The Hamilton Family

Prisoner of War

Lt. William Bruce Hamilton was born in Paisley, Scotland, Sept. 23, 1831 (maybe 1832). He is the great-great uncle of B.J. Neuenfeldt.

William’s Civil War Diary: A 3" by 5" black leather journal with pages sewn in. Lined pages and cardboard end papers - in very fragile condition at this transcribing. Property of B.J. Neuenfeldt.

September 1st, 1863, Nashville, Tenn. Busy with muster rolls, expect to be paid soon. Very warm weather. Yerks of Co B died the other day and body sent home.

September 4th: Orders to be in readiness to march at 8 1/2 A.M. tomorrow Am on guard at Chattanooga Depot.

September 5th: Relieved at 8 a.m. Left city at 9 1/2 a.m. got to Murfreesboro at night.

September 6th: Camped at night on 7-mile Island at Bridgeport. Saw Howgate at Cowan Station.

Sept. 8th: Bridgeport train still on Island. Beautiful scenery. Howgate with Signal Corp passed through on way to General Rosenrand"s headquarters said to be in Chattanooga. Busy with Roberson getting the Company books written up. Have a long letter to wife.

September 12th: Read orders to march towards Chattanooga at daybreak tomorrow with 3 days rations, blanket and shelter tent.

September 13th: Find ourselves pitching tents at Rossville, 5 miles south of Chattanooga after a very fatiguing march through a rocky and mountainous country. Arrived yesterday.

Sept 17th - Thursday: Marched at 4 a.m. with 78th Illinois and 89th Ohio and a battery under Gen. Stradman, to Ringgold. Exchanged shots with the enemy. Fell back to the Chicamauga River. Enemy threw shells at our camp at 10 P.M.

18th - Friday: Reached Rossville at noon. quite tired and hungry. Enemy followed us up to the pickets. 22nd slept in camp without disturbance.

19th - Saturday: Fighting in front. Took position on extreme left. Came under fire about 2 p.m. shells and musketry. Slept on arms, very cold. Corp Ballard made narrow escape. Heavy firing on our right all day.

Sept 20th - Sunday: At 9 a.m. ordered to reinforce Gen. Thomas; at 1 1/2 p.m.- came under fire. Offered to General Preston. Lost heavily and were taken prisoners.

23rd - Wednesday: Left Dalton at 6 a.m. and reached Atlanta 5 p.m. Have suffered a great deal from hunger, thirst and fatigue during the past three days. Haven't taken a birthday jaunt on the cars! Wretched camp.

24th - Thursday: Put into a barracks. The men were robbed of their blankets and pocketknives. Some two or three thousand prisoners here.

Sept 25th - Friday: Reach Augusta, Georgia, & stay in a beautiful churchyard.

26th - Saturday: Crossed the Savannah River. These everlasting slow cars! Poor country. Pine barrens, S.C. Reach Branchville. 60 miles from Charleston.

27th - Sunday: Pass through Columbia at 9 a.m. Chase after runaway negro.

28th - Monday: Arrived at Charlotte 6 1/2 a.m. Leave at 2 1/2 p.m. Short rations.

29th - Tuesday: Arrive at Raleigh N.C. at 2 1/2 p.m. Young ladies visit us en masse. At 10 p.m. leave for Richmond in passenger cars. Comfortable. Libby Prison

Sept. 30th - Wednesday: At Weldon 8 1/2 a.m. Change cars for Petersburg. Petersburg 4 p.m. Enter Libby Prison, Richmond at 8 p.m.

October 1st - Thursday: First day in Prison. Goes rather tough. Soup and rye coffee and small ration of bread.

4th - Sunday: Heard a good sermon from Rev. 4-3. Have been installed cook for mess 13. Wrote to wife and sister Meg. Found H.V. Knight, an old classmate, now Lieutenant in 20th regiment Mich. infantry. Jovial meeting.

Oct. 7th - Wednesday: Chaplains released. Rumors of exchange. High hopes. Room measures 50 by 120 feet. 208 men.

11th - Sunday: 40 Surgeons brought from Depot of Cumberland. Among them Dr. Elliot of Lexington Armory.

12th - Monday: General Neal Dow came in today from Mobile. Gave us a temperance lecture? Pennsylvania and Ohio officers have an election. Negro concert in the evening. Lice are beginning to be troublesome. Feel very anxious that wife and friends should hear from me.

Oct. 25th - Sunday: Libby Prison. Indignation meeting upon Dr. Griswold of the 13th Mich. Writing to Turner in sympathetic style for a blanket. Dow, Henry, and White make speeches. 2 officers escape from hospital. Exchange is played out.

Oct 31st - Got some clothing from Sanitary Com. for which I contributed $10.00 to be paid on my release. Great luxury to have clean clothing free from lice.

Nov. 13th - Friday: Bread riot in Richmond among the women. Men sent to Danville, chaplains report in city papers. Boxes and rumors of exchange.

Nov. 21st - Saturday: Supplies come from the north today. chiefly from Baltimore. Rations have lately been very insufficient. Cornbread and tainted corned beef and little of that.

Nov. 24th - Tuesday: Surgeons departed. Major White went in place of a surgeon who was sick. Stoves brought into the rooms and fires put in.

Nov. 25th - Wednesday: Major White brought back, having been overtaken at City point. Is put into a cell.

26th: News of victory of Chattanooga.

December 1st - Tuesday: Ice on canal. Rumors of a fight between Lee and Mead. Prisoners brought in. Negro question seems to block up all prospect of exchange. Ten dollars confederate script paid for one dollar U.S.

Dec. 13th - Tuesday: An attempt to escape on the part of some roommates failed last night on account of some noise.

Dec. 20th - Sunday: Rumors of exchange seem to increase. Very cold weather.

Dec. 22nd - Tuesday: Capts. Litchfield, Chase and Kendall sent to penitentiary in retaliation.

Dec. 24th - Thursday: Libby Minstrels perform according to printed program. Entertainment very good.

Dec. 25th - Friday: Maj. White sent to Salisbury.

Dec. 31st - Thursday: Of late we have had churning rumors of exchange, but now all our hopes seem dashed by the appointment of Gen. Butler, with whom the rebs refuse to treat. Have read some good books - Uphaus, Mental Philosophy, Whatley, Logic Old Mortality & John Halifax. Am suffering for want of blankets - cold is quite severe. Got an overcoat from Sam Leome. What a place to celebrate New Years!

Libby Prison, Jan 1, 1864: Very Cold. wear overcoat all the time. Suffer much at nights. Wrote to sister Janet today, and yesterday wife. Dance in dining hall tonight.

Jan. 8th: Snow on ground & very cold. Heard sleigh bells. There have been varying rumors of exchange - stock very fluctuating. John H. Morgan in town.

Jan. 9th: Morgan visited prison in afternoon acc. by Gen. A.T. Hill. Morgan a pleasant looking man with heavy mustache, light complexion. Is tall and well proportioned. Hill below medium size, thin and sparse, not of striking appearance, but seems very self-possessed. Officers behaved very well. A Reb Col. Moore, of 5th Va. Cav. this forenoon was greeted with shouts of - " Here's your mule", "Give him air", " Don't act like a pack of fools", "Look out for your green backs", " Keep your hand on your pocketbook", "Fresh fish", "Give him some cornbread", etc., etc. Exchange news dull & weather very cold. How the men must suffer on Belle Island.

Jan. 10th - Sunday, 1864: Coldest of the season. Great indignation against Col. Sanderson for ill treatment of our men on Belle Island. A Major visited the island yesterday & reported three frozen to death day before. Preacher in today.

Jan. 11th: Listened to temperance lecture by Gen. Neal Dow. He tells a good story but is no orator.

Jan. 14th: Butler must be recognized to Learn of Exchange. Gloomy prospects

Jan 19th: No meat issued for today. Everything dull.

Jan. 22nd: News from Belle Island today. Men are suffering from insufficient rations. Lt. Bessienx , Confed. in charge does all he can for them & is well liked, deserves to be remembered. Door into West Rooms nailed up.

Jan. 23rd: Three men shot on Belle Island in an attempt to escape. They are desperate from hunger. Confed. Congressman visited us today to report our treatment. Couldn't see how we could live on such rations - small piece of cornbread & one quill of rice per day.

Jan 26th - 1864: Rumors of removal to the South. Men on Belle Island said to have killed and eaten a dog. Have no meat issued to them for 12 days. Get a soup made of a bucket of hot water to one quart of boiled rice. Dread the prospect of staying here all spring and summer.

Jan 29th: Col. Powell and Capts. Stanton and Garrett go north on parole. Maj. McDonald gets counted twice.

Jan 30th: Several roll calls. Supposed escapes.

Jan 31st, 1864: More roll calls. Several have escaped. Maj. Bates recaptured three miles below Bottom's Bridge. Put in cell. Went out by daylight yesterday saluting the guards as he passed.

Feb. 1st: Officers restricted to one letter of six lines per week. A. Knaggs and Jones not admitted below on duty anymore. No meat.

Feb. 5th: Cuppers and others brought back. Turnips issued and good ration of meat.

Feb 7th, Sunday 1864: Our forces reported to be at Bottom's Bridge. Great alarm in city. Militia and Jackass Batteries rushed past prison to the works. No talk of exchange.

Feb 9th: Today the perishable contents of several boxes were issued. No boxes have been issued for about six weeks. Attempt to escape found unsuccessful.

Feb. 10th: 109 officers found missing today at roll call. Guard put under arrest and searched. Minute examination of exterior of prison: a tunnel discovered opening into a yard some 50 feet from the wall. Col. Rose, the leader of the plot. Col. Straight is also gone.

Feb. 16th: About 55 officers have been recaptured up to this date, the rest supposed to be within our lines. Rebel papers report double rations of bread issued when we have no meat. A falsehood until today. Some turnips and cabbages today.

Feb 18th: General Scammon arrived. Very cold. River nearly frozen over.

Feb. 21st, 1864: No meat for some days. Beans (maggoty) instead.

Feb. 27th: Ordered into kitchen at 7 1/4 a.m. and kept there without breakfast until noon whilst a search was made for weapons and tools. Some articles of value were taken off. Col Le Farver and Pendleton called on General Winder. No exchange feasible at present. Boat load of boxes. Warm spring weather.

Mar. 1, 1864: Rumors of an advance upon Richmond by our forces. Evidences of great alarm in city: troops passing, cars running and alarm bells ringing. Standing near windows prohibited. Reb defector shot at Castle Thunder by mistake by one of the guards for standing at the window.

Mar. 2nd: Kilpatrick close to city. Some of our Calvary captured. Col. Alger among them. Powder said by a preacher to be placed to blow us up and prevent a rescue. Diabolical. More firing at windows.

Mar. 4th: Rumors of fighting at Bottom's Bridge. Lt. Saint Harris, 5th Mich Calvary, brought to hospital, wounded in shoulder. Was taken in a charge of twenty against 900. Says they came into suburbs and took 14 Reb officers in a house of ill fame.

Mar. 6th: Exchange! Exchange!!! 800 men and 62 officers at City Point for exchange. Rumor is crazy today. Yesterday Lt. Mc Borden was shot in the ear (not severely) by a guard without notice for being at window.

Mar 7th: 600 men and 42 officers go off, among them Col. Le Favour. Great Jubilation among the prisoners.

Mar. 10th: Exchange stock rather down. Some of our men sent to Merickus Ga. A Burlesque at the Lycium.

Mar. 14th: Exchange all right: 40 officers and 600 men sent north today. Gen. Dove and Capts. Sawyer and Flynn, of retaliation notoriety are among them. When will my turn come?

Mar. 17th: Mock suit: breach of promise and bastardy. Cold weather.

Mar 20th, 1864 - Sunday: Just six months since capture. What a blank in my life. Have read a good deal, but don't remember. There is such an everlasting hubbub here. Heard from wife two days ago; Feel very anxious. Wrote to her today, God grant I may see her soon. Sixty rebel officers and eleven hundred men at City Point.

Mar 21st - Monday: sixty-three officers left today. I wrote to Father. We are again allowed to write a whole page. Feel restless and uneasy and the days seem longer than ever.

Mar. 22nd 1864: Gen. Grant is now in supreme command and arrangements are being made for the spring campaign on a grand scale. Another call for 200,000 men. This will place the army on an independent footing. Reb papers express anxiety to get their men from the north to prevent taking the oath. Prospects of a continuation of exchange seem good. Had some talk with Reb officer yesterday. He was just from the North - Said they were well treated. Said it cost him $30 per day here for hotel.

Mar. 23rd - Wednesday: Snowed yesterday and last night. This morning there is about four inches on the ground. Letters today from officers on Flag of Truce boat. Cheering prospect of exchange, which is the all-engrossing topic here. Major Norris’s' proposes to Maj. Mulford to send 10,000 prisoners north within two weeks. Lt. Col Pfister thinks Libby will be empty within that time. Learned from a northern paper that the 54th Va. the regt. to which we surrendered was taken at Mission Ridge. Were gratefully remembered by 3rd Ohio.

Mar 24th - Thursday: Bright day but cool. The snow is nearly all gone. Have felt rather dumpish from the results of a severe cold accompanied with cough. Can't settle to anything - mind is all absorbed of prospect of freedom. Papers state that 1000 sick are to be brought upon next boat. Boxes are being issued quite freely. Buttore got a fine one day before yesterday.

Mar. 25th - Friday 1864: Dull & gloomy day; Rain towards night. No rumors of any consequence but all seem to have settled into a quiet confidence that we will soon be released. A disappointment now. would be a Serious matter.

Mar 26th - Saturday: Weather is still somewhat cold. No news of interest. Mail delivered today; no letters for me: feel quite anxious to hear from Sara. Some letters from paroled officers give promise of an early release for all.

Mar. 27th Sunday: No boat signaled; officers feel a little doubtful about exchange. Heard a very good sermon by Rev. Dr. Somebody. An old man dressed in homespun brought in from East Tennessee yesterday. Gives a deplorable account of the people and the pack held by Longstreet. Is confident that we can and will hold Knoxville. Longstreet has taken all the horses, mules, sheep, cattle and grain.

Mar 28th - Monday: No boat up yet. Wonder what is meant. Hope it is only some delay in getting prisoners ready. Rebel Col and Latouche assure us it is alright. Wrote to Sara today. A man was shot over in the privates’ quarters for showing his head at the window, by the same man who shot at captain and wounded him.

Mar. 29th Tuesday: Considerable rain fallen. River rising. Cough very troublesome. Nothing further on exchange.

Mar 30th - Wednesday: Papers state that our gov't has determined that delivery of prisoners shall progress no further 'til a definite settlement is reached. I fear this means a longer stay here for us than we were anticipating. There is a rumor that exchange is agreed on. River quite high. Spalding got a box.

Mar 31st - Thursday: Dull, disagreeable weather. River very high flooding the flats and reaching to the second story of some of the houses. Nothing of any importance today. Ould and Hatch are gone to Fort Monroe to meet Butler. Hope they will speedily agree. Have been reading "Lucille" a very fine poem by Owen Meridith. A son of E. Bulwer Lytton. Am still barking with a cough.

April 1, Friday: Finished "Lucille".  To say that it interested me must be quite a compliment, for ordinary reading has but little attraction for me at present.   My poor dear wife - How I long to see her!  I can think of little else but getting out of this place.  The river has fallen five or six feet. During this week a few boxes have been delivered daily.

April 3rd - Sunday: Ould is said to have returned from a conference with Butler, without coming to any agreement on exchange. Don't really believe the report, yet all seem to feel that our chance for getting out is diminished, are somewhat blue in consequence.  Wrote two letters: one to wife and one to Maggie. Weather very dull and cloudy.  

April 4th - Monday: Hallejah!!  The paper announces that Com. Ould has returned and that all difficulties in the way of exchange have been overcome.  And that Libby will be empty within a month.  General Jubilation!

April 6th - Wednesday: A boatload of prisoners are expected to go tomorrow.  There has been a very heavy fall of rain, and the river is rising rapidly.  Weather is now clear and pleasant.

April 7th - Thursday: No boat up yet, but papers state that a boat will go down tomorrow. River has fallen three or four feet today.  Weather warm and pleasant.  Boxes delivered.  Have been studying Battalion Drill for some days past.  Feel quite normal in consequence of cold and cough.  Grass begins to show green on opposite bank of river. 

April 8, Friday: No prisoners gone today - don't understand it.  Rumors are rather adverse to exchange but I see nothing very discouraging. Surg. doctor of the 75th Illinois came in today. He reports terrible suffering among our men in Andersonville, Ga. Among the 7,300 there are only about 200 shirts and 300 blankets. The men being robbed or obliged to sell them for food. They have no shelter whatever and are dying at the rate of 150 per week.  He saw 21 corpses laid in a row - all had died in one day.

April 9th - Saturday: Exchange stock is somewhat depressed, but there is still ground for hope.  Rain nearly all day, which is said to account for the delay in sending off the sick prisoners.  Am still unwell from the effect of a cold - it seems to be settling into my throat.  Oh if I could only get home for a short time!   Even a letter from home would be a great comfort just now.  The last boat is said to have brought safe a mail and fifteen tons of freight. 

April 10th - Sunday: Dull and gloomy day and much rain falling.  The river is higher than we have seen it before, nearly reaching the canal.  Two steamers are anchored in front of prison.  Exchange has been dull all day;  no rumors.  Hope tomorrow will throw some light on the matter.  Limony was sent down to cell for "sassing" the doctor.

April 11th - Monday: The papers contain some extracts from Northern papers confirming the report that an agreement has been effected on the exchange question. Delivery of prisoners is said to be delayed by a storm on the coast and rise of the river.  The basement of this building is particularly flooded.  Limony released from cell.  A few boxes delivered.  Wrote a letter to wife.  My cold is a little better.  Finished Tactics.

April 12th - Tuesday: Anniversary of the opening of the war; has been marked in a very sad way.   Lieut. Forsyth of 100 Ohio was shot today by the guard.  The relief was drawn up in front, loading when one of the pieces was discharged accidentally.  Forsyth was shot through the head and Lieut. Kelly was injured in the neck.  Col. Fry, Confed, was here just from the North; says exchange is all right.  River is back in the old channel.  Hope to go soon.  Learning German.

April 16th - Saturday: Not much of importance for several days.  On 13th a meeting was held and sympathetic resolutions passed to be sent to Lt. Forsyth's friends. Departure of sick Privates took place today at length.  Invalid officers not gone yet.  Expect to go next week.  There are some indications that we will be out by the 25th. My health is a little better.  Got some cough medicine from surgeon yesterday. Lice are getting more troublesome as warm weather comes on.  Weather variable.  Sunshine and rain.  Several seines are in operation constantly in the river and seem to take a good many fish.  Said to be done by gov't for use of the army as a substitute for meat.  Ed Andrews went to hospital yesterday. Two officers brought in, who were caught outside our lines on the Rapp., on very improper business.  Surgeon Iveton and another went to City Point with the sick to go North.  Active operations seem likely to commence soon.

April 17th - Sunday: Pleasant weather yet somewhat cool, grass and willows look quite green.  Health some better today.  Rations of bread were reduced two weeks ago, nearly half, and no meat has been issued since the 23rd of March.   There is nothing new on the subject of exchange.

April 21st - Thursday: Letters today - one from Maggie and from cousin J.D. Ronald but none from my wife.  Feel very anxious indeed.  Exchange gloomy. 

April 24th - Sunday: Wrote to wife today. Weather very fine. No news on exchange. Some sick were said to be sent off from Danville. Some prisoners passing last night from Danville said that they had left 1200 men and 1000 graves there.

April 26th - Tuesday: Gen. Wessils and staff arrived from Plymouth, N.C. Rumors of boats up, but nothing certain. Wrote to sister Maggie yesterday.

April 30th - Saturday: Exchange a little brighter but not very encouraging. It moves so very slowly. A boat (The Express) came up last night with over 300 officers and men. This morning 34 officers left to go North. Among them Col. Rose. The weather is very pleasant, and the trips are fast assuming their summer gait.

May 1st - Sunday: Feel quite unwell - bad cold and cough accompanied with headache. Have been getting on very well with German.

May 3rd - Tuesday: President's Conf. says that exchange is on a very precarious basis and may at any time be interrupted. A day or two ago Com. Ould declared all prisoners paroled up to the 20th of April duly exchanged. Cool today. Hope to hear from home this week as a mail came up Saturday. I feel very anxious indeed about my poor Sara.

May 5th - Thursday: Rec'd two letters from wife which did me lots of good. She has been able to draw my pay for four months $323.77. Rumor is rife today of fighting on the Rapidion.

May 6th - Friday: Great commotion in city. Great battle going on between Lee and Grant. Conflicting rumors. Our forces have landed below Drury's Bluff, and fighting is going on there. 28 officers went out today for exchange, but some have been brought back. Trying time.

May 7th - Saturday: Were drummed out of bed at midnight and ordered to be prepared to go to Petersburg in an hour. Roll call till daybreak then were marched to Danville Depot and put in cars - crowded in like sheep in a pen. Our forces having cut the CPRR, the Rebs have to take us to Danville. Were on cars all day and night - very uncomfortable - the heat and want of air almost suffocated us. Lt. Barse 5th Mich. Calvary jumped from the car I was in after dark. He was fired on by guard 15 or 20 shots. Don't know whether they hit him or not. Reached Danville about three o’clock and were kept in cars till daybreak.

May 8th - Sunday: Find myself in a brick building with over 500 others. Are closely packed on three upper floors. Hope to be moved to a better building, which they say they are preparing for us. From the garret where I lodge we have a fine view of the village, the river Dan, and the hills. The news is quite exciting and is evidently not satisfactory to the Rebs. Five of their generals are killed or wounded -among the latter are Longstreet and Pickett. The water and sleeping here are very bad but they give fair rations - more corn bread than we can eat and a small piece of bacon above a dish of hotch-potch or soup per day.

May 10th - Tuesday: Still in the same building, called Prison No. one. Am feeling very well and think I can get along here possibly. Today saw two men from the 22nd; Sargt. Shorkey of Co. G and a man from Co. 3 Sargt. Looks well They say a great many of our men died during the winter of small pox. Heard a paper read; the news is not discouraging, though nothing very decisive has been done. Grant has passed the Rapidion in the face of the enemy and moved by the left to Fredricksburg thus securing a much better base of operating and also approached nearer Richmond. There is a statement in the paper that a general exchange will soon take place; but such statements have ceased to inspire any hope. Wrote to wife. Rumors are afloat that we will be removed to Ga for safe keeping in a day or two.

Macon, Georgia - May 18th - Wednesday: Yesterday finished a most painful and fatiguing journey from Danville to Macon. I think I have not on any previous occasion suffered as much. We left Danville on the 12th, about one thousand in number, were packed in box cars, 50 in a car. The railroad to Greensboro was not complete, so we had to march eight miles in the midst of the journey. It rained all morning, we got thoroughly drenched, the mud was deep and made very heavy marching. One of my boots is all open on one side - and many others are almost barefoot. Having crossed "The Isthmus " had to wait for a train and cooked some coffee which refreshed me much. Were "repacked" about midnight and reached Greensboro at daylight. From Danville to Greensboro is 48 miles. Pushed on without change of cars to Charlotte: 93 miles. Here disembarked and cooked some coffee. After dark were "repacked" in leaky cars , in a heavy rain. Suffered dreadfully ; my cough increased very much in consequence. This day (13th) some Union ladies visited us at our camp outside of Charlotte. We sang the Star spangled Banner, in full chorus. Some of the guards said politely that is sounded "Dogout Good"! On the 14th we were rushed through to Columbia. Changed cars about dark, then on and on to Augusta which we reached about 3 p.m. on the 15th. Met here the Plymouth Officers. Drew rations and stayed in cars overnight. Watched by some guards. On 16th were taken some ten miles out of town. Halted, rested, dried our clothes till four p.m. when engines came out and took on toward Macon which we reached about eight o'clock the morning of the 17th of May. Macon is on the Ocmulgee River, has about 15,000 population. fine country mostly clad with pine timber. We are confined in a stockade containing about three acres ground, good well and spring; two buildings - one a stable and not enough to shelter one third of us. They promised to give us lumber to build sheds. Major Turner is here and seems to have suddenly become very good natured and obliging.

Macon, Ga - May 25th - Wednesday: One week has passed away in the new prison. Have been quite unwell, am now much better. Button, Spalding and myself remain together in a mess, Robertson has stuck out for himself. Our mess has got a very good place in the old stable. Lumber has been furnished in limited quantities and partial sheds put up. Many still sleep under the blankets only. Yesterday morning Lient. Woods died. Captain Swartz is dangerously sick. The prisoners from the Potomac Army were brought in yesterday, are 100 in number. Among those are Seymour and Shaler. The war news from all points is very encouraging. Sherman seems to be knocking at the gates of Atlanta and Grant and Lee are having a foot race. [Several lines unintelligible due to fading pencil writing].

Macon Ga - May 29th - Sunday: The weather has been very pleasant so far, no extreme heat, & but little rain. My cough is much better, if I could only have a good bunk I think I would get well at once: sleeping on the damp ground is bad for a cough. We are getting a fair amount of rations. Indifferent cornbread, very good bacon, a little rice and some brown beans. Very small quantities of salt and soft soap. They say they give us 1/4 lbs. cornbread. We can see nothing of the country here. The stockade is too high. There is so little prospect of our letters going through that I feel quite indifferent about writing and have not yet written once. A few prisoners are brought in almost everyday. Their reports of the progress of our armies are very cheering. We think and talk of little else here, for all our hopes are based on the hopes of their success. We have quit looking for exchange and have fixed upon the close of the war for our release. God grant it may come soon. How anxious my poor wife must be!

Macon, Ga - June 5th, 1864 - Sunday: There is nothing new of importance to record in regard to our condition. the number of officers here has gradually increased to about 1200. Lumber is being brought for sheds and soon all will be sheltered. There is however a strong probability that we will soon be removed. The capture of Atlanta by Sherman will I think render it necessary. We get pretty fair rations and the fresh air and outdoor exercises, and our general health is rapidly improving. The weather is quite cool and pleasant with occasional showers. Sherman is within a few miles of Atlanta and rebel papers own the situation to be very critical. Grant is acknowledged to be within four or five miles of Richmond and to have gained a foothold in the fortifications within the last few days. Up to the first of June his loss seems to be about 30,000. Lee's about 25,000. Lee in addition has lost about 12,000 prisoners.

June 12th - Sunday: A few more officers have been added to our numbers from time to time during the week, mostly naval. Not much of interest from Grant and Johnston. The situation is about the same. On Friday the 10th, five Brig. Generals Wessells, Scarnion, Seymour, Shuler, and Hekman., with 11 Cols., 25 Lt. Cols. , 9 Majors were taken away, for what purpose is unknown. Exchange is spoken of but the "old fish" hoot at the idea and persistently refuse to be caught by any such bait. The Chaplains have got notice to be ready to leave at any moment. Last night a sad event took place. Capt. Larson 45th N.York , was shot by the guard and mortally wounded. I had just lain down when I heard the shot and then the cries of the poor man. He was several feet from the deadline and there could have been no justification for the deed. Wrote to my wife last week, wonder when I will again hear from her and home.

Macon, Ga. - Wednesday - 29th June, 1864: Have been negligent in writing, being quite busy studying German, at which I am making good progress having nearly finished Ollendorf's grammar. It is indeed a great relief to me to have this employment. All hope of exchange has gone by the board, at least till the campaign has ended. So, I am trying to content myself a little with my unfortunate circumstances. Providence will work all things together for good. On the 26th about 30 officers were brought in from the Potomac Army. All spoke in a very confident tone of Grant's prospects. About the same number were entered on the 20th from Sturgis's command being defeated by Forrest, in Mississippi. They tell a bad story, the old one of drunkenness and blundering mismanagement. On the 22nd in consequence of reports from Andersonville concerning the wretched sanitary condition of the enlisted men, a meeting of delegates from the different squads was held which drafted and sent in an application to the Conf. Govt. to allow four officers to go to Andersonville, inspect the conditions of the men and if facts would warrant it thence to proceed to Washington and urge upon our Govt. the necessity of amelioratory measures or speedy exchange. This movement and more especially the form of the application met with very strenuous opposition from many. The men are said to be without shelter and almost without clothing and a fearful mortality prevails among them; 40-50 are buried every day. Yesterday several more officers were brought in from Grant's army. They were taken at Petersburg. Grant's operations on the south side of the James seems to inspire the utmost confidence. We are all looking for very important development on or about the 4th of July.

Macon, Ga. - Sunday, July 10th, 1864: The 4th of July has passed, and we celebrated the day as well as circumstances would permit. The officers met in the large central building and sang patriotic songs and made speeches until the officers of the guard stopped us by order of Major Gibbs, Commander of the prison. No striking about has signalized the day in the East, but in the West we learn that Sherman hoisted the old flag on the summit of Kennesaw Mt. on that day. Today we record 119 more officers, some new captures, but mostly the dregs of Libby. They bring good news: Johnson has fallen back across the Chattahoochee followed by Sherman. Richmond has been cut off from communication with the South except by courier. We so long to hear decisive news from the front; all our future seems to depend on the success of our army. No prospect of exchange looms up to cheer us: all is gloomy ahead. Ed Spalding is now by bedmate. Button and Hall of the 13th, Mich. mess with us. Button sold his watch lately for $40 Conf. which we spend in buying beans and vegetables. The latter have become absolutely necessary for some symptoms of scurvy have broke out among us - quite bad on Spalding and slight on Hall and myself. We have had only one small mail here and now all communication is stopped. Oh! when will I hear from my poor Sara, or when will I see her again!

Macon, Ga. - July 27th, 1864 - Thursday: Nothing of great note here since last entry. A few have been added to our number from time to time, till now we number nearly 1600. Now our stay here is at an end and we are to be sent hence in a course of this week. The first division, to which I belong goes tonight - they are now calling the rolls. What further awaits us in this ordeal of suffering, God only knows. We expect to go to Charleston, SC. News of heavy fighting at Atlanta has reached us. Our removal is fair proof that the result has been unfavorable to our keepers. No prospect of exchange to cheer us; the matter is all swallowed up in the bustle of the campaign. I suffer very much from want of communication with my loved ones at home. This hopeless, aimless existence is hard to bare. I don't know what I should do without German to study.

Charleston, S.C. - 9 a.m. - July 29th - Saturday: Have just been turned into the jail yard of the “beleaguered city" in company with about 520 of my fellow prisoners all that remain of the 600 that left Macon the day before yesterday or rather early yesterday morning. The remainder escaped from the cars. But for relying on a certain arrangement I would probably have been in the swamps heading for our lines. Perhaps it is just as well as it is for it is almost impossible to get through the line of scouts and pickets. We suffered a good deal from close packing in the cars and want of rest. We were taken by way of Savannah Junction and reached the terminus here just at break of day. We had stopped only a few minutes when we saw the flash of our guns and heard the report in the distance. This was suggestion of mingled emotions and reflections. Am not feeling very well yet stood the journey better than I expected.

July 30th / '64: Weather changeable. Some rain and thunder. 27 officers have been recaptured. Among them Col. Sherman. Between Pickets, Scouts, Swamps and Hounds one cannot get through. Heavy cannonade going on today as I write (4 p.m.). Slept in the jail last night, got out again into the yard in the morning. All the 22nd officers now in Rebel hands are here except Lieuts. Robertson and Button, left at Macon. We expected they would follow but learned that they are going to Savannah. Ed Spalding and I are messing together. Our rations are very good here. A blessed change from cornbread to hard tack. Ed and I had a very good meal of bean soup today. We drew one cabbage leaf apiece from the Reb. Govt! With these and a little wild parsley which I found in a part of the yard that had been used as a garden. There is a loft gallows in the yard on which no doubt many a fine fellow has dangled and under which we walk every day. There is an exchange rumor in the papers today said to be taken from the New York Herald. They are preparing to issue tents to us, which looks like making this a permanent camp.

Charleston, Thursday - August 3 '64: Still in jail yard. A few tents have been issued. They promise to put us in buildings but put it off from day to day. The 50 officers who came here from Macon, June 10th were sent down - - this morning for exchange. Some of them were here last night to see us, and said that the same proposition had been made with regard to us namely to exchange man for man. They think it will be accepted. God grant it may; yet I would gladly see the poor fellows at Anderson released first. Lieut Col. Dickerson of the 10th was among the lucky number. He sent a substantial token of his regard to Ed and myself in the shape of $30 Confed. money. Also $30 to Capt. Keilan. I sold my watch --- for $15 Confed. The main spring was broken. I have had some good messes of potatoes and other vegetables from the proceeds. I feel like a new man. The symptoms of scurvy are almost gone. Ed is also much improved in health. Our raiding parties are tearing up all the railroads in Georgia and have attacked Macon, some two days after we left. The Rebs say they have captured General Stoneman and we have burned the Ocomo Bridge. Shells are flying around quite lively today.

Charleston, August 13th, 1864 - Monday: Still in jail yard. 170 were taken out the other day and are now in Ropers Hospl. Capt. Keeler and mess are with them. The rest of the prisoners are brought on from Macon; some 300 or 400; Gen. Stoneman among them. These are in a building adjoining this on the East, said to be the Insane Asylum. Twelve officers were taken out for exchange today, don't exactly know how it was brought about. Wrote to Sara several days ago. It is now nearly four months since date of last letter from home. Words can not express my lonesomeness. There has been no shelling of the city for a week. There has been a great naval battle at Mobile, resulting in the capture of two forts and destruction of the Rebel Fleet. The papers say affairs at Atlanta are approaching a crisis.

Charleston, August 23rd, 1864 - Tuesday: On the 16th - all that remained in the jail yard were removed to building adjoining. About 100 to the Roper Hospital and 230 to the Marine. We were put on parole not attempt to escape or hold communication with persons out side of the prescribed limits of building and grounds. Our quarters are very comfortable and our rations quite good compared with what they have been. For over a week we had nothing issued to us but grits and lard or rice and a little bacon. Last Friday I wrote to wife and also to Father. I long inexpressibly to hear from home. Getting home seeming out of the question, though the Rebs say that they expect to exchange us in two or three weeks. There has been no shelling of the city for two weeks till today; a few shells have been heard flying around this afternoon. No war news of any importance. The scene of battle seems to be shifting some in Virginia.

Charleston, August 30, 1864: Bang! Goes a shell, as I write the pieces go humming around the house live a hive of bees. This has been quite a common occurrence for some days. Still in Marine Hospital getting along well enough for a prisoner, but time hangs very heavy. No mail from home yet; wrote to wife day before yesterday. The Rebs were jubilant Sunday, over the report that Lee had driven Grant from the Weldon Railroad, but subsequent dispatches show that old U.S. Grant is still there and not likely to be dislodged soon. In fact, the attempts of the enemy to drive him out have resulted in disaster to them.

Charleston, Sept. 9th, 1864: Still in "status quo". Since last writing have had glorious news from our army. Atlanta is in our hands - Sept. 1st. The Rebs admit severe loss and demoralization. Many of their troops have been deserting and otherwise behaving badly. Sherman has followed Hood to Lovejoy Station, 29 miles beyond Atlanta on the Macon Road. It is a great and decisive victory, for which the nation ought to be truly thankful. The other news from the North is likewise cheering. Grant expresses the opinion that 100,000 more men will enable him to finish the Richmond campaign satisfactorily. Accordingly the President's recent call for 500,000 has been now reduced to 300,000. This coming at the same time with the fall of Atlanta - will, I think, give the public renewed confidence in the situation of affairs and had to establish them in the hope that this will be the last call. Feeling thus they will respond to it with the greater alacrity. August 29th the Democratic Convention met at Chicago and nominated Gen. B. McClellan and Gen. H. Pendleton for President and Vice President. The platform does not suit me at all; afraid I shall have to vote for Lincoln. The Rebs seem to be making some effort to bring about an exchange; have offered to exchange man for man and rank for rank, but have as yet received no answer. A committee of four men have been sent to Washington from Anderson to report the awful condition of our men there. The papers (opposition) of the North are making capital out of the non - exchange of prisoners and a plank denouncing this policy has been introduced into the Chicago platform. Six hundred Rebel officers are now on Morris Island under fire in retaliation for our treatment. All these facts look favorable for exchange, but still our hopes do not run very high. The shelling of the city continues quite lively. Scarce a day but some causality occurs. The shells fly 1/2 mile further than ever before. [next page unreadable]

Charleston, Sept. 18th, 1864 - Sunday: The city is quiet today only now and then a shell. Yesterday a fire broke out some 300 or 400 yards east of our quarters and raged furiously for some time. It spread over several squares and was, I presume, started by Foster's Creek fire. Shelling went on quite lively all the time and another fire was soon in progress a few hundred yards beyond the first. The artillery practice was wonderful considering the distance - six miles. Shell after shell went plunging into the immediate neighborhood of the fire, which relieved for the time from the drenching of the engines with blaze up with renewed violence. Many burst in the air just over the spot and the fragments flew in all directions, humming like tops, two pieces fell on our building but injured no one. But in the Roper Hosp. one of our officers was wounded slightly in the arm by one of the fragments. Some of our officers have lately been asserting that we were not really under fire. I think yesterday's experience has set that question at rest. - As I write the fire bells are ringing and firemen running again. This rebellious city is meeting a righteous doom. The birthplace of treason is now half in ashes. It is daily consuming in the flames which its own faction incendiary has kindled. Last Sunday about 1,000 of our enlisted men were in the jail yard which adjoins the yard of this building. They had come direct from Anderson. There were two or three from our regt. We got a line from Sgt. Miller, Company C, stating that 95 had died out of 178 who were captured. A great many of the men look very miserable, poor and ragged. Those whom we see washing are almost all scarred and blotched from the affects of scurvy and can hardly walk. The majority have been removed from Anderson since the fall of Atlanta and are now camped on the race course near the city. The men were removed from jail yard on Monday and two days after the 600 officers who went to Savannah from Macon, were brought in and still remain there. Saw Robertson and Button, and sent them a note, and got one in return that they had been well treated. Last week a note was received from Drake informing us of some promoting in the regiment. Dean is Lt. Col. and Atchison, Major. Drake, Mathews, Bradenbach and Robertson are Captains and Mead , Willits, Spalding and myself first Lieutenants. A package of letters was received this week. Mead and Andrews got letters from home - and also Spalding. Surely it will be my turn next. My last news from home was dated the 17th of March I believe! God knows how I long to hear from my poor dear Sara.

Charleston, Sept. 20th, 1864: This is the anniversary of the unlucky battle of Chickamauga in consequence of whose disastrous result I am here today. Who that has not experienced it can realize the amount of suffering crowded into one year's captivity. It looks now like a horrid nightmare from which we have not yet awakened. When will we be relieved from this continual weary longing and heartache? No symptom yet appears of any change in the policy of the government looking toward exchange. We have a slender hope that the 600 officers now under fire in the harbor may be exchanged for a like number; beyond that the prospect looks very dark. The papers say that nostalgia or homesickness is a fruitful source of insanity among the men in captivity. Hundreds are utterly decimated. 800 died during the months of July and August. Sisters of Mercy came to see us yesterday; said the men were suffering intensely for want of vegetables. They (the sisters) had sent up a barrel of potatoes the other day and daily distributed baskets of good things amongst the sick. Today a man came into our quarters and offered confederate money for notes of hand demanding gold at the rate of $5 for gram. Many took money at his rate though the current value of gold is at present $22 Confed. If he comes back don't know but I shall take some. Am living on charity today, rations having run out. Rations are issued for ten days at once and we find it hard to make them last. Yesterday I received word of the death of my friend and classmate C. A. Burdick, first Lieut. 10th Wisconsin infantry. He died at the hospital in this city on the 17th of September. Another victim to "policy". Talented, brave, good and noble, It seems sad that he should also be unfortunate. Like many others in this fratricidal strife he has fallen in the discharge of what he deemed his duty. All honor to him for that. While his memory will ever be pleasant to me on account of his valued society and friendship it will also recall sad reflections upon his untimely and unhappy fate. His age was only 22 years. Can anything be more to be deplored than to perish in the hey day of youth and ambition., afar from friends, ever among enemies and in a prison? Nothing surely save the loss of virtue. Am reading Reeve's History of the Christian Church and find much edifying information in it.

Charleston, Sept. 24th, 1864: Have this evening received the best news that ever I heard. The news of my exchange. Thank God it has come at last. Some over 220 officers of the Western Army are going tomorrow as I understand. To my inexpressible satisfaction my name was called among them. Capt. Sheldon Commandant of the Prison, an obliging and pleasant man came in with a list about seven o'clock p.m.. One may easily imagine the excitement ensued. The only draw back to my pleasure on this occasion is regret at leaving so many of my brave comrades and friends behind, especially my mess mate E. G. Spalding. I can hardly realize the fact that I am to see the old familiar faces even of my regiment so soon.

Gordon, Ga. Sept. 26th, '64: The train is waiting on the switch so I with a little (time). It is about seven o'clock a.m. Left Charleston about eight yesterday morning and then traveling all the time since. Shook hands with Keeler, Spalding & the rest, feeling very sad of course at leaving them behind. Lieut. Andrews of the 22nd is with me. Drake was on the list but by a mistake was passed over. There are 190 on the train. Around we see some of the work done by Stoneman and his men. We hope to reach our lines. God grant matters may be all right. I hardly dare to expect it.

September 28, '64 - Macon: Reached this place on the 26th at 11 a.m. and were marched into the stockade in which were about 200 Federals, enlisted men and about the same of Confederate offenders and deserters. Major who seemed to have Confederate charge of exchange matters here soon. Came in and told us that none captured previous to July 1st could go to our lines. This doomed about 60 of us to disappointment, myself among the number. A roll of those who were to go was soon arranged and they left at six o'clock. The Major said he would make to Col. Warren our commissioner a proposal for our exchange but we have very little faith in its success. Yesterday we got up a petition to Col. Warren requesting him to exchange if possible and that we were all willing to go to our commands at once. Andrews and some others did not sign it, for various reasons. Andrews wished to go home and the time of some had expired. We have a faint hope that this may be. Was pleased to meet Mike Goggins of company K, 22nd Mich. in the stockade. He had escaped from Camp Sumter at Anderson, and been retaken somewhere above here on his way to Sherman's lines. He is in good health, and gives some news from our boys. The two Hunters Gaines & Potter are dead, several were very sick. His account of the state of things at Anderson fully confirms all we have here-to-fore heard of distress and mortality among our men. We are very uncomfortably situated here, have no blankets nor cooking apparatus - plates, knives, forks. Hope they will send us back to Charleston if not exchanged. Have just heard that Gen. Stoneman passed through the city today and requested us to be kept here for a day or two and he would use his utmost efforts to get us exchanged. Our hopes begin to brighten. We have just signed a parole, not to leave the immediate vicinity of the prison nor visit the city without written permission from the commandant of post, on condition that we will be relieved from confinement in the stockade.

Macon, Ga., October 3, 1864: In camp on Fair Ground in rear of stockade, 58 in all including 10 enlisted men who cook for us. We have hospital tents and would be very comfortable if we had the clothing we left at Charleston. Andrews and I have no blanket; our overcoats do for bed clothes. It rained much last night and has rained all day nearly. A week has passed and brought no news of exchange. I fear our case is hopeless. Have enjoyed myself pretty well rambling around in the woods and learning to swim in a pond nearby. Have made pretty good progress in that act. There are many people camped out in tents around here, mostly refugees from Atlanta. A great many of them are women of bad repute who are in wait to interplay with any soldier who may cross their path. Woe to the unlucky man who is decoyed by these sirens- He is almost sure to get bit. I found a nest of these the other day near a little hut of poles and mats (the best lodging they could afford) They were huddled together like pigs in a straw stuck and a Johnny Reb in the center of this interesting group. They beckoned me to come over and speak with them quite unconscious of any impropriety in the situation. At Griswold (nine miles east) I saw some one hundred or more cars on temporary sidetracks occupied by families from Atlanta. It is said Hood has moved his army around to our right with the intention of threatening Sherman's rear. Sheridan has whipped Curtis.

Macon, October 13th, 1864: Still "status quo". The weather is beautiful but the nights chilly. Several nights we suffered a good deal for want of clothing. Since last entry twice of fishing without success. - went to gather mollusks. Found abundance. Visited hospital - saw a great many bad cases. One poor fellow died whilst I was there. William Howell, 11th Ill. It was a sad sight - those brave suffering patriots. Sickening and dying for want of proper food and care far from the soothing influence of home and friends. Capt. Hiscode has been very sick but is now recovering slowly. The militia are returning to service having been home on furlough. We get some scraps of news indirectly from Sherman representing Hood to be in a bad fix. A few days will tell the story perhaps. Am now commissary for the squad.

Prison Camp, Columbia, S.C. - Tuesday, Nov. 1, 1864: Left Macon Oct. 15th in accordance with the request of several officers who wished to go back to Charleston. All (36) but ten took parole and were sent on without guard. We reached Lawton (five miles north of Melen) where there are 4,000 enlisted men in prison camp about midnight and waited till noon next day; in the evening reached Augusta. Saw some officers from Atlanta who say the Rebs got badly whipped there. In morning of 17th left for Columbia where we heard the officers now were; having been removed from Charleston on account of yellow fever. Found many sympathizers; One man slipped some money ($4.50 ) into my hand. A carload of Reb deserters - two of them jumped off. We have had good passenger cars and all the freedom we required. Reached Columbia after dark with no money and the rations are wretched. - meal and sorghum are the staple - a little rice - no meat. The settlers sell meal at four dollars per pound. An old fellow named Potter is in camp giving Conf. money for bill of exchange, calling for gold at the rate of six for one. Have taken $150 giving bill on Kellogg for $25 in gold. Don't know what would have become of me if it hadn't been for one "house" which we finished about a week ago. It is a comfortable shanty 13 by 14 and accommodates twelve men at present. It took us eight days to build it. The roof of shakes has been well tried and is rain proof. The fireplace is glorious. Lieut. Copland is here from the 10th Mich. Was taken going home on furlough. There has been some show for exchange lately - papers say that 10,000 sick and wounded are being exchanged. Whether we get off or not is doubtful. Officers are working as fast as possible for winter quarters.

Columbia, S.C, December 13th, 1864: Left our camp yesterday and moved to yard of insane asylum. A portion of which sectioned off for us. There are in it two framed buildings, one for hospital and the other holds about 100 officers. Thirty tents are all the additional shelter. Buildings have been begun and lumber is to be brought in. But there is much suffering from cold. Have had cough and came near going north on sick list. 100 sick went on the 9th. Also 132 special ex. in hospital last night. Since I wrote last four officers have been shot - two mortally. Lieuts. Bain and Aiken, Hinkley lost an arm. Am very thin and weak. Still await a letter from wife.

Asylum Prison, Dec. 18th, 1864: Have been admitted to hospital and am undergoing treatment for Outer Fever. Have had no more chills but am still very tired and somewhat troubled with diarrhea. My health is on the whole improving however. Have just received word from surgeon Spauk of Charleston that a further exchange is stopped. On hold until after the Holidays. Captain was here today bringing news about exchange; but promises to do all he could for Capt. Herold and Gillespie. Wrote to wife.

Asylum Prison, Columbia, S.C. - Dec. 31,st, 1864: Old 64 is on his last legs. - the year in which I should have taken my first degree at college. Many of my classmates are now enjoying their scientific and bloodless triumphs, flourishing their parchments and making grand eloquent speeches over rich holiday dinners, with hosts of admiring friends for an audience. What a contrast is my lot! For 15 months I have been "cabined, cribbed, confined!" and deprived of everything that makes life desirable except hope, sweet hope, and all the result of that terrible disaster of Chickamauga. Is this all the reward of myself sacrifice; to be left to rot year after year in filthy prisons? It is hard to be reconciled to this - hard to see any good and sufficient reason for this waste of time - this world of suffering. " But time at last makes all things even" - the best I can do is to try to trust in Providence. But my poor wife - how does she bear the long dreary agony of doubt, suspense and anxious fear? Oh God! how my heart yearns for her dear presence. - Grant in thy good pleasure that we may soon be reunited. On Christmas, Ed and I had a very good dinner from a chicken which Capt. Lee left us. The entire value of the dinner was about $16 Confed. ($8) was a present. I shall leave hospital tonight or tomorrow. Am now in pretty good health and our quarters have just been finished. The Rebs have been very dilatory in bringing in lumber. Rainy. Savannah is ours! Sherman sent greetings to Lincoln and makes him a Christmas present of the city of Savannah. 150 heavy guns, 33,000 bales of cotton worth at present prices 25,000,000 dollars and a population of 20,000 people peaceably inclined! Price is said to be dead. Hood had been terribly thrashed by Thomas.

Asylum Prison, Columbia, January 25th, 1865: Yesterday the weather was sunshine but very cold, the wind having changed the evening previous. Had a New Years dinner at hosp. consisting of a soup made from beef and vegetables. The second New Years day in prison! Had I known this last year I would have gone crazy I expect. Three years ago the absence of a single week from my dear Sara seemed almost insupportable; how little did we then think of the long weary years of separation, the changes, sorrows and dangers and suffering that should intervene ere we would meet again. God grant that even this may be realized. It will be a happy case in my life. My health keeps improving. I did not leave hospital yesterday as I intended on account of the cold. Ed and I had a dinner of chicken soup. The chicken was left us by Capt. Lee.

Jan. 26th: Still in hosp. not unwell but yet not robust. am assisting the nurses a little. Think it is better to stay where I am comfortable as long as the Drs. will let me. Still no letter from home; this is very hard to accept. Exchange rumors have died out. All hope has fled. There are some peace rumors afloat. a young officer named H. Anderson of the 14th Ill. Inf. died yesterday, of Typh. Pneumonia.

Jan. 28th, 1865 - Asylum Prison - Columbia, S.C.: Cold weather still continuing and much suffering in camp for want of food. The Confed. money is now of little account. $1 1/2 buys one lb. of bacon. $5 one lb. beef. ,a jacket of coarse grey cloth costs $195, a pair of trousers $150. It is currently reported that an armistice has been agreed upon! Am not prepared to believe. My health keeps improving, am still in hospital.

Columbia, S.C. - Feb. 15th, 1864 (obviously a mistake): We are all packed up and ready for a start, expecting to go this afternoon. Our destination is yet unknown to us. - supposed to be Charlotte. [Next two pages of diary are illegible] (He is a) man of strong character, very intelligent and high minded, has seen much of the world and has large knowledge of men and manners. He was Sheridan's Chief of Artillery at the battle of Chickamauga. He is a Virginian by birth , belongs to Company G. , 1st Missouri Artillery. I fear he will not live to see another year; is now aged about 40. I am the only one of our regiment left here; all the rest went yesterday. Since last writing have had good weather and a pleasant time in camp. A new song has come out, words by Lieut. Byers of Wisconsin, music by Lieut. Rockwell of N.Y. entitled " Sherman's March to the Sea" . It was received with great applause and is very popular in camp, even with the Rebs. On the 2nd I wrote one entitled " Hood's March to Tennessee" and showed it to Lieut. Rockwell. He was well pleased with it and promised to write music to it. Yesterday he told me he had made a tune but it did not please him yet. A tunnel was discovered about ten days ago. It was a very fine one sunk ten feet underground. Major Griswold walked right to the spot, so we suppose some traitor has informed. A man named Saber was suspected and demanded a trial. There was not proof enough to convict him. On Feb. 8th a meeting was held for the organization of a society - to be called the " Grand National Legion" to be open to all who have honorably held commissions in the U.S. Service. Another meeting was held night before last . As I was not present I can give no particulars. Still no letters from home. Capt. Keeler got one lately stating that Lieut. Harris had got home. So, my wife must know my where abouts now. God grant I may see her soon. Exchange played out.

Waynesboro, S,C. - Feb 16th, '65: On board cars, 60 miles from Columbia. Were taken to cars yesterday about two p.m. . Found the city in a state of great confusion and excitement. Immense loads of baggage were waiting for transportation, also piles of trunks and machinery belonging to the Reb. Treasury Dept. We soon started and shortly after dark met with an accident when within 1/2 mile of this place. A drove of 2,000 cattle had been corralled near the track, the engine ran into and killed two and was thrown off the track; fortunately the speed was low and nothing serious was done except breaking the engine and delaying us 18 valuable hours, most valuable to the Rebs. Major Griswold says we are going to be exchanged soon. Slept quite comfortably in car last night, the Hosp. not being so crowded as others we had room to stretch out. Weather has been cold and rainy, now cleared up.

Prison Camp, Charlotte, N.C. - Feb 17-18, '65: Reached here at nine p.m. last night and slept in cars. Capt. Evans was shot through the knee whilst attempting to escape after we had stopped. It is said he will lose his leg. Four made good their escape at the same time, they say. Today at about ten a.m. we were brought to camp a mile or so from Charlotte. There is yet no hosp: Each one shifts for himself; some 6 of the sickest were taken to town. Among them Gilespie. Exchange news looks better today than ever before. Dr. Herndon showed us a dispatch from adjunct General Cooper at Richmond dated 16 Feb. notifying the Commandant of post that a general exchange had been agreed upon and that the news might be communicated to the prisoners. Today's paper contains a confirmatory extract from the NY Herald. In spite of the good news some 200 have made their escape in consequence of the move.

Charlotte, Feb. 19th, 1865 - near sundown: Great excitement in camp . 200 officers leaving - supposed to be for Richmond. 300 more to go in the morning. Sherman is reported moving this way, forty miles this side of Columbia. Rumors of exchange are thicker than ever. We are ordered to move with no luggage. Many of those who escaped have been brought in. Willets and Gordon are out yet. Slept with Capt. Wards . It is said that the 14th and 23rd Corp from the Army, Led by Thomas, are at Wilmington. Verily these are stirring times. The town is filled with refugees. Many of our officers have been down there on parole and some on French Furlough, and say the people are all for Union. Joined the National Legion yesterday.

Goldsboro, N.C, - Feb. 21st, 1865: Reached here this morning about daylight, Expecting to be paroled and sent to Wilmington for exchange. News all along the road was confirmatory of this, so our hopes were quite high. Last night we heard that fighting was going on there; and this morning our hopes were dampened by the arrival of two trains of our men who had been taken to Wilmington for exchange and refused by our authorities who were busily engaged in shelling the city. So we have been turned into a yard here to await orders. Here Jones, an Englishman, and West visited us and talked misery. Our men presented a most heart rending spectacle. So dirty and ragged - shivering with cold and emaciated with hunger, many of them were at the point of death from disease, cold and starvation. One lay dead on an open car when his comrades came off. Another was taken off in the agonies of death, and several have been rescued from the same fate by the timely aid of our officers.

Camp three miles from Raleigh, N.C. - Feb. 26th, 1865: Not exchanged yet but were paroled for exchange on the 23rd at Raleigh. We left Goldsboro after dark on the 21st and reached Raleigh next morning where we found most of the officers under parole, and awaiting orders from Hatch who had gone to Wilmington to arrange matters for our reception. That city fell into the hands of our authorities on the 21st. We were camped on the same spot which we occupied just 17 months ago when on our way to Richmond. Holden visited us here and talked Union. After being paroled we were removed to this camp where most of us find shelter in log huts. Spalding and I have been obliged to sleep under a sheet put up a la dog tent. The train on which we came out came near being upset down a steep bank. When passing a switch the engine and tender and first car ran off the track; the former was half buried in the ground before it stopped. Some who jumped off hurt their limbs - no others were injured. Capt. Barth the Rebel officer in charge of this delay in getting us off says is caused by want of transportation. Considerable indignation and impatience is exhibited by the officers at their detention. Two days and three nights have been very cold and wet. This morning the wind changed to the South, the clouds broke away and it is now warm and sunny. We are enjoying the opportunity to dry our wet blankets! Had some queer dreams last night about wife and home. Very hopeful.

Camp near Goldsboro - Feb. 27th '65: Yesterday afternoon about 300 officers were taken away and last night the rest were roused about 11 p.m. and took the cars for Goldsboro. Met delays on the road and so only reached this place, a distance of 45 miles at 11 a.m. today, and have been clamped down in the woods about two miles beyond the town with a guard around us. Saw those who greeted us lodged in the courthouse. Rebs say they are going to move us tonight towards Wilmington. Am not feeling very well having caught a bad cold in consequence of exposure to recent bad weather.

On board the General Sedgarth in Cape Fear River, Wilmington - March 3rd, 1865: March the first is marked as an era in my life. On that glorious day I passed through the lines and stood once more under the Star-Spangled Banner. Nearly all the officers came through together, numbering nearly one thousand. Never was there a happier set of men. When once fairly within the Union Lines our enthusiasm was uncontrollable, and cheer after cheer filled the woods and made them ring as they never did before. My mess mate, Spalding, having finally become convinced that there was something in exchange made up his mind to throw away his meal bag, or haversack. In doing so the bag flew from his hand and passed over the heads of several officers and sprinkled them with meal. This was the signal for a general game of shelling each other with meal bags which went sailing through the air like comets amid the wildest shouts of laughter till their contents filled the air like a heavy snow storm and we all looked like so many millers. The fun having somewhat subsided all the meal storm we marched about a mile to where our troops were encamped and were passed under a procession of triumphal arches of evergreens to the music of two fine brass bands. At length we halted where a collection of coffee, boiled beef and the finest and whitest of crackers awaited us. What feasting! I had time to think - Thank God! Thank God! was my first jubilation although the thoughts of home and wife and family soon to be almost overpowering and tears could not be restrained. Thank God! The long horrible nightmare of captivity is over and I tread on free soil once more. We had to march nine miles to Wilmington which we reached about four p.m. and were lodged in the churches all over town. Was very tired and foot sore and rested well, though it was late before I could get my mind quieted down sufficiently for sleep. We had taken the cars about five p.m. on the 28th Feb. and reached our lines at ten a.m. on 1st March. yesterday, the 2nd March, I went down to the depot and tried to find some of my men and also Ed Ives found two of the 22nd men. Pete Raymond of Company E and J.M. Schobel of Company K but now of my company. also found acquaintance of Ives but he could give me no information as to his present where abouts. He said Ives left Anderson among the first last fall. So much is satisfactory if he survived the horrors of Anderson he may yet be alive. Chaplain formerly of Pontiac found us and procured shoes and socks for some of the 22nd officers, also refreshed us with milk punch. He is the right kind of a chaplain. In the afternoon got aboard steamer. All the 22nd are here. One boat left in the fore noon with officers. Enlisted men are also going. Found Sgt. Generous on 2nd. He says he is the only survivor of our company of those who were captured, except Sgt. Miller who was exchanged last fall. 14 out of 16 - it is too bad, too bad; better had the brave fellows died on the battle field than to perish by the lingering torture of starvation. We have got Sgt. Generous on board with us . Transports are constantly arriving with troops and provisions. Slept in the hold after a good supper of coffee, bacon and hard tack. This morning, we had a good breakfast of the same with onions and a horn of milk punch by way of dessert. We are all feeling quite impatient to start for home; expecting to go this fore noon. 11a.m. Moving down the river, have just passed the obstructions and a paper gunboat.

March 15th: Up in the Blue Ridge through which the Susquehanna passes on board the cars.

Magnificent scenery - Homeward Bound.

Names listed in back of diary:

(?)McGowan, Orland , Indiana

J.C. Richards and Company, Cleveland , Ohio, publishers of Pleasant Dreams Serenade.

J.P. Jones, Norwalk , Ohio

Lieut. J. O. Rockwell, Prospect, N.Y>

Geo. W. Chandler, Birmingham, OH

W. N. Cublertson, Bristol, IN

Major J.H. Gett, Wapello, Iowa

T.H. McKee, lieut. Logansport, IN

Roman H. Gray, liet. 15th, U.S. Infantry, Cleveland, Ohio, box 1568

Lieut. Charles Stuart, Newburg, Orange County , N.C.

L. Stone, Lieut. 2nd VT, McEnroe’s, Falls, Vermont

Marie Lyle

Down where the waving willows 'neath the sunbeams smile,

shadowed o'er the murmuring waters lives sweet Marie Lyle.

Pure as the forest Lilly, Hearth that knows no guile

Had a home within the bosom of sweet Marie Lyle.

Wave willows, murmur waters, golden sunbeams smile

Earthly music something waken, lovely Marie Lyle.

Sweet something hallowed, chiming of the Sabbath Bell

Born of the morning breezes, through the shady dell.

On a bed of pain and anguish lay poor Marie Lyle.

Changed were those lovely features, gone that happy smile.

Chorus:

Toll bells of Sabbath morning, I shall never more hear your sweet and holy music on this earthly shore.

Raise me in your arms, mother dear, let me once more look.

On the green and waving willows on the shady brook.