Phil Koempel's diary, 1861-1865
*2*<^T«' /nV ^^ik • - _ « /%. •.^-. 0 '.BtS^^^*- o :vr«' A .*'% • %<. J^ •J V^^ .♦^•'^ *■ V^*5' ^^9^ CY_ * ^°^^. -J v*;^ ./%_ '^^^.^^^ .-■ /% ^5*^ - ^^-n^ • -«»• -^^ • *••• • • • -V* V **'\ ^6^^, ^-x. ,^ ^'WW** 4.^^'^%. ^^^^^ 'i'*^'^'^^ '<'^^** 4.^^^*^^^ t • e ft J8 . • ■* ^^^••*/ V'^^v^ V*^^**/' %'--.;v .-ar^ Phil Koempel's Diary 1861-1865 Phil Koempel's Diary 1861-1865 IN EXPLANATION To the now thinning ranks of those Boys in Blue who answered the country's summons in 1861, boys not bred or boim to soldier life and who kept aloft the flag of our Country, forever preserving the Union, this volume is dedicated. From the pages of a diary kept by Phillip Koempel, Ser- geant of his Company, the events here recorded have been taken. Not only because of its originality and as a historical contribution does the writer find exciise to preserve the record, but it is in loving and grateful acknowledgment of his father's stewardship that this review is presented. W. K. XJ K/ HILIP KOEMPEL was born in Wiesbaden, Ger- many, in March, 1840. He received a liberal edu- cation and came to this country at the age of seven- ^ teen. In 1859 he went to New Haven, Conn., to learn the wood carving trade. In response to the first call for troops for three months he enlisted in Company B, First Con- necticut Volunteers (Bridgeport Rifles). Was at the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. He re-enlisted October 15, 1861, in Company B, First Connecticut Cavalry, and was pro- moted to Corporal March 1, 1863, and to Sergeant May 21, 1864. In February, 1862, he served with his battalion under General Fremont in the Shenandoah campaign, taking part in the battles of McDowall's Station, Cross Keys and the night attack on Ashby's Cavalry at Strasburg, Virginia. Coming under General Pope's command he participated in the battles, including Cedar Mountain, Waterloo Bridge and the second battle of Bull Run. In 1863 the battalion was increased to a Regiment, and after the battle of Gettysburg crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, driving the enemy from Bolivar Heights and Halltown and capturing many prisoners. In May, 1864, the cavalry of the army of the Potomac, under General Philip Sheridan, on his Richmond Raid, taking part in the fights at Beaver Dam Station, Yellow Tavern, Strawberry Plains, Meadow Bridge, Ashland, Virginia, etc. On the so-called Wilson's raid, to the Richmond, Danville and South Side railroad, the command had a severe fight at Ream's station, Va., June 29, 1864. During that engagement Sergeant Koempel was surrounded and captured. He was sent to Andersonville prison, where he remained until September, 1864, enduring untold hardships. After the fall of Atlanta, he was removed to Charleston, thence to Flor- ence, S. C, where he remained until he was paroled, February 14, 1865. He was finally mustered out of the service, August 5, 1865. PHIL KOEMPEL'S DIARY March 19', 1864 Returned from re-enlisting furlough to join the Regiment at Annapolis Junction. Went through Washington and camped six miles beyond Alexandria. Cold night, rough time. March 20, 1864 Arrived at Fairfax Court House. Stayed over night. Mosby reported in our front. Heard of fight at Calvert Sta- tion. Got new horse and equipment. March 21, 1864 Broke camp at 8 A. M. Passed Centreville, Manasses Plain and camped at Bristow Station. Cold night. March 22, 1864 Broke camp at 9 o'clock A. M. Marched past Calvert Station and camped at Warrenton Junction. Very cold. Com- menced snowing at 4 A. M. Snowed here all night. Rough night. March 24, 1864 Arrived at Stevensburgh. Left camp at 8 o'clock. Passed Rappahannock Station. Very muddy. Saw Kilpatrick and camped beyond Brandy Station. March 28, 1864 Cold and windy. First drill and dress parade with Brigade. New orders and inspection by a Staff Officer. April 1, 1864 Fine day but cloudy. Good deal of fun about April fool. April 2, 1864 Raining. Review by General Davies. Wet all through. April 3, 1864 Stopped raining. Inspection by Major Blakeslee. Rain again at evening. Eleven men went after the wounded at Crafton Church, Virginia. April 22, 1864 Fine day. Monthly inspection. Great review before Gen- eral Grant. 40,000 troops present. May 4, 1864 Broke camp early morning. Crossed Germania Ford. Fine day. Many rebels encamped about ten miles from river. May 5, 1864 Went toward Mine Run, skirmishing all the way. Rebels made a stand. We were driven back. Our squadron made a stand, drove the rebels, but had no support. Another stand about two miles from Germania Ford. May 6, 1864 Broke camp early. Picket firing all night. Heavy firing ahead. Great battle going on. May 7, 1864 Fine day. Scouting towards Mine Run again. Went to Chancelorsville battle ground and camped there all night. May 8, 1864 Battle of Spottsylvania Court House. Captured the bag- gage train. Captured eight rebels on picket. May 9, 1864 Beaver Dam. Arrived 8 o'clock A. M. Light marching orders to start on the way for Richmond. Hard moving for horses. Camped at Anna River 11 P. M. Rear guard fighting with rebels. Burned and destroyed three days' ration for Lee's army. Recaptured 400 of our army taken prisoners at Wilderness. Rebels shelled our regiment, being rear guard. May 10, 1864 Rebels shelled our camp early. Company's rear guard fight with the rebels. Marched again within six miles of Richmond. Rebels made a stand at Yellow Tavern. May 11, 1864 Battle of Yellow Tavern. Rebels attack us in camp. Ad- vance within three miles of their first intrenchment. Our company out as flankers. First Division engaged. Capture two pieces of artillery, 400 prisoners. Advance that night within five miles of the city. General Stuart killed. Terrible hand-to-hand fighting. Rebels partly whipped. May 12, 1864 Strawberry Hill. George Root killed. Our Brigade en- gaged early at morning. Completely surrounded, hard fight- ing in the woods. Our Brigade rear guard cross the bridge. Made a stand at Meadow Bridge, supported battery. On picket within speaking distance of rebels. May 13, 1864 Our squadron support for the battery rear guard. Crossed Chickahominy Bridge. Rain all night. Regiment extreme rear guard. Second Division relieved us. Arrived at White- house Landing 2 P. M. Unsaddled horses for the first time in four days. No fighting and camped all night. Very hungry and nothing to eat. May 14, 1864 Rebel cavalry all around us. Left at 8 P. M. Arrived safely at Malvern Hill at James River. Our gun boat shelled us. Thought we were rebels. Went after signal corp to tell them who we were. May 15, 1864 Broke camp and moved toward Harrison Landing. Rations given out. Eat hearty. Lay under protection of the gunboat. Hard rain. Great cheering by our sailor boys. May 16, 1864 Fine weather. Went swimming in the James River. Heavy cannonading heard at Fort Darling. First news heard for over a week. Drew whiskey ration. May 17, 1864 Fine day. Inspection. All ready to march, but order countermanded. Left camp at 8 o'clock. Marched all night, very slow. May 20, 1864 Broke camp at morning. Marched within 18 miles of Richmond. Skirmish. Sick and hardly able to stay on horse- back. May 21, 1864 Fine day. Feel better. Had good dinner of Murphys. Meat and pies at farm house. Ready to start, but unsaddled again. Heavy cannonading heard until late at night. Regi- ment at picket. Skirmishing all night. Slept four hours. May 22, 1864 Relieved from picket 3 A. M. Joined Brigade and marched to Whitehouse Landing, where we arrived at 11 o'clock. Very- warm day. Dress parade and divine services near Baltimore Cross Road. May 23, 1864 Fine day. Broke camp. Crossed railroad bridge by twos. Bridge in bad condition. Dangerous work. Pass King William Court House. May 24, 1864 Marched all the way. My horse getting played out. Passed through fine country. Lead our horses part way and camped near Richmond and Chesterfield Pike. May 26, 1864 Broke camp and marched in heavy rain towards Anna River. Crossed on pontoon bridge very slow. Promoted to Sergeant. Boys cheered me when they heard of it. May 27, 1864 Light rain but clears. March toward Chesterfield and Camp two miles below the station. May 28, 1864 Broke camp and marched toward Whitehouse Landing. Ninth Army Corp cheered us. Very warm, had to foot it about 8 miles, my horse being pretty nearly; played out. Camped at 4 P. M. Rebels after us. Captured six prisoners running into a trap we arranged. May 29, 1864 Fine day. Broke camp and marched toward the river. When within three miles our regiment had to go back. Formed rear guard and had hard work to keep the rebels at proper distance. Drew rations and forage. May 30, 1864 Broke camp and moved to the woods. Did some washing. Cannonading going on. May 31, 1864 Hanover Court House. Left camp 3 A. M. Moved slowly. Passed baggage train and came up with the rebels at 4 P. M. Had a fight, our regiment being in line of battle from 4 P. M. until next morning 4 A. M. Close call on firing line. While dismounting to advance a shell burst in the rear of my horse. June 1, 1864 Ashland, advance, rebels falling back fighting. Our regi- ment was rear guard. Heavy fighting. We had to fall back. Rebels had five brigades. In Company B killed 4, 10 wounded. Wilbur, Tisdale and Egan returned after being captured. Another close shave. Just handed Corporal Flanigan, next to me, my canteen, when he dropped, shot through the head. In falling he nearly threw me from my horse. Our Color Sergeant, Whipple, killed, G. Taylor and myself saving the flag. 8 June 2, 1864 Stopped the night before at Hanover Court House. Went on picket all day. No sign of rebels. Fell back a mile and marched to the right of Chester. Strongly reinforced. Heavy rain. Hard marching through the darkness. Arrived and camped at 12 o'clock. June 3, 1864 Broke camp at 10 A. M. Fighting began at 11 A. M. Our division engaged. Drove the rebels. Our regiment on picket. June 4, 1864 On picket. Rebels reported advancing, but proved false. Relief from picket at night. Went in camp with division. Rain all night. June 5, 1864 Raining. In camp all night. Heavy firing going on, on our right. June 6, 1864 Boots and saddles at 4 A. M. Left camp at 7 A. M. Camped at 9 A. M. in a clover field. At 12 M. our regiment went on picket. Had a skirmish from 4 P. M. till dark. Nobody hurt. Held our place all night. June 7, 1864 Still on picket. At 3 A. M. mounted and advanced to form connection with Bumside, which we accomplished. Lively cannonading for about three-quarters of an hour. June 8, 1864 Relieved from picket. Went into camp at 10 o'clock. June 9, 1864 In camp. Had my hair cut. June 10, 1864 Went on picket. Rizby sent to the hospital. Rebels made a dash in our lines. Captain Becker killed while rallying the Eighteenth Cavalry. Theodore Hulbert taken prisoner while foraging. June 11, 1864 Relieved at 2 A. M. Went with the Brigade out on Rich- mond Road. Found no rebels. Returned to our post at 10 A. M. Willis of Company A killed. Three members of 3rd N. J. also. June 12, 1864 Relieved from picket. Left camp at 8 P. M. and marched all night, but very slowly. June 13, 1864 On the march. Crossed the Pamunkey River at Hop- kins Mills, also Chickahominy through the swamps and camped for the night near Charles City Court House. Out of rations. June 14, 1864 Fine day. Left camp early and arrived at Charles City Court House at 11 A. M. Drew half day rations. Left at 3 P. M. and came in slight skirmish with the rebels. Camped at 9 P. M. Lively picket firing all night. June 15, 1864 Savage Station. Fine weather. Left camp about 6 A. M. Met the rebels at Savage Station and fought them until 2 P. M. The regiment engaged fell back within two miles to Salem Church. Preston. Lorimer, Sherman, Dyer, William, Volz, J. Russel, Baldwin, O'Daniels and Cando joined the Co. Went on picket. June 16, 1864 On picket. Built entrenchments. Hard to work and stayed in entrenchments a day and night. Fell back in good order towards the James River, where we arrived at 10 P. M. Camped all night. Very hot. Guarding train which rebels tried hard to capture. June 17, 1864 Very warm. Boots and saddles at 5 A. M. Crossed the James River at 8 o'clock on pontoon bridge of 102 boats. Camped on the other side. Started out towards Petersburgh. Veiy dusty road. Camped at Prince George Court House. Heavy cannonading in front until 9 o'clock. June 18, 1864 Broke camp at 4 A. M. and marched back towards the landing. In camp at 10 o'clock. Heavy cannonading heard in front. Very hot. Extraordinary affair to be in camp all night without interruption. June 19, 1864 Very hot. Still in camp. Regiment inspection. Con- gratulations from Grant. Order read to Brigade for good conduct in covering the movement of the army to Southside, James River. 10 June 20, 1864 Warm weather. Still in camp. Heavy cannonading heard far off. Removed camp at 2 P. M. to the Woods. Pro- motion papers to Sergeant received from the Commissioner. June 21, 1864 Fine day. Went out foraging. Drew rations for three days. Marching order for a ten-day raid. June 22, 1864 Wilson's raid. Left camp at 3 o'clock. Burned and de- stroyed Reams Station on Weldon and Petersburgh Railroad. The rebels attacked our rear guard of Second Brigade, Third Division. Destroyed locomotives, water tank, tore up roads for three miles. Burning the rails. June 23, 1864 Norway Court House. Started early. Lynchburg and Petersburgh Railroad destroyed. Passed black and white sta- tion. Burned, tobacco and other property destroyed. Arrived within two miles of Norway Court House at 2 o'clock. Found the rebels and had a fight. Rebels driven back. Our regi- ment on picket. June 24, 1864 Regiment at picket. Advanced towards the Junction. Passed it and struck the Danville and Richmond R. R. Burned it all the way. Horses playing out fast. June 25, 1864 Broke camp early. Our regiment to work burning the tracks. Passed Great Brand Station and arrived near High Bridge. General Kautz fighting the rebels near the bridge. Order for 75 men of our company, myself one of them, to dash for the bridge at night, set it on fire. Was countermanded. June 26, 1864 Thundershower and rain. Moved early and took Peters- burgh Pike. Passed Christians. Took plenty of forage from Col. Gordon's house. Our regiment went to hold the Staefers Bridge. On picket all night. Very hot weather. Horses and men suffering from long march. Left my sabre, being all bent up. Got another from a dead rebel. June 27, 1864 Started again. Moved slowly. Reported rebels in front. No sign of them all day. Went in camp at Lurenburg Court House for two hours at 8 A. M. Left at 10 A. M. Halted again until 3 P. M. Marched until 2 A. M. Stopped in woods for rest. Crossed Smoky Run. II June 28, 1864 Stony Creek. Started early. Very warm. Arrived near Stony Creek about afternoon and met the enemy. A sharp fight. Our regiment went in late at night. Lost the regiment. Attacked at the wrong road. Found the regiment in the morning. June 29, 1864 Arrived near Reams Station. Completely surrounded. Sharp fighting, wagons and ammunition destroyed. A general retreat. Delayed by crossing a ditch at Reams Station. Hand- to-hand fighting. Rebels right amongst us in dusty road. Got off my horse to assist La Crainey and found he was dead. Taken prisoner by the Thirteenth Va. Cavalry, four rebels demanding my surrender. Well treated. On horseback to Stony Creek. Horses taken away. July 1, 1864 Very hot day. Marched to the creek in the shade, washed a shirt and had a bath. Got a small piece of com bread and meat. Generally well treated by the N. C. Infantry, our guard. They took my hat and demanded my watch, which I refused, telling the fellow I'd see him in hell first. He returns with an officer. I smashed my watch all to pieces before them with my boots. July 2, 1864 At Weldon in the afternoon. At Raleigh 2 A. M. Lieut. Tyler, our guard, treated us well. Drew rations of seven crack- ers. Left Raleigh at 5 o'clock for Salisbury, 126 miles. Boys in good spirit. Taking it cool. Insulted by citizens at Weldon. We sang "The Red, White and Blue." July 3, 1864 Passed Salisbury early morning. At Charlotte changed cars for Columbia, where we arrived at 8 P. M., a distance of 110 miles. Heavy shower. Rough time in the car. Fairly packed up. We were refused water. Stopped three miles on the other side of the town on the railroad track. July 4, 1864 Warm day. Three crackers and a small piece of meat our Fourth of July breakfast. Stopped at the railroad. Boys all went washing clothes. Plenty of g^'aybacks on hand. In good spirits. At 10 o'clock left for Augusta. Passed splendid plan- tations. July 5, 1864 Arrived at Augusta early in the morning. Bought corn bread. Drew one loaf of bread and meat for rations. Re- 12 ported defeat of Johnson. Niggers fortify the place. Fine city. Left at 3 o'clock for Macon, Georgia, the fifth Georgia in the city. Pleasant boys. July 6, 1864 Passed through Macon in the morning. A fine place. A good many foundries. Arrived at Andersonville Station at eleven o'clock. Marched one mile to prison. Was searched for papers. Went to prison about 1 o'clock. Twenty thou- sand men in twenty-six acres land. Terrible sight. Drew rations. No appetite. Eight pieces of artillery at the place. July 7, 1864 Roll call at 8 o'clock. Went to see our boys. Glad to see me, but sorry at such a place. Fixed up a little. Saw man dying. Daily sight. Bought a piece of soap for fifty cents. July 8, 1864 Very warm. A shower towards night. Boys brought some meat. Reinforced by more prisoners. Reported death of Beauregard. Petersburgh in ruins. Sherman seven miles from Atltanta. July 9, 1864 Very hot. Corporals Cleary and Fisher went to the hos- pital. Reinforced. Heavy rain. July 10, 1864. Hot again. Fixed canteen to draw water. Showers. Attended a meeting in the evening. Reinforced again. July 11, 1864 Cool day. Execution of six murderers and robbers. Ter- rible sight. Rope broke on one and another tried to escape. Rain that night. Bad cold in my throat. July 12, 1864 Warm day. Went to see the boys. All well. Reinforced by Grant's men. Report of parole by the 15th. Each State to take their own men. 300,000 more men called for. Got canteen back for 30c. Throat no better. Report of Peters- burgh in ruins and lots of other news, which were only rumors to keep up the spirit. July 13, 1864 A man killed for crossing the dead line. Throat bad. Very warm weather. July 14, 1864 Very warm. Great excitement in camp. The rebels fired two cannon shots and all the troops fall in. Reports of a break- 13 out on hand. Shower. A man was hung for stealing money. He pleaded guilty and gave the money back. July 15, 1864 Cloudy day. Throat better. Reinforced again. Sher- man within four miles of Atlanta. Went to see the boys. Sold shirt. Little rain. July 16, 1864 Cloudy day. Pretty hot. Attended meeting. Reported route of Sherman. Rebels at Harpers Ferry. William Hall, Co. K, died. July 17, 1864 Very warm. A fellow got his head saved for telling about the tunnel. Church. Reported fall of Charleston, Atlanta and Petersburgh. Bet made with Church for supper about paying bounty. A. Sutern better. Ibanez comes to see me. July 18, 1864 Cloudy and a little rain. Draw wood. Prisoners come from Sherman's army. Report of moving us to Alabama. Rain towards the night. Being Sergeant, I had 100 men to account for every morning at roll call. July 19, 1864 Warm day. A small squad of prisoners arrived. Report of a raid of our cavalry at Macon. Rebels get reinforced by two companies guarding us. July 20, 1864 Cool and cloudy. Rain in the afternoon. Feel better. Rations short. Report of Ewell's defeat by Sigel. Two men escaped through tunnel. The rebels fortify around the prison. They get reinforcement. Very hot. Thunder but no rain. Reported fall of Montgomery, Alabama. Guterman went to the hospital. July 21, 1864 Warm. Man shot for crossing the dead line. Great fuss about the rebel camp and deporting niggers. Atlanta not taken. July 22, 1864 Very warm. Two men shot for crossing the dead line and one man shot at the gate. Corporal Phelps of Comp. A died. Twenty-five men of the regiment come. Also Corporal Duzter of my comp. Barry left prisoner at Richmond. 14 July 23, 1864 Cloudy and cool. D. Henley came to see me. Felt sick. Caught cold and had a bad effect on my eye. Cool night. Report of parole on the 6th of August. July 24, 1864 Cool at morning, warm toward noon. Eye very painful. Atlanta captured again. Seven thousand prisoners taken. Had the blues bad all day. July 25, 1864 Cool night, hot day. Rations getting small. Reported Sherman's defeat. Eye still bad. Prayer meeting at night. July 26, 1864 Cool and cloudy. Rain in the afternoon. Eye better. Rations short. Four hundred prisoners arrived, mostly 100 day men. Report of El well's defeat by Sigel. July 27, 1864 Very hot weather. Eye mostly well. Rain in the after- noon. July 28, 1864 Very warm. Went washing. John Guterman died in the hospital. Eight hundred prisoners arrived from Sherman's army. The rebels fired a shell over the camp to prevent crowd- ing near the gate to see the new arrival of prisoners. Wirz threatened to fire at us, which he would have done. Church at night. Corporal Smith, Company L, died. July 29, 1864 Hot day. The rebels placed white flags in camp to keep the prisoners crowding to the gate. Went to see Perry. All well. Rain. Reinforced. Prisoner a month. Attended meeting. Blackeslee of Company L died. July 30, 1864 Very hot day. Short rations. Rebels busy throwing up forts. Report of shelling Macon. Attended church. Looks like rain. July 31, 1864 Cloudy and cool. Rebels at work all day building intrench- ments. Report of capture of Macon. Six bushwakers hung. Looks like rain. August 1, 1864 Warm. A chaplain read a part out of the Herald to the prisoners and made a speech. Strong hopes of getting out 15 soon. Officers at Charleston all to be exchanged by the 20th. Nothing but meat for rations. Cool night. August 2, 1864 Cloudy in the morning, heavy shower in the afternoon. Terrible rain. Lightning strikes outside the stockade, about fifty yards from my tent, and cuts three trees. Four hundred men of Stoneman's cavalry come in. The report of Stone- man's capture at Macon. The sick are taken out all day. August 3, 1864 Very hot. The sick are still taken out. Another squad of Stoneman's raiders coming in. Report burning three bridges between Augusta and Macon. Three men shot for crossing the dead line. Little rain in the afternoon. August 4, 1864 Quite warm. Sick taken out. Still no roll call. Con- siderable firing at the dead line. Another squad of Stone- man's raiders coming in. Very sick headache. August 5, 1864 Hot weather. Another lot of sick going out. No roll call. Small squad of prisoners come in. Report of Grant blowing up three forts at Petersburgh. Cool night. August 6, 1864 Cloudy. Rebels still to work building forts. A man shot passing the death line. No roll call. Showers. Headache. Cool night. Graham, of Company K, died in camp. August 7, 1864 Hot morning, cool afternoon. A tunnel found near my tent. No roll call. Headache all day. Small squad of McCook's raiders come in. Report of General Winder received. Order to parole immediately. Cool night. Drew bully rations. August 8, 1864 Cloudy. No roll call. Prisoners from Sherman's army come in. Captured at Eastpoint. The guard fired a bullet close to my head. Steady rain for two hours. Bought 50c worth of wood. August 9, 1864 Cloudy and cool. Small squad of prisoners from Sher- man's army arrived. Heavy thunder showers, and rain pours down in torrents for three hours. Washes the stockade away on three sides. The rebels fall in under arms for all night. No attempt made to break out. Rain all night. Great pain in my shoulder. Spring of clear water discovered after the storm. 16 August 10, 1864 Cloudy and close. Niggers to work putting up stockade. Another hard rain storm, and continued all night. Drew cooked beef and pork. Report of exchange postponed to Octo- ber. Roll call. August 11, 1864 Cloudy and rained in the afternoon. The niggers finished the stockade and built a new one outside. No rations. Re- ported fall of Mobile. Orders to build forts by moonlight. One hundred and nineteen died today. August 12, 1864 Warm. One-half rations. Looks like rain. Poor fellow died near my camp in great agony. Small squad of prisoners arrived. Heard of Sergt. Tomasson's death at hospital. August 13, 1864 Cloudy and cool. One-half rations. Pretty hungry all day. Three pounds of meat for 90 men. Went to see the boys. All well. Number of deaths since February 28, 6,118. Drew a little wood. August 14, 1864 Pretty warm. Bean soup for breakfast. Atlanta fell once more. Short of rations again. Fine night. Had the blues very strong. August 15, 1864 Warm, as usual. Sick and all to be present at roll coll. Report of peace proposed. Traded my last coffee cup for salt. Stock of exchange low. Rations still small. Prisby, Com- pany K, died. August 16, 1864 Very hot, then rained for about four hours and became cooler. A General took a picture of camp. Stock of exchange high. More rain towards night. The rebels do a good deal of cheering and firing. Washed my clothes. Splendid moon- light. Slight cold. Rations better. August 17, 1864 Very hot. Order issued to keep camp clean. Six men detached for that purpose. Small squad of prisoners arrived. Stock of exchange low. A few sick are taken out. Two regi- ments of rebels leave for reinforcement. Bad headache. Rations small. August 18, 1864 Quite warm. Exchange stock low. Reported raid of Kil- patrick near Macon. Bad cold. 17 August 19, 1864 Warm and close. Heavy rain in the afternoon, which lasted until late at night. In the evening a fellow escaped. Drew rations late. Roll call late. Pretty hungiy. Stock of exchange low. August 20, 1864 Cloudy but warm. Small squad from Sherman comes in. Good news. Officers exchanged. Enlisting good. Kilpatrick on a raid. Rainy all day. Stock of exchange high. Dis- solved partnership with a comrade under my tent. He acted greedy when dividing rations. August 21, 1864 Cloudy and rainy. Baker comes and lives with us in tent. Cool night. Mosquitoes terrible. Sick suffer. Nothing but one piece of bread for ration. McDavies, of Company K, died. Dreamed of regiment and Margraff. August 22, 1864 Sun shines. Drew wood. Ration of meat. The first man of our regiment died. A few prisoners from Florida, niggers amongst them. Plenty of beans. The man who escaped on the 19th brought back. August 23, 1864 Hot day. Rations short. Stock of exchange high. A few men are taken out to be exchanged. August 24, 1864 Hot, as usual. Heard a rebel paper read of the 21st. Nothing important. Only the officers to be exchanged. Made a bet with Baker for two kegs of beer that we would be in our line by the 15th of October. August 25, 1864 Very hot day. Drew good rations of rice and molasses. Stock for exchange high. Men for men to be exchanged. Nothing of importance. August 26, 1864 Hot again. Received rations late. Stock of exchange high. Small squad of prisoners arrived from Florida. August 27, 1864 Warm, as usual. Heard the exchange paper went off today. Grant takes possession of the Weldon R. R. Peace proposition. The sick received new clothing. Three showers, but not much rain. 18 August 28, 1864 Cool day. Had my hair cut. A fellow is brought in captured with the discharge in his pocket. Poor rations of beans. Cool night. Dreamed of Kathy. August 29, 1864 Cool day. Two months prisoner. Went to see the boys. Pat Clary very low. Ferris loaned me a book. Counted thirty dead lying at the gate. Stock of exchange low. August 30, 1864 Pretty hot day. Stock of exchange low. Small squad of prisoners arrived from Sherman's. His left wing falling back. August 31, 1864 Cool day. Stock of exchange high. Sherman's head- quarters at Atlanta. Cold night. Oliver, Company E, died. September 1, 1864 Cool day. Nothing new of importance. Had a bad cold and pain all night. Stock of exchange high. The rebels built another blockade around the camp. Cold night. September 2, 1864 Pleasant weather. Drew rations late. Had pain again all night. Stock of exchange high in the morning, but low in the afternoon. Report of Sherman twelve miles this side of Atlanta. September 3, 1864 Cool and looks like rain. Exchange high. Ten men tried to escape and got fired at. Sick coming in from the hospital. Davies, of Camp L, died. September 4, 1864 Cool day. Heard of Pat. Cleary's death. Also death of Bill Davies, Company L. Returned book to Ferris. No news of importance. Exchange low. Count thirty dead at the gate. PRICE LIST AT CAMP SUMPTER, ANDERSONVILLE, GA. CONFEDERATE MONEY Salt, per spoon 15c Soda, per spoon 25c Soap, one inch 25c Watermelon $2.00-$3.00 Potatoes, per dozen 1.25 Onions, per dozen 2.50 Eggs, per dozen 8.00 Apples, per piece 25c 19 Meat, per ration 10c-25c Green corn 35c Beans, per pint 25c-35c Flour, per pint 30c Biscuits 25c-35c Yankee coffee, per spoon 25c Tobacco, half a block 40c Bean soup, per cup 10c September 5, 1864 Hot day. Small squad of prisoners came in, captured this side of Atlanta. Hood badly whipped. Lost his siege guns. Report of loss of one transport of rebel prisoners at Charleston harbor. Six hundred lives lost. Great hope of our force taking us out of prison soon. September 6, 1864 Quite warm. Thunder shows and heavy rain. Eighteen ordered to leave in the morning. Boys happy and joyful. Drew good rations. September 7, 1864 Fine day. From one to eighteen leave. Others have orders to be ready. Doubtful where to send us. Looks like rain. September 8, 1864 Regular fall weather, cool and rainy. More of the boys leave. Reported death of John Morgan and capture of his staff. Not sure when they will send for us. Thirty thousand rebels are waiting for exchange at Charleston. Cold night. September 9, 1864 Quite warm. Detachments still going away. Reported fall of Richmond with heavy loss on both sides. T. Gallagher of our detachment died. The sick not able to work put in barracks. Small rations. Terrible time in the cars. September 10, 1864 Received order to leave at 7 o'clock. Left prison at 9 o'clock. Drew 2 days' rations. Sixty men in the cars fairly packed up. Happy when I left that bull pen behind me. Dis- tance sixty miles. September 11, 1864 Arrived at Macon towards morning. Stopped there sev- eral hours and left for Augusta, where we arrived at about 6 P. M. Changed cars and stopped in town until 10 P. M. Boys singing national songs. Left Augusta about 10 P. M. Distance from Macon 160 miles. 20 September 12, 1864 Passed Branchville and arrived at Charleston, S. C. Dis- tance 13 miles. Marched us about a mile to a splendid fair ground. The people brought us water and bread, but the guard stopped it. Cold night. Poor fellows run around all night to keep warm. Hadern killed accidentally by the car. No rations. September 13, 1864 Cool morning. Heard shells bursting in town. Three crackers and a good ration of bacon for one day. Union women bringing food, also shirts, and throw them in the line, although it was against orders. In the afternoon marched us out and counted us over again. Cool night. September 14, 1864 Fine morning. Fresh meat and two crackers. One thou- sand five hundred men leave. Destination unknown. Brisk firing heard all day. The rebels plant four cannons around us. Ladies bringing things for the sick. Three hundred men go to work for the rebels, among them Jno. Wallace, of Company A. Fire bell ringing at night. September 15, 1864 Fine breeze all day. Little rain. Brisk bombardment of the city all night. More of the Andersonville prisoners arrived. Two and three-quarter crackers and beef for rations. Report of the sailors to be exchanged. September 16, 1864 Fine, cool morning. Drew rice, meat, beans, flour, hom- iny and beef. Nothing new of importance. Some rascal stole my coffee pot. September 17, 1864 Cloudy and cool, little rain. Our shells set some houses on fire. Fire alarm. Our army keep on firing and made some excellent shots. Little excitement at midnight. A fellow caught stealing $1.40 from comrade and got a good licking. September 18, 1864 Cool morning. Rain all day. Marched out under heavy rain to be counted over again. Rations late at night. Noth- ing to eat all day. Rice, molasses, beans, lard, flour for rations. A spoonful of each. September 19, 1864 Still raining. Traded my pocketbook for a pan and an- other one for wood. Rations the same, only bacon. Not much shelling of the town. Report of exchange of 2,000 between Hood and Sherman. 21 September 20, 1864 Thunder and rain. Lively cannonading going on. Rations the same. Heavy rain. During the night a crazy man shot for crossing the dead line. September 21, 1864 Rain and damp. Cleared off in the afternoon. Lively cannonading heard and brisk shelling of the city. Rations the same. Warm night. September 22, 1864 Pleasant again. Quite warm. Report of a speedy ex- change. Not much firing at the city. September 23, 1864 Pleasant and cool. Hardly a shot fired at the city. McClel- lan does not accept the Democratic nomination. A rebel ser- geant tells me that he hopes old Abe will be elected. Stock exchange high. September 24, 1864 Pleasant weather. Rebels counted us over again. Hardly any firing. A rebel sergeant is sentenced to stand on a barral eight hours a day for tv\^elve days for buying greenbacks. Cold night. September 25, 1864 North wind blowing. Warmer towards noon. Ninety out of three hundred returned to camp, the rest to work on Sullivans Island. A good man enlisted (Dibel of Brooklyn). Cold night. Slept uikIo' blanket for the first time. Lively shelling. Fire alarm at night. September 26, 1864 Cool. Fire alarm in the city. Drew two days' rations. Lively bombarding. It seems the Yanks opened a new bat- tery. Another fire alami. Jeff. Davis on a trip making speeches. Not very cool at night. PRICE LIST OF ARTICLES AT CHARLESTON, S. C, WHILE PRISONER AT RACE COURSE ON SEPTEMBER 26, 1864 Salt, 2 spoons 5c Soft bread, per loaf 15c-25c-35c Potatoes, 5 for 25c Tobacco, per block 30c-50c Red peppers, 6 for 5c Sweet potatoes, per bushel $10.00 Bread, per pound. Confederate money 10c-15c 22 Salt, per pound, Confederate money 25c Tobacco, per block, Confederate money 20c-25c Meal, per quart. Confederate money 10c Flour, per pint. Confederate money 10c September 27, 1864 Pleasant breeze. Washed my clothes. Not much firing. Warm night. A rebel lieutenant is taking names of fellows whose time is up and want to take the oath. Stock of exchange low. September 28, 1864 Pleasant day. Drew two days' rations. Report of an exchange by Saturday. Early whipped by Sheridan. Grant and Sherman strongly reinforced. The rebels tried to hold out to the first of November. Lively shelling in the evening between 7 and 9 o'clock. September 29, 1864 Cool day. Three months a prisoner. Nothing new of importance. Shelling in the evening. Rain at night. Crack- ers confiscated for selling so high. September 30, 1864 Rainy and unpleasant, but cleared at noon. Drew one- half rations. The sick return to camp. Orders for 1,500 men to leave in the morning. Destination unknown. Rain at night. Ocotber 1, 1864 Rain and unpleasant. Drew two crackers and bacon. Left Charleston 8 A. M. for Florence, S. C. Got sweet pota- toes. Went over trestle work, seven miles. Heavy rain. Stopped in a cornfield. Cloudy, but no more rain. October 2, 1864 Florence, S. C. Entered another bull pen. Give up hopes to be relieved this winter. Plenty wood. Gather up a load. Nasty and swampy place. Counted off. Drew four pints of floiar and fresh beef. Three mess, 3 detachments. Slept soundly on account of being tired. October 3, 1864 Foggy morning. Building a good tent. Rain all day. Four spoons of flour, two spoons of beans, one spoon of salt and two ounces of beef for rations. No news. One thousand two hundred of our men taking the rebel oath to save their lives. Hooted at as they left stockade. 23 October 4, 1864 Cleared off. Pleasant. Report of our force landing in strong force at Georgetown, S. C, 60 miles. A man shot for crossing the dead line. Better rations, molasses, rice and flour. Busy building a tent. October 5, 1864 Pleasant day. Three years enlisted in the cavalry today. More of the Charleston prisoners arrived. October 6, 1864 Fine breeze blowing. One of my detachment escaped. Thunder shower and heavy rain during the night. News of a general exchange. Three spoons of meal, four spoons of beans for rations. October 7, 1864 Fine breeze. Clear morning. More of the Charleston prisoners arrived. Two pints of flour for rations. October 8, 1864 North wind. More of our detachment escaped. Rations a little better. Troops moving about. Very cold night. Great suffering. October 9, 1864 Cold north wind. Warmer afternoon. One pint flour, four spoonfuls of meal. More of the Charleston prisoners arrived. Bring the story of officers exchanged. Our troops reinforced. Macon and Andersonville captured. October 10, 1864 Wind changed. Quite warm. Nothing of importance. Two men found frozen to death. Two hundred and seventy took rebel oath. Most all men without clothes and blankets. Rations same. Warmer. October 11, 1864 Fine day. Lieutenant of the Fifth Cavalry takes com- mand. Two hung for stealing rations and blankets. October 12, 1864 Fine day. Drew rations at 9 P. M. Fifth Cavalry ordered to the front. October 13, 1864 Cool morning. Four spoons flour, meal and eight spoons molasses for rations. Anton sold his pistol for $2.00 and one block of tobacco. Three men brought back. Report of speedy exchange of 10,000 men wounded. Cold night. 24 October 14, 1864 Pleasant morning. Thirteen sacks beans, seven buckets of molasses, nine of meal, three of hominy for 1,000 men, three days' rations. Nothing new of importance. October 15, 1864 Cloudy but pleasant. Lost my bet for two kegs of beer, made with Henry the 24th of August that we be exchanged today. The rebels' lieutenant whipped a man and drew his revolver on another. October 16, 1864 Pleasant morning. A fellow gets fifty lashes for stealing. Dinner of sweet potatoes. The police take the clothing of the dead and give it to those who have none. Two hundred and fifty men take oath. Five spoons hominy, three spoons of beans for rations. October 17, 1864 Fine day. Drew rations at 9 P. M. The Fifth Guard ordered to the front. October 18, 1864 Unpleasant and rainy all day. Been to work digging a well. Sick for the last four days. Good rations. Cold night. October 19, 1864 Cleared off. Feel better. No news. October 20, 1864 Cloudy but pleasant. Four blankets are issued. Bully supper of cakes and molasses. October 21, 1864 Pleasant day. Rations small. The first 1,000 move on our side to make room for a hospital. October 22, 1864 Cold northeast wind. The sick are moved inside the stockade. Small rations. One regiment went away. One thousand received clothing. October 23, 1864 Cool but pleasant. Got shaved. Rations small. Took a walk on the other side. Saw sickening sights at the hospital. Potatoes and beans for dinner. October 24, 1864 Pleasant weather. Four spoons of rice, four spoons of molasses for rations. Great talk of a speedy exchange. Cold night. 25 October 25, 1864 Pleasant but cool. Rations better. Stock of exchange still high. Rebels turned out for inspection and review. Care- ful for us not to see the review. October 26, 1864 Cloudy and cool. Sixty prisoners arrived from Charleston. They confirm the news of an exchange going on in Savannah. Between thirty and forty dying daily in camp. Rations poor. October 27, 1864 Still cloudy. Rain set in about noon. Heavy rain at night. Bad flour for rations. October 28, 1864 Cleared off toward morning. One hundred draw cloth- ing, three shirts, three hats, four pairs of socks. Rations bet- ter. Hood reported on a raid. October 29, 1864 Pleasant day. Beef for rations. Four months a pris- oner. Drew wood. Nothing new. October 30, 1864 Very warm day. My hundred drew five more pieces of clothing. Talk of another exchange. Had the blues all day. Nio meal issued for rations. October 31, 1864 Cloudy. No news. Raining. November 1, 1864 Heavy rain and storm all day. Poor fellows without shel- ter lying about. Ten spoons of meal and beef. November 2, 1864 Expiration of my three years service. Still raining and cold. November 3, 1864 Rainy and cold. No news. November 4, 1864 Cleared ofi", but cold, wind blowing. Had to eat food half cooked. November 5, 1864 Sunshine but still cold. The description list of every prisoner is taken. Report of Jeff. Davis recognized the niggers as soldiers. Grand drill by the rebels. 26 November 6, 1864 Splendid day. Quite a squad of Yankees going out on the oath. Stock of exchange high. Rebels return late. Great cheering going on for old Abe. November 7, 1864 Unpleasant and raining, but cleared toward noon. Went to work digging clay for fire place. Great talk around the camp about election. November 8, 1864 Lincoln elected. Unpleasant morning. Some of the de- tachments are voting. Old Abe comes out best all over. Seven votes cast in our hundred for McClellan, the rest for Abe. Discouraging news about Sherman. Read the rebel paper of the 1st. Rebel, Ltd. Says old Abe would finish the war the quickest. He was no McClellan man. November 9, 1864 Cleared off and pleasant. Old Abe elected in camp four to one. Busy building a fire place. Report of Jeff. D. calling out 30,000 niggers. Rations middling. November 10, 1864 Cloudy and signs of rain. Fire place almost done. Small rations. Report of Lee retreating. Cool night. November 11, 1864 Cloudy and cold. The rebels issued a four-quart kettle to our 100. Rice and flour for rations. Finished the fire place. No news of importance. Cold night. November 12, 1864 The sun comes out strong, but it is still cold. No news today. A fellow makes a bet for $20.00 that he can eat six pies, but he gets fooled, as we had no pies. Cold night. November 13, 1864 Pleasant but cold. Beef for rations. Good deal of ex- change talk. Very cold night. The swamp frozen over. Could not sleep on account of the cold. Nothing but a thin blanket. November 14, 1864 Pleasant but cold. Boys feel discouraged and downhearted because no exchange takes place. Rations were middling. Com cakes for supper. November 15, 1864 Fine morning. Great talk of exchange going on. Prison at Columbus broken up. Rations small, meal. 27 November 16, 1864 Pleasant morning. Corn cakes for breakfast. More Yankees took the oath and go out. Stock of exchange low. November 17, 1864 Fine and warm weather. Three hundred Yankees who took the oath come back in prison. They are not fit to serve the rebels. Went out and got wood. Beef for ration. Stock for exchange high. Dandy supper. November 18, 1864 Cloudy and sign of rain. Cleared off at noon. The police received clothing. All rice for rations. The Fifth Guard leaves for the front. Had the blues bad. November 19, 1864 Cloudy and later rained. Flour and beef for rations. Rebel lieutenant finds a tunnel and demands all shovels, else we get no rations. Report of Sherman taking Macon. Rainy night. November 20, 1864 Still raining and cold. Rations the same. Departure of another regiment of rebels. No news. Rain all night. November 21, 1864 Rain very hard. A shanty falls from the efPect of the rain and buries a fellow, but he is not hurt. No rations until the tunnel is found. Stops raining, but a cold wind blows. Cold night and could not sleep. November 22, 1864 Very cold night. Forty-eight hours without anything to eat. Boiled old bones for the fourth time to get something warm. Growing colder. Could not sleep on account of the cold. Great suffering in camp. November 23, 1864 Still very cold. Rations at last. Very hungry. Report of hanging of Gov. Brown of Georgia. Sherman cutting rail- road. One and a half inches of ice. November 24, 1864 Sun shines and warmer. Poor Thanksgiving Day. Hardly a quart mush to eat. Still very cold nights. November 25, 1864 Warmer weather. The rebels* lieutenant counted all men in camp. Our boys are knocked on the heads by the guard for not marching quickly. Pint of rations, rice. No news. Very cold night. 28 November 26, 1864 Pleasant day. Fainted at roll call. Felt very sick. The sick getting paroled. One pint of meal for rations. Different report of exchange around. November 27, 1864 Fine day. The first thousand going outside to be picked out. Some prisoners from Milledgeville and Savannah arrived. The sick whose term is up are picked out and paroled. Sold my ring. Rations poor. Ring sold for twelve sv/eet potatoes. Eating them raw. November 28, 1864 Foggy but warm. Great cheering when the cars left. Another thousand were picked out. Met Sergeant May and heard some news about the boys. Peck of Co. E died. My right eye sore. November 29, 1864 Pleasant day. Five months a prisoner. Fifteen hun- dred more of our boys arrived and all paroled. They bring different reports why they were not sent through. Heard of Tisdale of my company dead. Nine sacks of flour for rations. My eye still sore. November 30, 1864 Warm and pleasant. More sick are taken to the hospital. The rations were good. Beans once again. Still quiet along the line. December 1, 1864 Pleasant but quite fresh. More of the "galvanized" Yan- kees come back to camp. The whole camp is counted over again. Eye very painful. Light rain at night. ("Galvan- ized" Yankee means such traitors who took the oath and joined the rebel army.) December 2, 1864 Cleared off and pleasant. General Foster reported be- tween Savannah and Charleston and cut the road. Burnside near Wilmington, N. C. Rations middling. New moon. December 3, 1864 Pleasant weather. Eight years in the country. The two thousand paroled men come back again. Foster burnt the bridge. One of the Sixteenth C. V. shot at night. Too close to the dead line. Dark night. December 4, 1864 Pleasant day. The camp counted over again. Attended service over the dead body of the 16th Conn. boy. All rice for rations. Quite cold at night. 29 December 5, 1864 Pleasant weather. Paroling again. One thousand sick left the camp. Sergt. Monday of the 103rd Penn. died. Warm night. December 6, 1864 Not very pleasant day. All quiet. Molasses once again for rations. The red-headed lieutenant raises a company and gets twenty recruits the first day. Rain during the night. December 7, 1864 Raining and unpleasant. Three and four thousand are picked out to be paroled, also the 5th, 6th and 7th thousands. Rice and sweet potatoes for rations. Two hundred of Sher- man's men arrived. He is within twenty-six miles of Savannah. December 8, 1864 Unpleasant and cold. One thousand to be examined. Twelve of our one hundred went. Sent a letter with Sergt. Savage, 16th C, to St. Louis. Feel badly about not getting away. Cold wind. Meal and potatoes. Still very cold, and 2nd and 3rd. Meal for rations. December 9, 1864 The first thousand to be examined again Stock of exchange high. December 10, 1864 Raining and unpleasant. Report 25,000 to be exchanged, which includes all prisoners captured to October. Great thun- der shower and rain during the night. Meal and beans for rations. December 11, 1864 Sun shines, but still cold. Windy. Storm in the after- noon and the coldest night to sleep. Rice and beans for rations. Whole camp is counted again. Selected a new 100. December 12, 1864 Very cold. More of the "galvanized" Yankees come back in camp. They saw our boat meet exchanged prisoners. Six men frozen to death. Rice for rations. Sick call. December 13, 1864 Little warmer. Henry's birthday. Meal for rations. The rebels fire off their guns and make a good deal of noise. Bought a block of tobacco for 30c and gave it to some of the boys anxious for a chew. 30 December 14, 1864 Pleasant day. Picking commenced again. Out of one thousand one is left. Meal for rations. Sergt. Wood comes tenting with me. December 15, 1864 Pleasant day. The whole camp is counted again. Thirty- seven men of Kilpatrick's Cavalry arrived. They report Sher- man within eight miles of Savannah. Meal for rations. Re- port of Grant fighting Lee for five days. December 16, 1864 Foggy morning. Cleared off toward noon. Heavy cold settled on my lungs and bad cough. Report of our 1,000 to be mustered. Meal and beans for rations. Some prisoners arrived from Salisbury. Hard time there. Sergt. Wood left for another bunk. 