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Diary  of  § 
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§  Sheldon  R.  Curtiss  § 
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Through  his  three  years  § 
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§  of service  in  the  Civil War  § 
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L 

Experiences  of  Saranac  Civil  War 
Veteran Make Fascinating Reading 

The  Ionia  County  News 

is 
proud  to  present  a  series  of  five 
articles,  which  deal  with  the  ex(cid:173)
periences  of  a  Saranac  Civil 
War  veteran.  The  articles  are 
being  provided 
the 
courtesy  of  Mrs  Harvey  H. 
Lowrey,  of  Saranac.  Mrs  Low(cid:173)
rey  is  the  daughter  of  Civil  War 
veteran,  Sheldon  Russell  Cur(cid:173)
tiss. 

through 

The  first  article  of  the  series 

includes  the  general  recapitula(cid:173)
tion  of  highlights.  The  next  four 
articles  are  portions  of  the  ac(cid:173)
tual  diary  kept  by  Mr  Curtiss. 
This  material  should  prove  both 
fascinating  and 
to 
County  News  readers. 

interesting 

NOTES  TAi<EN  FROM 
SHELDON  RUSSELL 
CURTISS'  MEMORANDUM 

My  first  vote  was  for  Abra(cid:173)

"Divided  a(cid:173)

ham  Lincoln  in  1860. 
In  1862 
Lincoln  called  for  volunteers 
and  I  enlisted.  We  young  sol(cid:173)
diers  sang  in  those  days  ·"We 
are  coming  Father  Abraham, 
100,000  strong'',  that  OIR' 
flag 
might  be  protected  and  our 
Country  not  be 
gamst  itself." 
"  For  about  two  months  Com" 
pany  M.  6th  Michigan  Cavaley 
were  stl.!-t:loned  at  Grand  Rapids 
for  training.  Tl)e  horses  were 
trained,  ~ well  as  the  men  to 
make.  rlgbt  and 
left  swn;gs 1 
jumpmg  fences  and  ditches,  bu(cid:173)
gle  calls  and  guard  duty.  The 
5tp,  6th  and  7th  Cavalry  were 
sta.tiohed  Here  and  were  known 
as  . Custer's  famous  Michigan 
Cavalry  Brigade. 

After  this  we  were  ordered  to 
Washirigton.  Our  horses  were 
cani~ by  freight  and  we  had 
good  passenger cars.  The  car in 
Which  my  Cpmpany  was  riding 
was  derailed  near  Baltimore.  I 
pulled  the  rope  in  time  to  stop 
the  train  and  no  damage  was 
done,  bl.it  we  were  delayed  for 
about  two  hours.  It was  thought 
the  switcl:i  was  left  open  by  thP 
enemy.  We  were  two  days  in 
reaching  Washington,  tired  and 
hungry.  There were  so  many  of 
us  that  when  eat:Uig  breakfast. 
we  were  obliged  to  stand  with 
our  sides  to  the  table  as  there 
was  not  enough  room  to  face  it. 
Our  new  encampment  was 
soon  equipt>ed  with  tents,  cooks 
cook)  and  rations 
(I  was 
which  consisted  of  black  coffee 
with  brown  sugar,  hard-tack 
«Utd  beans.  We  were  stationed 
here  most of  the  winter. 

ll 

We  were  put  on  detached  du(cid:173)
·ty along  the  Potomac Canal  and 
River  to  gullrd  against  "Mos(cid:173)
by's  Guarillas"  who  did  their 

in  the  nighT, 
desperate  work 
turnlhg  their  prisoners  over  to 
the  Rebel  Anny  and  des~g 
Government 'property. 

for 

continued 

the  Wilder(cid:173)

We  bad  many  battles  such  as 
.Harpers  Ferry,  Rockville  Coal 
Harbor,  Battle  of 
ne.ss  and  others.  During 
the 
time  of  the  Gettysburg  Battle, 
we were  holding_  the  crossing  at 
Harpers  Ferry.  The  roar  of  the 
guns 
several 
days.  The  Rebels  were  en(cid:173)
trenched  behind  us.  We  got 
them  01,1t  by  backing  a 
lqng 
freight  train  with iro.n  clad  cars 
and  artillery  in  the  rear  of  the 
train.  We  fired  for  an  hour  of 
.tivn  and  beld  the .enemv .bacli. 
About  this  time  we  were  sent 
about  20  miles  ~ the  Potoma<l 
to  F•li.qo  Wafers.  ~ ~ 
fdund 'Lel!'s  Army  bad  biill..t  a 
pontoon  bridge  across  the ·.Riv.•' 
er.  This  was ·made of  ~ts_an­
chored  side  by  s!de  with  s}r!ng(cid:173)
er  planks . Jaid  from  one  to  the(cid:173)
other.  Whole  armies  could  cross 
this  bridge.  Our  men  were  hid(cid:173)
ing  in  shrubbery  along  the  Riv(cid:173)
er  when  the  Rebel  Army  caoie 
skulking  along.  Our  men  came 
from  the  bushes  with  their  re(cid:173)
volvers  leveled  upon  them,  giv~ 
ing  orders  to  dismount  and  lay 
down  their arms  and  give  them(cid:173)
~ Wl..  T.b1&  ~ did and 
were  taken  prisoners.  Our Com-
P8l)Y  destroY.ed.  ~e  pontoon 
britlge,  dumped  their wa:gbns  ol 
supplies  lnto  the  PQtomac  and 
took  the  prisoners  back  to  Har-· 
pers  Ferry  where 
they  were 
sent  to  Washington.  The  cap(cid:173)
turing  of  these  men  and  this 
bridge  was  a  great  victory  for 
the  Union  Men.  Later there  was 
a  hard  battle  at Falling  Waters 
for  the  Rebel  Army  were  not  a(cid:173)
ble  to  cross  the  Pontoon  Bridge 
as  they  had  anticipated  and 
oame  to  defeat. 

and 

here 

little 

Since 

thought 

the  backbone  of 

the 
.COnfederacy  had  been broken at 
Gettysburg  we  had  been  having: 
victories 
there 
a,s 
and 
we  were  marching  these  prison.: 
,ers  to  headquarters  that  the  ta(cid:173)
bles  would  . be  turned  and  ours 
would  be  a  like  fate  - NO  - not 
a  like fate,  but a  far worse fate, 
for  nothing  could  compare  with 
the  terrible  outrages  of  the  Re(cid:173)
bel  Prison  at  Andersonville. 

(Was  Captured  By  the 
Enemy  June  12th,  1864.) 

Had a  hard fight and some at: 

our ·train was  cut off  near Chan(cid:173)
cellorsville.  Was  captured  while 
'trying  to  make  our  escape  t.Q 
Blue  Rid&e.  The  Rebs  ui:ed  us 

very  mean.  Took  everything  we(cid:173)
had,  our  boats,  our  "cup  mon..(cid:173)
ey'',  robbed  us  of  everything. 

We  marched  at  daylight  for 
New  Canton.  Citizens  with  shot~ 
guns  following  us.  My feet were 
very  sore  as  I  was  not  used  tq 
marching  on  foot,  being  a  Ca 
valryman.  Next  day  we  weri• 
stowed  into  old  boats  and  start(cid:173)
ed  for  Richmond  like  so  man)' 
hogs.  We  traveled  all  night.  Wei 
had  nothing  but  raw  meal  and 
onions  to  eat.  Arrived  In  Rich(cid:173)
mond  at  eleven  in  the  night. 

Next  morning  we  were  form(cid:173)

in 

line  and  counted  and 

ed 
marched  to  the  old  Libby  Prl(cid:173)
son·.  We  drew  small  pieces  of 
Indian  bread,  a  piece  of  mag(cid:173)
goty  bacon  and  a  few  beans. 
The  Union  men  were  confined 
in  the  lower  part  of  the  Prison 
where  it  was  so  damp  and  un(cid:173)
healthy  that  mold  actually  ac(cid:173)
their  beards. 
cumulated  on 
closed 
men 
Many 
noble 
forever 
the 
to 
'their 
that 
sufferings 
scenes 
From 
them. 
surrounded 
tnnnel  was 
this 
a 
dug  underneath 
the  ground 
through  which  about  sixty  men 
escaped  and  some  succeeded  in 
t:"eaching  the  Union  Lines. 

eyes 
and 

prison 

From  this  prison  we  were 
loacled  into  box  cars,  closely 
crowded  with  but  little  to  eat or 
drink.  Our  suffering  was  great, 
and  the  filthiness  of  the  cars 
was  beyond  description.  There 
were  no  physical  facilities  pro(cid:173)
vided.  Late  one  afternoon  in 
June  we  arrived  at  our  desti(cid:173)
nation  - Andersonville  Prison. 

The  prison  was  made  by  set· 
ting  logs  in  the  ground  side  by 
side,  running  up  some  fourteen 
feet.  Before  entering  the  prison 
we  were  taken  to  the  quarters 
officer. 
of 
where  for  the  first  time  we  saw 
that  heartless  wretch 
calicd 
Wirttz.  We  were  glad  to  get  a(cid:173)
way  from  his  profanity. 

commanding 

the 

I 

forget 

stricken. 

I  was  sur(cid:173)

!!hall  never 

the 
glooni:iness  of 
that  art.cmoon 
when  we  were  put  inside  the 
stockade  (prison). 
prii;ed  and  horror 
Hope  was  gone  and  death  seem(cid:173)
ed  stamped  on  everything.  The 
.air was full  of  deathly  odors  ris(cid:173)
ing  from  the  filthy  ground  and 
the  water  was  putrid  from  the 
wash  of  the  prison.  A  long  row 
·of  our  boys  who  had  died  dur(cid:173)
ing  the  day  lay  on  the  right  as 
we  passed 
the  gate. 
The  number  would  be  added  to 
until  morning  when  the  "Dead 
W;:igon"  would  take  them  to  the 
place  of  burial. 

through 

This 

stockade  prison  enclos(cid:173)
ed  about  twenty  acres  which  in 
a  short  time  was  enlarged  to 
thirty  aeres.  Guards  could  be 
-5cen  on  top  of  the  stockade  at 
intervals  of  about  five  rods,  all 
.around  the  prison.  There  was  a 
iine  staked out  some twenty  feet 
'from  the  stockade  that was  call(cid:173)
ed 
the  "Dead  Line,"  beyond 

throat  of 

which  it  was  sure  death  to  go. 
That  first  night  four  of  us 
laid  down  in  the  rain  under  our 
one  blanket,  weary,  hungry  and 
sad. ~t in  a  short  time  were a(cid:173)
waken~~ by  robber&  that  infest(cid:173)
ed  the·  prison.  One  of  these  fel(cid:173)
lows  stood  over  me  with  a  large 
club,  another  held  a  razor  over 
the 
the  one  next 
to  me,  while  anothCl'  looked  o(cid:173)
roll  containing  writing 
ver  a 
thread,  de. 
material,  needles, 
I  held  my  gold  pen  under  my 
tongue  and  the  holder  was  in 
the  seam  of  my  pants.  I  gqt 
comfort  in  writing  home  arrd 
averaged.  writing  three  to  five 
letters  a  lfionth.  I  received  no 
letters  and  how  I 
for 
them.  I  learned  six  months  lat(cid:173)
er  that  none  of  my  letters  were 
sent  home. 

longed 

Days  and  weeks  passed  by 
and  October  found  us  hungry, 
cold, . wait!ng  and  hoping  for  re(cid:173)
lease.  To  walk  about  from  point 
to  point  was  not  a  pleasant 
mode  ot1 pastime.  One  neeQ.ed  a 
stout -heart to  walk  down  by  the 
old  prison  gate  in  the  mo.ming, 
and. look  at  the " Jong  row  of  our 
dead  comrades  awaiting 
the 
"Dead  Wagon." 

We  had but little  reading  mat-; 

ter  and  a  newspaper  hardly  ev(cid:173)
er  found  its  way  inside  the  pri(cid:173)
son.  We  tried  to  sing  but  our 
hearts  were  too  heavy  for  that. 
I  had  a  Bible  which  was  not 
taken 
the 
searching 
through  which  we 
passed.  This  was  often  called 
for  and  read  carefillly  by  the 
boys. 

from  me 

in  all 

Rations  wer.e  wlthheld 

three 

days  from  the  whole  prison  be(cid:173)
cause  a  few  had  been  caught 
planning  to  escape,  and  this  at 
a 
time  when  we  were  almost 
reduced  to  absolute  starvation. 

Wells  were  dug  to  a  great 
depth  in  an  effort  to  get  pure 
water  but  not  much  could  be 
pbtained  in  that  way.  The  suf(cid:173)
r,;ring 'for  it was  great  until  the 
'Providence  Spring''  broke  out. 
Thls  spring  was  so  named  be-
cause  it  .was  looked  upon  by 
many as a  direct  gift from  God. 
I  have  drunk 
from  many  a 
fountain  of  living  water  but  I 
never  found  one  so  sweet  and 
so  pure.  How  eagerly  we  crowd(cid:173)
ed  up  to  get  a  draught  from 
Uiat  pur'l  fountain,  ana  how  we 
hastened  with  a  cup- of·  it  to  a 
helpless  comrade  racked  with 
pain  and  burning  with  fe.ver. 
How  thankfully  the  sufferers re-
I  han•  no  doulit  tl1at 
c1 'i \'l·d  it 
n;m1y  of  us 
todoy  that 
\\'Ollld  not  have  survived  with(cid:173)
out  it. 

li\'e 

Finally  a  det ach ment  uf  a 
thousand  men  were  sent  into 
tl1e  stockades  in  Milan,  Georgia 
This  was  a  much  better  place 
to  be  than  the  one  we  left  at 
Andersonville. 
met 

We 
man 

a 
here.  He 

Michigan 
was 
in 

Rebel 

service 

the 
'.Je·(cid:173)
cause  he  had  property  in  Rich(cid:173)
mond,  Virgin ia.  He  was  in  sym· 
lla lhy  with  the  North  but  cl il!'t 
not  be  seen  talking  with  a  Un(cid:173)
ion  soldier.  Through  hb  cffortr 
we  were  relieved  from  prison  to 
work  for  him  in  a  Rebel  eating 
house  and  bakery.  (Father  was 
a  cbok  in  the  army. l  During  my 
first  day  out,  General  Winder 
of  the  Rebel  army  ca me  for  me 
and  asked,  (with  oathsl  what  I 
was  doing?  He  told  me  the  tent 
I  was  putting  up  belonged  to 
him  a nd  he  didn't  want  any. 
thing  to  happen  to  it.  Shortly 
after  this  he  was  taken  sick  anc! 
I  was  1·equested  to  prepare  ancl 
carry  him  some food.  I  lold  him 
. I  had  prepa red  it  I.he  best  !• 
could  with  wha t  I  had  to  rto 
'with.  It was  not  as  good  as  my 
mother  would  do  but  I  hoped 
it  would  taste  good  to  him.  At 
.this  time  he  had  gotten  beyond 
swearing. 

This  heartless  Gen .  Winder 
was  one  of  the  men  who  helped 
to  plan  Andersonville  Prison. 
that  t hey 
He  made  his  boast 
"would  kill  more  men 
there 
than  in  battle."  He  had  cursed 
at  me  as  I  was  putting  up  his 
tent  and  making  my  bunk,  but 
rvhile  he  was  s ick  at  Ma hlon.  I 
nad  fed  him,  and  later  I  learn(cid:173)
ed  while  we  were  al  Savnnnah 
he  was  tal<en  sick  again  a nd  di(cid:173)
ed  under  the  tent  I  had  staked 
and  on  the  bunk  I  had  made. 
· .. If  thy  enemy  hunger, 
feed 
him; 
thirst,  give  him 
tlrink ." 

if  he 

Our  Michigan  frienq  had  re(cid:173)

ceived  orders  to  leave  Mahlon. 

the 
answered 

to  where 
and 
description 

Sherman  was  on  his 
famous 
ride  from  Atlanta  to  the  Sea 
lind  was  very  near  Mahlon,  so 
we  were  getting  away,  we  did 
n't  know  where.  We  loaded  al: 
~uppiies  on  the  train  and  wen1 
with  him .  Tl~is  time  we  located 
pear  Savannah.  In  the  middle 
of  the  night  our  Michigan  friend 
came  to  our  tent  and  told  me 
he  thought  he  could  work  u~ 
~hrough  to  our  Ji nes  as  a  nurse 
for  the  sick  soldiers  who  were 
teaving.  We  decided  1o  go.  We 
;vent 
sick 
were 
to 
papers. 
our 
sick 
i:'here 
eaving.  We  marched 
through 
the  streets  of  Savannah 
to  a 
large  Rebel  flat-boat  and  were 
carried  down  the  Savannah  Riv(cid:173)
;~r  to  our  lines.  We  saw  in  the 
listance  on  one  of  our  Union 
gun  boats,  our  Flag,  the  grand 
:>Id  Stars  and  Stripes.  It  was 
the  first  time  I  ~had  seen  our 
:Jag  since  before  I  was  taken 
prisoner,  over  six  months  pre(cid:173)
vious.  I  shall  never  forget  how 
'Jlessed 
to  me.  It 
seemed  like  being  brought  back 
to  God's  Country. 

looked 

many 

were 

it 

\Ve  reached  our  lines  where 

the  gun  boat  was  guarding  be(cid:173)
tween  the  North  anrl  South.  We 
soon  pas£ed  this  line  and  came 

in 

transferred 

to  one  oE  our Government  trans- 1 
to1 
.t>Ori s .  We  wei·e 
ithis  in  the  early  evenin° .a r.d  it  · 
took  all  nigh\  10  un!oa1i .  Some 
of  the  men  were  tOCl  weak  to 
1valk  the  plank.  Early 
the 
morning  we  were  ordered  out 
Qn  cleck  to  remove  all  our  cloth(cid:173)
ing:.  together  wi th 
backs"  which  might  be  crawl(cid:173)
ing  here  and  there .  All  this  was 
thrown  into  the  Atlantic.  The 
:;ai!ors  threw  out 
ropes 
with  buckets  to  get  water  for 
their  bathing.  It  surely  seemed 
good  to  have  some  care  for  our 
welCare  once  again  and  to  ):>e 
treated  like  real  men. 

the  "Gray 

long 

We  were  four  days  on  the  At(cid:173)
lantic  toward  Annapolis.  Mary(cid:173)
land,  where  our  parole  was  lo(cid:173)
cated.  While  on  the  boat  I  had 
a  letter  readv  to  send  home  and 
the  Chaplain  mailed  it  when  we 
landed:  Tbis  was  the  first  le~­
ter  that  had  reached  my  home 
for  over  six  months  -although  I 
had  written  many. 

reaching 

furlough  of 

As  our  transport  was  being 
anchored,  we  were  notified  by 
one  of  our soldiers  that we were 
to  have  a 
thirty 
days.  A!>  soon  as  we  received 
our  papers,  we  were  on  our 
way  home, 
Ionia, 
Mich.,  at  daybreak  one  morn(cid:173)
ing.  No  one  knew  we  were  coin· 
started  on 
.ing, 
foot 
home 
about nine miles  away.  We  went 
by  the  way  of  the  aged  pa.rents 
of  ~e Mlch~gan  mal'\  who  had. 
befnended  u·s,  whom  we  -b51d· 
left  in  Savani)ah.  They  had  not 
he~rd  from  their  spn  for  three 
years  and  'to' · thf\m  it  was  al(cid:173)
most 
dead. 

lute·  hearmg 

from 

the 

our 

we 

to 

i;o 

w~ were  soon  Uhited  with  m.;v(cid:173)
B~,  MIWlm.»'W!a·d· Alt.ti: 
wft~ Ab~, . and  out  little  _girl, 
ttii1 8¢ th'l  ~ ·~w.­
an  :AWy,  wnom  1 · h~ut:"  never 
s.een  and  waa' .Q\'.e-F  a  year  ola 
now. 

PAOVIDll;NC£' BPRrNG 

Mr  Curtiss  liVed 

to  .be  84 
years  olQ.  but , nev,er  had 
the 
pleasure  of  visiting  the  Provi(cid:173)
dence  SPfing  as  it  is  )low,  a 
Natiolia,l  Shrine;  not: 
the  Na(cid:173)
tional  Ceme!ety  where  out  of 
the  52,345  comrades  who  were 
t!ie  Andtr&onville 
, confined 
Prison, 
buried. 
Through  tffe  ne~p  of  the  Gov(cid:173)
errunent,  l\1r  Cutfit(.c;  was  able 
to  '19cate.  the  *larker  of  his 
brottie.r  - ht - Jaw,  Ceor~e Bar(cid:173)
nard,  who 
to  death 
there.  iuict  lllso  tfle  ·riumbeJ'  of 
his  gra\'.e. 

in 
1'3,900 

.statye(l 

are· 

The  PQvilJtoo 

ewer 

:Provi(cid:173)

dence  Spnng . was  erected  by 
the  1V.~.C.  InSCribed  on  it  ls: 
thirst 
"The  prisoners  ccy  of 
rang  up  to  Heaven,  God  heard 
and  with  H}j .!Qunder  cleft  the 
earth  and  ~ed His  sweetest 
.wat.ers  gusllmfl.re." 
l:ly  Evelyn 

<;urtiss 
Lowrey,  the  yu~ngest  of  Shel-

COp1ed 

.don  Russeii  CJ.Uiiss·  family  of 
seven;  anq  in  memory  of  his 
Civil  . War be by,  Rosa  Curtiss 
Sfowen. 

in 

incarceration 

A  copy  of  the  diary  kept  by 
my  father,  Sheldon  R.  Curtiss, 
during  some  of  his  service  in 
the  Civil  War  and  also  during 
his 
the 
southern  prison,  Andersonville. 
On  the fly-leaf  of  the little  black 
book  in  which  he  wrote  fr0m 
day to day,  he  had  inscribed  be(cid:173)
low  his  name.  and  his  Compa(cid:173)
ny  M,  6th  Mich.  Cavalry,  these 
words :  "He  that  endureth  to 
the  end  will  receive  an  ever(cid:173)
lasting  reward."  He  has  moth(cid:173)
er's  name,  Abigail  Curtiss,  Ion(cid:173)
ia,  Mich.  on  the  opposite.  page, 
doubtless  with  the  thought  in 
mind,  in  case  of  a  casualty,  the 
little  book  might  fall  into  her 
hands.  The  record  begins  when 
father  was  twenty  three  years 
old. 

Friday,  January  1,  1863  - We 
have  been  in  comotion  all  day. 
Sent  some  of  our  things  to  the 
ferry  and  were  in  line  of  battle 
all  the  forenoon.  This  has  been 
a  cold  windy  day.  (Seven  o'(cid:173)
clock  evening)  There  has  been 
no  enemy  in  sight. 

Saturday,  2nd  - Our  horses 

were  saddled  all  night  and  ear(cid:173)
ly  this  morning  we  were  out  to 
meet  the  rebels.  It is  still  cold 
and windy.  We  have expected to 
,, be  ordered  out but  are  comfort(cid:173)
able  in  camp  yet. 

Sunday  3rd  •  We  were  out 
early  this  morning  and  ready 
for  the  march.  Started  at  seven 
to  Winchester 
o'clock,  went 
and  from 
to  Newtown 
where  we  took  a  number  of  re(cid:173)
bels and  returned  to  camp  at e(cid:173)
leven  at  night. 

there 

Monday 4th  - We  all feel  tired 
out  after  our  58  miles  in  eigh(cid:173)
teen (18)  hours. We  had  300  cil.v(cid:173)
alrymen,  two  pieces  of  artil(cid:173)
lary.  We  wounded  two  and  took 
seven  prisoners. 

Tuesday  5th  - We  received 
marching  orders  at  two  pm.  I 
started  but  my  horse 
lost  a 
shoe  and  I  was  sent  to  camp. 
It is  still  very  cold  and  bad  to 
get  around.  Some  of  our  Com(cid:173)
pany  came  in  last  evening. 

Wednesday  6th  - We  have  re(cid:173)

ceived  strong  re  - 0enforcements 
from  the  army on the  Potomac. 
The  enemy  has  not  come  any 
nearer  than  Winchester. 

Thursday  7th 

-The  weather 
is  a  little  more  moderate.  The 
forces  came  in  from  the  scouts 
this  pm.  They  did  not  find  the 
enemy  of  any  account.  Took 
one  rebel  in  Newtown  and  kill(cid:173)
ed  one  rebel.  A  captain  of  the 
first  New  York  wounded. 

Friday  8th 

- Everything 

is 
quiet  above  here as  far  as New(cid:173)
town  and  the  rebels  are  suppos(cid:173)
ed  to  be  retreating. 

Saturday,  9th - There was  two 
inches  of  snow fall  last evening. 

Diary  of  the  Civil  War 

Expe·riences  of  Sheldon  R.  Curtiss 
*  Courtesy  of  Mrs.  Harvey  H.  Lowrey,  Saranac  * 

The  weather  continues  cold. 

Sunday  10th 

-Well,  after  a 
long  tedious  time  of  cold  weath(cid:173)
er  another  pleasant  Sabbath 
us.  How 
has  dawned  upon 
pleasant,  how 
I  have 
been  writing  and  reading  most 
of  the  day. 

joyous! 

Monday 11th - It is  still  warm 
and  pleasant.  The 
rebels  are 
said  to  be  retreating.  There  is 
nothing  new,  all  is  quiet  along 
the  lines. 

Tuesday  12th  - I  have  ·been 
out  ta king  a  horseback  ride  for 
my  health  and  my  horses 
health.  We  are  having  very  ea(cid:173)
sy times  now  but  are  expecti,ng 
to go  on  a  scout  soon. 

Wednesday  13th  - The 

21st 
and  22nd  Company  of  Cavalry 
started  for  home  this  morning. 
I  would  have  liked  it  if  it  had 
been  our  regiment  some  better. 
They  were  six  month  men. 

Thursday  14th  - I  have  spent 
the  day  mending  and  washing. 
This  has  been  a  very  pleasant, 
warm  day.  The  Orderly  started 
home  today  to  recruit.  We  are 
having  very easy times  at pres(cid:173)
ent  and  some  of  us  are  think(cid:173)
ing  of  going  home. 

Friday  15th  - Got  up 

this 
morning  and  cooked  a  good  lot 
of  buckwheat  cakes  which  was 
a  great  treat  with  us.  (Father 
was  a  cook  in  the  army).  The 
weather  is  still  warm  and  pros(cid:173)
pects of  a  storm. 

Saturday 16th - I  have been at 
work  fixing  the  captain's  tent. 
There  is  some  excitement about 
the  rebs  coming  but  we  are  all 
right  yet. 

Sunday  17th  - This  is  another 
pleasant  Sabbath  day  and  I  am 
well  and  able  to  enjoy  the  pre(cid:173)
cious  blessings  of  God.  I  have 
spent  the  day  reading  and  writ(cid:173)
ing. 

Monday  18th  - The  news 

is 
very  good  today.  The  21st  and 
first  N.Y.  had  quite  a  fight  this 
evening.  After  untying  some 
soldiers  the  21st  had  tied,  so  a 
fight  ensued. 

Tuesday  19th  - I  have  been 
fixing  up  in  the  tent.  This  pm 
Levi  and 
I  went  out  and  got 
a  nice  fat  sheep. 

Wednesday  20th  - Last  night 
was  a  restless  one  for  me.  My 
lungs  bothered  me  very  much. 
I  feel better this  morning.  All  is 
quiet  along  the  lines  today. 

Thursday  21st  - All  quiet  but 
a  raid  is  expected  in  direction 
of  Stransburgh. 

Friday  22nd  - It  has  been  a 
warm  and  pleasant  day.  I  was 
detailed  to  go  with  the  brigade 
Quartermaster  this  pm.  Return(cid:173)
ed  to  camp  at five  o'clodk  after 
a  pleasant  ride. 

Saturday  23rd  - We  were  all 
out  early  this  morning  ready to 
march  at  seven.  Went  to  New(cid:173)
town.  Stopped  all  night.  I  was 
on  picket,  the  night  was  pleas(cid:173)
ant  and  we  had  a  very  good 
time  of  it. 

Sunday  24th  - We  marched 
all  day.  Found  the  rebels  at 
Woodstock. 

Monday  25th  - We  stayed  at 
Winchester  last  night.  Started 
at  seven  and  arrived  at  camp 
at  three  o'clock  and  found  all 
well. 

Tuesday  26th  - Levi  Barnard 
and  I  went  to  Cabletown  after 
butter.  We  are  looking  for  the 
paymaster  all  the  time  now. 

Wedn4'!sday  27th 

- This  is  a 
very  warm  pleasant  day  and 
we  are  enjoying  it  pretty  well. 
The  news  is  good  in  the  day's 
papers. 

Thursday  28th  - Levi  and  I 
were  detailed  for  picket  and  fi(cid:173)
nally were kept on reserve.  The 
boys  go QI.It  on a  scout to return 
at six o'clallk in. the morning af(cid:173)
-~ tna.r~ a  nifi:W;. . • 
..  We  are  all  in 
camp today. Have had a picture 
take.n  of  O\Jrst!lves  a.nd  quar(cid:173)
ters.  This  is  a  very  pleasant 
day. 

Friday  -

Saturday  30th  - Still  in  camp 
but  expect  to  go  on  scout  any 
time.  The  rebels  have  captured 
Micbigan's  trains  and  a  large 
number  of  cattle. 

Sunday  31st  - We  started  on 
the  march  at  ten  o'clock  today 
and  marohed  until  eleven  o'(cid:173)
clock  at  night.  Encamped  five 
miles  West  of  Winchester.  Had 
a  good  time and  nice  lot of  hon(cid:173)
ey.  There are about 3000  of  cav(cid:173)
alry  and  two  pieces  of  artillary 
with  us.  We  are  probably  going 
to  assist  General  Muligan.  The 
boys  all  feel  well  and  appear 
to  be  enjoying  themselves.  Our 
destination 
into 
western  Virginia.  Sent  six  let(cid:173)
ters  to  Abigail  this  month. 

is  probably 

Monday February 1,  1863  - We 
drew  rations  for  two  days  and 
marphed  at seven.  The  day has 
been  a  very  pleasant  one.  Our 
march has  been over mountains. 
and  through  valleys.  We  camp(cid:173)
ed  by  a  big  canyon. 

Tuesday  2nd  •  We  started  be(cid:173)

fore  daylight  after  a 

good 

night's  rest  and  our  stomachs 
full  of  mutton.  Had  a  very 
pleasant  ride.  Arrived  in  Rom(cid:173)
ney  at  2  o'clock.  Had  a  fight 
with  rebs  at  macaniee  gap  in 
the  afternoon. 

Wednesdy  3rd  - We  held  the 
Gap  last  night  and  have  been 
to  Springfield  today  from  there 
to  Romney  again.  At  one o'(cid:173)
clock · marched  for  Moorfield. 
Had 
time 
and  very 
sleepy on our way. 

tedious 

Thursday  4th  - We  came  to 
Moorfield  at daylight  and found 
the  rebels  in  force  and engaged 
them at eight o'clock and  drove 
them  through 
lost  river  gap. 
The  loss  is  not  yet  known.  We 
encamped  west  of 
the  river 
near  Moorfield  at  eleven  o'(cid:173)
clock. 

Friday  5th  - We  marched  for 
Romney  early  and  marched  all 
day  without  encountering 
the 
enemy.  Just before dark landed 
in  Romney  safe  ancj.  sound. 

Saturday 6th - I  was on guard 
last  night  but  had  a  good  rest 
and  put  shoes  on  my  horse.  We 
encamped  in  Winchester  very 
late. 

Sunday 7th - We  started out of 
Winchester  and 
five  (5) 
miles  out,  then  started  on  and 
came  to  C  Town, 
the 
camp moved  to Halltown,  every 
thing  looks  dreary  in 
the  old 
camp. 

found 

fed 

Monday  8th  -

I  have  been 
resting 
today  and  feel  very 
well.  Are  glad  that we  have  all 
arrived  safely 
in  camp.  We 
have  heard  that  Corporal  Pro(cid:173)
vine was  killed  at Smithfield  by 
the  Rebels  and  we  feel  very 
sorry  to  lose  one  of  our  num(cid:173)
ber. 

Tuesday  9th  - We  have  been 
today.  Have 

fixing  our 
worked  very hard. 

tent 

Wednesday  10th  - We  have 
finished  our  tent  and  are  very 
comfortable  again.  The  weather 
continues  to  be  pleasant. 

Thursday  llth  - We  were  or(cid:173)

in 

dered  on  scout  duty  but  after 
getting  ready  the  order  was 
countermanded  and  we  have 
been  working  on  our  stable. 
still 

Friday  12th  - Are 

camp  and  at  work on the sta(cid:173)
ble.  There  were  some  rebs 
came  in  with  flag  of  truce  to(cid:173)
day.  I  have  not  learned  their 
business. 

Saturday  13th  - I  have  spent 
the  day  in  camp  writing  and 
reading.  Everything  is  quiet  a(cid:173)
long the Jines.  Weather is  warm 

and  pleas.ant. 
1ninday'1Aitlt-Tms is  the first 
Sunday I  have  been in  camp for 
three  weeks.  This 
is  a  very 
pleasant  day.  I  have  been  writ(cid:173)
ing  and  reading  and  thus  pass(cid:173)
ed  the  day. 

15,  16,  17,  and  18th  of  Febru(cid:173)

ary  not  recorded. 

Friday  19th  - I  have  been  to 
Charleston  with  the  men  who 
were  enrolling  the  militia  and 
we  had  some  time  with  the  se· 
cession  women  there . 

Saturday  20th  - We  were  at 

Duffield  Station  today. Our busi(cid:173)
ness  was  the  same  as  yester(cid:173)
day. 

Sunday  21st  - I  am  in  camp 
today  again .  All  is  quiet  and 
the  day  is  pleasant.  Densmore 
(Coirneil!e)  and  Hartley  started 
for  home  this  morning. 

Monday  22nd  - Levi  and 

I 
came  in  the  night  of  the  17th 
and  saw  a  woman  who  com(cid:173)
plained  of  one  of  the  artillary 
men  and  asked  us  to  take  him 
to  camp.  We  did  so  and  had 
some  fun  with  the  drunken  fel(cid:173)
low. 

Tuesday  23rd  - I  was  detailed 
for  picket  duty  this  morning 
and  went  up  to  the  stone  mills 
on  the  Shenandoah.  Had  a  very 
good  time. 

Wednesday  24th  - We  came in 
about  noon  from  picket.  Levi 
and  I  brought  a  pail  of  nice 
ho!1ey  and  a  good  supply  of 
milk. 

Thursday  25th  - We  were  out 
with  the  enrolling  officers 
to(cid:173)
day,  Had  a  pleasant  ride.  Re(cid:173)
turned  at  dark. 
F.riday  26th  - We  were  at (;; j_ 
bletown  today.  Took  dinner  at 
Mr Langdon's  and  fed  the  tors(cid:173)
es  at  the  mill.  We  had  gome 
tough 
fighting  with  the  rebel 
women  but  nothing  serious. 

Saturday  27th  - We  have  had 

a  risky piece of  business  to  per(cid:173)
form.  Went  from  camp  up  the 
Shenandoah  to  the  county  line 
among  the  Rebs. 

· 

Sunday  28th  - This  is  a  very 
pleasant  day.  I  have  been 
in 
camp for  the first time in many 
days, ·but  the  b)essings  that  are 
bestowed  upon  me  are  many 
for  which  I  have  great  reason 
to  be  thankful. 

Monday  29th  - I  am  on  dis(cid:173)
OWlted  guard today in front of 
C o 1 on e I  Taylor's 
quarters. 
There  is  appearance  of  snow 
but  it  may  turn  into 
rain.  I 
have  written  five  letters  this 
month. 

Tuesday March 1  - There  was 
quite  a  fall  of  snow  last  night 
and  the  weather is  cold. 

Wednesday  2nd  - We  have 
spent  the  day  in  camp  as  it  is 
very  bad  to  be  out  on  such'a 
day.  We  have  been talking  with 
the  enrollin~  officer  and  have 
had  a  very good  visit. 

Thursday  3rd  - Today  we 
crossed 
the  Shenandoah  and 
went  upon  the  East  side  and 

orossed  a  bad  fork  near  Snick(cid:173)
ers  Gap. 

Friday,  March  4,  1863  - This 
morning  at  the  first  dawn  we 
to 
were  on 
Smithfield  and  from 
to(cid:173)
ward  Lee  town,  found  no  Rebs 
so  left  the  enrolling  officer  and 
returned  to  camp. 

the  alert.  Went 
there 

Saturday  5th  - I  did  a  wash(cid:173)

ing  and  sat  down  to  write  when 
the  bugle  sounded  to  horses  and 
we  were  soon  on  the  road  to(cid:173)
ward  Waterford  where  we  ar(cid:173)
rived  at  midnight.  Found  no 
Rebs . 

Sunday 6th  - This  morning  we 
were  out  early  and  started  for 
camp  about  noon.  The 
iirst 
Vets.  lost  23  men  at  Snickers 
Field. 

Monday  7th  -We · moved  from 
Halltown  Fernsville,  Virginia. 
Found  ti\at  the  tents  and  the  e~ 
quipment  were  all  gone  so  af(cid:173)
ter  we  fed  our  horses  we  fol(cid:173)
lowed  on  and  found  the  boys  all 
safe  in  a  comfortable  place, 

Tuesday  8th  - We  have  all 
tents. 
been  busy 
fixing  our 
There  is  appearance  of 
rain. 
We  like  our  situation  very  well. 
Wednescjay  9th  - The  Pennsyl..: 
vania  Cavalry 
this 
evening  as  we  were  sent  here 
to  relieve them.' They  expect  to. 
go  home  to  recruit. 

left  here 

Thursday  10th  - We  heard 
that  the  New  York  Veterans 
(1st.)  lost  some  men  and  with 
them  a  Major  killed.  Aside 
from  that  all  is  well. 

Friday  11th  - It  has  rained 

hard  today  and  the  mud  is  get(cid:173)
ting  very  bad .  We  have  ·been 
out  and  got  a  rotary  stove  and 
it  is  a  very  good  one  for  0ur 
use. 

Saturday  12th 

-I  came  early 

from  picket  and  have  been  fix(cid:173)
ing  the.  quarters.  This  has  been 
a  very  pleasant  day  after  the 
rainy  weather. 

Sunday  13th  - All  i8  quiet  to(cid:173)

day.  I  have  been  wri1mg  most 
all  day.  There  are  no  particu(cid:173)
lar  news. 

Monday 14th  - '!'nc  w•~ather i£1 
snme  colder  this  mor!11ng.  We 
art!  ordered  to  lie  on  .1ur  arms 
tonight  but  I  think  we  shall  r.o• 
be  troubled. 

Tuesday  15th  - We  are  a:l 
right yet in c3mp. l  am_ew.:uiclfo 
et  in  camp  tonight. 

Wednesday  16th  - J  have  been 

on  patrol  today.  Went  lo  Lees(cid:173)
borough.  Found  all  quiet. 

Thursday  17th  - This  is  St. 
Patrick'E  day  in  the  m'.Jrnint~ at 
eight  o'clock.  It is  some  warm(cid:173)
er  so  the  day  is  very  pleasant. 
There  was  one  of  Co.  I  s  men 
taken  last  night. 

Friday  18~h  - We  hrwe  been 
busy  today  look!ng  for  the  stray 
Rebels  that  ar.~  scouting  ar0i..nd 
but  have  found  none. 

Satu,·day l :'1h  - It  i~;  coldc.·~ tr1-
day.  I  was  out  on  patrol  triday. 
Had  a  good  time  but quite  cold. 
All  is  quiet  but  here  and  ihere 

are  Rebs  r<>ported  about  Berg. 
ville. 

~unday ~\Jth - I  have  spent the 
day  by  writing  heme.  We  heard 
that  WI!  .ire  gdn~ to  be  t11:der· 
ed  to  our  regiment,  but  if  we 
are  we  will  try  to  put  up  wilh 
it. 

Monday  21<>t  - There  is  noth(cid:173)
ing  new  today.  The  weather  is 
quite  cold  again.  We  had  a  good 
meeting  last  night  and  yester(cid:173)
day. 

Tuesday  nnd  - I  came  off 
picket  this  morning.  We  had  a 
very  cold  tim.~. 

Thu1·sday  24t:1  -

We!3ne>da·1  23rd  - It ls  very 
lonesome  in  camo  today  and 
time  seems  to  pass  very  slc:w. 
It  ·is  very 
warm  and  pleasant  today.  We 
have  nad  a  game  ' f  hall  :1!1 
this  aftemoon  to  pai;:s  the  lont!(cid:173)
ly  hours. 

Friday  25th  - All  quiet  today 
Mr  Myers  came  and  ~ta)'ed 
with  us  tonight.  He  is  now  en(cid:173)
rolling  the  slaves. 

Saturday  26th  ..  I  have  ootn 
the 

very  lon:~s0me  today.  '. All 
time  seems  t'l  ~rag. 

Sunday  27th  - Oh  how  ple::is(cid:173)

ant  it  is  today!  I  have  spent 
the  day  writing  and  reading 
some  good  books  the  Chaplain 
gave  us. 

Monday  28th  - It is' colder  to(cid:173)

day.  The  Infantry  are  ordered 
away  and  some  Ohio  Regiment 
in  their  places.  So  we  are  to 
have  some  new  neighbors. 

Tuesday  29th  - It  bas  OOen 
raining  all  day  so  I  have  been 
in  all  the day. 

Wednesday  30th 

.  This  ha s 
been  a  very  stormy  day.  'fh: 
snow  has  fell  thick  and  fast .  It 
has  stopped  here  now. 

-I  came  from 
Thursday  31st 
picket  at  seven 
this  morning . 
Took  a  good  nap  and  then  '.rnd 
the  pleasure  of  eating  maple  su(cid:173)
gar  from  home 
l?) 
brought.  We  have  had  a  good 
prayer  meeting  tonight.  There 
were  two  Rebs  from  Richmond 
came  today. 

that  Jal 

Friday,  April  1st  - It  rained 
all  of  last  night.  We  have  six 
men  recruits  come  today.  The 
satler  shot  the  colored  boy  in 
the  head  but  did  not  kill  him. 
We  siined  the  payroll  today. 

Saturday  2nd  - This  has  been 

a  bad  stormy  day  and  every(cid:173)
thing  looks  gloomy.  We  are  ex(cid:173)
pecting  our  pay  the  first  of  the 
week. 

Sunday  3rd  - We  have  had 
preaching  today  in  the  tent.  It 
is  a  very  muddy  time  outside. 
Monday  4th  - We  were  paid 
off  this  pm  and  was  very  glad 
of  it as  the  boys  were  all  out of 
money. 

Tuesday 5th  - I  have sent part 

of  my  check  home  and  am  go(cid:173)
ing  to  send  some  money  in  a 
few  days. 

Wednesday  6th  - We  have 
be.en  after  some  horses  beyond 
Smithfield.  Found  some  rank 
secessionist  and  some  of  ihe 

women  wanted  to  fight. 

Thursday  7th  - This  has  been 
a  very  warm  and  pleasant  day. 
There  are  ·no  particular  news. 
I  have  ilent  $75.00  home  this  pay 
day. 

Friday  8th  - It  is  a  warm 
pleasant  day.  I  have  spent  the 
day  in  the  tent  drawing  off  mu(cid:173)
sic  of  a  piece  from  the  Waver(cid:173)
ly  and  writing  home. 

Saturday 9th  - All  quiet. 
Sunday  10th  - We  only  had  a 
meeting  this  evening.  We  are 
all  in  camp  today .  I  have  writ-. 
ten  most  all  day. 

Monday  11th  ..  We 

received 
marching  orders  today  to  go  1.o 
Halltown.  I  am  on  picket  near 
Leetown.  Our  lines  run  from 
the  Shenandoah  to  Bunker  Hill. 
There  were  two  Rebs  came  in 
today. 

Tuesday  12th  - We  were  re(cid:173)

lieved  about  one  o'clock,  went 
to  camp  and  found  it  all  torn 
up.  We  were  oon  on  our  way 
to  Halltown  where  we  arrived 
about  sunset. 

Wednesday  13th  - We  all  went 
on  picket  this  morning.  This  is 
a  rainy  day .  There  were  bush(cid:173)
whackers  around  last  night  and 
wounded  one  of  the  21st  men . 
The  men  up  the  river  saw  sev(cid:173)
en  Rebs  beyond  there. 

Thursday  14th  - We  were  re(cid:173)

lieved  and  went to  Snickers  Gnp 
today.  Found  all 
right  ther~. 
The  river  is  high  and  the  rail(cid:173)
road  bridge  went  off  carrying  a 
coal  train  of  cars. 

little 

Friday  15th  - I  came  in  late 
last  evening,  found  George  and 
Levi  {Abigail's  brothers)  all 
comfortable  in  our 
tent 
where we all  took a  good  night's 
rest  for  the  first  time  in  some 
time.  All  is  quiet. 

the  box 

Saturday  l6th  - I  sent  a  faw 
things  home  . .in 
that 
George  and  Levi  sent.  It  has 
I  have 
been  a  rainy  day  so 
been  in  the  tent  most  of 
the 
time.  There  is  some  talk  that 
we  are  going  to  the  regiment. 
Sunday  17th  - We  are  out  on 
picket  near  Charlstown.  The 
Rebs  fired  on  our  pickets  ~ast 
night  on  lhe  right  .of  our  h~e. 
We  have  a  very  ruce  campmg 
ground  at Halltown  but  we  will 
have  to  leave  it soon,  as we  al(cid:173)
ways  have  to  do. 

Monday  18th  - We  came 

to 
camp  last  night  and  had  a  good 
night's  rest.  The  weaU1er  has 
come  off  more  pleasant,  but 
cool. 
.  d 
Tuesday  19th  - We.  receive. 
01·ders  to  join  our regiment  this 
morning.  We  are  ready  for  any(cid:173)
thing  consistent  but  hate 
to 
leave  our  nice  quarters.  But  ·O 
it  is  with  soldiers.  3  P.  M.  We 
have  torn  down  our  tents  and 
things  look  bad  bu~ it  only  re(cid:173)
minds  us  that all  thmgs  are  un(cid:173)
certain. 

Wednesday  20th  ..  We  march(cid:173)

ed  to  Boliver  and  encamped 
to 
near 
the  heights.  Expect 
start  tor  Washington  soon. 
I 

have  a  very  bad  cold  and  feel 
about sick.  The  weather  is very 
cold. 

Thursday 21st  - I  went  out  on 
picket  and  came  nearly  having 
a  fight  with  a  woman.  She  can(cid:173)
ed  me  ''A  damned  Yank,  and 
would  not  do  anything  to  save 
my  life."  I  would  not  let  her 
out  was  the  trouble. 

Friday 22nd  - I  came to  camp 

this  noon  and  have  been  nap(cid:173)
ping  the  remainder  of  the  day. 
We  wP.re  up  by  false  alarm  in 
camp  tonilltlt. 

Saturday  23rd  - I  went  up  to 
Key's  ford 
today  noon,  came 
back  and  went on  picket.  There 
is  a  force  of  8,000  Rebel  Caval(cid:173)
ry  In  London  Valley,  said  to  be 
at  Leesborough.  With  this  ex(cid:173)
ception  all  is  quiet. 

Sunday  noon  24th  -Just  came 
in  camp  from  picket  duty.  This 
has  been  a  very  pleasant  da~ 
and  one  that  I  could  enjoy  if  I 
were  only  at  home.  I  trust  lhis 
war  will  soon  end  so  we  can 
enjoy  the  blessings  of  home. 
Monday  25th  - All  is  quiet. 
Tuesday  26th  - We  were  re(cid:173)

lieved  this  morning  and  shall 
start  for  Washington 
in  the 
morning.  So  must  bid  adieu  to 
this  part  of  Vir~inia. 

this  morning 

Wednesday  27th  - We  were 
out  early 
flnd 
started  at  sunrise.  Went  by  the 
way  of  Fredrick.  Have  had  a 
pleasant  time.  Stopped  at  night 
at  Hayettstown  (?). 
"  Thursday  28th  - We  marched 
until  noon  and encamped on  the 
old  campground  at  Rockville. 
n  Is  very  pleasant  and  seems 
like  old  times.  When  I  staked 
my  tent  I  said  I  was  one  day 
nearer  home. 

Fri<lay  ~th  - We  bid  good. 
1>ye  to  JlloCkville  ~ q\oming 
&Rd 
to  W~hington 
this  noon  .,and  eqcamped  on 
Ca,mp  ~tonema·.  This  is  ~ very 
pleasant  and  slghtl}'  place. 

rna,rched· 

Saturday  30th  - ..I  h~ve  been 
all  over- this  camp  tlus  morn(cid:173)
ing  after  I  heard lthat  break  a(cid:173)
way.  Have  been Wl'iting  this  af. 
temoon.  We  were  mustered  for 
pay  this  evening. 
Sunday,  May  isl  - We  have 
not  spent  this  forenoon  m1:1ch 
like  Sunday.  Have  been  turning 
over  our  saddles,  guns  and  sa-· 
bers  TheTe  was  a  heavy  wind 
this 'evening  wlth  some  rain. 

Monday  2nd  - We  were  out 
early this  morning  to  curcy  our 
horses  and  start  for  the  front. 
We  have  marched  all  day  and 
finally  found  the··-teglment.  af(cid:173)
ter  a  Jong  search.  There  are  a 
large numbe.r -of  ttll>oPs  here. 

Tuesday  3rd  - The- whole  ar(cid:173)
my  broke  up  ca~ this  morn(cid:173)
ing.  Our  army  ~.  a  splendid 
one.  We  camped  kw  the  night 
and  got  part  of  a njght's  rest 
but feel  pretty good  tO  start of.f. 
Wednesday  4th·  We  have 
made a  long rbaroti.:t¢ay.  Went 
to  the  battlefield  ft.  Chancelor(cid:173)
"'11e  .wbe~ we  WPi~ptd  fo1· 

'the· night  and  dreif. O!,lr  rations 
preparatory  for.  a  fight.  There 
has  been a.fight on our left  thls 
pm. 

Thursday 5th - We  started out 
early  this  morning  to  meet. t'1e 
Rebs.  Marched  about ten  miles, 
fed  our  horses  and  ate  our 
breakfast  in  eight  mj.nlltes,  then 
had  a  hard  fight .i.11ting  about 
three  hours.  The fight  drove  the 
Rebs off  the field.  We killed  one 
of  Lee's  artnary· general,s.  They 
left their  killed  and  wounded  on 
the  field.  We  left  a  part  of  our 
division  to  hold  the  field  and 
marched  toward  Chancelorville 
to  hold  another field.  Stayed  all 
night. 

Friday 6th  - This  morning  we 
marched  back  to  the  field  we 
had  the  fight  upon  yesterday. 
Another  hard  fight  but  no  great 
loss  on  either  side.  We  were· 
glad  to  see  the  night  set  in  so 
as  to  rest. 

Saturday 7th - We  had but lit(cid:173)
tle  rest  last  night.  Our  pickets 
were  fired  upon  many  times. 
Saturday  7ijl  continued  - We 
have  marchett  all  day  and  it 
bas  ·been  very  dusty.  We  en(cid:173)
calJlt>ed  on  a  large,  clear piece 
olll!TOUoo 
Sun-day  8th  - We  have  1600-
Cavalarymen  with  us.  We  think 
we  are  on  the  road  to  Rich(cid:173)
mond.  Butler  (?)  is  said  to  be 
there.  Our  Regiment  has  been 
in  advance.  Some  skirmishings 
in  front. 

Monday  9th  - We  have  made 

a  long march of  it today.  Cross(cid:173)
ed the North River and encamp(cid:173)
ed  for  the  night  at  dark.  We 
are  out  of  rations  both  for  our(cid:173)
selves  and  horses. 
(note  - Sheldon  lost  track  of  a 
day or two  somewhere  after the 
battle.) 

Tuesday  May  12th  - There 
were  forty  of  our  Company  out 
on  flankers.  About  noon  we  be(cid:173)
gan  tearing  up  the  RR 
track 
seven  miles  from  Richmond. 
We  had  a  hard  fight  but  were 
the  victors.  Took  two  pieces  of 
artillery. 

in 

Thursday  14th  - We  flad  an 
all  night  march  yesterday. 
Came  to  the  Forts  of  Rich(cid:173)
mond  just before  day.  The  Rebs 
had  a  torpedo  buried 
the 
road  but  no  damage  done.  We 
had  a  hard fight  at Chickamau(cid:173)
ga  Creek  that  lasted  all  day. 

Friday  15th  - It  was  a  had 
rainy  night  last  night  but  we 
laid  down  in  the  water  on  the 
grist  mills  battle field.  We  rest(cid:173)
ed  well  as 
first 
night's  rest  we  had  had  in  a 
long  time. 

it  was 

the 

Saturday  16th 

- We  have 

marched  , today  without  ha.v(cid:173)
ing  a  fight.  There  was  a  spy 
shot  by  our  men.  He  led  our 
advance  under  a  masked  bliot(cid:173)
tery.  We  encamped  at three p.(cid:173)
m.  Thirty  five  of  our  company 
w~re on  picket. 

Sunday 17th  - We  camped on 
Melvern  Hill  this  pm.  Our  gur. 

boats  threw  some  heavy  shell 
at us  supposing  us  to be  the  en(cid:173)
emy. 

Monday 18th  - This  is  a  pleas(cid:173)

ant  place  to  encamp  the  water 
being  good.  We  were  made  to 
from 
rejoice  with  good  news 
the  army;  a  chance  to  send  off 
some  letters,  a  good  supply  of 
rations  and  our  horses  were  in(cid:173)
spected  and  some  taken  out  to 
send  back  to  the  rear. 

Tuesday  19th  - We  marched 
with  three  day's  rations.  All  is 
quiet. 

Wednesday 20th  - We  left Mel(cid:173)
vern  Hill  last  night.  We  march(cid:173)
ed  all  night over some  very  bad 
road  but  today  it  has  been  bet(cid:173)
ter.  We  marched  half  way  from 
Melvern  Hill  to  White 
house 
landing. 

Thursday  21st  - Our  regiment 

left  early  and  destroyed  Bat(cid:173)
tens  bridge  today.  I  stayed  with 
the  train  It  has  heen  a  rainy 
day  and  i  have  been  very lone(cid:173)
ly.  ·oh  how  I  long  to  see  this 
wicked  war  ended.  May  th~ 
Lord  send  a  speedy 
tion. 

termina(cid:173)

Friday  22nd  - We  marched 
for  the  RR  near  Hanover  and 
reached  there  at  sunset.  We 
drove  out  a  small  rebel  force 
and  destroyed  a  bridge  and 
some  of  their  works  around  the 
depot  and  encamped  for 
the 
night. 

Saturday  23rd  - We  met  the 
enemy  near  Hanover  Court.  We 
found  they  were  strongly  for Ii(cid:173)
fied  and  guarding  a  bridge  just 
beyond.  We  destroyed  the  RR 
bridge and  marched  back to the 
Whitehouse  an  encamped . 

Sunday  24th 

- Oh,  what  a 
pleasant  Sabbath.  We  are  lay(cid:173)
ing  near  the  White  House  eigh(cid:173)
teen  miles 
from  Richmond. 
This  seems  like  a  Holy  day  and 
I  feel  the  presence  of  God.  May 
I  long  remember  this  day.  We 
crossed  Tamenkey  river.  We 
drew  our 
rations  at  White 
House  landing. 

Monday  25th  - I  was  up  at 
five  o'clock  this  morning  and 
we marched at day break to  the 
White  lf°'iP!f?  landing.  We  cross(cid:173)
ed  on  the . rail  road  bridge  :ind 
1ll'e\\'  r:i1ions  from  0111"  llo:i1.-.;,  nn 
the  Tamcnkey  l'\'er .  They  ha\'e 
not  heen  here  before  since  Mr 
Lincoln. 

Tuesday  26th  - \\'e  ha\'e  lwd 
a  hard  clay,  Are  on  \he  way  io 
ha\'e  1raining  with  the  main  ;1r(cid:173)
my.  We  ha\'c  had  a  long,  hard 
march  anrl 
need  some  rest 
very  much. 

\Vednesclay  27th  - We  march(cid:173)

ed  half  a  day  and  reached  1m· 
\rain  at  noon.  We  got  a  nice  lot 
of  letters  from  home.  Oh  how 
thankful  I  am  for  them  and  that 
God  has  spared  my  ·wife 
rmd 
children.  His  care  is  ever  upon 
1hem. 

Thursday  28th 

-We  drew  ra(cid:173)

tions  and  marched  at  noon.  It 
has  been  a  rainy  day.  Our  horc;. 
es  and  men  are well  drilled  out. 

Friday  29th  - We  marched  all 
night  and 
this  morning  early 
found  a  force  of  Rebs  where  we 
crossed  Tamenkey 
river. 
Our  regiment  lost  four  men  kill(cid:173)
ed.  We  finally  drove  the  enemy 
back. 

(?) 

Saturday  30th  - I  have  been 
to  the  creek  and  washed  myself 
and  clothes.  I  have  done  some 
writing.  We  marched  at  noon 
and  had  a  hard  fight.  Our Com(cid:173)
pany  lost  three  men  killed,  Sat·(cid:173)
geant  Campbell,  Clark  Gross 
nncl  M11rtin  House. 

Sunday  31st  - We 

fell  back 
wilh  our  regiment  and  had  a 
good  night's  rest.  Marched  to(cid:173)
ward  the  White  House  landing; 
stayed  all  nii,>ht  in  a  field  of 
plenty  for  our  horses. 

Monday,  ,June  1,  1863  - I  was 
out  early  this  morning  after  my 
horse,  found  him,  and  then  took 
a  good  nap. 

laid 

Tuesday  2nd  - We 

in 
oamp  a  good  share  of  the  thy 
and  toward  one  o'clock  our  reg(cid:173)
iment  marched  and  had  a  hea(cid:173)
vy  fight  that  lasted  all  night. 
Our  regiment  were  dismountl'd 
on  the  skirmish 
line.  We  Jost 
but' few.  The  enemy  tried  hard 
to  turn  our  left  flank  but  were 
repulsed. 

Well,  another  month  has  gone 
and  by  the  goodness  of  God  I 
am spared from  the  balls  of  the 
enemy.  For 
I  am  very 
thankful  and  will  trust  Him  for 
the  coming  month. 

this 

Wednesday,  June  3,  1863  -
There  was  some  fighting  this 
morning.  We  were  relieved  by 
the  6th  Corps.  Inft.  It is  a  very 
dusty  apd  hot  time.  The  fire  is 
ruining  the  crops, 
the  woods 
and  on  an  sides,  all  looks  dis(cid:173)
mal. 
Thursday  4th  - We  moved  to 
the 
Batons  Bridge.  We  found 
enemy  in  fortification  on 
the 
opposite  side.  We  encamped  for 
the  night  and  I  enjoyed  a  good 
meal  cooked  in  the  rain.  All 
is  well. 

Friday 5th  - We  have  remain(cid:173)
ed  in  camp  twenty  four  hours. 
Our  horse'i>  feed  is out and  feed 
is  very  low.  We  have  encamped 
on  this  ground  before. 

Saturday  6th  - We  moved  a(cid:173)

bout fourteen  miles,  came  up  to 
our  train.  Saw  some  of  our  dis(cid:173)
mounted  boys.  All  is  well. 

tried 

Sunday  7th  - This  is  the  Holy 
Sabbath  but  does  not  seem  like 
it.  I  have 
it 
seem  like  Sunday.  There  has 
been  heavy  cannonading  in  di(cid:173)
rection  of  Fort  Darling.  JVe 
drew  one  day's  rations. 

to  make 

Monday  8th  - We  marched 
ten  miles  and  camped  on  the 
bank  of  the  Potomac.  We  drew 
rations  for  a  long  rakl;  start in 
the  morning. 

Tuesday  9th  - We 

started 
on  a  raid  this  morning.  I  was 
up  early,  got  a  g<>Qd  breakfast 
and  was  ready  to  start  at  sun(cid:173)
rise.  We  had  a  very  pleasant 
ride  and  a  short  march. 

Wednesday  10th  - There 

iww.  We 

nothing 
marching toward  Blue  Ridge  to(cid:173)
ward Charlottesville. 

are 

is 
still 

Thursday 11th  -We  are on  the 

march,  destination  unknown. 
Friday 12th  - We  have  march(cid:173)
ed  al1  day through  the  dust.  En(cid:173)
camped  at  eleven  o'otoek  at 
night.  Got  our  supper  and  a  lit(cid:173)
tle  sleep  preparatory  to  a  hard 
day's  fight . 
CAPTURED  BY  THE  ENEMY 
A.  0.  1864 

Saturday  12th  - We  are  near 
the  R.  R.  near  Charlottesville. 
Have  had  a  hard  fight  and 
so!lle  of  our  train  cut  off. 

Evening  - I  am  a  prisoner. 
Was  captured  while  tryi.ng 
to 
make  our escape  to  Blue  Ridge. 
The  Rebs  used  us  very  mean; 
took  everything. 

Monday  14th  - I 

Sunday  13th  - I  am 

in  1he 
hands  of  the  enemy today.  They 
use  us  very  well,  but  there  are 
no  prospects  of  getting  rations , 
and  the  Rebs  took  all  we  had. 
took  a  cup 
of  coffee  for  breakfast  and  <' t 
noon  we  started  for  Richmond. 
Saw  one  woman  with  a  spy 
glass  supposing  we  were  little 
inferior  animals,  but  she  soon 
found  she  was  mistaken.  We 
have  been  robbed  of  everythin~. 
Tuesday  15th  - We  took  the 
cars  at  noon  yesterday,  rode  tc 
a  misE!rable  Reb  town  where  we 
were  put  under  guard  in  an  o(cid:173)
pen 
and  drew  a  little 
meal  very late.  I  did  not  get  up 
to  cook  anything. 

field, 

Wednesday  16th  - We  have 
been  kept  in  the  hot  sun  today 
and  I  have  tried  to  put  lW  with 
my  lot  without  a  murmur.  Ev(cid:173)
erything  looks  pleasant  (when 
speaking  of  weather), 

Thursday  17th  - We  draw  a 
small  piece  of  bacon  and  a  pint 
of  meal  a  day  and  pass 
the 
time  by  making  our  corn-calJe 
and  mush.  The  weather  is  very 
hot.  We  fastened  up  my  blan(cid:173)
ket  to  shelter  us  from  the. sun. 
Friday 18th  - We  marched  at 
daylight  for  New  Canton.  Had 
citizens  with  shotguns  to  guard 
us.  I  did  not  stand  it very wen. 
My  feet  w~re  very  sore  as  I 
was  not  used  to  marching  on 
foot.  We  stayed at White  Plains. 
Saturday 19.th  - We  started  at 
sunrise  for  the· canal  where  we 
arrived  and  cooke\f  our  dinner, 
after which  we  were  stowed  in(cid:173)
~ three  old  boats  arid  started 
like  so  many 

'.br  Richmond 

hogs. 

Sunday  20th  - We 'travele!l: a11 
of  last  night.  I  passed  a . Yery 
rest'ess  night.  It was  very  hot 
crowded.  W e 
a  n d 1  very 
have  nothing  but  some  raw 
meal  and  onions  to  eat.  Wt!  ar. 
ri ved 
in  Richmond  at  eleven 
last  nig!tt. 

l:!I.'"  old 

Monq,a,Y  21st  - W,e  marched 
to 
hou!.4t 
where  we  were  sto.wetl  in  and 
searched  to 

the  skin.  Ev~ 

tobacco 

to 

thing  was  taken  away,  even  pri(cid:173)
vate  property.  A  little  after 
noon  we  drew  a  little  piece  of 
pork  arid  bread. 
Tuesday  22nd 

- We  were 
formed  into  lines  and  counted. 
Then  we  marcbed 
the  old 
Libby  prison.  We  drew  small 
pieces  of  Indian  bre.ad,  a  piece 
of  maggoty  bacon  and  a 
few 
beans. 

Wednesday  23rd 

We 
marched  out  by  file  and  drew 
rations  as  we  passed  out  and  o(cid:173)
ver  the  river;  took  the  cars  a(cid:173)
bout  eleven  for  a  Southern  pri(cid:173)
son.  We  were  jammed  in  the 
cars  so 
tight  that  we  almost 
suffocated. 

Thursday  24th  - We .were  tak(cid:173)

en  off  the  cars  and  drew  ra1 
tions  at  Olanville  and  then  got 
on  the  cars  again  and  started 
for  Charlotte. 

Friday  25th  - We  lay  at  Char(cid:173)
lotte  one  day.  Drew  some  mol(cid:173)
dy  bread  and  bacon;  very  short 
rations  and  very  poor. 

Saturday  26th  - We  rode 

to 
C9lumbia  today,  were  unloaded 
and  stowed in  a  tight car where 
we  suffered  very  much for  want 
of  air.  Some  of  our  men  died 
for  want  of  air. 

Sunday  27th-We  went  to  Agus(cid:173)

ta  and  the  engine  ran  off  the 
track  so  we  were  detained  iri 
the  hot  sun  until  after  noon.  l 
rode  on  top  of  the  cars  and 
slept  on  them  over  night. 

Monday  28th  - We  stopped  in 
Atlanta  quite  a  long  time  but 
drew no rations.  The  weather is 
very  sultry. 

Tuesday  29th 

-We  got  to  An(cid:173)

dersonville  and  were  put 
into 
the  old  prison,  or  stockade, 
where  an  awful  sight  is  to  be 
seen.  I  was  very  much  surpris: 
ed  when  I  first  saw  the  suffer. 
ing. 

Wednesday  30th 

- We  ia~ 
down  in 
tbe  rain  having  no. 
place  of  our  own,  to  lay  our 
head.  The 
raiders  took  some 
things  from  the  boys  and  final(cid:173)
ly  we  scared them ou~ and  were 
not  disturbed  afterwards. 

. 

Sunday  July  3rd  - This  is  an. 
other  of  God's  holy  Sabbaths. 
We  sang  some  and  I  have  pray(cid:173)
ed 
in  secret  that  God  would 
take  care  of  me,  and  mine  at 
home. 

Monday 4th - This is a  curiot.Lc; 
Independence  Day  tci  me,  and 
one  that  will  Jong  be  remem(cid:173)
bered  by  me.  I  hope  and  trust 
that  God  will  hasten  the  time 
when  I  shall  be  free  fropt  the 
works  of  war. 

Tuesday  5th  - I  feel 

like  a 
loqely  man  today.  Have ."'1  con· 
sofatlon;  on!Y  the  consolo,.t1o~ ot 
feeling  I  am  protected  by"'the' 
stron~ hand  of  God.  Gad  ltelpS 
me  to  be  a  faithful  fo\lower  or 
His  bles11ed  SOfl. 

WPdnesday  6th  - We  ~ve 
spent  the  day  in 
tinkering  a· 
round  our  small  quarters.  I  lay 
down  thls  evening  asiyng  God 

to  "cover  my  defenseless  head 
with  the  shadow  0f  His  WinJ." 
Had  a  ~ood rest. 

ThursdflY  7th  - This  has  l,)een 
a  very  warm  day.  I  am  very 
well  and  trying  to  keep  up  my 
·courage,  but  it 
is  ha»d.  Tl')e 
cars  have  been  running  very 
briskly  and  the  report  'is  that 
there  has  been  musketry  hetinl 
near  Macon. 
AUGUST,  1864 

There  has  been  a  large  num(cid:173)

ber  of  days  in  succession  that 
there  has  been  nothing  in  par• 
ticula.r  transpired  so  I  will  put 
down  some  of  the  popular  pric(cid:173)
es  of  things  in  camp. 

August  20  - Floor,  $1.00  per 
pint.  Beans  25c  per  pint.  Pep(cid:173)
per  50c  a  spoonful.  Red  pepp6tr 
75c  a  piece.  Potatoes  $1.50  per 
dozen,  size  of  hen's  eggs.  Smnll 
biscuit  25c.  Watermelon  and 
muskmelon  $3.00  to  $5.0e.  Salt 
75c  to  $1.00  per pound.  Rice  50c 
per  pint.  Apples  25c  to . 30c  a 
piece.  Onions  lOc  to  $1.()0.  To(cid:173)
matoes  25c  to  30c.  Peas  ~5c to 
30c  a  pint.  Green  tea  50c  per 
spoonful.  Soap  $3.00  per  pound. 
August 31,  1864  - Tl')~  last d~)' 
of  another  month  sJ)ent  Jn  a  re(cid:173)
bel  prison  has  come  and  with 
it  no  particular  prospects  qf 
getting  away.  We  are  not  as 
well  as  I  would  wish  w~ w.ere 
but  are  enjoying  blessin~s  for 
which  we  have  grtat  reasQfl  to 
thank  Almighty  God.  I  ha\~ 
thought  many times  of  Mmf Prt•. 
able  home  a,nd  When  I  con')· 
pare  it  with  the  hiµ-dships  wtt 
have  to  endure  here,  it  111akes 
the  heart  ache  for  trnt  former 
times  to  retum.  ~Y p.rayer  is 
that  the  happy  time  J.JlllY  be 
speedily brought aroun<t ~ the 
right 
war  ended 
prevail. 
Thursday,  September l  ·  WeU 
another  September  has  come 
but  not  as  in  former  days.  !Jl(cid:173)
stead  of  bringing  Joy  and  Jll\p(cid:173)
plness,  it Is  bringing #loom  and 
sorrow  and  privations.  I  often 
ask  myself  how  long  this  cup 
must  last. 

and 

Friday  2nd  - There  h~ 00.n 
great excitement iq  ~amp aboµ~ 
our  being  released  from 
this 
awful  bull-pen.  I  hQpt  it  may 
all  prove 
so  save 
many  from  a  painful  death. 

true  a,nd 

Saturpay 3rd  - We  ah! having 
tqr 
very  pleasant  weather 
which  we  ought  to  be  t.ti~l 
to  the  Giver  of  all  good.  l  alil 
trusting  Him  for  all  thin&~· 
Sunday  4th  - This  ls  another 
Sabbath  spent  in  prillOIJ.  We 
were  cut  short  on  01.ir  r~tioJ\8 
ta.lk  ot 
today.  There  Is  some 
our  belpg  exchang~·-and  th6 
time  ~ars slowly  a"1aY;  may 
wr  lot  soon  be  QSt  in  better 
·lands. 

the 

Monda,v.  5th  - It has  bi!en  a 
warm  .s.ultry  .iay.  I  h•ve  ~en 
bllsy  working !Alt  llion1e  trinkets 
of  ~' Ul'f8!p  n . a  1nement0' 
of  olcl' Camp  Sumpter  !tJld  thus 
pass  the  long,  lonely  hours  a(cid:173)
wav. 

Tuesday  6th  •  At  a  late  hour 
this evening,  the  order came for 
eighteen  detachments 
to  pre-I 
pare  to  ma~h. There  has  been 
a  great  deal  cif  excitement  and 
many  hef\rts  made  to  rejoice. 

Wednesday  7th  - There  has 
been  a  great  stir  in  camp  all 
night  and  this  morning  the  old 
prisoners  commence  to  go  out 
but  some  are  afraid  they  are 
going  to  another  prison  instead 
of  o\)r  own  Jines. 

Thursday  8th  - Our  detach(cid:173)

ment  was  ordered  to  be  ready 
to  march  at  any  moment  so  we 
all  feel  well  about  it.  I  have 
·been  cooking  some,  for  a  start. 
in 
prison  yet,  and  shall  probably 
be  for  a  week  if  we  go  accord(cid:173)
ing  to  our  deta.chment. 

Friday  9th  - We  are  all 

Sat~day 10th  - All  is  tumult 
this  morning.  I  am  put in  mind 
of  bees  swarming  when  any 
part of  the  camp  gets  orders  to 
go  out.  There  are  a  great many 
sick  left  in  barracks  until  the 
last. 

Sunday  11th  - Well,  I  suppose 
I  am  to  spend  another  Sabbath 
in  the  Georgia  bull  - pen.  How 
little  it  seems  like  the  Sundays 
used  to  be  at  home.  I  feel  very 
lonely  today,  but God  alone  can 
comfort. 

Monday  12th  - I  have  been 
fixing  up  for  a  start  lfhich  I 
tiope  will  be  soon.  There  were 
twenty  detachments  ordered 
out  tonight,  b!U  did  not  all 
leave  the  grounds. 

Tuesday  13th  - Levi  Barnard, 
brother-in-law,  and  I  have  been 
drying down some molasses and 
had a  good  sugar eat . . The  cars 
ran  together  and  killed  a  num(cid:173)
ber of  our  men  this  morning  so 
the 
i!I  stopped 
for  today. 

transportation 

Wednesday  14th  - I  dreamed 
of  Abigail  (wife)  last  night  but 
did  not  h.ave any  visit  with  her. 
I  thank  God  he  has  spared  my 
life.  For  this  I  often 
I 
shall  give  Him  the  glory  if  it 
is  ever  mine  to  reach  home. 

think 

Thursday 15th  - I  was  awake 
last  night  giving  Othaniah 
(a 
comrade)  medicine,  so  I  do  not 
feel  well  today.  The  sick  were 
ordered  out  this  evening  to  go 
to  our  lines.  It  is  raining 
night. 

to(cid:173)

Friday 16th  - I  passed  a  very 
restless  night  but  feel  better 
this  morning.  I  have  been  hop(cid:173)
ing  that  t  might  be  well  until 
I  get  away.  There  are  many 
flying  reports. 

Saturday  17th  - I  have  been 
dieting  for  a  day  and  think  if  I 
am  careful  for  a  few  days,  I 
,shall  be  well  again.  I  trust  all 
in  the  hands  of  a  just God  who 
does  all  things  w¢1L 

Sunday  18th  - This  is  another 
yery  pleasant  S~bbath  (father 
refers  to  the  sun11hlne  when  he 
1Jses  the  word  "pleasant")  but 
a  lonely  one  for  me.  I  hope  I 
inay s0on  be relehsed  from  this 
awlfw .plaQe. 

:Monday  19th  .d., Ther.e 

ls  no 
r~ stir  Dfj  canap. leday; 
Prn1  a  t,w  of .Sherntul's  men 
golhg  out.  I  am  sick  again. 
George  (Barnard  •  brotl'ler-in(cid:173)
\aw)  is  very  sick  and  I  am  a(cid:173)
haid he will  not stand it long. 

Tuesday  20th  •  I  dreamed  of 
.going  home  and  eating  roast 
gnm  with  Abigail.  Had ' a  ·good 
.ume  but· it  SOOl\  proved  to  t:ie 
only  a  dream.  I  am  very  lone(cid:173)
b'  and  want  to  hear from  home 
vecy much. 

Wednesday  21st  •  Well,  one 
da~ g~s only  to  brlng  another 
its  sorrow  and  gloom. 
Witil 
George  and  Norton  are  very 
1lick.  I  am  afraid 
it  will  go 
bard with  George  yet. 

Thursday  22nd 

•  We  took 
George  and  Norton  to  the  doc· 
tor  .and  got  tQem  admitted  to 
Ute  hospital.  Took  them  to  the 
north gate just in time  to  go out 
in  ·tne  last  wagon.  I  hated  t() 
part with  them  but  so  it  goes. 
"(He  ilev~r  saw  George  agaift 
He  starved  to  death.) 

Friday  23rd  •  We· are  having 
it  seetns 
rain  every  day  and 
hard  with  only  a  thin  blanket 
detach(cid:173)
for  a 
ment  was  filled  up 
this  fore(cid:173)
noon.  We  expect  to  be  taken  a(cid:173)
way every day and are very an(cid:173)
xious. 

shelter.  Our 

Saturday,  24th  •  A. 

.('dorse 
went out to the hospital this pm 
the  scurvy.  There  are  a(cid:173)
Has 
bout  twenty  -
taken  ou1 
'  each  day.  I  feel  pretty well  to(cid:173)

five 

day  but very weak for  the  want 
of  food. 

Sunday 26th  - There  is  a  lone(cid:173)
ly  sillness  hanging  over  camp 
today  and  it  brings  a  time  for 
reflections  and  meditations. 
I 
have  thought  of  home  many 
times 
today.  Prayed  God  to 
hasten  me  there. 
Tuesday  27th 

•  Everything 
was  quiet  until  -evening  when 
there  were  four  detachments 
ordered  to  the  cars.  Th.is  gave 
us  a  little  more  courage,  Levi 
and  J.  Leake  and  I  have  dug 
us  a  nice  lot  of  wood 
toda:y 
from  a  stump. 

Wedneday 28th  - I  had  a  good 
night's rest last night;  for which 
I  am  very  thankful.  Levi  is  not 
'Well.  I  have  strdtg  hopes  of 
getting  out of  heiti within  a  few 
weeks.  We  drew  very  bad  ra(cid:173)
tions  yesterday. 

Thursday 29th  - We  hear very 
4isoouraging  news  but  cannol 
~ll anything  by  what  we  hear. 
This  a  very dark  time  truly b1it 
the  old  adage  is  "the  darkest 
hour is  just before  day;" I  trust 
it may be  so. 

Friday,  30th  - Well 

the  last 
d~y of  September  finds  me  a 
poor 
lonely  prisoner  and  not 
triany  signs  of  better  times.  J 
feel  very  lonely  and  sait.  How 
i  fong  for  home,  remembered 
home! 
OCTOBER 

saturd11;y  1st  - All  the  world 

ifar.kened.  except 

·th"1 
set.ms 
'tnght ~ts that (f¢ :pmnila .a, 
·h>'  ~ Holy 
light. ta. ehine- a-
1""$  my  .fla.th  of  life_ ~ ~ 
hone  ill  in  God.  In  Him  Will  I 
thUIC. 
Sunday,  2nd, - I  ball'e  a  very· 
poor  appetite  and  nothing  to 
e:at.  I  asked  God  today  to  hast(cid:173)
en  the  hour  wherr r  w0uld  . be 
rest!Jred  to  my  family.  I  lmow 
this 'is  the  prayer  of  Abby  (Ab(cid:173)
igail)  today.  God  bless  her  and 
~ ' babies. 

Monftay .3rd  - We  had  a  ver~ 
rainy'  niA;ht  an~ this  m0rnittg  is 
e001er.  We  haa  a  hard  shower 
with Wii\d  this  pm.  The '.liay1'ias 
be't!n ·a. gloomy one hut 'the  pres(cid:173)
ence  of  God  has  been  with  me. 

Tuesday;  October  4,  1864  •  We 
have  spent  another  long  lonely 
day  but  my  prayer  has  been, 
and  is,  that  I  may  live  a  more 
devoted  Christian  life.  I  am  de(cid:173)
termined  to  live  nearer  to  the 
foot  of  the  cross.  As  for  me,  I 
will  serve  God. 

Wednesday  5th 

.  Three  or 

four  detachments  left  last  eve(cid:173)
ning.  We  hear  very  discoura~­
ing  news,  that  there  is  no  ·~x­
change  agreed  upon.  I  can  only 
wait  and  see  the  salvation  of 
the  Lord  who  is  able  to  save 
all. 

Thursday  6th  - Well,  another 
its 
day  has  come  with  all 
gloom.  How  dark 
this  world 
looks,  and. how  dreary,  when  we 
part  with  the  ones  we  love. 

Friday  7th  - We  look  for  a 
train  every  moment  to  take  1:s 
to  Charleston.  There  are  all 
sorts  of  rumors  and  some  a1·e 
very  discouraging.  The  weather 
is  quite  warm  and  dry. 

Saturday  8th  •  All  is  quiet  in 
the  camp.  The  prospect  is  that 
we  shall  stop  here  a  while  lon~­
er  yet.  Times  are  ra1her  gloo(cid:173)
my  but  I  will  look  for  better 
times  trusting  in  God. 

Sunday  9th  - Just  after  breal{. 
fast,  we  had  orders  to  move  a(cid:173)
cross  to  the  south  side  of  camp 
and  put  into  detachment  of  500 
The  day  has  been  cold  ancl 
blustery.  It  has  not  seemed 
much  like  Sunday. 

Monday  10th  ·  I  slept  by  the 
side  of  a  pine 
log  with  Levi. 
We  laid  on  some  boughs.  It was 
a  very  cold  night  so  Levi  and  I 
sat  up  until  9 :00,  then  we  got 
some  salt  from  the  guard  and 
heated  some  boards  and  had  a 
very  good  night's  rest. 

Tuesday 11th  •  I  have  been  '.ll 
work  on  the  tent  but  can  do  lit(cid:173)
tle.  A  few  moments  of  work 
puts  me  out  of  breath  and  I  am 
so  weak  I  can  hardly  walk 
straight.  The  day  has  been  very 
pleasant. 

Wednesday  12th  - We  have 
some  of  the  timber  out  for  the 
house.  We  shall  fihish 
tomor(cid:173)
row.  There  were  400  of  Sher(cid:173)
man's  men  who  came  in  today. 
Thursday  13th  - The  camp 

was  reorganized  and  we  are  1 o 
move  our  tent  so  shall  have  a 
good  deal  of  extra  work  to  do. 
The  boys  do  not  want  to  go  a(cid:173)
way  but we  shall  have  to  do  it. 
Friday  14th  - We  have  been 
moving  today.  We  have  got  '.l· 
long  well.  The  Rebs  are  putting 
round  a  dead  line.  There  are 
some  prospects  of  our  staying  a 
spell  at  any  rate. 

Saturday 15th· We  are  almost 
straightened  around  for  Sunday. 
\.Ye  are  havi'ng  very  pleasant 
weather.  It  seems 
like  Indian 
summer. 

spoke 

Sunday 16tb  - How  pleasant  a 
(when 
Sabbath  this  has  been. 
father 
the  word 
"pleasant"  he  was  refering  to 
the  weather.)  My  thoughts  have 
wondered  back 
childhood 
days  when  I  was  blessed  with 
the  blessings  of  home  but  now, 
how  different. 

of 

to 

Monday  17th  .  This  morning 
has  some  signs  of  a  storm.  I 
have  been  fixing  around  our 
tent  for  cold  weather.  Went  out 
after  wood.  Got  some  brier  root 
for  Levi.  All  is  quiet.  Nothing 
new. 

Tuesday  18th  - The  weather 
still  holds  pleasant  and  seems 
very  much  like  the  old  Indian 
summer  we  had  at  home.  I 
feel  very  lonely  and  often  think 
of  home. 

Wednesday  19th 

·  Levi  has 
gone  out  after  wood  and  Johnie 
and  I  have  been  at  work  at  the 
fireplace.  We  drew  nothine- hnt 
beans  and  molasses  last  nigh1-
so  have  but  little  to  eat  today. 
All  is  loneliness  in  camp. 

Thursday  20th  ·  The  weather 
still  holds  very  pleasant,  bu1 
dry.  We  have  been  improving  it 
to  the  best  advantage  as  far  as 
we  are  able,  by fixing  our  shan(cid:173)
ty  for  the  cold. 

Friday  21st  - I  took  cold  and 
have  been  sick today.  Feel  very 
lonely.  My  appetite  is  entirely 
gone  so  the  food  we  have  is  of 
little  worth  to  me. 

Saturday  22nd  - Well, 

the 
boys  have  got  the  tent  so  it  is 
very  comfortable.  We  have  two 
fireplaces  and  a  nice 
lot  of 
wood  to  burn  so  we  keep  com(cid:173)
fortably  warm. 

Sunday  23rd  •  This  is  a  very 
pleasant  Sabbath  and  I  trust  it 
has  been  spent  to  some  little 
good  by  myself.  Levi  and  I  hact 
a  good  dinner  of  wheat  bread, 
beef  and  potatoes.  Soup  for  the 
first. 

Monday  24th  - I  feel  better to(cid:173)

day.  Levi  and  I  had  a  soup with 
an  old  sock  leg  boiled  in  it  for 
seasoning.  We  have 
learned 
that  "necessity  is  the  mother  of 
invention."  (Note  - I  remember 
the  "sock 
father 
leg  soup".  The 
sock  leg  had 
been  used  to  wrap  their  bacon 
in  and  was  saturated  with  the 
bacon  grease,  therefore  the  sea(cid:173)
soning.) 

told  us  of 

Tuesday  25th  .  I  am  sitting  in 
the  tent  by  our  fireplace  after 
all  the  rest  are  asleep.  I  am 

thinking  of  home .and  loved  ones 
there.  How  well  we  could  en(cid:173)
joy  a  warm  supper  toriight.  I 
suppose  they  are  thinking  of  us 
as  we  are  of  them.  How  tedious 
the  long  lonely  hours. 

Wednesday  26th  - I  have  tried 
to  walk  around  some  for  exer(cid:173)
cise  today.  I  am  very  weak.  I 
cannot  walk  straight.  We  are 
trusting  we  may  see  better 
times  soon.  The  weather  is  still 
very  pleasant  but 
there  are 
signs  of  rain. 

Thursday  27th 

- There  has 
been  some  rain  today.  Our  tent 
goes  very  well  so  we  did  not 
get  wet. ·We  are  looking  for  an 
order  to  leave  here  for  another 
prison  in  Milan. 

Fr-iday  28th 

·  We  heard  we 

\Vere  going  to  another  prison  to(cid:173)
d;'y.  There  was  a  tent  fell  and 
c::tme  nearly  killing  three  men 
of  the  6th  New  York.  Levi  and 
I  dug  some  oak  stumps 
this 
p.m. 

Saturday  29th  •  Well  another 
week  has  gone  and  I  am  still  a 
prisoner.  I  have  traded  my  poc(cid:173)
ketbook 
for  15  potatoes  and 
some  paper  for  four  cards  of 
gingerbread  !lo  we  will  try  to 
live  a  day  or  so  yet. 

Sunday  30th  - This  has  been 
a  very  pleasant  Sabbath  consi(cid:173)
dering  my  situation.  We  have 
orders  to  leave  (to  be  ready  to 
leave)  the  bull  pen  at  8 :00  in 
the  morning. 

to  go 

Monday  31st  - We  received 
orders  to  go  to  Milan  and  all 
left  up  to  one  hundred.  We  ex(cid:173)
pect 
soon.  There  are 
many  sorrowful  hearts  about 
the  dull  prospects  of  an  ex(cid:173)
change  but  we  must  remember 
that  the  "afflictions  work  out 
for  us  a  far  exceeding  and  eter(cid:173)
nal  weight  of  Glory."  My  trust 
is  and  ever  will  be  in  God  who 
doeth  all  things  well  for  those 
that  do  His  will.  Time  flies  fast 
but  it  may  be  to  bring  joy  to 
the  many  broken  families  that 
are  made  so  by  the  cruelties  of 
war.  The  Lord  grnnt  it and  that 
speedily. 

Tuesday,  November  1,  1864  -
Well  we  are  all  on 
the  old 
ground  yet,  enjoying  the  com-
forts  of  our  hog  feed  and  try(cid:173)
ing  to  make  the  best  of  it  as 
well  as  we  can  hoping  one  day 
to  see  better  times  and  enjoy 
the  blessings  of  home  and 
friends. 

Wednesday  2nd  •  We  received 
orders  just  after  9 :00  to  fall  in 
10  leave  for  parts  unknown.  I 
had  just laid  down for  the  night 
when  it  came.  We  drew  rations 
on 
the  cars  and  then  started. 
We  ran  all  night. 

Thursday  3rd  .  It commenced 

raining  last  night  and  has  con(cid:173)
tinued  a ll  day.  We  landed  safe 
at our  destiny's  end  after a  ride 
of  two  days  in  a  tight  car  and 
were  very  crowded. 

Friday  4th  •  We  were  up  ear(cid:173)
ly  this  morning  and  were  form(cid:173)
ed  into  a  detachment of  a  thou--

into 

sand  men  and  sent 
the 
stockades  in  Maylon,  Georgia. 
We  found 
a  much  pleasanter 
camp  than  the  one  we  left  al 
Ander  onville.  We  draw  rations 
now.  The  nights  are  very  cold . 
Saturday  5th  - Well  we  spent 
a  very  cold,  restless  night  and 
on 
long  to  be  remembered  by 
me.  There  are  many  without 
any  clothing,  pants  and  shi;t. 
There  are  many  uffering  with 
cold. 

Sunday  6th  - I 

rested  very 
well  last  night.  Had  all  Jay  un(cid:173)
der  our  blanket  so  slept  a  lit(cid:173)
tle.  The  day  is  very  pleasant af(cid:173)
ter  the  rainy  weather. 

Monday  7th  - There  is  a  sto(cid:173)

thousa nd  men  ex(cid:173)

ry  afloat  in  camp  that  there  is 
lo  be  one 
changed,  so  some  excitem~nt 
prevails.  We  have  a  very  mce 
camp for  a  prison. 

Tuesday  8th  - There  are  Con(cid:173)

federate  officers  here  in  camp 
getting  recruits  from 
the  old 
discouraged  prisoners.  There 
are  a  great  many  enlist  and 
thus  escape  a  horrible  prison 
only  to  make  their  case  worse. 
Wednesday  9th  - There  are 
signs  of  rain  today.  Levi,  John 
a nd  I  have  gone  into  a  tent  of 
our own  and  are making it very 
well. 

Thursday  10th  - Levi  and 

I 
this 
have  been  out  to  market 
forenoon.  A  man  from 
Ionia 
gave  us  some  encouragement of 
getting  out  where  we  could  get 

better  fair  of  rations  and  quar(cid:173)
ters. 

Friday  11th  - There  are  men 
taking 

in  camp  from  outside 
names  of  1hose  who  are  desti(cid:173)
tute  of  clothing.  Some  say  it  is 
for  an  exchange  and  others  say 
it  ii;  to  draw  more  clothing. 

Saturday  12th  - Levi  ano 

l 
have  some  expected  to  go  out 
and  work  for  M.r  Tayl'Or  but  he 
did  not  send  for  us.  The  pros(cid:173)
pects  of  exchange  of  sick  are 
good.  We  expect  some 
to  g0 
next  Thursday. 

Sunday  13th  - Well  this,  an(cid:173)
other  Sabbath  finds  me  in  pri(cid:173)
son  but  prospects  are  better. 
Levi  and  I  have  lived  very  well 
today  on  rice  and  soup.  Our  ra(cid:173)
tions  are  best  we  have  had 
since  we  have  been  in  the  con(cid:173)
federacy. 

Monday  14th  - This  has  been 
a  pleasant  day  but  last  night 
was  a  very  cold  one.  There  was 
a  little  gouging  about  rations 
this  noon.  We  drew  sweet  pota(cid:173)
toes  for  the  first  time 
today. 
Recruiting  is  quite  brisk  today. 
Tuesday  15th  - We  have  been 
at  work  at  our  tent.  Am  in  one 
large  enough  for  four  men  cov(cid:173)
ered  with  fir  boughs  and  stock(cid:173)
ade  with  shack  three  feet  long. 
It  is 
tent  on  the 
ground. 

the  best 

Wednesday  16th  - Levi  and  I 
worked  at  tent  in  the  forenoon 
and  sold  mush  and  molasses  in 
the  afternoon.  The  sick  started 
for  our  lines  yesterday  and 

some  delay  being  made,  they 
were  brought  back in  camp. Le-
vi  and  I  traded  a  ration  of  beef 
for  a  spoon. 

Thursday  17th  - Levi  .and  1 
had  just  taken  breakfast  when 
Mr  Taylor  came  and 
told  us 
we  could  go  out,  so  we  were 
soon  in  the  open  air.  I  am  to 
cook.  I  think  we  shall  fair  well 
I  · 1ost  my  star  but  will  get  an· 
other. 

Friday  18th  - Well  I  have  got 
partly  fixed  round  so  it  seems 
a  little  like  old  times.  We  live 
first  rate  out  here.  I  like  Mr 
Taylor.  The  air  feels  like  rain. 
- There  has 

Saturday  19th 

nothing  new 
taken  place  to(cid:173)
day.  There  is  talk  of  our  leav(cid:173)
ing  here  soon  for  parts  un(cid:173)
known. 

time~ 

eating 

·sunday  20th  - We  have  had 
good 
apples. 
ground  peas  and  persimmons. 
Levi  is  not  very  well.  Sherman 
is  creating  a  great  deal  of  ex(cid:173)
citement  all  through  here. 

Monday  21st  - Our boys  came 
out  tonight  to  leave.  Levi  and  I 
expect 
leave  soon  but  our 
employer  talks  of  keeping  us 
with  him. 

to 

Friday  25th  - This  morning  a(cid:173)
bout  8 :00  Levi  and  I  were  in(cid:173)
formed  we  were  to  be  paroled 
and  were  soon  on  our  way. 

Saturday  26th  - I  was  up  at 
daylight  and  at  8 :00  started  for 
the  flag  of  truce  ·boat.  Came  to 

our boats and drew clothing and 
got  supper  in  the  afternoon. 

Sunday  27th  - We  lay  at  an(cid:173)

chor  until  3 :00  pm  and 
then 
started  for  the  big  waters  on 
the  river  from  Savannah.  This 
is  the  date  of  my  reaching  my 
lines. 

Monday  28th  - We  have  had  a 
very  pleasant  time  so  far,  the 
water  being  smooth.  There  are 
a  great  many  of  the  boys  sea(cid:173)
sick.  Dark  closes  in  very  pleas(cid:173)
ant. 

Tuesday  29th  - I  got  up  eal'ly 
this  morning  and  cleared  away 
for  the  day.  We  passed  Cape 
Hatteras. 

This  is  a  copy  of  my  father's 
diary  written  before  he  was 
captured  and  after  he  was  im(cid:173)
prisoned  in  the  terrible  prison 
of  Andersonville,  and  later  in 
the  southern  prison  of  Maylon. 
He 
received  his  parole  after 
spending  21  days  in  the  latter 
prison. 

In  the  back  of  his  little  black 
book  he  has  this  memorandum: 
Sheldon  R.  Curtiss,  Co.  M. 
6th  Regiment,  Mich.  Cavalry. 
Enlisted  in  Ionia  County,  Mich. 
the  II  of  Sept.  1862.  Was  mus(cid:173)
tered  into  the  United  States  ser(cid:173)
vice  Oct.  11,  1862. 

Copied  by  Evelyn  Curtiss 
Lowrey,  the  Youngest  child,  of 
family  of  seven  children.