Company K, First Alabama Regiment; or, Three Years in the Confederate Service

CHAPTER XII.

Chapter 123,147 wordsPublic domain

PRISON LIFE DURING THE LAST YEAR OF THE WAR—SEARCHING THE PRISONERS—STARVATION RATIONS—TRUE TO THE SOUTH—HOME AGAIN.

The following extract from a letter written by W. L. Ellis, Esq., conveys a vivid picture of the treatment of prisoners by the Federals during the last year of the war. Mr. Ellis was taken prisoner at Franklin.

“I surrendered to the Colonel of the Eighth Tennessee (U. S.) Regiment, and for kindness shown me by him I shall always feel very grateful. At midnight his command withdrew from the breastworks and started for Nashville, I accompanying him. We reached the hills near Nashville at daylight and halted for breakfast, of which I partook—and keenly enjoyed—with the Colonel. I remained with him till 5, P. M., Thursday, when, with 60 other prisoners, I was sent into Nashville. When our guards halted near the capitol, the prisoners asked for water, which a kind lady offered to bring, but the officer in charge refused permission. She was very indignant; but there was no redress, and we could only thank her heartily for her kind intentions. We were then escorted to the State prison and locked up for the night. Here a bit of bread and meat was handed us by a negro. At daylight we were put on a train for Louisville, where we arrived late in the evening, and were again locked up in prison, the negro guards giving each a small piece of bread and meat. Saturday morning we crossed the river and marched to the depot, where rations of baker’s bread and ham were given us. After living on one meal a day, this food was very acceptable to the hungry prisoners. We then took the cars for Indianapolis, where we remained one hour. The citizens would have treated us very kindly had it not been for the officer in charge. It was here that a gentleman quietly informed us that if we had any currency, to conceal it, for we would be searched. His advice was, of course, taken by the fortunate few who had a dollar. The train arrived at Chicago about 1 o’clock Sunday morning, and we were ordered into line and marched three miles through a heavy snow, and then put into some old barracks, to remain without fire till the dawn of day. It was intensely cold, and it seemed impossible to keep from freezing. At daylight the prisoners were ordered into line, marched to the prison-gates of Camp Douglas, halted and ordered to ground and unstrap knapsacks. After searching them thoroughly, and throwing out such articles as they chose, they ordered us to partly undress, that they might search our clothing for money. The search ended, we marched into the enclosure and were allotted to barracks. Soon after, an orderly came in and notified those without blankets to go with him to the Captain’s office, and he would furnish them. Only three or four, of whom I was one, went. While waiting at the office-door my ears froze—it was so cold. I received a blanket and a pair of shoes.

“On the second day after our arrival, they appointed one of the prisoners ‘Sergeant of the Barracks,’ his duty being to call the roll and see that all was kept in proper order. The barracks were 18×48 feet, and to each were allotted 165 men. The prison-yard was said to contain 25 acres, and there were within the enclosure 59 barracks, 1 office and 1 sutler’s store.

“Our rations consisted of two-thirds of a loaf of baker’s bread, weighing ten ounces, and eight ounces of fresh beef, except on every tenth day, when we drew pork and beans. To divide the beans—they were so few—we had to count them, and the ration of pork amounted to almost nothing. The men suffered so from hunger that a prisoner would break the ice, and wash what we called an outfit—consisting of shirt, pants, drawers and socks—dry, and fold them ready for use, for five cents, with which he would buy a bit of bread. Prisoners from East Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri could get money from home, and fared sumptuously as compared with those of us who lived south of the enemy’s line. They were not permitted to receive the money, but were given sutler’s tickets, which could be used at the store.

“I formed the acquaintance of two gentlemen, Messrs. Beel and Black, from Kentucky, who insisted upon my messing with them, and I fared much better than others, as my friends procured supplies from the sutler. We remained together two or three months, when, through the influence of friends, they were removed into what we called the ‘loyal barracks.’ There were hundreds of poor fellows who received nothing but their scanty rations, which barely kept them alive—in fact, I believe some died from starvation.

“The system of punishment was barbarous in the extreme. They had a wooden horse, made similar to a carpenter’s saw-bench, twenty or twenty-five feet long and ten or twelve feet high, which they called a ‘Morgan mule.’ On this I have seen prisoners, as many as could be crowded on, remain six and eight hours in the cold and sleet. It appeared to me they would freeze to death. Another punishment was to make the offending prisoner stand in a bending position with his fingers in the snow as long as they saw fit. In each barracks there was one guard who appeared to have absolute authority to punish at will the prisoners under his charge. The barracks in which I bunked was more fortunate than many. Our guard was a gentlemanly fellow from Memphis named Nelson; he never punished a prisoner during my stay.

“Notwithstanding the treatment we received, we could not be driven to take the oath, but remained loyal to the Confederacy, having the utmost confidence in its triumph. The morning we received the news of the surrender of Gen. Lee, Gen. Sweet, the commandant of the prison, ordered us in line and left it to a vote whether we would have the United States flag hoisted in the prison yard; only two voted in favor of it. The guards were very angry and told the prisoners they ought to remain there always, but the flag was not hoisted. Soon after we received the news of the surrender of the other Confederate armies, and the work of paroling the prisoners was begun. I arrived home on June 18, 1865.”

This evidence of Mr. Ellis is fully sustained by letters from Messrs. John C. Hearn and James D. Rice; the latter writes: “We fared very badly; the rations were very slim and the treatment was cruel indeed. I have seen many old men crying for something to eat.” Mr. T. M. Boggan, who was at Camp Chase writes: “I was treated very well only our rations were rather short.”

In closing this brief sketch of the services of Co. K, the author wishes to place on record that this has been a labor of love. There was not a comrade for whom he had not the kindliest regard; there was scarcely one to whom he was not indebted, during the three years, for some act showing a reciprocal feeling. For any shortcomings in this history he asks their lenient judgment, assuring each and every one that naught has been set down, naught omitted in malice. God bless the survivors of Co. K! God rest the souls of those whose ashes are scattered from the Lakes to the Gulf!

THE END.

APPENDIX.

ROLL OF CO. K, FIRST ALABAMA REGIMENT, C. S. A.

_The following is a complete roll of Co. K, First Alabama Regiment, C. S. A., with the highest rank attained, date of enlistment, County residence, and situation at the close of the war of each man._

Adams, N. K. |2d Lieut. Jr.|Mar., 1862 |Montgomery | Td. to C. S. N., July, 1864.

Alexander, J. L. |1st Sergeant |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner Captured December 15, 1864.

Averheart, E. L. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded Wd. July 28 and November 30, 1864.

Blaylock, O. M. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded Wd. July 28, 1864.

Boggan, John |Private |Feb., 1863 |Wilcox |Ab. Sick Wd. July 28, 1864.

Boggan, T. M. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Wilcox |Ab. Prisoner Wd. and Cap. December 15, 1864.

Boone, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga | Dd. June 29, 1863.

Bledsoe, G. R. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Coosa | Td. to Eng. Corps, Jan., 1864.

Brown, A. P. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dd. Sept. 24, 1862.

Brown, E. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dd. Sept. 14, 1862.

Brown, C. W. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Wd. July 28, 1864. Kd. Nov. 30, 1864.

Byrd, J. H. |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Dd. July 25, 1863.

Callens, R. H. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Butler | Dd. Nov, 1863.

Clark, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 |Mobile | Wd. May 10, 1863. Td. C. S. N., 1863.

Cook, J. N. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dd. July 7, 1862.

Day, W. W. |Private |May, 1864 |Dallas |Ab. Sick

Deno, M. |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Mg. July 14, 1863.

Dennis, W. A. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dd. Oct. 10, 1862.

Douglass, Wm. |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Td. to C. S. N., Mar. 9, 1864.

Dubose, Wm. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Pike | Kd. July 28, 1864.

Durden, G. W. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded Wd. July 28, 1864.

Durden, J. H. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Sick

Ellis, A. D. |Private |Feb., 1864 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner Wd. June 19, 1864. Cap. Dec. 15, 1864.

Ellis, W. L. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner Cap. Nov. 30, 1864.

Fay, Wm. H. |Sergeant |Mar, 1862 |Autauga | Kd. Aug. 3, 1864.

Farmer, W. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Sick Wd. Aug. 3, 1864.

Fergerson, J. A. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Coosa | Kd. May 27, 1863.

Fralick, H. |Private |Sept., 1862|Autauga | Td. March, 1864, to C. S. N.

Frank, John, Jr. |2d Lieut. Jr.|Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Kd. May 27, 1863.

Gibbons, G. W. |Private |May, 1864 |Autauga |Ab. Sick

Glenn, Simeon |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga | Dis. Oct. 21, 1864.

Golsan, P. G. |2d Lieut. Jr.|Feb., 1863 |Autauga | Kd. July 28, 1864.

Gorman, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Mg. July 22, 1864.

Gresham, A. F. |Private |June, 1864 |Escambia | Dd. 1864.

Griffin, J. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Randolph |Present

Hall, D. S. |2d Lieut. |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Resigned Dec., 1862.

Hancock, M. M. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dis. 1862.

Haley, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Mg. July 14, 1863.

Hamilton, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Mg. July 22, 1864.

Hearn, E. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded Accidentally Wd. Nov. 29, 1864.

Hearn, G. W. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner Cap. Oct. 5, 1864.

Hearn, J. C. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner Wd. July 28, 1864. Cap. Nov. 30, 1864.

Hern, M. |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Mg. July 14, 1863.

Herndon, J. W. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Died July, 1863.

Hays, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Wd. May 27, 1863. Dd. Feb., 1864.

Holt, D. E. |Private |May, 1864 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded Wd. Aug. 12, 1864.

Holston, J. G. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dd. July 6, 1863.

Hurd, Joseph |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Sick

Hutchinson, W. H. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Td. to Cavalry.

Hunt, G. W. |Private |May, 1864 |Autauga |Ab. Sick

Jenkins, E. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Pike | Td. to C. S. N., Mar., 1864.

Killough, J. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Present

Kirkpatrick, R. H.|Private |Sept., 1863|Butler |Ab. Sick

Kirkpatrick, V. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Butler |Ab. Sick

Lamar, M. D. |Sergeant |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded Wd. July 28, 1864.

Leysath, E. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Butler |Ab. Wounded Wd. July 28, 1864.

Lewis, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Montgomery |Ab. Sick

Landers, N. |Private |June, 1864 | |Ab. Sick

Martin, G. F. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga |Present Wd. Aug., 1864.

May, J. W. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Kd. Nov. 30, 1864.

Merritt, A. J. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dd. May 14, 1862.

Merritt, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Mg. July 14, 1863.

Mills, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Dd. July 5, 1863.

McCarty, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Kd. June 23d, 1863.

McDonald, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Dd. July, 1863.

Moncrief, C. J. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dd. June, 1862.

Moncrief, Wm. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Sick

Owens, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga | Kd. July 28, 1864.

Pratt, M. E. |1st Lieut. |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Paroled Wd. May 28, 1863.

Robinson, J. L. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dis. April 1, 1862.

Robinson, Junius |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Present

Roe, T. J. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dd. May 9, 1862.

Rogers, J. C. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dis. 1864.

Royals, C. H. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded Wd. Nov. 30, 1864.

Royals, G. H. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Sick

Royals, J. M. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dis. 1862.

Rice, J. D. |Corporal |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Prisoner Wd. July 4, 1864. Cap. Dec. 15, 1864.

Scott, B. L. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga | Dis. Oct. 21, 1864.

Scott, C. H. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga | Dd. July 3, 1863.

Sears, E. T. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dis. Sept., 1864.

Shaver, J. H. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Conecuh | Wd. July 28, 1864. Dd.

Simpson, J. L. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Butler |Ab. Wounded Wd. July 28, 1864.

Shoals, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Montgomery | Mg. July 14, 1863.

Schein, J. |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Mg. July 14, 1863.

Smith, D. P. |2d Lieut. Jr.|Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded Wd. Nov. 30, 1864.

Smith, M. A. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dis. Mar. 25, 1862.

Smith, J. F. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dd. May 15, 1862.

Smith, Henry |Private |Feb., 1863 | | M. Wd. May 27, 1863. Dd. July 10.

Smyth, A. C. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Butler | M. Wd. July 28, 1864. Dd. Aug. 14.

Stuart, J. J. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Wilcox | M. Wd. July 28, 1864. Dd. Aug.

Tarleton, M. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Lowndes | Dd. March 12, 1863.

Tarleton, John |Private |Mar., 1862 |Lowndes | Dd. July, 1863.

Thompson, A. J. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | M. Wd. July 28, 1864. Dd. Aug.

Tharp, J. P. |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Mg. July 21, 1864.

Trammell, W. M. |Private |June, 1864 |Tallapoosa | Dd. 1864.

Tunnell, John S. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Present Wd. July 28, 1864.

Tunnell, Josiah |Corporal |Mar, 1862 |Autauga |Present Wd. May 28, 1863, and Nov. 30, 1864.

Tuttle, C. E. |2d Lieut. |Mar., 1862 |Montgomery |Ab. Prisoner

Vaughn, W. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |Ab. Sick

Ward, Isaac |Private |June, 1864 |Montgomery |Ab. Sick

White, A. J. |Private |Feb., 1863 |Autauga | Dd. July 25, 1863.

Whitfield, J. F. |Captain |Mar., 1862 |Montgomery |Ab. Prisoner

Williamson, J. |Sergeant |Mar., 1862 |Autauga |Ab. Wounded Wd. June, 1863, and July 28, 1864.

Wilkins, F. |Private |Mar., 1862 |Autauga | Dis. 1864.

Wilson, T. A. |Private |Feb., 1863 | |Ab. Sick

Winslett, —— |Private |Feb., 1863 | | Kd. May 27, 1863. ------------------+-------------+-----------+-----------+------------

_EXPLANATION OF ABBREVIATIONS._

Kd.—Killed. Dd.—Died. Wd.—Wounded. M. Wd.—Mortally Wounded. Mg.—Missing—fate unknown. Dis.—Discharged for disability. Cap.—Captured. Ab.—Absent. Td.—Transferred.

_ROLL OF CO. K._

The following is a summary of the roll of Co. K:—

Total enlisted and commissioned from March 1st to close of war 108

Killed and mortally wounded 15

Died of disease 23

Missing, fate unknown 10

Transferred to other service 7

Discharged and resigned 10-- 65 -- Remaining on Roll at close of war 43

Absent, wounded 11

Absent, sick 16

Absent, prisoners of war 9

Absent on parole 1-- 37 -- Present for duty April 27, 1865 6

Number of men wounded once during the war 24

Wounded twice 3

Wounded and afterwards killed 1 -- Total wounded 28

Residence, from Autauga 61

Butler 6

Conecuh 1

Coosa 2

Dallas 1

Escambia 1

Lowndes 2

Mobile 2

Montgomery 6

Pike 2

Randolph 1

Tallapoosa 1

Wilcox 3

Unknown 19-- 108

INDEX.

_INTRODUCTORY_ 3

_CHAPTER I.—Organization of the John Gill Shorter Artillery—Change of Destination—At Island 10—Roll of Company K—Mysteries of the Cuisine—A Shameful Waste_ 5

_CHAPTER II.—Bombardment and Capture of Island No. 10—The Batteries—At Rucker’s Battery—Canal Cutting—A Night Attack—Running the Gauntlet—An Unfinished Meal—The Attempted Evacuation—Retreat to Tiptonville—Mackall’s Order—The Surrender—Across Reel-Foot River_ 10

_CHAPTER III.—Prison Life in 1862—In the Mud—Bivouac at New Madrid—A Friendly Irishman—At Camp Butler—Scant Water Supply—Escape of Prisoners—An Astonished Sentinel—Playing Guard—Lost on the Prairie—A Prisoner Shot—Health of the Camp—Mortality Statistics—Curious Phenomena—Death Visits the Company—Col. Fundy in Command—Practical Jokes—Trinket Making—News from Comrades—Homeward Bound—Arrival in Dixie_ 20

_CHAPTER IV.—Capt. Isbell and his Battalion—Arrival at Port Hudson—Battle of Corinth—The Reunited Regiment—Port Hudson—Land Defences—Red River Supplies_ 37

_CHAPTER V.—Incidents in the Winter of 1862-3—An Unexpected Salute—A Parrott for Co. K—Whitfield’s Legion—Farragut’s Fleet—Running the Batteries—The Midnight Battle—A Crippled Fleet—Burning of the “Mississippi”—Comparative Losses—The Land Attack—Incidents in April, 1863—A Sabbath Morning at Troth’s Landing—Close Quarters—Skirmishing_ 44

_CHAPTER VI.—Siege and Surrender of Port Hudson—The Investment—Skirmishing—The First Grand Assault—Assailed and Assailants—Doubly Armed—Lieut. Pratt at Battery 11—The “Essex” driven off—Lieut. Adams Elected—Artillery Practice—Assault of June 14th—Effect of Buck and Ball—Banks’ Inhumanity—Lead for Water—A Gallant Corporal—Battery 11 Silenced—Gallant Schurmer’s Death—The Sunken Battery—Mule and Peas—The Fall of Vicksburg—Unconditional Surrender—Gen. Gardner’s Sword—Casualties of the First_ 60

_CHAPTER VII.—Experiences of Paroled Prisoners of War—A Disorganized Regiment—A Handsome Turnout—Close Quarters—A Faithful Servant—Present, or Accounted for—In Camp at Meridian_ 82

_CHAPTER VIII.—Return of Co. K to Active Duty—Arrival at Mobile—A Flooded Camp—Short of Ammunition—At Fort Gaines—Fishermen’s Spoils—Going to School—A Spy in Camp—In North Georgia_ 89

_CHAPTER IX.—In North Georgia with Johnston and Hood—Retreat to Kennesaw—A Gallant Deed—Hood’s New Policy—Defending Atlanta—The Valley of Death—The Gallant First—Fate of the Wounded—Death of Sergt. Fay—Electing a Lieutenant—Evacuation of Atlanta—At Lovejoy’s Station_ 97

_CHAPTER X.—Hood’s Raids on Sherman’s Railroad Communications—Finding Lost Mountain—Hold the Fort—Tearing up Railroads—In Alabama—A Dismal Night—Review of the Army—Foraging in Tennessee—Catching Mud Larks_ 108

_CHAPTER XI.—Gen. Hood’s Disastrous Campaign in Tennessee—The Fatal Mistake—Before Franklin—Schofield’s Stronghold—Eating his Last Rations—The Battle of Franklin—The Rebel Yell—Terrific Musketry—Locked Bayonets—One-third Hood’s Army Lost—Co. K Wiped Out—Losses of the “First”—Faithful until Death—The Retreat from Tennessee—The Last Roll Call_ 117

_CHAPTER XII.—Prison Life during the Last Year of the War—Searching the Prisoners—Starvation Rations—True to the South—Home Again_ 131

_APPENDIX_ 137