A Rebel's Diary of Elmira Prison Camp
by James P. Jones and Edward F. Keuchel
On May 6, 1864, Wilbur W. Grambling, a young Floridian serving with the 5th
Florida Infantry Regiment of the Army of Northern Virginia was wounded and
taken prisoner during the Battle of the Wilderness. Grambling spent the
duration of the war in prison camps in the Washington, D.C. area and Elmira,
New York. During most of this period he kept a careful diary of his
experiences. Inside the back cover is the plaintive notation of a homesick
youth: "I-want-to-go-home-so----bad." Although the Grambling
family has lived in Florida since before the Civil War, this diary was not
found among family papers until 1861. It is presently in the possession of Mr.
O.I. Grambling of Tallahassee. In 1971 Mr. Clifton Paisley of the Graduate
Research Office of Florida State University learned of the diary while
researching the agriculture history of Leon County. He transcribed the diary
and obtained a copy for the Florida State University.
Wilbur W. Grambling was born March 30, 1843 near Spartanburg, SC. Not long
afterward the family moved to Florida and settled in the Tallahassee area.
During the Civil War Wilbur and his brother Irwin enlisted in Company K of the
5th Florida Infantry Regiment assigned to the Army of Northern Virginia. In
early May of 1864 the 5th saw action in the opening days of the Wilderness
Campaign. Grambling returned to his home following his release in July, 1870,
at the age of 27, reportedly from a repiratory ailment incurred during his
prison days. Following are extracts from the diary starting with the day of
his capture.
Friday, May 6, 1864. Went into battle 2 o'clock. Wounded in the right
arm and taken prisoner. Sent to rear in great pain. Had ball out and wound
dressed. About 600 prisoners with me. Uncle Joe with the regt., wound in
shoudner. Cay, Carter, Aldridge, Barry, Felkel, Haines and Snipes are prisoners.
[1]
Ed. Note [1]: Of these members of K Company, 5th Florida Infantry, captured
with Grambling, James M. Carter died at the prison camp on October 11, 1864.
Chemung County Historical Society, "List of Confederate Soldiers Buried
in Woodlawn Cemetery, Elmira, New York." "Uncle Joe" was his
father's youngest brother.
Saterday, May 7, 1864. Went to Hospital 1st Div. 9th Army Corps. Wound
dressed and doing well. Started to rear but cut off by Moseby. Camped on
Rappadan River. Considerable uneasyness fraid Mosby will make a dash on them.
Sunday, May 8, 1864. Came back by Chancellorsville and camped near
Fredericksburg. All fair weather and wound doing finely. Got on the road to
Moseby again today and had to turn back. I have been wishing he would recapture
me. Did retake one from my regiment.
Monday, May 9, 1864. Arrived at Fredericksburg only this morning.
Established hospital in a Presbyterian Church. Nothing to eat but hard bread,
coffee, beef, and tea and every two or three days 2 oz. boiled beef.
Tuesday, May 17, 1864. All quiet. Weather fair. Three butter crackers
for supper. Wound still improving. A great many vague rumors among the Yankees
in regard to their successes. They have had it read to them on dress parade that
Richmond was theirs.
Wednesday, May 18, 1864. A great many wounded came in last night from
the front. I asked Dr. to let me walk out for recreation but would not allow me
even with a guard. Reports from the front say the forces attacked with bayonets.
They repulsed or captured a force including our battery of artillery, their
report.
Saturday, May 21, 1864. Arrived at Washington this morning at
daybreak. Now in hospital on the north side of town, is called Columbian
Hospital. Saw Abe Lincoln's house. Very comfortably situated. Baked bread,
coffee, meat, apples, some corn meal and sirup. Another cot to lie on.
Sunday, May 22, 1864. A beautiful morning. Shower rain at noon. Health
good and wound doing well. I see negroes riding out in fine carriages with their
driver sometimes a negro. Man & a white woman riding together in a carriage
with a negro driver. Frequently see them walking together.
Monday, May 23, 1864. Everything the same. Saw President Lincoln and
Lady pass yesterday, just saw them on their hack and could not tell how he
looks. He passes here nearly every day. [I] die here nearly every day. Wrote a
letter to Pa and Irvin today.
Thursday, May 26, 1864. Rainy all day. 200 more wounded came in.
Papers are full of vain rumors. Lee is still retreating and nearly cut off from
Richmond, Jeff Davis is captured by Grant and paroled. Don't know whether he
will be summarily hanged or not. Some believe it, therefore are all very
jubilant.
Tuesday, May 31, 1864. Every thing quiet today. The weather fair &
pleasant. My health good, wound doing well. Some ladies in today to see Col.
Manning. Brought him some grub. Still at Lincoln Hospital. Now what composes it
is a buildinig 100 feet long & 25 feet wide forming a triangle and a large
number to tents. In all I suspose there is over 3000 wounded here and perhaps
200 rebs. I think this is nearly the last place in creation. It is right out in
the open field. It is so very hot. I understand that 18,000 men are to leave
here tomorrow for the front. Yanks still in good spirits & are looking up to
Grant expecting him to crush out the rebellion this summer. If he does it by the
5th of June will be nominated as candidate for President. He won't do it.
Friday, June 24, 1864. Very fair and warm this morning. Sold $10.00 in
gold for $18.00 in greenbacks & bought 1 plug Tob., 2 boxes of matches &
per suspenders this p.m. Suffering good deal with backache again. The boys all
keep in pretty good spirits so far.
Wednesday, July 6, 1864. Weather fair and pleasant. No change in
things generally as I know. The wounded are most all doing very well. Some cases
of gangreen which I think will be fatal.
Thursday, July 7, 1864. Very fair and pretty day though quite warm. No
change in things generally, good deal of excitement about Frederick and
Hagerstown, Md. Our forces making pretty good headway. Last dispatches state all
the rebs have recrossed the Potomac. Men here sick.
Firday, July 8, 1864. The 8th day of July has passed & nothing has
transpired worth note nor to make the day memorable. It has been a rather fair
day and quite warm & sultry. The Yankees can't ascertain what force we have
invading them with nor their whereabouts.
Sunday, July 10, 1864. The day has passed off very quiet. Nothing of
note occurred. It is reported that our boys drove the Yankees 18 miles, killed
Gen. Wallace and captured one other general--forget his name--and are now within
nine miles of Baltimore. I think Washington is threatened pretty strongly this
morninig.
Monday, July 11, A.M. Great deal of excitememt. Won't allow any one to
go out of the ward. Ward master got his repeater on caused from the invaders say
they have just about got Baltimore and are coming now to take Washington. Foiled
in my plan to escape. Sent part of my party off. Wrote to Irvin. P.M. Things
have got a little more quiet. Reports say that they are fighting within six
miles of here at Fort Manassas.
Tuesday, July 12, 1864. Fair~& pleasant this morning. Left today
at noon & arrived at the old capital prison. They are very strict here.
Won't let you get close to the window. Eat twice a day. Quite a dirty place,
just alive with chinches one or two out at a time. Think I will get along.
Saturday, July 16, 1864. Every thing quiet today. Nothing occurred
worthy note. My principal amusement is looking at the women pass. Some very
pretty ones~in the city of Washington. Quite a lot of cavalry are passing just
now. Weather moderate.
Sunday, July 17, 1864. Today seems a great deal like Sunday & I
can't help thinking of home and wishing I was at Old Pisgah. Every thing remains
about the same. A funeral procession passed. It was a member of the fire
company. Five very pretty young ladies passed by in a carriage and one of them
waved to me which is frequently the case.
Tuesday, July 19, 1864. Weather quite fair & not very warm. Our
room is about 25 or 30 ft. square and has 42 men in it. Pretty well crowded
about 600 or 700 prisoners. Prospects are good to be sent away soon but can't
judge to what place. Rations are very short, 2 meals per day & is rumored
that we will only get one hereafter.
Saturday, July 23, 1864. Left Washington 1 o'clock for Elmira. Arrived
at Baltimore at 7. A great many spectators on the street. Got off the cars at
Mountain House on Howard St and turned down Franklin. At franklin House drew
rations and left at 8 o'clock.
Sunday, July 24, 1864. Traveled all night and find we are 170 miles
from Elmira. Corn crops are very sorry. Wheat is gathered. Oats is pretty good.
Traveled through Catskill Mountains up the Susquehanna River. Crossed is 20
times. Got here 6 o'clock.
Monday, May 25, 1864. Raining all day. Very sloppy. Elmira is noted
for pretty women and a good many of them. The prison is about 10 acres square
with barracks inside large enough to hold 112 men each. This is Barracks No. 3
commanded by Major Colt. [2]
Ed. Note [2]: Barracks 3 consisted of 35 wooden buildings each about 100 feel
long, 16 feet wide and high enough for two rows of bunks. Thomas E. Burne,
"Elmira's Civil War Prison Camp: 1864-65," Chemung County
Historical Journal, 10 (September, 1964), 1279.
Tuesday, May 26, 1864. Weather fair and pleasant. I have got a
position in the kitchen as a waiter and have much work to do and get plenty to
eat. There is 6 of my Regt. here and 4 or 5 of the 2nd Regt. None of my company.
Wednesday July 27, 1864. It is fair & quite warm today. Though the
nights are quite cool. We eat twice a day, morning at 7 o'clock & evening at
3 o'clock. Our camp or Barracks are surrounded by mountains, not very high ones
though.
Thursday, July 28, 1864. About 600 more prisoners came in this morning
from Point Lookout. I guess they will all be brought up here. They are looking
bad. Some so poor they look like it is hard for them to navigate. One-half
barefooted. [3]
Ed. Note [3]: Of the 4,425 prisoners in the camp by the end of July, all
except Grambling's contingent had been transferred from Point Lookout on
Chesapeake Bay. The Point Lookout prisoners were generally, as Grambling
describes them, in poor condition. See Byrne, "Elmira's Civil War Prison
Camp, 1862," and Clay Holmes, The Elmira Prison Camp: A History
(New York, 1912), 20-26.
Tuesday, Aug. 2, 1864. This has been a very wet and rainy day.
Everything is very dull. We have heard no news today. I am getting very tired of
prison and am growing more so every day. The thoughts of staying here all the
winter and perhaps till the war ends makes the time a great deal longer.
Friday, Aug. 5 , 1864. No news today. Every thing perfectly quiet
& dull as is natural in prison. Weather remains fair and quite warm.
Everything seems to speak in favor of the South. The prisoners are expecting an
early exchange or parole.
Thursday, Aug. 11, 1864. Every thing very quiet & have rumers of
exchange pretty soon but it don't amount to anything, only a falsehood. My
health is still improving. Am taking salts in broken doses. My blood seems to be
very thin.
Friday, Aug. 12, 1864. This is a beautiful day. The sweet little birds
are chirping from branch to branch. There are a great many rumors but I don't
pay any attention to these, Dear Friend, when what you do remember is the Guns.
Sunday, Aug. 14, 1864. Quite fair and pleasant today but Oh! I can't
help wishing I was there to go to old Pisgah. [4] I will never forget the dear
spot, every Sunday about 11 or 12 o'clock. I say Pa is at church now. Received a
letter from him today. All is well.
Ed. Note [4]: Pisgah Methodist Church in Leon County, Florida, built in 1859,
is still the scene of Grambling Family reunions.
Friday, Aug, 19, 1864. Fair and pleasant today. Suffering very much
with jaw-ache. Tried to have an old root extracted & instead of getting it
broke a good one off at the gumbs. Recd. a letter from Irvin today. He was well,
also one from Washington. Have some clothes on the road.
Saturday, Aug. 20, 1864. The exchange question is still being agitated
very much. Report says (said to be reliable) commencing 10 th Sept. all over
plus to be paroled & all to have 60 days furlough on our return. Still
suffering good deal with neuralgia. Morgan of Co. D died today of Chronic
diarhea.
Friday, Aug. 26, 1864. No change in things generally. It has been
a~very pleasant day. Little rain this evening. Neuralgia is about well. Received
the clothing today that i have been expecting from Washington. Very well
pleased. No fine clothing nor provisions are allowed to be brought in --all that
come are confiscated.
Saturday, Aug. 27, 1864. Wrote Miss Thomson today. Report says that
Lee made a flank movement on Grant & fully demoralized his army. The news
generally are very cheering. More rain this evening, I am feeling very well now.
Sunday, Aug. 28, 1864. Another Sabbath has past and I stil find myself
here in prison, making five weeks in this place which seems like 5 months. Time
pass off very slow. Notwithstanding, I am pretty comfortable. Wished myself at
Ma's cubard today as I often do.
Wednesday, Aug. 31 1864. Last night & this morning was cold, the
coldest weather I ever experienced in August. It is quite pleasant this evening.
August has been tolerably pleasant and pretty rainy & cloudy most all the
time The news generally has been quite cheering. Most all the prisoners are
looking forward for an early exchange, also are expecting peace soon. The last
report (which are many in regard to exchange) is that Jeff has agreed to
exchange the Negroes for the men that have enrolled their names to take the oath
of allegiance to the U.S. Thomson is sick with pneumonia. Also Wilford with
fever, both in the hospital. My health has been good except neuralgia. The rest
of the company are well & doing as well as could be expected. So ended
August.
Thursday, Sept, 1, 1864. Good deal of excitment in town last night
caused by the nomination of McClellan for President. Quite a number of guns were
fired. Weather remained the same as everything else does. No change in anything.
Saturday, Sept. 3, 1864. Weather still remains cool and cloudy, but no
rain. Seems be more like November than September. Rumer says Atlanta has fallen
with 20,000 prisoners, also that Lee has lost 15,000.
Sunday, Sept. 4, 1864. It is reported that Lee has whipped Grant again
& driven him 6 miles. He calls for reinforcements, will have to retreat if
not received. Papers advocate a retreat. I think more about home Sundays than
any other day, not only home but old Pisgah ch house. Long to see the dear spot
again.
Saturday, Sept. 10, 1864. Rumor says that the exchange is to take
place between the 15th & 25th of this month. I cant put much faith in it
though I hope it is true. Still fair & very pleasant. We have pretty strict
orders. Have to be very careful what we do or how we act.
Friday, Sept. 16, 1864. This has been the most pleasant day we have
had in some time. Fair & not cold. There is no news today. Wrote a letter to
John T. Desellum for Blanket, draws, pants socks and money. Some rumers about
the wounded & sick being sent off.
Monday, Sept. 19, 1864. No news today, only reported that John Morgan
is killed which I hope is false. Am quite unwell today with chill and cough
bordering pleurisy. I think my right breast is very sore. Had a little fever
yesterday and today. Nothing I think serious yet.
Wednesday, Sept. 21, 1864. Reported that Gen. Rhodes & Gordon are
killed & 15,000 prisoners captured. Am little better today but feel quite
bad yet. Men are dying up very fast, average 16 or 18 per day.
Thursday, Sept. 22, 1864. Have got about well again though my breast
is very sore yet. The exchange & parole question is being agitated again.
Great many are taking the oath. Weather same. Read a letter from Irvin. Is dated
the 15th.
Friday, Sept, 23, 1864. There is no news about today. Weather fair
& pleasant. Am feeling some better. Wrote to Irvin today. Men are dying very
fast, from 15 to 25 per day.
Saturday, Sept. 24, 1864. Surgeons have been round today examining the
sick and wounded, they say to parole them. Weather very pleasant though a little
cooler this evening. Health improving. I long to get back in Dixie.
Sunday, Sept. 25, 1864. There is no news today whatever, and the day
has passed very dull and silently. Has been fair and cold as cold can be without
freezing. I think seems like December at home. I have got about well again
except cold and cough. Exchange question is very much agitated.
Saturday, Oct. 1, 1864. No news of interest stirring today. Weather is
cloudy & very cold and unpleasant. Don't expect to sleep much tonight as I
only have one blanket to cover with and it is quite thin. Don't see how I am to
live this winter without more cover.
Wednesday, Oct. 5, 1864. Weather remains the same. No news at all.
Received a letter from & wrote to Mr. Desellum today. Taking names for
clothing this evening. Health remains very good.
Friday, Oct.7, 1864. A.M. Fair and pleasant. 25 army men made their
escape last night by tunneling. [5] They got 25 horses. Commenced 19th of Aug.
They dug 64 ft. No news today. Report says the sick leaves in the morning. P.M.
cloudy but no rain. Still hauling wood.
Ed. Note [5]: This was the famous October tunnel escape which culminated weeks
of stealthy burrowing by the Confederates. Ten prisoners succeeded, not 25 as
Grambling relates. Eight of the ten made their way south and the other two
traveled north to Auburn, New York, where they worked and saved enough to
later return to the South. A total of seventeen prisoners escaped from the
camp during its period of operation. Byrne, "Elmira's Civil War
Prison," 1287; Holmes, Elmira Prison Camp, 170-86.
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 1864. Elmira Gazette states that all prisoners
captured up to June are to be exchanged except those captured by Butler in front
of Petersburg. The sick and wounded have got off at--last near 2000. They seemed
to be very cheerful.
Thurday, Oct. 14, 1864. No news stirring today. Fair and quite cold.
Received a letter from Mattie today of Sept. 17th. All well as usual. Rave not
caught any of the men yet that made their escape.
Tuesday, Oct 18, 1864. Still fair & pleasant. Papers says that
Sherman's army is completely annihilated. Jeff Davis speaks very cheeringly to
the soldiers. I had a mess of cabbage & Irish potatoes today.
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 1864. No change in the weather & no news of
any kind. The general health of the prisoners are a great deal better. Instead
of 15 to 20 it is only 5 to 10 per day & it seems to be the general
impression that we will winter here.
Thursday, Oct. 20, 1864. Weather somewhat unsettled but no rain. Frost
every morning though the weather remains quite moderate. Prisoners are generally
pretty well supplied with clothing, shoes especially.
Friday, Oct, 21, 1864. Papers state that England & France have
recognized the independence of the Confederacy. Nothing else new.. Weather
remains the same. My health is still very good.
Sunday, Oct. 23, 1864. Cloudy but no rain today. My health has
generally been good ever since I have been captured. Read my Testment almost
every day. They have a Library here now & I have a book reading. The title
is the Story of a Pocket Bible. Very good.
Monday, Oct. 24, 1864. More tunneling been going on but were reported
by some galvanized demons. Would soon have been through. Weather cloudy but
little rain. Wrote to Miss Ida Duncanson today.
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1864. Reported in camps that Grant has given up
Petersburg and is falling back to Washington. My health remains very good.
Weather very mild, fair & pleasant. The people of Elmira has kept the old
cannon pretty busy today.
Monday, Oct. 31, 1864. Weather warm & wet. We have a very good
market here. The principal articles of trade is apples, cooked cabbage, Tobacco,
clothing, potatoes, knives &c. Officers have tried several times to break it
up but have not succeeded & are not likely to. Received a letter from Mrs.
Sawyer yesterday. Boxes of clothing &c, and money are being sent in daily to
the men from their relatives & friends but I am somewhat among the
unfortunate. The way I spend my time. 1st. Set the table & then clean up
afterwards, then 2nd read & knock about until 3 O'clock & 3rd it is
dinner, which I have to take an active part in, working after the rest.
Monday, Nov. 7, 1864. Weather fair & pleasant. It is very
changeable, one day freezing, the next almost boiling. Comparatively no new
dispatches today. Tomorrow is looked upon as the great day. General impression
is that it will be a close run between Abe & Mc.
Tuesday, Nov. 8. 1864. Nothing has occurred today more than usual. Far
as I know it is quite still for election day. Generally thought that it will be
a close run between Abe & Mc. rather in the latter's favor.
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1864. It is reported that Lincoln is a head as far
as known. Little hopes of an exchange. Health good, weather fair & quite
pleasant.
Thursday, Nov. 10, 1864. Weather remains the same. Some of the boys
have been flanking [6] potatoes and the Yanks stopped the ration of all until
the interested parties were found out. They soon came to light.
Ed. Note [6]: The "flanking" mentioned by Grambling refers to
stealing. Prisoners working in the mess hall frequently "flanked"
rations, eating what they wanted and selling the surplus. Stealing food was a
serious offense which could earn the culprit either confinement in the guard
house, confinement on bread and water, the sweat box or the barrel shirt.
Byrne, "Elmira's Civil War Prison," 1292; Holmes, Elmira Prison
Camp, 338. See December 13, 1864 entry for Grambling's mention of his stay
in the guard house, but not listing his offense.
Friday, Nov. 11, 1864. Great speculation about the election. Some say
that Lincoln is elected & some say Mac. Very fair but some colder though
pleasant. Great many boxes packages of clothing come in daily for the rebs.
Monday, Nov. 14, 1864. Have not heard who is elected yet for
president--it is a very close run. I believe it inclines to be in Lincoln's
favor. Weather unsettled. Little snow & very cold. Health generally very
good.
Friday, Nov. 18, 1864. Weather cloudy & warm. Fresh report about
exchange. Officers are getting tighter on us every day. Keep trying to break up
our market but cant quite outwit. Rebels are too smart at every point.
Saturday, Nov. 19, 1864. Unusually pleasant today & fair. seems to
be no doubt but Abe is reelected. Health improving. Everything very quiet in
camp. Bought a blanket today for 75 cents.
Monday, Nov. 21, 1864. Cloudy and warm. No news. Am quite well. I have
been repairing my bunk all day whittling up plank. [7] Today I'm nearly
finished.
Ed. Note [7]: Prisoners frequently whittled pine boards and used the shavings
as mattress stuffing.
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 1864. Cloudy and very cold. Had a pretty good snow
last night. None yoday. It is reported that Gen. Lee is killed, but I don't
believe it to be true. Have new cool stoves in the mess room now. [8] Have
finished fixing my bunk.
Ed. Note [8]: The coal stoves were a welcome addition to the camp. All in all
150 coal stoves were purchased for the camp. Byrne, "Elmira's Civil War
Prisoner Camp," 1286.
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 1864. Weather broken & a little snow. Very
cold. I am well except a severe cold. N.Y. Papers say Gen. Lee is kill.
Beauregard has taken the oath & Jeff is not to be found. wrote to Mrs Sawyer
and Mr. Wagener.
Thursday, Nov. 24, 1864. No news stirring today. Very strict with the
men now. Dont allow the men to bring their rations out of the messroom. Two men
were caught tunneling last night.
Friday, Nov. 25, 1864. All quiet along the line today. Fair &
pretty warm. Good deal of snow on the ground. Wrote to pa today There is between
7000 & 8000 men in here and about 4000 have applied to take the oath. I am
some better this evening.
Saturday, Nov. 26, 1864. Cloudy & a little snow. N.Y. Herald say
that Mullord has gone to prepare terms of exchange to Jeff which not doubt he
will accept, also that Lee has whipped Grant again, capturing 20,000 prisoners.
It predicted that all of us will doubtless eat our Christmas dinner at home.
Thursday, Dec. 1, 1864. No news again today. Weather fair &
pleasant. Health very good. Up roar in the cook house. I will try & give a
minute description of our camp quarters & surroundings vicinity as well as
possible.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 1864. Weather remains the same, No news. On the
South Side is the old river bed holding water. Along on the north bank is the
cookhouse and mess room & apothocaries &c, then a street 30 ft wide,
then a row of Barracks 30 in another street same width.
Sunday, Dec. 4, 1864. Every thing remains the same. Next is two more
rows of barracks. Along the north side in the west half is the officers
quarters, gate in the center along the west side are the Hospital Barracks &
kitchen, seven in number.
Monday, Dec. 5, 1864. Everything the same. Maj. very strict. On the
north side of the camp is part of the city, two observatories, 1 regt. in camp
& mountains dotted with country farms. On the east side is the principal
part of town, depot & another regiment in camp & one 4 gun battry.
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 1864. Our new Maj. is very tiranical. Had a fight in
the ward. Mountains also on the east. On the south side is Susquahanah River,
broad plain & mountains, slaughter house & farm house &c.
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 1864. Cloudy and very cold and little snow. Had my
first trial in the guard house. Was put in last night. Given nothing but bread
and water. Two pieces of bread today. Pretty lousy hole.
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1864. Weather has moderated a great deal. Released
from the guard house this evening.
Monday, Dec. 19, 1864. Cloudy but quite pleasant. More prisoners came
in today from Washington. Good many cases small pox. Three have died. Prisoners
are very sickly as a general thing. My bed fellow Cay is sick with pneumonia.
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 1864. Fair and very cold. Everything is frozen hard.
No news again today. Am in very good health. Cay is not any better. The rebs are
enjoying themselves daily scating on the pond in the south side of the camp.
Friday, Dec. 23, 1864. Fair and still very cold. Uncle and myself are
well. Smallpox still raging. Some 30 cases and about 5 have died. Rules are very
strict in camp. Not allowed to go out much at night. Cay is worse today. Took a
fresh cold last night.
Saturday, Dec. 24, 1864. Weather fair & has moderated a great
deal. Jeff Davis has poisoned himself, Bob had whipped Grant. There is 40 cases
of smallpox, 4 have died. Prospects are bad for Christmas.
Sunday, Dec. 25, 1864. Fair and very pleasant. Christmas but it seems
no more than any other day. ground is melting which makes it very slippy. Today
is The snow on
Monday, Dec. 26, 1864. Cloudy, warm but no rain. It is reported that
Savannah has fallen with 20,000 prisoners. Quite sickly in camp again, from 15
to 25 die a day. [9] Small pox is growing worse every day. Wrote to Mrs Sawyer.
Ed. Note [9]: In the period December 1-26, 230 prisoners died in the camp.
Chemung County Historical Society, "List of Confederate Soldiers."
Thursday, Dec. 29, 1864. Heavy snow last night. Colder today & a
little snow. Started to school today. Am taking French lessons. No news. My
health remains good. Getting Sunday school lesson, 1st Chapter Acts of the
Apostles to 16th verse. Nearly know it.
Saturday, Dec. 31, 1864. I feel thankful to the disposer of all things
for favored as I have been since I have been a prisoner for I have got enough to
eat ever since I have been a prisoner except while I was at Fredericksburg, Va.,
and the old Capital Washington City about ten days each. I have had enough
clothing also all the while. Upon the whole I have not fared much worse than in
Dixie.
Tuesday, Jan. 3, 1865. Weather has moderated. A great deal from
reports. Confirmed my vaxination has taken finely. Very sickly in camp now.
Progressing pretty well in French.
Wednesday, Jan. 4, 1865. Cloudy & a little snow and very cold.
Health very good. Arm is pretty soar & is still inflamed. Had quite a fight
in my ward this morning between Dunn & Harper about insulting language.
Thursday, Jan. 12, 1864. Weather remains fair and moderate. I am
progressing in my French pretty well. Small poc still raging. Carry new cases to
the hospital every day.
Monday, Jan. 16, 1865. Weather broken and quite cold. We have had no
coal to keep the fire today. No school today. Got the scab knocked off my arm
today. Oh it looks quite bad. [10]
Ed. Note [10]: Crude vaccinations were not uncommon. One observer reported
that among the prisoners from Point Lookout "in arms of some of them
there were great soars, big enough, it seemed, to put your fist in."
Byrne, "Elmira's Civil War Prison Camp," 1293.
Sunday, Jan. 22, 1865. Had considerable snow again last night. Not
very cold. Reported that the authorities have agreed to parole all prisoners. Am
not feeling very well this evening. My feet are frost bit again. Lady in camp
today.
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 1865. Cloudy but not very cold. Recd. a letter from
Matt yesterday. All well but for several deaths. No school today nor no news of
interest. All dull.
Thursday, Jan. 26, 1865. Cloudy, no snow nor rain and not very cold.
Reported that Buffalo was burnt last night. Supposed to be done by the raiders
from Canada. Every thing is quiet. 2000 prisoners sent from Point Lookout.
Worked on bunk today.
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 1865. No news today. Getting bread again. My rations
reduced. Cloudy but weather moderate. Prisoners say all the officers were drunk
at Fort Fisher. As a general thing this has been a very pleasant month
considering the latitude though there has been snow on the ground all the time.
Good many days the ice did not thaw one particle. Health has been good and also
rations pretty fair. Prisoners are generally in pretty good spirits though the
exchange question has died out entirely.
Thursday, Feb. 2, 1865. Fair and quiet pleasant and beautiful senery.
Mountains all around & perfectly white with snow. Received box &
contents today from Mrs. Sawyer & a pair of girls drawers (astonishing).
Sunday, Feb 5, 1865. Very~blustery and unpleasant. Thank god the
exchange is about to commence at last--have been taking names today. Texas,
Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas & Missouri are to go first with the
sick.
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1865. A.M. cloudy & moderate. No person allowed
to go to Dixie who has applied to take the oath, I entertain very good hopes of
getting back soon. Col. Moore says it is a general exchange. France seems to be
meddling with affairs. P.M. snowing very fast.
Sunday, Feb. 12, 1865. A.M. Received a letter from Pa today, not very
cold but quite unpleasant. Catholic priest preached today.
Monday, Feb. 13, 1865. Weather fair and pleasant. At noon 300 sick
& 200 wellmen leaves this evening in an hour or more. Are now calling the
roll. Reported that they will continue to send fast as possible.
Thursday, Feb, 16, 1865. Reports say there is 1000 to go next load,
600 sick & 400 well also Va. and N.C. will be the last exchanged. Am anxious
for my time to come. am afraid they will only exch three thousand & stop
& leave me here.
Friday, Feb. 17, 1865. Weather very moderate & fair. I have pretty
reliable information that the Comdg officer has recd orders to clear the camp as
quick as possible. Trust to God it is true. Great deal of sickness.
Tuesday, Feb 28, 1865. Another load of 500 signed the paroles today.
Don't know when they will get off. Have a load of sick made up also. Hope I will
get of soon. Trust to Providence. An unfair way of sending them off. Just
whoever has money to buy his way out can go. Some sent an application to the
Col. and got off in that way. Great deal of sickness in camp now and the
smallpox is more fatal. Great many deaths, from 20 o~ 30 every day out of about
7000 man. More now than there was last summer and fall when there was some
10,000 here.
Friday, March 3, 1865. Weather remains the same. All quiet in camp. No
rain today. Almost crazy, I want to go to Dixie so bad. Still live in hope if I
die in despair.
Sunday, March 12, 1865. Oh me! So lonesome can hardly keep back the
tears. So long since I have seen amy of my associates., Hope my imprisonment
con't last always.
Monday, March 13, 1865. Weather quiet moderate. Reported that 13,000
of Earley's men are captured, also that 17,000 of Sherman's surprised old Jube.
I don't believe either report. As the saying is those tales have not got any
hair in them.
Friday, March 17, 1865. Weather remained the same. River is still
rising. Is all over camp 4 or 5 ft deep, in cook house & some of the wards.
Moved out all the sick and commissary stores to higher place. Commence fall in
it at 6 o'clock.
Saturday, March 18. River has fallen nearly to its old water mark.
Mess house 7 & cook houses 4 in deep in mud. Had a bad time cleaning them
out. Some houses washed away.
Wednesday, March 22, 1865. Little sleet and rain today, reported that
the load on which my name was is broken up. I think it true. They have made up
another load of the first on the rolls as we came here. I am knocked out.
Monday, March 27, 1865. Very fair & pleasant. Boys are catching
fish today out of the creek. Catches some quite nice perch. Tried my hand but
met with no success. Nothing new. All quiet.
Tuesday, March 28, 1865. Weather remains the same. Everything quiet.
Papers say Lee attacked Grant thinking his strength was weakened to reinforce
Sherman & was repulsed with a loss of 5000 or 6000 men while Grant only lost
500 or 600 men.
Wednesday, March 29, 1865. Very pleasant weather. Every thing very
quiet. Discharged from the mess because they were dissatisfied with me but
simply good union men. Bob Lee whiped. room today, not to put in some
Thursday, March 30, 1865. My birthday, 22 years old. A very wet
morning. More of the waiters discharged. No news about when and more men will
leave for Dixie. I think not before next week. Have made one more effort to get
off.
Friday, March 31, 1865. Still cool & raining. No news of
importance. I hope the Yankees are satisfied now they have discharged all the
rebs who were waiters in the mess room and put in oath takers or good union men
as they call them. The winter is about over now and it has not been so very
hard. I have tuffed it out very well. Cant say that I suffered any either from
cold or hunger for which I am very thankful. Have been blessed so far. Tried to
get off on the next load but I think my chances are very slim. Liut. Smith said
the rolls were full. Wards are all consolidated into 30. Mine is still lE.
Monday, April 3, 1865. Weather same. Reports say that Richmond is
evacuated & that it will be a month yet before the Baltimore road is
repaired. Commenced work today.
Monday, April 4, 1865. A.M. fair and pleasant. Richmond gone up.
12,000 prisoners, 50 pieces artillery. P.M. cloudy and little rain. Nothing new.
Monday, April 10, 1865. Tolerably pleasant today. Reports say, it is
published on bullitenboard that Lee has 8urrendered his army also that we are to
be paroled immediately.
Tuesday, April 11, 1865. No change in things generally. Still rumors
& seems to be confirmation of the surrender of Lee & army. Some seem to
be glad, some sorry.
Wednesday, April 12, 1865. Cloudy & rainy. Papers give a list of
officers captured, Gen. Finegan one of the number. Great many are confident we
will all soon be paroled.
Thursday, April 13, 1865. Seems to be settled that Gen. Lee & Army
has surrendered of Grant. Some seem to rejoice while others lament the capture
of so noble an army.
Friday, April 14, 1865. Great rejoicing throughout the U.S. Great
exultation & blowing in the papers. fairly growing picture. Richmond is
entirely destitute of provisions. Recd. Federals with great joy.
Saturday, April 15, 1865. Excitement has only begun. Abe & Seward
was murdered last night, first rumer that a Virginian, lastly S.s. clerk Rumered
that all Rebel officer at Washington were killed.
Sunday, April 16, 1865. Cloudy and Quite cold. Lincoln's murderer is
supposed to be one Booth. Johnson to his seat yesterday at 2 o'clock. Seward
considered dangerous. The assassin not apprehended yet.
Monday, April 24, 1865. Weather fair & cold. Great excitement.
Took the names of all citizen oath takers, all who willing to take the oath
& those who won't take the oath. I am still a R E Reb.
Tuesday, April 25, 1865. Fair and very plesant. Nothing new. Johnson
has not surrendered yet. He & Sherman has been negotiating terms of peace.
Lines extend from the Potomac to the Rio Grande. Washington authorities
disatisfied. All armes to be turned over to state authorities just as before the
war.
Wednesday, April 26, 1865. Fair & pleasant. Still great
excitement. Most all have applied to take the oath & I was weak enough to do
so also. Sorry for it since try and & live in the hopes that it will prove
for the best.
Thursday, April 27, 1865. Warm & broken. A thunder & shower
reminded me of old times very much. Am feeling troubled today, afraid I have
done wrong.
Friday, April 28, 1865. Weather broken. No rain & tolerably cool.
Latest dispatch is that they commence paroling Monday, Virginian's first. Don't
place any confidence in the rumor. Health good, smallpox departed
Saturday, April 29, 1865. Another thunder shower. Otherwise fair and
pleasant. No news today. All very quiet. Bought some leaf tobacco. These are
very dull and all have on hand.
Sunday, April 30, 1865. All quiet. Reported a load leaves tomorrow for
Baltimore. There has been a great deal of excitement this month, the whole
confederacy has gone. Sad to think of but might be hope.
Friday, May 5, 1865. Fair & warm. No news of importance.
Everything quiet. Wrote to Pa of the great improvements going on in camp, and
fixing up quite a garden.
©
wwwgloverfamily.com 1996