get killed." As soon as we crossed
the line, we gave nine cheers. After stopping, we were told to put up
our tents. My feet are very sore and blistered.
_4th day, 7th mo. 1st._ Sergeant and I slept together, the other mate
was on guard. Got up at five. Had fresh beef for breakfast. The bugle
sounded "pack up," and about seven o'clock we started on the road
towards Gettysburg; at nine were within three miles of Gettysburg;
halted to rest; heard something like cannonading ahead. About the
middle of the day got to Gettysburg, and halted. There was pretty
sharp fighting to the left and ahead of us. We have halted in a piece
of woods; can see the firing plainly, and may soon be in it. After
stopping for half an hour, we advanced by the left of the town, and
halted a few minutes, then went on and formed in line of battle. I
threw away everything but a few envelopes and paper, which I put in
my note book. We first threw out skirmishers, and after manoeuvering
around for some time, got into the thickest of the fight. I could not
get my musket to work right, but fired something like twenty rounds.
After near an hour's hard fighting, we were compelled to fall back;
and, after manoeuvering, our brigade went up to the top of a hill
and supported a battery, which did good service. After near an hour,
were compelled to fall back to the town. The rebels had flanked us.
We lost a great many, the most when we fell back the first time. A
bullet grazed the right side of my neck, and another my right hip. We
retreated through the town in great confusion, and all the time the
rebels were shelling it, and some shooting from the houses. We got
into some kind of order after getting out of the town, and by sundown,
what was left of us, are in line of battle. Sent out skirmishers. When
we were first under fire, a piece of shell struck the ground between
Captain and I, throwing the sand in our faces. The whole number of
killed and wounded of the Ninetieth Regiment is near fifty--of our
company four or five wounded.
_5th day, 7th mo. 2d._ Slept last night behind the stacks, on two
rails, under my gum blanket. All was quiet. Captain gave me five
crackers and some coffee for my breakfast. There is some firing out
among the pickets, and skirmishing going on all the time. Several
other Corps came up yesterday and last night; we are stronger now. The
Eleventh, Twelfth and Third Corps are here, that I know of, besides
our own. Ours and the Eleventh appear to be the only forces engaged.
At twelve o'clock all was quiet. All the forenoon there was firing
among the skirmishers, and some artillery firing, and a great deal of
manoeuvering in the different parts of the army. Large numbers of the
enemy came over and gave themselves up, and we took some prisoners. The
great mistake yesterday was in not having reinforcements near at hand.
To-day we are very strong, but as yet nothing has been done. General
Reynolds was killed yesterday. About three o'clock the cannonading
opened on the left, and then all along the line. In less than an hour
the musketry opened on the left, and kept up a continued fire until
dark. We (the First Corps) were supporting batteries, in the centre,
for the first hour or so; then we were taken more to the right, where
most of the Corps seemed to be; here we were for more than an hour; we
lay close to the ground to get out of the way of shells. About seven
o'clock we were taken to near the extreme left, formed in line and
advanced some distance, then halted and sent out skirmishers, (twenty
from our Regiment.) By this time, except the artillery, all was quiet,
but occasional firing among the skirmishers. While laying here, I went
back with canteens to get water, and when I returned, found the Brigade
moving towards the right. We held our ground all day, and on the left,
where the fight was the hottest, we drove the enemy, taking a large
number of prisoners. Large numbers of dead and wounded lay all over
the field. One of our skirmishers came to a man with both legs shot
off, who gave him his watch, and offered him five dollars to shoot him.
Our Captain came across the rebel General Barksdale, who was mortally
wounded. We were put into different positions during the night, and at
last halted along a road running towards the south end of the town,
behind a stone fence.