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	PDF file, Eugene R. Sly diary, 1864 Open PDF in new window | Go to PDF description Page Title PDF file, Eugene R. Sly diary, 1864 Title [Eugene R. Sly diary, 1864, United States Civil War] Author Sly, Eugene R., 1841-1922 Date Original 1864 Description Handwritten Civil War diary, soft cover, pocket sized, scanned and transcribed for use in United States Civil War Collection. Location Georgia South Carolina Virginia United States Full Text Full text of Eugene R. Sly diary, 1864, United States Civil War Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections Copyright 2006 Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, all rights reserved For images of the handwritten pages, the US Civil War collection is linked here: http:// digitalcollections- wmich. cdmhost. com [ Front Cover] ____________ [ page 1] A- 316[ 1] 8/- [ Note] [ 1] Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collection number ____________ [ page 2] Eugene R Slys Book Eugene R Sly Eugene R. Sly. Lockport Illinois ____________ [ page 3] I wish Thee health I wish Thee wealth I wish Thee joy & ease I also wish Thee still a wife Through life Thy journey please . Eugene R. Sly Eugene R. Sly R E Sly [ 2] [ Note] [ 2] Text is written vertically. ____________ [ page 4] Pocket DIARY FOR 1864 ____________ [ page 5] [ This page left blank by author] ____________ [ page 6] CALENDAR. 1864. ____________ [ page 7] POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES. ____________ [ page 8] DISTANCES AND TIME By Railroad from New York ____________ [ page 9] A TABLE OF STAMP DUTIES on Demand and Time Notes, INLAND BILLS OF EXCHANGE, ETC. ____________ [ page 10] A COMPLETE Table of Stamp Duties AS AMENDED MARCH 3, 1863. ____________ [ page 11] STAMP DUTIES. ____________ [ page 12] STAMP DUTIES. ____________ [ page 13] ECLIPSES IN 1864. List of Sundays in 1864. RATES OF POSTAGE ____________ [ page 14] JANUARY. Moon's Phases. FEBRUARY. Moon's Phases. ____________ [ page 15] MARCH. Moon's Phases. APRIL. Moon's Phases. ____________ [ page 16] MAY. Moon's Phases. JUNE Moon's Phases. ____________ [ page 17] JULY. Moon's Phases. AUGUST. Moon's Phases. ____________ [ page 18] SEPTEMBER. Moon's Phases. OCTOBER. Moon's Phases. ____________ [ page 19] NOVEMBER. Moon's Phases. DECEMBER. Moon's Phases. ____________ [ page 20] FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 1864 . A happy new year I should like to call it but it is impos sible while in the prison wals of Danville The weather is very cold and reminds me very much of a newyears morn in Ill . I wish I was there now. but its no use There is no hope for us at present & the prospect is good for us to stay here until spring We have only to wate. SATURDAY 2 Some warmer this morn & think by tomorrow it will be quite com-fortable again or I hope so at least. for it is very disagreeable while so cold They brought in some Stoves today which will add some to our comfort if they will furnish us wood to burn in them It is the 1st thing they have done that looked as though they regarded us as men SUNDAY 3 ____________ [ page 21] [ This page left blank by author] MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 1864 . TUESDAY 5 WEDNESDAY 6 [ 31 blank pages after this page, January 7 through April 8, 1864] ____________ [ page 22] [ 3] Danville Va SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1864 . Raining this morn and things wear quite a gloomy aspect until about ten oc when we are hapily surprised by be ing told that a no of boxes are at the comisaries for us Among them was one for my Self in which I recd this diary all the things were in good condition and nothing taken out of any account G. W. Hill also recd one SUNDAY 10 Did not Sleep any last night from the affects of the Stuff I eat that I got in the box. Every one in the house that got a box Shared the same fate fine victuals does not agree with us after liveing on corn dodger so long. A Funk from prison No 3 paid us a visit today MONDAY 11 Bright and pleasant this morn It was reported yesterday that a load of prisoners would leave Danville today but this morn the roll call man ( as we call him) tells us that a bridge was wash-ed away across the Dan R. But this is the same as all other re-ports we hear told for the purpose of keeping the boys quiet. The lies are with out no that we are told, Better days ahead, [ Note] [ 3] This entry appears to have first been written in pencil then traced in ink. ____________ [ page 23] TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1864 . Quite cloudy this morning and looks like rain The weather of late has been very changeable as it rains one day and shines the next. I have a head ache today & a slight touch of the rheumatism [ 4] but trust I will not be obliged to have either much longer in Danville . Talbot says No 5 is sure to leave to morrow for City Point Can it be possible that they are going at last. WEDNESDAY 13 The long looked for day has arrived at last. No 5 Started for Richmond this morning at Sunrise - Oh! That the good work may go on and another week see Danville relieved of her charge I and Hill gave the boys of the 100th a prison supper tonight but not of prison fare i. e. Cornbread THURSDAY 14 Another lot of Yankees were made to rejoice this morning by be started for Richmond & preper-ations are being made to Send No 1 tomorrow. All things Seem to be working in our favor, and the boys are in good Spirits with a prospect of being inside our own lines this month Fortifycations are being thrown up around Danville as fast as possible [ Note] [ 4] Def. WRUD rheumatism: A general disease characterized by painful, often multiple, local inflammations, usually affecting the joints and muscles, but also extending sometimes to the deeper organs, as the heart. ____________ [ page 24] FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1864 . No 1 left this ^ morn not even dreaming of where they are destined. The papers of yesterday says we understand the prisoners of Danville are being sent to Americus Ga from whence they will be exchanged. What a change. The spirits of the boys went down 100 o in about 5 minutes this P. M. I did not let it affect me much but must say I was some disappointed Old Abe - is some below par in No 4, Prison SATURDAY 16 Got up up this morn quite early & talked over our future prospects but could come to no conclusion So took my slate and pencil and solved a few problems in arithmetic Which with the assistance of G. H. Love made very good pass time for a few hours The days are now so long it seems like an age from morning til night SUNDAY 17 Sunday morning and as bright and pleasant one as I ever saw If there is any thing in the world that will make one homesick it is such a morning as this The major still tells us that The Dv prisoners went to city Point and the rest says they went to Ga the paper speaks of their going to Ga & to City point also I have come to the conclusion that the truth dos not abide in the whole confederacy. ____________ [ page 25] MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1864 . The dog is dead again. I give up all hope this morning of leaving the con federacy very soon and set low and wrote another letter home and sent for another box. If I have got to stay here I might as well have something to live on besides cornbread if I can get it by sending fo it. The box I have already received though small adds a great deal towards liveing. TUESDAY 19 The wheather is quite cold and disa-greeable for this time of year. in the south the spring is very late. Is not much earlier than we have in Illinois Wrote to HM. Stairns today for a box from the citizens of Lockport . Yesterdays paper speaks of the sick and wounded at Richmond being exchanged I am glad there is some lucky ones. WEDNESDAY 20 Seven months spent in the con federacy and no hopes of geting yet for some time. Grant is reported to be marching onto Richmond which if true will cut off all communi cations with us and our lines for the present The rebs are fortifying about Danville as spedily as possi ble. Their whole force of wenches and negroes are at work night & day ____________ [ page 26] THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1864 . One hundred sick started from Danville this morn to City P to be exchanged, There is a good deal of playing off done by the boys to get to the hospital hoping by it to get thr ough the lines with the sick There is about 1500 prisoners now here including the sick I hope we may be lucky engoghh [ sic, enough] to stay here while we stay in the confederacy. FRIDAY 22 Nothing of any importance took place today The weather is warm and pleasant but the time wears away very slowly. Was taken with the rheumatism this afternoon and suffered a great deal until nearly morning My flesh is completely cal oused to my bones. by laying so long on this hard floor. How much lon ger have we got to endure this. SATURDAY 23 Another lot of prisoners left Danville this morn & it is said for our lines but that we are not certain of and will not know until some future time. Twenty five went to the hospital from No 4 but were not sick the boys are all trying to play sick hopeing by it to get through. I hope they will not be disap pointed ____________ [ page 27] SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1864 . Sunday again and still in Danville . Oh! When will we be released from this imprisonment A few days ago we thought our chances were good for a speedy ex-change, but our hopes are again blighted and nothing to encourage us whatever. We have received no mail of late and it looks as though we were forgotten by our government MONDAY 25 A very heavy rain last night but is pleasant again this morn A general rush for the hospital but the Dr did not take any out in the morning. The prisoners of No 3 were removed to No 1 yesterday to have their building cleaned We received a treat of a few hard tack, and a little lasses , yesterday. TUESDAY 26 Moved to No 3 today. so as to have the buildind cleaned. We are So thick on the floor we cannot hardly lay down. The Maj promised to take us back again tomorrow We are all home sick already, & want to get back to No 4. A small mail came in today. Papers State that flag of truce boat was up but brought no prisoners. ____________ [ page 28] WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1864 . A part of N 4 were moved back to their building this afternoon but I was so unfortunate as to be left in No 3 We leave plenty of room here but the water is so poor I had a thousand times rather be in my old building. There is no more said about exchange and I have made up my mind to stay in the con- all summer. Weather warm THURSDAY 28 Warm and pleasant out of doors but dismal and gloomy in the house Fruit trees are all in bloom and the grass looks nice and green. Oh That I was where I could enjoy them The sighs of these things make me more restless then all else. Policemen and sargeants were appointed today & everything put in r unning order again FRIDAY 29 Had another siege of the rheu matism today and a part of the night I shall almost curse the confederacy this summer i f I have the pains a great deal of the time. The Dr says it is neuralogy but do not agree with him. a great many are suffering from the same complaint. ____________ [ page 29] SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1864 . All's well as the rebs say, I slept off my rheumatic pains last night and feel quite well again this morn. Had a good nights sleep a queere dreems of home. Took my accostomed lesson in arithmetic this morn ( Now in Bank Discount) and other things in order. which passed the day off very well. SUNDAY, MAY 1 Good news again and relief brought to a few more Yanks. Yesterdays paper states that the flag of truce boat was up agan and brought 300 privats & and of officers The same No of each were taken back Wrote a letter home today. I hope they may receive it. The first of May comes in war and pleasant MONDAY 2 Weather took a bad cold to day a hard wind and rain came up this afternoon, and blew everything crazy. The weather has as many changes as in old Ill . The nights are all very cool without an exception Apple trees are all leaves out and are in full bloom. evry thing look like spring ____________ [ page 30] TUESDAY, MAY 3, 1864 . Wind still blowing and was extremely cold all night Saw the Richmond paper of yesterday in which was an account of the battle of Shreveport La The Chica go Mercantile Battery were in the en-gagement and lost all their guns, Bad news again for Lockport Flag of truce boat still running All paroled prisoners up to 20th Apr are declared exchanged. WEDNESDAY 4 Another day passed and gone and still no change, I spent the day as usual in idleness with the excep tion of what time I spent with my arrithmetic. and read ing Another lot of boxes are here for the prisoners. Orderly Warren received one. THURSDAY 5 Took a lesson in Mathematics the first thing this morn. but I have no inclinations for study I cannot buisy myself a great while at a time with it The weather is very warm and pleasant Heard Jeff Davis proc limation [ 5] read this morn. He still entertains hopes of seeing this S. C. recognized. ( big fool) [ Note] [ 5] Davis addressed the Confederation Congress on May 2, 1864. ____________ [ page 31] FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1864 . Change of prisoners again to-day from No 1 to No 4 The officer from Richmond are comeing here. and No 1 is being riged for them. Grant is report within a few miles of Richmond and a heavy battle is daily expected. The rebs seem to have great fears for the safety of their capital. It is life and death with them now SATURDAY 7 Third floor of No 3 moved to No 4 this P M. to give more room for the Officers. There is now over 700 here and hardly room to lay down. The boys did not feel disposed to live in this way and made a break at night in which Thirteene esca ped Disarmed the guard & took his gun with them The boys of the 100th are all here SUNDAY 8 The Officers arrived here this morn some nine hundred in No Did not see Col Bartleson but heard that he was among them They say they have been roughly used of late have not had any meal for seven weeks 110 transports reported above City Point by yesterdays paper. Weather very hot and we are almost suffocating Hope to be moved from here soon ____________ [ page 32] MONDAY, MAY 9, 1864 . All a change as the saying is. Our floor was moved to No 6 to day with the remainder of No 3. The boys of the 100th that are here were so anxious to have us stay with them. We changed off and did not go There is 15 of the Old 100th now in No 4. 2 in No 6.& 1 at the hospi tal. Since the break Saturday night we are not allowed any priveliges. TUESDAY 10 Some cooler this morn and a little more comfortable Our quarters are so close that we can hardly live when it gets much warmer unless some are removed from the building The officers are crowded still more than we are and are takeing it very hard. One heard from Leiut. Hoke today. Col B was exchanged last winter. WEDNESDAY 11 I feel very dull today and have spent a goodly pourtion of the day in sleep we had a slight shower in the after noon which was very acceptable The guards seems to have a par-ticular spite for us of late & shoot at neary every man that comes near the window. One man was shot at No 6 yesterday & an Officer shot at in No 3. ____________ [ page 33] THURSDAY, MAY 12, 1864 . The officers all left Danville again this morning but their des-tination is not known. Some think they have gone to Ga. It seems they were sent from Richmond on account of our forces being near ther but did not consider them any safer here The papers report a battle near Richmond and Grant com-peled to fall back [ 6] . Losses not known FRIDAY 13 Another break was made this morn but prove to be a bad affair. Four got out of prison, but were all re-captured one was badly wound ed by the guard and another sprained his ankle in jumping off the building One thousand prisoners arrived here today from Richmond . Think they were captured in late battle. SATURDAY 14 No 6 were moved back to No 2, this morn to make room for more prisoners that have lately been captured on the Rapidam I went out and helped clean the building for them which is the first work I have done in the Confederacy. There is now some 900 in No 4 and we have hardly room to stir The prospe ct is good for us to see still harder times in the confederacy than we have yet [ Note] [ 6] Most likely the Battle of Yellow Tavern, fought on May 11, 1864, as part of the Overland Campaign north of Richmond, Va. ____________ [ page 34] SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1864 . No change to speak of today. The old guards are called from Danville to the front and we are guarded by the home guards which is made up of old men and little boys. Our nearest neighbor thas taken up arms against us Heard tonight that we are to start for Georgia tomorrow but I do not feel as bad as I should to leave it a month ago They cannot make it much worse for us. MONDAY 16 Started for Georgia this morn as reported. Took N. C. RR from Danville and came through Greensboro & Salsbury and struck the road that we went to Richmond at Charlotte . Rode 15 miles on the cars and then marched 5 on account of Road not being finished Took the cars again at night. and ran all night. TUESDAY 17 Arrived at Salsbury this morn stiff and sore after a hard nights ride. We were crowded into the cars so thick we could not lay down or sleep They are so feard of our geting away from there that we are not allowed to leave the cars. The guards are so strong there is but little chance to escape The guards say Banks has lost his whole force in La and think their independence will be established in a few days. ____________ [ page 35] WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1864 . Left Charlotte at 4 oc this afternoon and run until 8 next morn and stoped at a station two Miles from Columbia to cook breakfast. We Saw nothing to cook but flour and meat and no way to cook it but on our tin plates so we fixed it up after the style of shortcake ( very short) and set it before the fire. Some of it was half doe but very good for all that, started again at 1. THURSDAY 19 Arrived at Augusta at sunrise this morning after another long and tedious nights ride Drew rations here of meat and crackers. as good as we ever drew in the Confederacy. The citizens and guards all met us very kindly Several ladies came around and talked with the boys The weather is very warm Left A for Macon at 2 oc FRIDAY 20 Arrived at Macon Ga at sunrise this morn and laid here most of the day. M. is a very nice place with as large [ illegible] manufactorys as any place in the C. S. We layed here until 4 P. M. and were guarded by a lot of little boys from 12 to 16 years old. it is a disgrace to any government to employ such soldiers as we are guarded by. We had a very good officer at this place fared well Arrived at Andersonville at 8 oclock tonight ____________ [ page 36] SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1864 . Laid in the sand and sun today hot enough to almost melt us until middle P. M. and then marched to the stockad and such another place I never beheld I thought I had fared hard in the C but I fear my suffering has not yet commenced The place is crowded and filthy and unfit for hogs to stay in There is betwe ne 13 & 15 thousand here and a harder look ing lot of men I never saw. The mortality is from 20 to 30 per day. disease Chronic diareah [ sic, diarrhea] SUNDAY 22 Sunday morn finds me well and harty I have made up my mind to make the best of it I can & think with plenty of caution I shall be able to weather it through. saw Pvt Herron from L and got a goodeal of news from home. Yanks still coming in 1000 came in yesterday & 500 today. We are now crowded and will have to commence the second tier if they put in many more MONDAY 23 We put up a temporary tent last night with the intention to fix it better today but we could not get a thing to fix it with Four of us is now liveing under one blanket & will probably have to do so as long as we stay here. The rebs will not furnish a thing for shelter. 1000 more prisoners from DV came in this evening. bring good news from Grant , Sherman is within 2 miles of Atlanta . ____________ [ page 37] TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1864 . One Thousand more prisoners came in today captured from the eastern army. They say they will put us in three deep unless we will enlarge the stockade. Weather for the last few days has been very comfortable I am geting climated so that I stand the weather very well. I am as well as at any time since I was captured. WEDNESDAY 25 Had a little sprinkling of rain last night, and had a chance to try the good qualities of our house which we found but a poor thing for wet weather. Betweene 3 & 400 prisoners more were shoved in with us today Oh! How much longer have we got to endure this suffering We are used with no more respect than a lot of hogs. TUESDAY 26 Weather quite comfortable today done some washing in the morn ing and laid under my blanket the rest of the day. No prisoners came in today, and I hope no l more will be sent here until some are sent away The Old Dutchman says he is going to parole us as soon as Sherman takes Atlanta . He is now reported within a few miles of There ____________ [ page 38] FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1864 . Quite a battle took place this morn on South the south side o in which clubs were used very freely 4 or 5 were knocked down but guess not seriously injured Five tunnels were found in the pen today by the Officers where the prisoners were trying to get out. The Old Dutchman has sworn vengea nce on us & says we have got to move 25 yds from the Stockade tomorrow Atlanta and Charleston reported to be ours. SATURDAY 28 Nothing of importance occured during the ^ day inside of the Pigpen A lot of prisoners came in this afternoon that were captured by Wheeler in the rear of Sherman army. They report things in good condition in that quarter. Johnston still falling back. We have not been driven back from the stockade yet as expected. SUNDAY 29 Some Eight or Nine Hundred more prisoners came in today, some from Sherman & some from Grant . Everything progressing finally. Rich mond I thing will be ours without a doubt. Myself & messmates had a big supper this eve of reb peas. Cost $ 1.35. peas sell at 50 cts per pint flour do eggs 35 cts a peice salt 12 1 / 2 cts per spoonful meat $ 1.50 per lb. soap $ 4.00 per lb. ____________ [ page 39] MONDAY, MAY 30, 1864 . Saw a lot of men from old Will today who belong to 39th Illinois. Was captured at Drurys bluff on 16th of May . Some of them are from Joliet and we got consider able news. Col Bartleson arrived at Joliet on 18th March and was recd with much honor. All kinds of rumors afloat today concerning parole and exchange. Bah with their exchange I have heard to much of it already [ 7] TUESDAY 31 [ Entry written by George Pickel [ 8]] June 2nd In order to fill up the blank of tuesday Sly wished me to write. We can fill up blanks in diary but it is im-possible to fill up blanks in our lives . Therefore let us have no blanks Geo Pickel WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 First of June and still I am a pris oner in the hands of the accursed rebs Oh Dear how much longer have we got to Stay in this miserable Confeder acy. I am geting almost discouraged and sometimes think I never will get out We are liveing like hogs and our rations are not fit for good hog feed About 25 more of the 39th Ill came in today Had a big shower in A. M. and got nicely wet [ Notes] [ 7] Text is written vertically. [ 8] George Pickel was captured at Chicamauga ( 100th IL Co. E) ____________ [ page 40] THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 1864 . Some cool this morning and cloudy Have lost all my appetite for corn bread and feel quite weak this morn Most of the boys are in great expectation of geting out this month. Several men went out last night through a tunnel 4 or 5 shots were fired but donot know as any was hurt. The rebs find it a very hard matter to put the Yanks where they will not tunnel out FRIDAY 3 Commenced raining this morn and rained all day. had a big wind in the evening which came near destroying our Shelter and leaving us entirely at the mercy of the Storm. Several of the 39th are here with us and are without a thing for Shelter. The rebs have striped them of everything but enough to cover their nakedness Saturday 4 Rained the most of the time today but has cleared up this evening hope it may remain so until we get dryed out again at least Prisoners still comeing in. Grant so near Richmond that he can throw shells in if he pleases. The rebs have given up all hope of holding the place. Col Percy commanding post says prisoners will start for our lines next Monday. ____________ [ page 41] SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1864 . Feel very down hearted this morn I try to keep up good cheer but it is impossible Sometimes. There may be a silver lineing to this dark cloud but if there is I cant see it. It has hovered over us for a long time and still is dark in the fu-ture. Men comeing in daily bring good news from Grant & Sherman I am geting so weak can hardly get around . MONDAY 6 Nothing of importranspired today I believe Weather quite cool but rainy. It is very disagreeable liveing during rainy weath The paroleing that was to be done today was not heard from. It tur ned out as all other stories do when they are in our favor. TUESDAY 7 Quite pleasant most of the day but we had a very hard shower in the evening The wet weather of the past few days has raised to mor-tality to something over 40 per day The men are so weak that a weeks Sickness will reduce them to a skeleton We are drawing uncooked f rations this week and have to do our own cooking. Dumplins . Trumps ____________ [ page 42] WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1864 . Cloudy and cool this morn and we went to work at our tent and made considerable improvement in the looks if not the comfort of the thing Heard from home again today by way Tom Goodman [ 9] I am sorry to see him in such a place as this and yet I was very glad to see him. He informs me that Winfield has enlisted for 100 days THURSDAY 9 Had a long talk with Tom this morning about things at home. One of the 100th came in yesterday and brought us consid erable news from the regiment. Very sorry to hear of the death of Capt. B- Hi was with the regt a short time ago. Regt reduced to 120 men Very heavy shower fell this P. M. FRIDAY 10 Another paroleing report in camp today to take affect 15th A nice breese most of the day and is quite comfortable. No news from Richmond or Atlanta today Men comeing in report that Shermans has his headquarters 22 miles from Atlanta and is moveing slow but sure and is confident of takeing the place. [ Note] [ 9] Thomas Goodman was recruited in Lockport January 12, 1864; mustered out on December 6, 1865 ( 39th IL Co. G) ____________ [ page 43] SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1864 . SUNDAY 12 Rebel papers State that Grant has captured 20,000 prisoners. Some more prisoners from Sherman army came in today. They say that all officers above Capts have been paroled and sent through the lines and that there is a good prospect of something being done for us soon. I have no hopes until after the present campaign MONDAY 13 Cold and rainy this morn and after raining all day was still colder in the evening. The men that have no shelter are wet and cold and there is no paralel to their suffer ing. They are dieing off by hundreds and will die by thousands if some thing is not done for them soon over one hundred have died in the last 22 hours. Rations 1/ 3 pint rice each ____________ [ page 44] TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1864 . Still cold and cloudy. Had a light rain most of the day. Some 18 or 20 men es caped last night through a tunnel. Rebel papers state that Old Abe & Hamblin are nomi nated again for President & vice presid I am glad to hear it but judge the rebs do not relish it much. Now let him do something for his country by re lieving 20,000 prisoners from the rebs WEDNESDAY 15 Received two letters from home today one was written the 29th April by father [ 10] the other 11 May by Rosetta. Was very sorry to hear of the death of Eddie also that father's health is so poor. He started for N. Y. the 24 of May . 1000 more prisoners came in this afternoon from Richmond . THURSDAY 16 Left Danville one month ago today & think the change from there here has been a benefit to me although we are in a bad hole Sold some pies yesterday of my own make for $ 1.00 each. The Scurvy has begun to come out in my mouth & and am going to try to get Some vegetables for it Considera ble stuff in camp today but very high [ Note] [ 10] Seneca Sly ____________ [ page 45] FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1864 . Rained all day today and the way men are suffering here is awful It has rained every day this month and Thousands of them have not a thing for shelter. and no place to lay down but in mud and water. A drunk brute could not stand such treatment long We took too men into our tent for shelter and would like to take more if it would hold them Talked with C. P. Anderson today of Lockport . SATURDAY 18 Rain and sunshine today at inter vals of 15 minutes each. Everything was geting moldy and we managed to dry them alittle by hard work If this weather continues the rest of the month I think small grain will be poorly harvested as it is now harvest time in the Confederacy. [ illegible] SUNDAY 19 Time wore away very slowly today. weather pleasant be fore noon but had a very hard shower in the evening I spent the most of the day in reading a book entitled no name Any quantity of stories in camp today concerning the time when we are to get out of the Confederacy If good stories should get us out we would have been exchanged long ago ____________ [ page 46] MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1864 . Nine months in the confederacy and still no sight for geting out at present I am in good health yet with the exception of being very weak. I have to be very careful of my self or would be unable to get ar-ound. Nine hundred prisoners came in today. Captured in Miss. I wrote a letter home today in answer to those recd 15th News from Grant good TUESDAY 21 A man was shot this evening by one of the guards for geting inside of the dead line [ 11]. Three men have been shot in the last three days by the infernal rebs They are perfect heathens, and show us no more respect than they would a dumb brute. Fathers hog pen is a paradise to this place WEDNESDAY 22 Spent the day in makeing pies. of a few of the peaches I got from home Nine pies sold for $ 8.50. have got to do something to get vegetable food or I shall die with the Scurvy A tunnel was discovered today that had been been dug over one hundred feet. Big thing but amounted to nothing. to the men only a chance of filling it up again Old D. very wrathy [ 12] [ Notes] [ 11] Def. WRUD Dead line ( Mil.), a line drawn within or around a military prison, to cross which involves for a prisoner the penalty of being instantly shot. [ 12] Def. WRUD wrathy: Very angry. ____________ [ page 47] THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 1864 . FRIDAY 24 Rumors in camp today that we are going to get the money we gave up at Richmond . I have have no idea we will get it but if we do I shall look for some thing to be done in our behalf soon. It is a fact that the papers speak of an exchange of prisoners in July. For what purpose they men tion it is to me unknown. SATURDAY 25 Run the pie trade again today but it did not pay as well as we expected the proffits only one hundred per ct Rice sells at 50 cents per lb flour 1.25 do Molasses 12.00 per gal The weather is very warm and sultry. but I think I shall be able to stand the weather, if no other serious thing attacks me ____________ [ page 48] SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 1864 . Handed in my name last evening for the money I gave up at Richmond Rebs said we would get it this morn but the morning has made its appear ance as usual but no money to my certain knowledge Prisoners came in today also a few yesterday. Boys of the 100th geting very badly cripeled up with the scurvy. The medicine has play ed out in the Confederacy according to all accounts MONDAY 27 TUESDAY 28 Very hot and Sultry in the fore noon but we had a nice refreshing Shower in the evening. 200 or 300 pris oners came in today among them was two more of the 39th Ill . G. Dake is very bad off with the scurvy and I fear he will never be any better of it in the Confederacy. Prisoners still have a great deal of confidence in Grant and think he will take Rich ____________ [ page 49] WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 1864 . One of the raiders was killed last night by an indian that was brought in yesterday. They will not be trifled with. The Capt took some raiders out this eve. and will probably punish them severely Billy went out after a load of wood this P. M. and brought in as much as I could lift. he is a little hoss [ 13] and more too. Paroleing is Still reported to commence on the 7 THURSDAY 30 Nothing of importance took place today I believe. A jury was taken ^ out today to decide what was is to be done with the raiders The old Cap leaves it to our own ^ men what shall be done with them One man was found buried that was supposed to be some of their work. Several murders have been committed right among us FRIDAY, JULY 1 The p risoners of the Detachments from 49 up were moved into the new stockade today The boys went for the timbers of the old one at night and cut it all down before morning I and hill made a raise of a couple of good sticks. The quartermaster was very wrothy and threatened to cut off our rations if we did not cary them back but he failed to cary his point. with the old prisoners [ Note] [ 13] Def. LOTCW hoss: A western and southern nickname for a strong, courageous man. ____________ [ page 50] SATURDAY, JULY 2, 1864 . The reports for the 7th holds on the best of any thing we have had yet I have no faith in it but still I shall hope for the best and trust to the rebs we have been fooled so much I can believe nothing I hear. There is now some 25,000 men here and in such a state of suffering as cannot be paralelled . As for myself I have a good apetite and manage to hold my own SUNDAY 3 Roll call again today for the first in in two weeks. The men have been so thick there was no room to fall in before they were moved to the new stockade Two hundred men reported missing and we have seen no rations on account of it Split up one of the logs this morning vso as to make sure of it A catholic priest spent the day in camp MONDAY 4 Indipendence day has come but Such an other one I hope never to witness. The men make less noise than before in several days & it seems more like a day of mourning than like a Fourth of July As for myself I kept mum all day and would not think what day it was unless some one would mention it to me. God only knows where next Fourth will find me. I hope not in the Confederacy. ____________ [ page 51] TUESDAY, JULY 5, 1864 . Feel quite unwell this morning have got what soldiers commonly call quick Step as diareah. fresh beef does not agree with me. Some prisoners came in from Shermans army today They report that Col Bartleson was killed in a charge at Merrietta on the 28th June . Johnston holds his position at that time but the men are confident that he cannot hold out long er than Sherman sees fit to let him WEDNESDAY 6 Between 3 & 4 hundred prisoners came in today from the Eastern army Most of them were captured on the vacin ity of Danville Our men took the place but were compeled to fall back with heavy loss of prisoners and artillery The R. R. between Danville & Richmond is nearly all torn up and commu-nication with Richmond entirely cut off from all other places THURSDAY 7 The day on which such great events were to take place has arrived but to no purpose. No paroleing is done and it is a settled fact in my mind that if we leave this place inside of two months it will be e to some other place in this accursed Confederacy for safer keeping Why will The Government allow 25,000 of her men to suffer in such a Style as this. for some good reason I hope since it must be. ____________ [ page 52] FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1864 Some three or four hundred more Yanks came in this afternoon. Some were captured of stony creek near Danville and quite a no of 52d Pen on James Island . A large no of our officers are at Charleston on Parole of honor [ 14]. There is but little force there on either side. so there will prob ably not be any fighting there at present Johnson is reported to have fallen back to Atlanta . SATURDAY 9 All quiet in camp today as regards reports. Nothing of importance trans pired to my knowledge The men were taken out to see Dr this morn and were left there all day. Seventeen of them died before night and none were taken to the hospital Tim Mc Glauflin of Co F came in today from Charleston was recaptured SUNDAY 10 About 500 prisoners came in from Grants army today and as hard a looking lot of men as I ever saw just out of the field. They were captured at Petersburgh and by considerable blame of on their Gen for being captured Gen Whiskey has command of our Generals in to many instances for our own good. The weather was tremen dious hot in fore noon. Shower in P. M. [ Note] [ 14] Def. WRUD parole ( parole of honor): Word of promise; word of honor; plighted faith; especially ( Mil.), promise, upon one's faith and honor, to fulfill stated conditions, as not to bear arms against one's captors, to return to custody, or the like. ____________ [ page 53] MONDAY, JULY 11, 1864 . I have just witnessed the execu tion of Six of our own men who have been convicted of murder [ 15]. The trial was sent through to Sherman by flag of truce and after being exam ined orders was sent here for them to be hung by our own men. I believe there was not a reb in camp during the execution. It was a hard sight to behold but they were deserving of worse than death TUESDAY 12 All quiet today in camp. But very little said about the execution of yesterday. The men who took charge of the thing were let out today on parole of honor. The weather for the last few days has been very hot and sultry and the men that are without shelter are in a suffering condition. I fear the sunny south will not agree with the new prisoners unused to hardship WEDNESDAY 13 Tremendiouss warm all day and I was very glad to see Solomon take his departure beyond the western horizon in the evening [ 16] The rebs are fixing up a very nice hospital and act as though they were going to do more for the sick and wounded than heretofor There is no medicine here for the sick but they expect some in a few days [ Notes] [ 15] The men are often referred to as the Andersonville Raiders. [ 16] Figurative: the sunset. ____________ [ page 54] THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1864 . Capt Wirz called all the sargeants out and took them up to head quarters to give them instruction and advice He has been informed of an attempt that we are about to make to make our escape. ( He is badly fooled for once) Two guns were fired and a terrible skedadeling [ 17] took place among the rebs in the afternoon They were probably practicing to be ready for emergencies FRIDAY 15 About 50 of Shermans men came in this afternoon and bring a good report of things from Atlanta Sherman has crossed the Chickahominy and Still advancing. One of the 20th Ill came in today and confirms the report that Col Bartleson was killed. L. M. Wilson went home with the body. Romes of 19th Ill is geting up petition to send to the president to affect an exchange SATURDAY 16 No prisoners brought in to day with the exception of a few Marines. They say Grant has got Lee surrounded with no very great chance of his make in his escape. Ewells & Hills Corps are reported to have Ha gerstown Md . The same paper ( Macon press) reports Johnson falling back from Atlanta [ Note] [ 17] Def. WRUD skedaddle: To betake one's self to flight, as if in a panic; to flee; to run away. ____________ [ page 55] SUNDAY, JULY 17, 1864 . Attended meeting this forenoon on south side and heard a very good sermon Text 6th Chap 8th verse Jerah One of the Yanks was very s roughly handled this P. M. for reporting a tunnel. The officer of the day came in and took him out or the boys would have very likely killed. A committee were appointed tonight to draught resolutions to be sent to the President & Governer of United States MONDAY 18 Commenced buisness again this morn on a small scale by selling cakes and coffee. It is rather small potatoes but I must do something or do worse Had quite a nice shower in the af ternoon. and was abig benefit to our camp. Drew a very small ration of molasses today instead of meat. Hill Says the meat has about played. TUESDAY 19 [ This entry is written by George Pickel ] This business on a small scale that Sly speaks of I believe was the means of saveing our lives G P ____________ [ page 56] Wednesday, July 20, 1864 . The rebs commence fortifying this morning s with about 200 niggers and had the no increased to 400 in vthe afternoon. Something is in the wind and no mistake Macon paper states that Stonemand is advan cing this way with 3 heavy columns Rosecrans is at Montgomery and will probably make a junction with him at this place. THURSDAY 21 FRIDAY 22 Prisoners from Grants army were brought in today with a few from Sherman Atlanta or Richmond [ illegible] were neither taken when last heard from. The Dan-ville R. R. was again in repair and the prisoners were brought over it. I am afraid Lee will be to much for Grant yet if he is not careful. They are doing well and so mistakes [ 18] [ Note] [ 18] Text is written vertically. ____________ [ page 57] SATURDAY, JULY 23, 1864 . Cool and pleasant all day No report in camp to speak of Stoneman has not made his app-earance yet and I am almost afraid he will not do so. The rebs have no very strong force to oppose him at this place but are fortfiy ing as fast as possible with 400 negroes If he succedes in geting here he will find no trouble to recap ture the prisoners SUNDAY 24 Feat of patriotism to be shut up in confederate prisons for ten or twelve months to suffer more than tongue can tell or pen describe, Men may suffer all the deseases of the camp all the fatigue of the march brave MONDAY 25 all the dangers of the field with out a murmur. but to suffer imprisonment cheerfully requires fortitude firm- ness and patience not required in any other situation in which a man can be placed . . . . ____________ [ page 58] TUESDAY, JULY 26, 1864 . Some prisoners from Danville came in this afternoon they report things all quiet in vicinity Pat McHhugh still there and in all his glory. The weather for a few days back has been very cool and refreshing had a very nice Shower this afternoon. We hear this evening that Atlanta is capt but have nothing reliable. WEDNESDAY 27 Five or Six hundred prisoners came in today from Hunters army in Maryland about two hundred of them are the hundred day men [ 19]. They say that Ewells whole army is captured and demoral ized. So their third raid ends with a defeat and so may all others when they attempt to invade the North [ 20] THURSDAY 28 Eight hundred western men came in this P. M. They are the first lot of any size that has been capt since they left Chattanooga 18.000 of them were captured last Friday on the left of the army. They are all stout healthy looking soldiers are well cloth ed and most have their blankets and napsacks which they would been relieved of in the East at Rich [ Notes] [ 19] Hundred Days Men: Ohio Governor John Brough proposed to enlist the state militia into federal service for a period of 100 days to provide short- term troops that would serve as guards, laborers, and rear echelon soldiers to free more veteran units for combat duty. [ 20] Text is written vertically. ____________ [ page 59] FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1864 . About five hundred wounded and convalescent came in this morn from Hunter & Grant and seven or eight hundred from Sherman . One of the 100th and all of the 20th that were left came in with them. I was very glad to hear from the Regt. and also to know that Hi is still kicking. Corp Hirsh I am surprised to hear is promo to Lieut SATURDAY 30 Read the Chattanooga Rebel to day of 28th Nothing in it of any ac-count. Yankee raiders are report ed all over the State and cuting up dog in general Had a good talk with Mike and learned all I could about the boys. Lieut Col has Slid out and gone home. But he does as well there as with the Regt and will probably show his bravery better SUNDAY 31 All quiet in front today. No pris oners came in and no reports in circulation of any account. The Sabbath day passes of like all other days, there is apparently no Sabbath day with us. Oh How I long for the day when I can enjoy a day of rest as in days passed by. The weather today is very cool and pleasant ____________ [ page 60] MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 1864 . Got up quite early this morning and after roll call took J. S. Cotton overto the Dr's but did not succeed in geting him to the hospital. Cotton is quite sick but I think if he keeps a Stiff uper lip he will come out all right in the end. I manage to keep the scurvy down and am feeling as well as at any other time since I came here 100 Admitted at hosp TUESDAY 2 Had a tremendious shower this afternoon and gave the camp another good drenching. The camp is geting so filthy that it smells dreadful some malignant disease must certainly spring from so much flth if it is not removed A small squad of prisoners came in today. Stoneman shelled Macon last Sunday Cotton Admitted WEDNESDAY 3 ____________ [ page 61] THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1864 . FRIDAY 5 The sick of 8 Detachments were taken out this P. M. and to be sent off somewhere either to our lines or to another hospital The rebs are Still falling trees and building up forts around us as fast as they can do it with three or four hundred negroes They are bound to protect us at all regard SATURDAY 6 Was sent for this morning by Thom Son of 26th O. h. who is very bad off with the Scurvy. I done all I could to alleviate his pains which is but very little in such a place as this It is hard to see stout harty men cripeled up as they are here. No sick was taken out today as was expected. Another man was shot by the guard this mornin instantly killed ____________ [ page 62] SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1864 The weather was very hot this fore noon but a nice breeze sprang up in the evening and made it much pleasanter. I have felt the affects of the heat more for the last few days than at any other time since I came to Georgia . About eighty of Shermans men came in to day, but I have not heard what their repor ts are. We do not hear anything more from the raiders MONDAY 8 TUESDAY 9 Commenced buisness this morn with Phelix. The way we have to work and contrive to keep a little money on hand to buy vegetabl with might well be compared with a drowning man caching at flys [ illegible] to save his life. We had the heaviest rain this P. M. I ever saw in Georgia it washed the stockade down in three different places, the rebs got around double quick [ 21] [ Notes] [ 21] Def. LOTCW double- quick: A soldier's fast advance at from 165 to 180 steps a minute. ____________ [ page 63] WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1864 . And Still the reports continue to come in. The Gettysburg & Chickama uga prisoners are to be exchanged immediately - Oh! Fools it makes me mad to hear any of their nonsence Andrew Seybert of 39th Ill & Saml Johnson of 100th Ill died this af-ternoon It is awful to see the way men are dieing off here The mortality is not less than 75 per day. THURSDAY 11 Had another very heavy shower this fore noon. I am not feeling quite as well to day as t usual on account of a camp disease that is prevalent in our camp About 9 hundred more prisoners have been brought here today but are not brought into camp as to time of my writeing. Rations are beans bread and beef. FRIDAY 12 I hardly know what to write to fill this space for today. A coup le of hills old friends from Plainfield came around today and we had a very good visit and talk about our native land or dear old home in other words where I would give all I possess as ever expect to if I could be placed there. Our neighbors the 20th boys are all right. ____________ [ page 64] SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 1864 . The rebs are still at work to make us secure and are going to make us doubly so by building an-other stockade around the one we are already in. And yet they cannot help loseing one hundred men a day after all their precaution The hand of God they cannot controll and death will come in among us even if they do their utmost SUNDAY 14 Nothing of account transpired to day being Sunday. Although no more respect is shown for Sunday by a great many than any other day of the week. Men that are lay ing around without shelter are dieing off by scores The most wick ed sights that man ever beheld are witnessed here daily MONDAY 15 Atlanta reported again to be in the hands of the Yankees. Hard battle fought there yester day & losses are very heavy on both sides I hardly credit this report but should be glad to know that I was to. Shermans movements seem very strange if he can take Atlanta at any time he chooses as his men report it. Grant is inactive as far as I can learn ____________ [ page 65] TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1864 . Weather very hot and sultry as usual. I feel some better then I have for the last few days but am so weak I can hardly get aro und camp No news in camp to speak of except one report and that that the old Dutch Capt is dead. Which is glorious news to some of the boys and probably a benefit to us all if so. WEDNESDAY 17 Feel considerable better this morn than for the last week. I think I shall get along very well again for the present if nothing serious happens. John Cotton of the 100th is dead. It is hard hard to have to die in such a place as this. I pitty his wife and children but hope he is where he does not need our sympathies. THURSDAY 18 I wrote another letter home to-day to let them know if it ever reaches them that I am still alive Each of the last three or four let-ters I have written I thought would be the last one but here I am yet and may have time to write as many more No news from either army for several days. No prisoners except small squads have been brought in ____________ [ page 66] FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1864 . I am feeling very well again and think I shall get along very well again for a time as I have my usual good apetite again and can eat my half pint of peas with the the rest of the boys. The rebs are great for going to extremes. it is all peas or all rice or meal The bar-racks are going up slow one Detch has gone in to them and two more will soon SATURDAY 20 Eleven months today since I was captured and still there is no prospect of our being ex changed I am still in good hea lth but do not think I could stand it as much longer with the rebs on such fare as we are now geting. The weather today is quite cool and pleasant with some rain SUNDAY 21 We have had an Addition to our family of four and they are almost proveing to be a nuisance to us I am willing to do all I can for the boys but I hate to be rode to death Joe Herrin is geting badly cripeled up with the scurvy but there is no salvation for him if he has to stay here his fate is hard to bear ____________ [ page 67] MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1864 . Old Abe for President again I hear go in old Abe and I will support you if you will ever get me out of this accursed scr ape. Let us strike the rebs where it will hurt them the worst. If we elect Abe Lincoln again the confederacy is surely doomed Johnson and Lincoln is our best hold TUESDAY 23 No news in particular as far as I can learn from report Hood still holds his position at Atlanta and there is a good pros pect that he will do so for some time to come. Grant is in the background or driven out of hearing for we can hear no more from him. Grant has found a hard nut to crack WEDNESDAY 24 Another excitement in camp an account of all Lieuten-nants who are commissioned but not mustered in as such being taken out it is said they are to be sent off for ex-change. The Dr says all will be well with us in another month but I have no faith in his doctrine. Star game of chess played ____________ [ page 68] THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1864 . 26th Detachment commen-ced drawing cooked rations today for which we are not very well pleased. J. Boots of the 100th came to light today he was captured abo ut a week ago above Atlanta while guarding cattle. doesnt know much about the regt. The weather today very hot FRIDAY 26 All quiet today with no news flying of importance that I know of. I had several very interesting games of chess in the afternoon with Al Glass in which I [ illegible] several games the start of him I begin to under stand it a little better and find it a very interesting game A hole was cut through the stockade last night and three men escaped SATURADAY 27 About thirty prisoners came in this afternoon among them was Magnus Tait from Joliet an old aquaintance of Pickels . Will Co is geting quite a force concentra-ted at this place There is now no less than one hundred men here from Will Co Illinois The old Capt who was reported dead has come to light again and will take com tomorro ____________ [ page 69] SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 1864 . Good news from the front today brought in by a small squad of prisoners who were captured a few days ago Hood still holds Atlanta but Sherman is on this side of it with a heavy force. It seems to be the policy of Sherman to surround Atlanta and capture d the army as well as the plase Took another man into our tent today MONDAY 29 Got up this morning very much under the weather. I eat some half cooked beans last night as we drew them and they proved to be to much for my digestive organs I think I shall be more cautious in the future about what I eat. A very encouraging report in camp today in regard to exchange 7 TUESDAY 30 The weather today has been quite cool and refreshing we have had no rain now for sev-eral days and the camp is great ly in need of it. It is a wonder that some disease does not break out among us a filthier place I never saw I and Tait went up to the barracks in the even. to see the boys about some lumber ____________ [ page 70] WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1864 . Cool and pleasant. Got up quite early this morning quite early and took a circle around camp for exercise The cords [ 22] of my legs are not near as sore as usual I am in hope I shall be able to get out of the Con-federacy before I am completely cripeled up but my chance is only one in a hundred to do so. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Sept 1st is here again. One year ago today we left Sequa chie valley to advance on Chattanooga but I little dreamed that a year hense would see me where I am now Tait our new boarder is very unwell today. The diet of the south does not seem to agree with him FRIDAY 2 News from the direction of Atlanta is very favorable for us. Sherman reported advan-cing this way with 40,000 cav & Inft. The papers still continue to agitate the question of exchange They also threaten to administer the non- combatants oath to all who will take it our government does not except their propositions for exchange. [ Note] [ 22] Def. WRUD cord: ( Anat.) Any structure having the appearance of a cord, esp. a tendon or a nerve. ____________ [ page 71] SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1864 I feel very much used up this evening. was taken with a severe attack of colic [ 23] about noon and was not much better until night Al Funk who I helped carry to the hospita Six weeks ago cripeled with the Scurvy came in this morn fat and hardy The most of the scurvy cases who go to the hospt get well which is very encourageing for me as I am expecting to be cripelled soon SUNDAY 4 Sunday morning dawns on us this fourth day of September cool and comfortable. It looks like rain most of the day but clea-red off in the afternoon. Went up to the barracks to see the boys in the P. M. I see the boys and got a couple of boards of Bill Newbury to fix our tent. Mag unwell MONDAY 5 Atlanta taken again. A very reliable report was brought into camp today that atlanta is Surely taken and Hoods army badly demoralized It has been reported taken several times before but always proved to the contrary This time I have reason to believe the thing that has caused so much trouble is in the hands of the Yanks. [ Note] [ 23] Def. WRUD colic: A severe paroxysmal pain in the abdomen, due to spasm, obstruction, or distention of some one of the hollow viscera. ____________ [ page 72] TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1864 . Big excitement in camp this even The sargeants of detachments up to 19 came in and ordered them to be ready to leave here at a moments notice for what purpose we are to be moved is unknown but the idea of geting through the lines brought forth many Shouts from men who had not hardly spoken aloud for weeks I have been fooled so much I dare not believe this movement is for exchange WEDNESDAY 7 Ten detachments were taken out this morning and 300 from the hosp but owing to want of transportation all but about one thousand were sent back until afternoon another train was then started but not half as many as was expected. Quite a no of the men that went from the hospt died fefore they left the depo THURSDAY 8 Several hundred more prison-ers left this morning and evening Taits detachment started at 3oc this morn he is one of the lucky ones to get an early start for our lines if it so hapens that they are going there and I begin to believe they are moveing us for no other purpose than exch-ange all reports agree of it. ____________ [ page 73] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1864 . Another lot started this morn ing for Macon . The old capt is quite wrathy because there is not more transportation fur nished. he says he is now four days behind time. The pris are going out in the same order they came in. Our detach are expecting orders to be ready for tomorrow Sunday moves seem to be the most com mon with us in the confederacy. SATURDAY 10 And still they keep going out of this den of misery. Some ten Thousand have been started on their way rejoicing and cheer-ing. I hope they will not see any-thing to make them feel different until they are safe under the old Flag The sick and lame are being put into the barracks. SUNDAY 11 Helped to get Joe Herrin to the barracks this morning He is completely cripeled up with the scurvy and very bad off. Dets from 25 to 33 received orders this afternoon to be ready to move. We packed up and moved on the south side of camp but received no further orders This even. Will probably go in the morning ____________ [ page 74] MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1864 . Left camp this morning a few minutes after sunrise. Started for Macon at 8. oc where we arrived at 3. oc P. M. and shortly after started for Savanna as we supposed but after runing a few hours found we were on the Au-gusta road. We can find out nothing about exchange but be-gin to have some fears about it TUESDAY 13 Arrived at Augusta this morn just at sunrise and it strikes me very forcibly that we are sold Laid in it until after noon and then changed cars & Started for Charleston by way of Branchvlle . This is the third time we have crossed over this road in the Confederacy . eat the last of our rations tonight WEDNESDAY 14 Wake up and find myself in the great city of Charleston This morn but arived at the painful conclu sion that we are badly sold. The officers and guards will not give us any information as to what they are going to do with us. Took another RR at 8oc and left C. for Florence SC, where we arrived after sundown. drew no ration today and are some hungry ____________ [ page 75] THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1864 . In Florence this morning and hungry as a wolf. It is 38 hours since I eat my last mouthful. Got a few peas for breakfast but drew no rations. we took them by surprise here and there is no rations in the coun try for us. Staid in F - until middle P. M. and then ran south 1/ 2 mile and went into camp. The guards are so slack that the men are leaveing by dozens. If I was sound I would not stay here long FRIDAY 16 In camp this morn and very lame. went to bed last night without any supper. This morn drew a peace of bred half as big as my fist for breakfast. The Maj in command says we will have plenty in a few days. I hope we will but promises are poor things to satisfy hunger. The people of S. C. seem to be very humane but have not had a chance to prove it yet. SATURDAY 17 A little better show for liveing this morning than usual. They is-sued a pint of rice apiece this morn and promised to give the same of peas this P. M. but they were a failure. I find it the same here as all other places that the rebels will lie when the truth would answer better. about a hundred made there escape today while after wood ____________ [ page 76] SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1864 . No very great change has taken place yet. a train load of 500 or 600 convalescents came here today from Andersonville A large no went out of camp to hospt this morn and before night were all over the country. The citizens are bring-ing in sweet potatoes by the load and trading for watches. They sell for $ 25,00 Confed or $ 6.00 Green back [ 24] per bu MONDAY 19 Still the rations are very short The rebs are much better a promise ing than at issueing rations. All the Sick that were out side were sent in today. The men are takeing to much advantage of a good thing. The scurvy still keeps gaining ground on me. I am just barely able to get around if I manage to keep on my feet this month I shall do well TUESDAY 20 One year today since I came into this ( So called) Confederacy and as wonder would have it am Still alive. I would have thought it an impossibility to live one year under such treatment as I have received in the Confederacy. I can See no better prospect of geting exchanged this fall than there was a year ago. Not over 1/ 3 of the Chic amauga prisoners are now alive [ Note] [ 24] Def. LOTCW greenback: this name was invented by Union soldiers for paper money, officially known as Demand Notes. U. S. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase printed the green bills in 1862 as the first federal paper money. ____________ [ page 77] WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1864 . Breakfasted this morning on S. C. beans and bugs with neither salt nor e seasoning. The rebs are just giveing us enough to live on by being very Saveing but do not intend that we will improve any at their ex-spense. Sweet potatoes are comeing in by the load but it is only an agravation to me for I can not get one THURSDAY 22 Rained most of the day and is very unpleasant as our tents are very poor protection in wet weather. I traded some flour for sweet potatoes this afternoon and five of us had a big feast for supper out of three of them Jack & Tracy have been trying to get vaway for the last few night but failed. FRIDAY 23 Some twenty five or thirty escaped prisoners were brought in this morn The most that escaped have been brought back. The whole country is up in arms waching for yankees- Had a very hard shower this morn that came near washing us out of camp. S. potatoes sell for $ 5.00 per bu Green Back. Confed not taken. A screw must be loose somewhere in the confederacy. ____________ [ page 78] SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1864 . Scrap [ 25] In Gods name in the name of common humanity how long will this Hell born rebellion last How long shall the Nation suffer on account of a few misguided ambitious men Suffering can be spoken of by all but none to be compared to what the prisoners have suffered and are still suffering in the God forsaken Confederacy SUNDAY 25 The boys still keep comeing in that made their escape the first days we were here. Niggers Hounds and Citizens are on every lane and cross road waching for Yankees. The boys were all used well when retaken and speak well of them. Had a very cold night last night and is still cooler tonight MONDAY 26 Great news from the north by rebel papers. Gold gone down one third. The Yankees had a great ball in Atlanta . Geo. B. McClellan nominated for pres ident on the Democrat ticket The rebel paper copy his letter of ac-ceptance to the convention, with a great many comments on it No news from Richmond of late [ Note] [ 25] Def. WRUD scrap: Specifically, a fragment of something written or printed; a brief excerpt; an unconnected extract. ____________ [ page 79] TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1864 . All quiet around the lines today Men that came here cripeled up with the scurvy are being sent in from the hospital about well I am myself one hundred per cent beter off than when I came here although I have been on very short rations. The Charleston papers speak of an exchange agreed upon by Sherman & Hood of men Capt in the summers campaign WEDNESDAY 28 Had another very hot day to day with a slight shower in the evening. The rebs still keep comeing down on the rations so that this will soon be as bad a place as Richmond . Our rations today was 2 / 5 of a pint of meal 1 / 2 teaspoonful of salt & 3 spoonful of peas. J Conners came in this morning THURSDAY 29 ____________ [ page 80] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1864 . I heard a speach of Jeff Davis this evening and should judge by it that he is at a loss to know which way to turn under such pressing circum stances [ 26] He flatters the people ( or would like to) that sherman will soon be driven beyond Chattanooga . He is very anxious for an exchange but does not know how to affect it with the Yankee government. The scurvy has nearly left me and I am better off than usual SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 The first of another month commenced with a heavy shower but I hope the month will not continue so as we are very poorly situated for wet weather The rebs are allowing the men to take the oath of alliegance and have got some three or four hundred names Today. I am sorry to see the boys so foolish but think they will find some tricky Yanks SUNDAY 2 Another sunday move like all the rest of moves in Confederacy Went into the stockade today to stay I fear this comeing winter. Fifteene hundred came in this morn from Charleston . If the prospect for an exchange was good I hardly think they would be sent here Drew no rations today until dark. The rebs are starveing us in order to get us to take the oath of aliegance [ Note] [ 26] Davis made a speech in Macon on September 23, 1864. ____________ [ page 81] MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1864 . In the new Stockade this morn I got up before sunrise and went to carying poles and logs to fix our tent with and make ourselves comfort-able as possible this will undoubtedly be our winter quarters. We have made up our minds that a good box of eatibles from home would be very acceptible and wrote to O Hardee at Joliet for one today. The rebs inform us that commu nication is open between the two Governments TUESDAY 4 Nothing of account occured today There is a good many sweet potatoes sent into camp by the officers who are over anxious to get all the Green Back they can It makes me hung ryer than ever to see such things and not be able to get them. Tobacco is plenty and cheap for the reason that there is but few able to buy. WEDNESDAY 5 Wrote home again today and sent for a box of clothing and eatibles We can not stand it this winter on such rations as we are geting and unless we get some assistance from home but very few of us will see another spring It is just mur-dering men by inches to treat them as we are treated. Why will the Govern ment abandon us to such a fate ____________ [ page 82] THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1864 . Had a general tear up in camp today. The camp is laid off in streets and each 100 & Detachment are placed together We drew no rations until after dark Our mess of five only eat 2 quarts of corn meal Today and my knees felt very shaky at night Had quite a heavy shower just after dark FRIDAY 7 Nineteene hundred prisoners from Charleston came in this morning They bring no news about exchange Our men have erected another bat-tery on Moris Island and are throw ing shells into Charleston by scores The most of the men are now shiped from there. Two hundred men have taken the oath in the last three or four days. They are starved to it SATURDAY 8 The rebs are offering great induce-ments to all who will take the oath of allegiance. they are promised the privelege of going into the army or working corps as they choose. I can hardly blame a man that is without shelter. but it will be the last ditch with me when I do it. It is hard to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. Sanitary goods are being issu ed to the men at the hospit ____________ [ page 83] SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1864 . Cold and windy all day. The wind went down with the sun and it has every appearance of being a very cold night. The rebs struck a new vein today and doubled on our rations and made a very fair promise of giveing us the same as today hereafter. They are very untruthful generally but I hope they have told the truth this time MONDAY 10 Colder than Blxen this morning I slept with only one blanket over me last night and like to froze my hame woods off. The wind arose with the sun again this morning and blew a stiff gale from North east all day. Men that were without shelter last night almost perished with cold. Fourteene hundred more pris oners came from Charleston yesterday morn include the sick and wounded from hosp TUESDAY 11 Some warmer this morn and quite warm through the day. It will probably be a little more comfortable tonight than the two previous. Commenced mnd i ng our then tent up yesterday morn but could not get an ax to continue work today. Axes are leting for 1 / 2 dol per hour Columbia reported taken by prisoners J. McC- wrote to San. Com for box Detachments reorganized into thousands ____________ [ page 84] WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1864 . THURSDAY 13 Hired an ax this afternoon for one ration of molasses and a pint and a half of flour and cut up our wood and got out timber for our tent. There is nothing more said about exchange and we have made up our minds that some thing must be done for winter quarters. There is a very hard lite before us for this winter FRIDAY 14 Had a game of starve it out today and feel somewhat cross over it. They issued rations at night and I made a supper on 2/ 3 pint of meal without any salt after going twenty four hours without eating Something over125 men went out today and took the oath of al-legiance. It is reported that Gen Beauregard has taken comd of west army ____________ [ page 85] Saturday, October 15, 1864 . Got up this morning at sun rise and after roll call went to work on our tent and fixed it up quite comfortable. We have no great amount of waste room as the tent is only 6 by 9 feet on the ground with neither cellar nor garret. The weather moderated con-siderable today and is now quite comfortable SUNDAY 16 One month today since I arrived at the place called Florence and I can safely say that I am one hundred per cent better off in every way than than when I came here although we have seen Some very tight times. ( as W S Fink says). No news of account in camp Flying rumors about Sherman and Hood 8 Monday 17 The rebs compeled us to make this a day of fasting thoug not of prayer for we feel more like curseing them this evening than praying for them or even ourselves Prayer meetings are held in camp regularly each evening Cold and chilly this evening and our thread bare clothes afford a very poor covering. I expect to do some suffering when colder weather commences ____________ [ page 86] THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1864 . They commenced issueing San blankets to the men today that are entirely without Every one has to take an oath that he has no blan ket or shelter. One man received one hundred lashes from Chief of Police for swearing to a lie Woe to the man that does not abide strictly by the laws laid down by the Police clique ( of rowdies) WEDNESDAY 19 Weather warm and comfortable in the midle of the day but cold and chilly in the morning. Com-menced laying up a wall around our tent and a foundation for a chimney One brick we mould with our hands out of S. C. Sile Billy got out after bows in P. M. and made us a nice bed. THURSDAY 20 Quite cloudy this morning but came off clear and warm Towards noon We had what we called a splendid breakfast of beans and dumplings, then went to work on our tent The rebs have increased our rations so that we can make two very good meals a day. We get 6 spoonsfull molasses 1 do salt 1 / 2 pint beans 1 do flour 1 do meal per day. ____________ [ page 87] FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1864 . As I sit in my lonely Prison Tent I think of my Boyhood Home My heart with anguish near is rent My happiest days are spent gone Three years have passed yes nearly four Since my old Mother Dear Blessed me & told me When afar My youthfull heart Shed cheer SATURDAY 22 The first thousand had to pull stakes today and move on the other side of the creek as the hospital is to be put on the ground they occupied. Rather rough on them as they had to leave all their houses. The news from Richmond is very bad for the rebs if true. Their loss given over 12,000 SUNDAY 23 Cold and windy all day so we were unable to do much on our shanty. The hospital subjects were all moved into the stockade today and the hospital establis hed on the ground the first Thous and occupied W. Newberg came in looking as well as I ever saw him though not quite free from the scurvy ____________ [ page 88] MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1864 . Something in the wind again The rebs begin to tell us excha nge stories so we will begin to look for another move but to where is yet to be found out The sanitary goods that have been sent here are being distrib uted equally to the most needy ones in camp with a few exceptions A man gets only what he is entirely des titute of. TUESDAY 25 We put the corner brick on our house and chimney today and have I believe got our win-ter quarters about completed. A yesterdays paper was read in camp this morning that spoke of an exchange of 10,000 prisoners at Savanah Ga . The officers in charge think we will be shiped for an exchange the firs next month. WEDNESAY 26 Nothing very strange transpi res today Large amount of sutlers [ 27] Stores came in but I was unable to purchase as my stock of confed was very limited. Jack & Pickel made a small speculation on Potatoes & candy and had small quantity left for ourselves Something over thirty dead were carried out this morning [ Note] [ 27] Def. LOTCW sutler: a civilian merchant alloweed to sell his wares at permanent military camps. ____________ [ page 89] THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1864 . Wet and chilly all day but we can not complain as it is the first wet day we have had in this camp Our wall and chimney stood the rain but there was hundreds of others that fell. There was a few letters came in to camp today but no boxes sent to individuals. Large amount of San stores still comeing FRIDAY 28 No very important news in camp but cheering news from the armi - es. the paper states that Beauregard has been checkmated at every move by Sherman and will prob ably be badly cut up before he gets south of Atlanta again The papers and people are both geting very bold of late in regard to talk. SATURDAY 29 Had nothing to do today and was at a loss to know how to buisy myself. The col was in camp this afternoon and gave the boys very encourageing news about exchange He says we will all be out of here in a few weeks. I tryed very hard to get some sweet potatoes of the sutler this morning but did not succeede. Bought 1 / 2 bu in camp for $ 1.35 ____________ [ page 90] SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1864 . Quite cloudy in the morn and looked like rain but clear ed off before noon and was a pleas ant day. The rebs are going around with the clothing the second time but there is no chance for me yet there is only 10 blankets to a thous and and about double that amount of shirts and drawers. Had a grand meal of sweet potatoes for supper for the first time. MONDAY 31 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 The first day of the month that is to seal the destiny of Old Abe is upon us, and God grant that is a month in which thousands of Yankees may be made to rejoice by being released from bondage Something must certainly be done for us after election. Abe cannot be so inhuman as to let us spend the winter here ____________ [ page 91] WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1864 . Commenced raining early this morning and the Col was kind enough to postpone roll call. Confed money has gone down to ten for one of Green Back, and are glad to get at that. Sweet potatoes are down to $ 2.00 per bushel, and prospect of their being lower still. large amount of sutler stores comeing in money going out THURSDAY 3 Felt quite unwell this morning so did not get up to roll call My apetite has failed me and I am unable to eat my rations for first time since leaveing Sumpter . Is cold and rainy all day and seventy men were sent to their long home since last night by not haveing clothes & shelter FRIDAY 4 Cleared off this morning and had sunshine most all day but was cold and windy The men that are without shelter are nearly frozen to death. There is but very little shelter for the sick and they are dyeing like sheep. The rebs are giveing us big rations of molasses and we are feasting on molasses candy ____________ [ page 92] SATURDAY NOVEMBER 5, 1864 . The mortality for the 29th 30th 31st days of July at Camp Sumpter was ( 128) one hundred and twenty eight men per day. makeing total of 324 The average during the month was about one hundred a day. Over ten thousand died there up to the 20th day of September. about seven months from time the camp was formed SUNDAY 6 MONDAY 7 A very large amount of talk about the election that is to come off tomorrow. I feel some what disappointed by not be-ing able to cast a vote for Old Abe . but shall hope that he will get me out of the Confederacy in time to see him inaugerated if not sooner. It is hard to lay in Prison so long but I cannot lay it all to Abe Lincoln yet. ____________ [ page 93] TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1864 . Today the great political campa in of the nation is to be decided I am almost out of civilizeation but I think from what I can learn from the rebs that Old Abe is on the safe side. We held an election here in camp in which McClellan was beaten two to one I only hope that the whole North may do as well for Lincoln as we have done here WEDNESDAY 9 Looked very much like rain this morning but blew off towar ds noon with raining The Sutlers clerk the most insignificant man in camp was hung up by the thumbs for disobedience of orders Papers of the 8th says flag of truce met and exchanged safe and will meet again tomorrow to exchange prisoners THURSDAY 10 Quite warm this morning and looks some like rain. Cleared up towards noon. The rations are growing small again by degrees so we hardly get enough for one good meal a day Baker who escaped yester day while at work out was caug ht last night and brought in this afternoon. ____________ [ page 94] FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1864 . SATURDAY 12 Good news from the north for all Lincoln men The accounts we get of the election is that Lincoln carried every state in the Union. The rebs look very sor rowful and disappointed They had great hope for the election of McClellan and the closing of the war by the same. SUNDAY 13 The weather looks warm and pleasant this morning but there is a cold chilly wind which makes it very disagreeable with our scanty allowance of clothing One of the prisoners was hung up by the thumbs this afternoon for two hours for trying to escape, It is the most cruel thing I have seen since I was capt ____________ [ page 95] MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1864 . Reports very favorable this morning for an exchange Papers state that the commissio [ sic, commissioners] have met to make arrangeme nts for the exch of 10,000 pris oners [ illegible] Another lot of clothing has arrived at Florence for us which I hope will be issued as soon as possible for we are greatly in need of them. THURSDAY 15 John Roberts and Al Funk of the 100th were taken out on parole of honor today to chop wood for the camp Most of the working men drew clothing today in such things as they were mostly destitute of Most of the clothes are of a very good quality. All San stores WEDNESDAY 16 Quite warm and pleasant today. Reports of an exchange still in circulation A general exchange is now the whole rage I partly made a trade with the sutler today for a bushel of potatoes for a breastpin got the promise of them as soon a he gets more on hand. We had a good supper of beef and doealls ____________ [ page 96] THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1864 . Something in the wind surely. About a hundred of the prisoners that took the oath of allegiance were sent back into camp this morning A more sheepish looking lot of men I never saw. They were very appropriately named Galvan-ized Yanks [ 28]. A dozen or fifteen express boxes were received in camp this P. M. FRIDAY 18 Look some like rain Things all quiet in camp. Some talk of an exchange do not put any dependence in the report SATURDAY 19 More signs of rain We have te same rotine of duty to do. Get up to roll call cook our scanty breakfast Eat Go for the gray backs [ 29] draw rations get supper and the day is spent [ Notes] [ 28] Galvanized Yankees denoted former Confederate prisoners of war ( PoW's) who enlisted in the Union Army in return for a pardon. [ 29] Def. LOTCW greyback ( grayback): A confederate soldier, because of the color of his uniform. A humorous name for lice. ____________ [ page 97] SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1864 . It is sabbath morning how differently the day is spent here to what it is at home. I think I can appreciate them if ever i get to the land of Liberty and of God Cloudy all day MONDAY 21 Rains coold dreary day. Report this morning that there is no rations to be isued to the camp untill there is some tunnels found that the rebs suppose to be digging No rations TUESDAY 22 The tunnel has not been found yet no rations today We have a few sweet potatoes so we shall not starve Very cold it would be called so in Illinois ____________ [ page 98] WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1864 . Last night was a very cold night No one can tell of the suffer - ing of the prisoners without food for two days without tents or blankets or fire The tunnel found So we get rations rice and meal five of us eat twelve qts of mush THURSDAY 24 Warmer to day. Report of Sherman on his raid Man escaped by going over the stockade Roll Call at twelve oclock no additional news of exchange FRIDAY 25 General movement today. The rebs are unable to find out how many men they have here by roll call, and this morn sent us all over the creek to be counted as we come back like a lot of sheep The count lacked 500 of being as large as reported by roll call They have caught the flankers at last and will issue rations according Had rice for supper without salt. ____________ [ page 99] SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1864 . Cool this morn but warm and pleasant day. We took our reg-ular shave this morn, and spent the rest of the day as usual. The paroleing Officer commenced at the hospt this morn and paroled 50 sick and convalescent of each ward they are to be sent to Savanah Monday for exchange Our rations today are 1 1/ 4 pints of meal. Reports that we will get no more meat or molasses SUNDAY 27 Sunday morning and bright and pleasant. Great excite-ment in camp this morning caused by the first Thousand geting orders to move They were examined and all the well ones sent back Fifteene hundred came in today from Savanah . all the sick have been exchanged from there and these from here will be the same MONDAY 28 ____________ [ page 100] TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1864 . Reader: this is a beautiful Morn. Warm & bright as nothing else inspires my Brain I will tell You of a Prisoners Pleasure What is it Where does it exist does he find pleasure in his little domestic duties - No. is it in Pouring over some Sentimental Novel = or a coppy of Byrons [ 30] Works of Nature [ 31], or is it Fanny Ferns [ 32] more WEDNESDAY 30 child like musings: neither - it is in Dreams = it is pleasant - although amid the Dying Groans of the destitute & Starving - to dream of Home - Sweet Sweet Home. See the smile flit across the face of the Sleeper as in his dreams he roams again the old haunts of his Childhood or as he grows older = on a moon THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 light Eve Wandering through that Grove With a fair young Damsel at his side - talking of the event of his departure for a life of military Honors She weeps = in parting His feelings are Wrought to such a pitch of excitement he Wakes = but only to find himself housed in by high Walls & poor prospects of the real . [ Notes] [ 30] George Gordon, 6th Baron Byron ( Lord Byron) was an English Romantic poet and satirist in the late 18th/ early 19th century and is still popularly read. The Lady Caroline Lamb referred to him as " mad, bad, and dangerous to be around." - MJS [ 31] Byron never wrote a work titled such. The diarist probably is referring to Byron's poetical works in general. - MJS [ 32] " Fanny Fern" was the pseudonym of Sara Payson Willis Parton: American novelist and newspaper writer, one of the first woman columnists, known for her satiric commentary on contemporary society. - MJS ____________ [ page 101] FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1864 . Warm and pleasant with some signs of rain. Spent the day in patching my own and Billys old clothes. Our clothes are patch upon patches, with but little of the original left. SATURDAY 3 Exchange stoped again. It is the third time it has been com menced from where I was and stoped again by the moveme nts of our own army. Traded off our old kettle today for a larger and better one Large no of letters arr ived for prisoners The 2d Thous came back today. 9 SUNDAY 4 Went across the creek this morning for roll call - a few men came in yesterday and the rebs can not add them to what was here They report Sherman Surrounded and given six hours to surrender in by Gen Bureaguard . Shiping for an ex-change to Charleston is to comm ence tomorrow. weather fine ____________ [ page 102] MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1864 . Paroleing commenced again this morning and they came back day before yesterday were taken out again I think there is no doubt but what an exchange is agreed upon but whether I get through or not is uncertain I think the call is only for sick men and convalescents TUESDAY 6 All quiet today but reports favorable Hostilities ceased at Charleston to allow an excha nge of all prisoners Showed my parole to the Col today that I got at Chicamauga and got the promise of a job I hate to do their work but hunger will induce a man to do most any thing WEDNESDAY 7 They commenced again this morn and paroled from the second to the eighth Thous about an average of 20 men from each hundred I wrote a note and sent home by T. Deline as I do not expect to go myself on the sick call. Some new s prisoners from Shermans army came in today. Drew ration of sweet potatoes and rice ____________ [ page 103] THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1864 . Got up this morn before sunset and eat breakfast. The eighth Thous fell in at 7 oc and went up to be examined. I tryed hard to look sick but the Dr could not see the point. Billy was among the lucky and went out rejoi ceing. Jack has the ague [ 33] this PM but I hope it will not prove serious Reports are good for exchange to go on FRIDAY 9 The paroled men went off this morning. Commenced assorting the first second and third thousand took a thousand men Looks like rain SATURDAY 10 Very cold and looks like snow Got mine and Hills name down to go out on parole to carry wood. The men that was sent out to be exchanged is not gone yet. It is some warmer begins to look like rain [ Note] [ 33] Def. LOTCW ague: a common name for malaria.... The name was also generally used for fevers with intermittent chills. ____________ [ page 104] SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1864 . Rained hard last night with heavy thunder Hill and I go out to work at 7 Oclock. Had general roll call in camp Clears off very cold Reported that four men froze to death out side some of the paroled men as they are not gone yet MONDAY 12 Very cold last night Hill dose not go out to day as they say there is to many out The paroled men went off to day I hope that that they at least will soon be out of this accursed Confederacy TUESDAY 13 Went out to work again and came in very tired. What I get extra l today will be earned by by the sweat of my brow and no mistake. It is hard for a man to be oblige to make a pack mule of himself for a little rations. Oh! what a confederacy this is. Jack went to the hospital today and R. Seymour came in with us. ____________ [ page 105] WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1864 . Did not go out to work this morning but sent Hill in my place and no one knew the dif-ference not even the Sargt of the squad. Another Thousand men were taken out today for exchange. I had a good story fixed up but the Dr did not give me the least Show. The one that can tell the bigest lies stand the best chance. Jack was paroled THURSDAY 15 Got up and cooked my breakfast this morning before day light. Went up to the gate at sunrise but we did not go out. Bob sold his kettle and we had a rich supper of turnip and meal. Oh! Delicious The men that were paroled yester day started for Charleston to-day Some new men came in from Kilpat comd FRIDAY 16 The working men went out again this morn but I think it will hardly pay to work on such rations and wear out my clothes which is very poor already The wea-ther is as warm and pleasant as could be asked for Nothing more said about exchange and I am afraid we stand a poor show of being released this winter ____________ [ page 106] SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1864 [ 34]. Doubtless = Dear Reader Your will be surprised to find in perusing this Little Germ of Intelligence, originating from the noble mind of Your Friend Eugene The intrustion of a strange hand, but by a request. Strange thought indeed enter my mind - as - for the first time in Eight Months - I sit to add a slight Remnant of a SUNDAY 18 Prisoners musings: Tis Sabbath = & as the Sun sheds his illuminous Rays in Our lonely Prison. I sit & think if that same Orb shines on Our Dear Friends we left at Home! if they are Dead - or if they are thinking of Us & c. Then again if we are to spend a life in this dreary Den of intense suffering - if that Dear Country we were so nobly fighting to save has forgotten us quite - Were you to look on us to day you would pitty- MONDAY 19 Got up this morning with a slight headache caused by a very bad cold. Hill and Bob are both complaining also but I have no aprehensions that any thing serious will be the result We were promised full confeder-ate rations today but they turned out as usual to be smaller than the days before. Oh! Vagabonds [ Note] [ 34] This entry is written by an unknown author, perchance the poet on [ digitized] page 108: R. P. Seymour. ____________ [ page 107] TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1864 . Was entertained today by hearing the life of Jane Eyre read by Bob & Pickel . It does very well for pass time and if we had plenty of reading matter we could pass off time a great deal more advantageously The weather grew some colder in the P. M. and looks like rain I eat a small supper and went to bed hungry WEDNESDAY 21 Some colder this morning Rained several times in the fore noon but cleared up and was very blustering in the afternoon. We are anxiously looking for the exchange to to commence again tomorrow as it has been so reported for several days. THURSDAY 22 [ 35] Well - here it is, almost Christmas, & still confined in this = the Land forsaken by both God & Human Beings. It is useless to attempt a description of the Scene. If you could see the faces of the Poor unhappy men light up at the entrance of the daily allowance - Viz. one pt of Meal [ Note] [ 35] This entry is written by an unknown author, perchance the poet on [ digitized] page 108: R. P. Seymour. ____________ [ page 108] FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1864 . Galvanized Yankees as they are called are comeing in daily They have broken their allegiance to the U. S. and are now thrown back in here disgrased and dis honored and can claim protection from no Government North or South The have sold there honor for a little extra corn meal and are now without either The weather cold SATURDAY 24 To Eugene Accept the Friendship ever true Dear Friend I bear for thee, When far away- shut from my View Thoust ever think of me. May the long unhappy dreary days With me youve passed in Prison Be brighter than the hours you ve spent In Youth- & more be given. R. P. Seymour SUNDAY 25 Christmas morn but not a merry one. I spent a sad and gloomy day with my mind constant by traveling back to the land of loved ones. What would I not give to be again placed among those loved ones at home. Fifteene months have I spent in this mis serable way of liveing and still there is nothing to buoy up my spirits ____________ [ page 109] MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1864 . I arrise this morning feeling very much dissatisfyed with my situation & Surroundings. my Christmas was very badly spent yesterday and my night in sad mu sings. Oh! How anxiously I look for-ward to the day when my time may be differently spent. A few new prisoners came in this morning Sherman they report advancing on Charleston TUESDAY 27 WEDNESDAY 28 ____________ [ page 110] THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1864 . FRIDAY 30 SATURDAY 31 The last day of 1864 is spent and I still find myself encircled by prison walls with no prospect of a speedy release Willming ton N. C. is reported captured by our men [ 36] The weather during hollidays have been very cold and I have had rather a tough time of it as I have been about half sick and no apetite. I am so tired of corn meal that it sickens me to look at it. [ Note] [ 36] These reports probably refer to the First Battle of Fort Fisher, which guarded Wilmington, fought from 7- Dec- 1864 to 27- Dec- 1864. It was not captured until the Second Battle of Fort Fisher in January. Wilmington was captured in February. ____________ [ page 111] MEMORANDA. Robert P. Seymour Wayne. Steuben Co N. Y. ____________ [ page 112] MEMORANDA. ____________ [ page 113] MEMORANDA This ____________ [ page 114] CASH ACCOUNT. JANUARY. Date. Received. Paid. Wrote Home '' '' April 18th '' '' May 1st '' '' June 8th '' '' "" 20th '' '' Aug 18th '' '' Oct 5th ____________ [ page 115] CASH ACCOUNT. JANUARY. Date. Received. Paid. ____________ [ page 116] CASH ACCOUNT. FEBRUARY. Date. Received. Paid. Wrote H M. Starin April 18 th ____________ [ page 117] CASH ACCOUNT. FEBRUARY Date. Received. Paid. ____________ [ page 118] MEMORANDA Date Dollars. Cts. C ____________ [ page 119] MEMORANDA Date. Dollars. Cts. Remember Dec 1863 ____________ [ page 120] MEMORANDA Date. Dollars. Cts. Ella Barnes July 27th 1870 . ____________ [ page 121] MEMORANDA Date. Dollars. Cts. ____________ [ page 122] Eugene. R. Sly Safe and free from rebel torments F. C. D [ 37] [ Notes] [ 37] Text is written diagonally ____________ [ page 123] Eugene R. Sly Danville Va Prison N o 4 April 9th 1864 E. R. Sly Andersonville Camp Sumpter Ga. May 21st 1864 Eugene R Sly now safe at home Lockport Ills H. L. Hornby Frankie Williams Marshall Michigan [ 38] [ Note] [ 38] Text is written vertically. ____________ [ page 124] O W Hill O. W. Hill [ Back Cover] Subject-LCSH Sly, Eugene R., 1841-1922--Diaries Andersonville Prison Danville Prison Florence Prison (S.C.) Illinois--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives Prisoners of war--Georgia--Diaries Prisoners of war--South Carolina—Diaries Prisoners of war Subject-TGM Prisoners of war--Union--Georgia--Andersonville--1860-1870 Prisoners of war--Union--South Carolina--Florence--1860-1870 Prisoners of war--Union--Virginia--Danville--1860-1870 Subject-Keywords Union soldier Union Army prison escapes American Civil War War between the States War of Secession War of the Rebellion 100th Illinois Source Original housed in the Archives and Regional History Collections, Western Michigan University; collection A-316. Language eng Collection Title United States Civil War Collection Contributors Sharon Carlson, Western Michigan University Archives and Regional History Collections; Creation of machine-readable version and digital images: Paul Howell, Lou Ann Morgan, Libby Catt, Western Michigan University Libraries Digitization Center; Metadata: Sheila Bair, Deborah Mouw, Western Michigan University Libraries Cataloging Dept. Publisher Western Michigan University Rights Management Copyright 2006 Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, all rights reserved. The digital version is available for educational use under 'Fair Use' guidelines. For additional permission and further information contact the WMU Libraries, Digitization Center: lib-dc@wmich.edu Type text Format image/tiff; image/jp2; application/pdf Date Digital 11/26/2006 Resource Identifier USCW0004 Identifier EXWA_USCW_DIslyPDF
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