PRISON LIFE DURING THE LAST YEAR OF THE WAR—SEARCHING THE
PRISONERS—STARVATION RATIONS—TRUE TO THE SOUTH—HOME AGAIN.
The following extract from a letter written by W. L. Ellis, Esq., conveys
a vivid picture of the treatment of prisoners by the Federals during the
last year of the war. Mr. Ellis was taken prisoner at Franklin.
“I surrendered to the Colonel of the Eighth Tennessee (U. S.)
Regiment, and for kindness shown me by him I shall always
feel very grateful. At midnight his command withdrew from the
breastworks and started for Nashville, I accompanying him.
We reached the hills near Nashville at daylight and halted
for breakfast, of which I partook—and keenly enjoyed—with the
Colonel. I remained with him till 5, P. M., Thursday, when,
with 60 other prisoners, I was sent into Nashville. When
our guards halted near the capitol, the prisoners asked for
water, which a kind lady offered to bring, but the officer in
charge refused permission. She was very indignant; but there
was no redress, and we could only thank her heartily for her
kind intentions. We were then escorted to the State prison
and locked up for the night. Here a bit of bread and meat was
handed us by a negro. At daylight we were put on a train for
Louisville, where we arrived late in the evening, and were
again locked up in prison, the negro guards giving each a
small piece of bread and meat. Saturday morning we crossed
the river and marched to the depot, where rations of baker’s
bread and ham were given us. After living on one meal a day,
this food was very acceptable to the hungry prisoners. We then
took the cars for Indianapolis, where we remained one hour. The
citizens would have treated us very kindly had it not been for
the officer in charge. It was here that a gentleman quietly
informed us that if we had any currency, to conceal it, for
we would be searched. His advice was, of course, taken by the
fortunate few who had a dollar. The train arrived at Chicago
about 1 o’clock Sunday morning, and we were ordered into line
and marched three miles through a heavy snow, and then put
into some old barracks, to remain without fire till the dawn
of day. It was intensely cold, and it seemed impossible to
keep from freezing. At daylight the prisoners were ordered
into line, marched to the prison-gates of Camp Douglas, halted
and ordered to ground and unstrap knapsacks. After searching
them thoroughly, and throwing out such articles as they chose,
they ordered us to partly undress, that they might search our
clothing for money. The search ended, we marched into the
enclosure and were allotted to barracks. Soon after, an orderly
came in and notified those without blankets to go with him to
the Captain’s office, and he would furnish them. Only three or
four, of whom I was one, went. While waiting at the office-door
my ears froze—it was so cold. I received a blanket and a pair
of shoes.
“On the second day after our arrival, they appointed one of
the prisoners ‘Sergeant of the Barracks,’ his duty being to
call the roll and see that all was kept in proper order. The
barracks were 18×48 feet, and to each were allotted 165 men.
The prison-yard was said to contain 25 acres, and there were
within the enclosure 59 barracks, 1 office and 1 sutler’s store.
“Our rations consisted of two-thirds of a loaf of baker’s
bread, weighing ten ounces, and eight ounces of fresh beef,
except on every tenth day, when we drew pork and beans. To
divide the beans—they were so few—we had to count them, and the
ration of pork amounted to almost nothing. The men suffered
so from hunger that a prisoner would break the ice, and wash
what we called an outfit—consisting of shirt, pants, drawers
and socks—dry, and fold them ready for use, for five cents,
with which he would buy a bit of bread. Prisoners from East
Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri could get money from home, and
fared sumptuously as compared with those of us who lived south
of the enemy’s line. They were not permitted to receive the
money, but were given sutler’s tickets, which could be used at
the store.
“I formed the acquaintance of two gentlemen, Messrs. Beel and
Black, from Kentucky, who insisted upon my messing with them,
and I fared much better than others, as my friends procured
supplies from the sutler. We remained together two or three
months, when, through the influence of friends, they were
removed into what we called the ‘loyal barracks.’ There were
hundreds of poor fellows who received nothing but their scanty
rations, which barely kept them alive—in fact, I believe some
died from starvation.
“The system of punishment was barbarous in the extreme. They
had a wooden horse, made similar to a carpenter’s saw-bench,
twenty or twenty-five feet long and ten or twelve feet high,
which they called a ‘Morgan mule.’ On this I have seen
prisoners, as many as could be crowded on, remain six and eight
hours in the cold and sleet. It appeared to me they would
freeze to death. Another punishment was to make the offending
prisoner stand in a bending position with his fingers in the
snow as long as they saw fit. In each barracks there was one
guard who appeared to have absolute authority to punish at will
the prisoners under his charge. The barracks in which I bunked
was more fortunate than many. Our guard was a gentlemanly
fellow from Memphis named Nelson; he never punished a prisoner
during my stay.
“Notwithstanding the treatment we received, we could not be
driven to take the oath, but remained loyal to the Confederacy,
having the utmost confidence in its triumph. The morning we
received the news of the surrender of Gen. Lee, Gen. Sweet, the
commandant of the prison, ordered us in line and left it to a
vote whether we would have the United States flag hoisted in
the prison yard; only two voted in favor of it. The guards were
very angry and told the prisoners they ought to remain there
always, but the flag was not hoisted. Soon after we received
the news of the surrender of the other Confederate armies, and
the work of paroling the prisoners was begun. I arrived home on
June 18, 1865.”
This evidence of Mr. Ellis is fully sustained by letters from Messrs.
John C. Hearn and James D. Rice; the latter writes: “We fared very badly;
the rations were very slim and the treatment was cruel indeed. I have
seen many old men crying for something to eat.” Mr. T. M. Boggan, who
was at Camp Chase writes: “I was treated very well only our rations were
rather short.”
In closing this brief sketch of the services of Co. K, the author wishes
to place on record that this has been a labor of love. There was not a
comrade for whom he had not the kindliest regard; there was scarcely one
to whom he was not indebted, during the three years, for some act showing
a reciprocal feeling. For any shortcomings in this history he asks their
lenient judgment, assuring each and every one that naught has been set
down, naught omitted in malice. God bless the survivors of Co. K! God
rest the souls of those whose ashes are scattered from the Lakes to the
Gulf!
THE END.
APPENDIX.
ROLL OF CO. K, FIRST ALABAMA REGIMENT, C. S. A.
_The following is a complete roll of Co. K, First Alabama Regiment, C. S.
A., with the highest rank attained, date of enlistment, County residence,
and situation at the close of the war of each man._
------------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+------------
NAMES. |RANK. |ENLISTED. |COUNTY |CLOSE OF
| | |RESIDENCE. |WAR.
------------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+------------
REMARKS.
------------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+------------
Adams, Jesse |Private |Feb., 1863 |Mobile |
Mg., July 14, 1863.
Adams, N. K. |2d Lieut. Jr.|Mar., 1862 |Montgomery |
Td. to C. S. N., July, 1864.
Alexander, J. L. |1st Sergeant |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner
Captured December 15, 1864.
Averheart, E. L. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded
Wd. July 28 and November 30, 1864.
Blaylock, O. M. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded
Wd. July 28, 1864.
Boggan, John |Private |Feb., 1863 |Wilcox |Ab. Sick
Wd. July 28, 1864.
Boggan, T. M. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Wilcox |Ab. Prisoner
Wd. and Cap. December 15, 1864.
Boone, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |
Dd. June 29, 1863.
Bledsoe, G. R. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Coosa |
Td. to Eng. Corps, Jan., 1864.
Brown, A. P. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dd. Sept. 24, 1862.
Brown, E. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dd. Sept. 14, 1862.
Brown, C. W. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Wd. July 28, 1864. Kd. Nov. 30, 1864.
Byrd, J. H. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Dd. July 25, 1863.
Cameron, N. |Brvt. 1st |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
| Lieut. | | |
Kd. July 28, 1864.
Callens, R. H. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Butler |
Dd. Nov, 1863.
Clark, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 |Mobile |
Wd. May 10, 1863. Td. C. S. N., 1863.
Cook, J. N. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dd. July 7, 1862.
Day, W. W. |Private |May, 1864 |Dallas |Ab. Sick
Deno, M. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Mg. July 14, 1863.
Dennis, W. A. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dd. Oct. 10, 1862.
Douglass, Wm. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Td. to C. S. N., Mar. 9, 1864.
Dubose, Wm. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Pike |
Kd. July 28, 1864.
Durden, G. W. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded
Wd. July 28, 1864.
Durden, J. H. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Sick
Ellis, A. D. |Private |Feb., 1864 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner
Wd. June 19, 1864. Cap. Dec. 15, 1864.
Ellis, W. L. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner
Cap. Nov. 30, 1864.
Fay, Wm. H. |Sergeant |Mar, 1862 |Autauga |
Kd. Aug. 3, 1864.
Farmer, W. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Sick
Wd. Aug. 3, 1864.
Fergerson, J. A. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Coosa |
Kd. May 27, 1863.
Fralick, H. |Private |Sept., 1862|Autauga |
Td. March, 1864, to C. S. N.
Frank, John, Jr. |2d Lieut. Jr.|Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Kd. May 27, 1863.
Gibbons, G. W. |Private |May, 1864 |Autauga |Ab. Sick
Glenn, Simeon |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |
Dis. Oct. 21, 1864.
Golsan, P. G. |2d Lieut. Jr.|Feb., 1863 |Autauga |
Kd. July 28, 1864.
Gorman, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Mg. July 22, 1864.
Gresham, A. F. |Private |June, 1864 |Escambia |
Dd. 1864.
Griffin, J. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Randolph |Present
Hall, D. S. |2d Lieut. |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Resigned Dec., 1862.
Hancock, M. M. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dis. 1862.
Haley, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Mg. July 14, 1863.
Hamilton, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Mg. July 22, 1864.
Hearn, E. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded
Accidentally Wd. Nov. 29, 1864.
Hearn, G. W. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner
Cap. Oct. 5, 1864.
Hearn, J. C. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner
Wd. July 28, 1864. Cap. Nov. 30, 1864.
Hern, M. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Mg. July 14, 1863.
Herndon, J. W. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Died July, 1863.
Hays, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Wd. May 27, 1863. Dd. Feb., 1864.
Holt, D. E. |Private |May, 1864 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded
Wd. Aug. 12, 1864.
Holston, J. G. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dd. July 6, 1863.
Hurd, Joseph |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Sick
Hutchinson, W. H. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Td. to Cavalry.
Hunt, G. W. |Private |May, 1864 |Autauga |Ab. Sick
Jenkins, E. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Pike |
Td. to C. S. N., Mar., 1864.
Killough, J. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Present
Kirkpatrick, R. H.|Private |Sept., 1863|Butler |Ab. Sick
Kirkpatrick, V. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Butler |Ab. Sick
Lamar, M. D. |Sergeant |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded
Wd. July 28, 1864.
Leysath, E. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Butler |Ab. Wounded
Wd. July 28, 1864.
Lewis, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Montgomery |Ab. Sick
Landers, N. |Private |June, 1864 | |Ab. Sick
Martin, G. F. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |Present
Wd. Aug., 1864.
May, J. W. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Kd. Nov. 30, 1864.
Merritt, A. J. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dd. May 14, 1862.
Merritt, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Mg. July 14, 1863.
Mills, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Dd. July 5, 1863.
McCarty, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Kd. June 23d, 1863.
McDonald, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Dd. July, 1863.
Moncrief, C. J. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dd. June, 1862.
Moncrief, Wm. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Sick
Owens, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |
Kd. July 28, 1864.
Pratt, M. E. |1st Lieut. |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Paroled
Wd. May 28, 1863.
Robinson, J. L. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dis. April 1, 1862.
Robinson, Junius |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Present
Roe, T. J. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dd. May 9, 1862.
Rogers, J. C. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dis. 1864.
Royals, C. H. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded
Wd. Nov. 30, 1864.
Royals, G. H. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Sick
Royals, J. M. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dis. 1862.
Rice, J. D. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner
Wd. July 4, 1864. Cap. Dec. 15, 1864.
Scott, B. L. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |
Dis. Oct. 21, 1864.
Scott, C. H. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |
Dd. July 3, 1863.
Sears, E. T. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dis. Sept., 1864.
Shaver, J. H. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Conecuh |
Wd. July 28, 1864. Dd.
Simpson, J. L. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Butler |Ab. Wounded
Wd. July 28, 1864.
Shoals, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Montgomery |
Mg. July 14, 1863.
Schein, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Mg. July 14, 1863.
Smith, D. P. |2d Lieut. Jr.|Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded
Wd. Nov. 30, 1864.
Smith, M. A. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dis. Mar. 25, 1862.
Smith, J. F. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dd. May 15, 1862.
Smith, Henry |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
M. Wd. May 27, 1863. Dd. July 10.
Smyth, A. C. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Butler |
M. Wd. July 28, 1864. Dd. Aug. 14.
Stuart, J. J. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Wilcox |
M. Wd. July 28, 1864. Dd. Aug.
Tarleton, M. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Lowndes |
Dd. March 12, 1863.
Tarleton, John |Private |Mar., 1862 |Lowndes |
Dd. July, 1863.
Thompson, A. J. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
M. Wd. July 28, 1864. Dd. Aug.
Tharp, J. P. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Mg. July 21, 1864.
Trammell, W. M. |Private |June, 1864 |Tallapoosa |
Dd. 1864.
Tunnell, John S. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Present
Wd. July 28, 1864.
Tunnell, Josiah |Corporal |Mar, 1862 |Autauga |Present
Wd. May 28, 1863, and Nov. 30, 1864.
Tuttle, C. E. |2d Lieut. |Mar., 1862 |Montgomery |Ab. Prisoner
Vaughn, W. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |Ab. Sick
Ward, Isaac |Private |June, 1864 |Montgomery |Ab. Sick
White, A. J. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |
Dd. July 25, 1863.
Whitfield, J. F. |Captain |Mar., 1862 |Montgomery |Ab. Prisoner
Williamson, J. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded
Wd. June, 1863, and July 28, 1864.
Wilkins, F. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |
Dis. 1864.
Wilson, T. A. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |Ab. Sick
Winslett, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 | |
Kd. May 27, 1863.
------------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+------------
_EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS._
Kd.—Killed.
Dd.—Died.
Wd.—Wounded.
M. Wd.—Mortally Wounded.
Mg.—Missing—fate unknown.
Dis.—Discharged for disability.
Cap.—Captured.
Ab.—Absent.
Td.—Transferred.
_ROLL OF CO. K._
The following is a summary of the roll of Co. K:—
Total enlisted and commissioned from March 1st to close of war 108
Killed and mortally wounded 15
Died of disease 23
Missing, fate unknown 10
Transferred to other service 7
Discharged and resigned 10-- 65
--
Remaining on Roll at close of war 43
Absent, wounded 11
Absent, sick 16
Absent, prisoners of war 9
Absent on parole 1-- 37
--
Present for duty April 27, 1865 6
Number of men wounded once during the war 24
Wounded twice 3
Wounded and afterwards killed 1
--
Total wounded 28
Residence, from Autauga 61
Butler 6
Conecuh 1
Coosa 2
Dallas 1
Escambia 1
Lowndes 2
Mobile 2
Montgomery 6
Pike 2
Randolph 1
Tallapoosa 1
Wilcox 3
Unknown 19-- 108
INDEX.
_INTRODUCTORY_ 3
_CHAPTER I.—Organization of the John Gill Shorter
Artillery—Change of Destination—At Island 10—Roll of Company
K—Mysteries of the Cuisine—A Shameful Waste_ 5
_CHAPTER II.—Bombardment and Capture of Island No. 10—The
Batteries—At Rucker’s Battery—Canal Cutting—A Night
Attack—Running the Gauntlet—An Unfinished Meal—The Attempted
Evacuation—Retreat to Tiptonville—Mackall’s Order—The
Surrender—Across Reel-Foot River_ 10
_CHAPTER III.—Prison Life in 1862—In the Mud—Bivouac at
New Madrid—A Friendly Irishman—At Camp Butler—Scant Water
Supply—Escape of Prisoners—An Astonished Sentinel—Playing
Guard—Lost on the Prairie—A Prisoner Shot—Health of the
Camp—Mortality Statistics—Curious Phenomena—Death Visits
the Company—Col. Fundy in Command—Practical Jokes—Trinket
Making—News from Comrades—Homeward Bound—Arrival in Dixie_ 20
_CHAPTER IV.—Capt. Isbell and his Battalion—Arrival at Port
Hudson—Battle of Corinth—The Reunited Regiment—Port Hudson—Land
Defences—Red River Supplies_ 37
_CHAPTER V.—Incidents in the Winter of 1862-3—An Unexpected
Salute—A Parrott for Co. K—Whitfield’s Legion—Farragut’s
Fleet—Running the Batteries—The Midnight Battle—A Crippled
Fleet—Burning of the “Mississippi”—Comparative Losses—The Land
Attack—Incidents in April, 1863—A Sabbath Morning at Troth’s
Landing—Close Quarters—Skirmishing_ 44
_CHAPTER VI.—Siege and Surrender of Port Hudson—The
Investment—Skirmishing—The First Grand Assault—Assailed and
Assailants—Doubly Armed—Lieut. Pratt at Battery 11—The “Essex”
driven off—Lieut. Adams Elected—Artillery Practice—Assault
of June 14th—Effect of Buck and Ball—Banks’ Inhumanity—Lead
for Water—A Gallant Corporal—Battery 11 Silenced—Gallant
Schurmer’s Death—The Sunken Battery—Mule and Peas—The
Fall of Vicksburg—Unconditional Surrender—Gen. Gardner’s
Sword—Casualties of the First_ 60
_CHAPTER VII.—Experiences of Paroled Prisoners of War—A
Disorganized Regiment—A Handsome Turnout—Close Quarters—A
Faithful Servant—Present, or Accounted for—In Camp at Meridian_
82
_CHAPTER VIII.—Return of Co. K to Active Duty—Arrival
at Mobile—A Flooded Camp—Short of Ammunition—At Fort
Gaines—Fishermen’s Spoils—Going to School—A Spy in Camp—In
North Georgia_ 89
_CHAPTER IX.—In North Georgia with Johnston and Hood—Retreat to
Kennesaw—A Gallant Deed—Hood’s New Policy—Defending Atlanta—The
Valley of Death—The Gallant First—Fate of the Wounded—Death
of Sergt. Fay—Electing a Lieutenant—Evacuation of Atlanta—At
Lovejoy’s Station_ 97
_CHAPTER X.—Hood’s Raids on Sherman’s Railroad
Communications—Finding Lost Mountain—Hold the Fort—Tearing up
Railroads—In Alabama—A Dismal Night—Review of the Army—Foraging
in Tennessee—Catching Mud Larks_ 108
_CHAPTER XI.—Gen. Hood’s Disastrous Campaign in Tennessee—The
Fatal Mistake—Before Franklin—Schofield’s Stronghold—Eating his
Last Rations—The Battle of Franklin—The Rebel Yell—Terrific
Musketry—Locked Bayonets—One-third Hood’s Army Lost—Co. K Wiped
Out—Losses of the “First”—Faithful until Death—The Retreat from
Tennessee—The Last Roll Call_ 117
_CHAPTER XII.—Prison Life during the Last Year of the
War—Searching the Prisoners—Starvation Rations—True to the
South—Home Again_ 131
_APPENDIX_ 137