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This diary was
transcribed from two hand written volumes kept by Drayton Israel
Jacob Chandler during his service in the Confederate States Army.
Every effort was made to retain the original syntax, rhetoric, and
spelling (as noted by Thomas E. Chandler, submitter and transcriber
of this diary - ONDQ Fall 1997, pg. 33-43).
Volume 1 -
1861
Front Page——Drayton Chandlers Memorandum Book. . . . Arrived
home on sick furlough January 28th, 1862.
- Memorandum
book in camp while in confederate service 1861.
- December 10th
Tuesday. Left home from Greenville, C. H. Dec. 11th took the cars
for Newberry, arrived at Fathers, found all well except step
mother very unwell.
- Dec. 12th -
Left Newberry for Camp Hampton at 2 o’clock. Arrived at Columbia
at dark. Took the accommodation train for camp. Arrived at Hampton
at seven o’clock. Found the boys in fine spirits.
- Dec. 13th -
Struck tents at 5 o’clock, left at nine. The fare offered to us by
way of transportation caused some of us to reflect on the
difference between a prince and a peasant, as the soldiers had to
ride in open box cars, officers in first class passenger cars.
Arrived at Summerville 22 miles above Charleston about 7 o’clock.
Pitched tents on side of R. R. for the night.
- December 14th
- Remained untill late in evening, struck tents and moved out half
mile to parade ground. Appointed 2nd ser.
- Dec. 15th -
Sunday. Preaching at ten o’clock by “Ja” T. Boyce. No drill.
Prayer meeting at 3 o’clock and preaching at 7 o’clock. Walked to
the town of Summerville in company with T. D. Gilreath. Did not
see much worthy of notice as it is inhabited by persons who own
plantations on the Islands.
- Monday Dec.
16th - Struck tents and moved about two hundred yards and pitched
them on a small rise.
- Tuesday Dec.
17th - Commenced drilling. Officers drill before breakfast, guard
mounting at nine o’clock, company drill at half past ten and at
three, dress parade at 5 o’clock, tattoo at nine.
- Wednesday Dec.
18th - Obtained a furlough for twelve hours from the Colonel.
Jumped aboard the cars at 7 o’clock A. M. for Charleston. Arrived
at the Queen city at half past eight A. M., walked to King street,
down King, crossed to Meeting St., passed by the Citadel academy,
saw cannon mounted, and a vast number of cannon balls, thence to
the battery and viewed the ocean for the first time, saw Sullivans
Island, Fort Sumter, James Island, Castle Pinckney in the
distance, walked up East Bay st. to wharf where the boat leaves
for Sullivans Island, got aboard a steamboat in company with
Lieut. Col. James McCollough, T. D. Gilreath, J. H. Walker of our
own company, Henry Gross[?] of Crofts and several others from
other companys. At ten o’clock A. M. touch at Castle Pinckney.
Arrived at Sullivans Island about 11 o’clock A. M. Walked up to
Fort Moultrie, could not get in without a permit from Col. Orr.
Started to hunt his quarters, met him coming to the Fort, he
passed us in. We walked around and looked at the cannon and ball
laying about. Saw the grave of Oceola just within the enclosures
of the Fort. Passed the beach facing the channel, picked up some
sea shells for curiosities, viewed the ocean in all its sublimity,
saw Fort Sumter one & 1/8th mile off in the channel. Returned
to the boat at one, started half past one for the city. Arrived
between 2 & 3, walked up East Bay street, passed through the
market. Went to Charleston Hotel, then to the Mills house. Saw
plainly the effects of war by the number of closed doors of many
of the principal houses of business. Returned to the Charleston
Hotel at sunset, heard our regiment was ordered down to the city.
Went to the depot too late for the extra train. Waited for the
eight o’clock train for Columbia. Got aboard for Summerville with
the understanding that we were to come down in the morning.
Arrived at Summerville half past nine. Found the regiment already
aboard the cars. Only had time to step to the camp for my blankets
and back in time to go with the boys. Started about ten P. M. for
the city. Arrived at the South Carolina depot about twelve
midnight. Were ordered to parade on the platform. Stood about an
hour. Was marched into depot, found several hundred soldiers from
other states on their way to the anticipated scene of action. Had
to spread our blankets on the floor and take a nap till day. Awoke
at daylight. The citizens of Charleston have long been noted for
their hospitality and they evinced it by the breakfast they
prepared for us. A cracker and a cup of coffee or rather dish
water. Some got sugar and some none. Lay in the house till ten
o’clock A. M. Thursday Dec. 19th.
- Thursday Dec.
19th - Paraded and marched out to the races path, something over a
mile, pitched tents and made fires. The next question was a hard
one, to get supper, but we had nothing to get. About dark some of
the company received their baggage, others did not receive theirs
till near ten o’clock P. M. Partook of an humble snack and retired
to our tents in a condition something more than a good
humor.
- Friday Dec.
20th - Commenced drilling again three times a day. Nothing more
than ordinary duties of camp on hand.
- Saturday Dec.
21st - Obtained a permit to go to an artists to have our pictures
taken in company with T. D. Gilreath and G. R. James. Went to Ginn
& Co. on King Street and had our work done. Returned to camp
in time for evening drill in the loading and firings. Nothing new
in camp.
- Sunday Dec.
22nd - Inspection of arms at ten o’clock A. M. Walked downtown in
company with Lieutenant Martin and T. D. Gilreath and G. H.
Walker. Went to the wharf. Saw a great deal to remind one of
majesty of the great creator of all things. Read on the bulletin
board of the Mercury, the news of the engagement on the Potomac
between Gen. Stuarts detachment and the yankees. On Friday evening
20th, felt rather sad on hearing of our defeat but took fresh
encouragement on hearing of reinforcements being sent up to their
relief. Returned to camp about two o’clock. Found the boys in a
merry mood considering the enemy so near us and none knowing how
soon he might fall in defence of his country or how quick he might
be prostrated by the greatest of enemys, dire disease, ever
following camp life. Dress parade at 4 P. M., preaching at 7 by
candle light, tattoo at nine. Retired to quarters suffering
severely from tooth ache.
- Monday 23rd -
I was very sick all day, better in the evening.
- Tuesday 24th -
Able to be up, not able to drill. Nothing new in camp. Guard ing
and regular drills filled the business of the day.
- Wednesday Dec.
25th Christmas day. No drills, dress parade at 4 P. M. Quite a
Thristmas to many who had left their wives and children many miles
away and It seldom hear from them, which caused many a solemn
thought of horrors of nd more especially of the unjustness of the
present one in which we are ed.
- Thursday Dec.
26th - Regular drills. Resumed officers drill at 7 A. M., guarding
at 9 A. M., drill of companies half past ten A. M. and at 3 P. M.
Dresse between 4 and 5 P. M. About one o’clock P. M. our attention
roused by the Df cannon in the direction of Stono for several
hours. It was report after report and for nearly an hour it was a
constant roar of artillery similar to thunder in the distance. At
night we heard that the yankees had attacked Df our batteries in
their gun boats. All retired to their tents after tatoo ting to
hear the conflict renewed in the morning and listening for orders
~ch to the anticipated scene of battle in defence of South
Carolina and the em confederacy.
- Friday Dec.
27th - Nothing new today in camp. The regular routine of duties
ituted the business of the day. Still mending in health from the
attack of cold.
- Sunday Dec.
28th - Feeling pretty stout again. Reported for duty. The regulars
and guard mounting being the order of the day. Walked down King
street dinner to book store and purchased some writing paper. Saw
a great many soldiers walking the streets and also saw a great
many men that looked like they to be soldiers.
- Sunday Dec.
29th - Orders of the day. Guard mounting at nine A. M., preaching
lf past ten and half past two. Also at half past six P. M. Dress
parade at 4 p.m. Prayer by chaplain. I obtained a permit till
dress parade and walked to the battery at Wapoo cut where Capt.
Campbells company is stationed. Lieut. Holtzclaw in command.
Passed through camp and saw quite a number of aquaintances. Went
to battery in company with Lieut. Holtzclaw. After being strongly
insisted to stay for dinner concluded to accept the invitation as
I get the pleasure of supping with officers often. Returned to
camp in time for dress parade. Well pleased with the days trip. As
we were crossing Ashley on a bridge half mile long, Capt. Roebucks
company overtook us on their wayto Adams Run to join Col. Stephens
regiment. They were from a Spartanburg Dist. Found Col. Means
Regiment camped on the side of the Charleston &
Savannah
- Monday Dec.
30th - Nothing new in camp. The regular routine of duty making the
of the day.
- Tuesday Dec.
31st. Everybody in high glee as there was report going about camp
there was to be a pay list made out. Had a regimental parade at
ten A. M. inspection of companies by the Col. No drill in evening.
Dress parade at 4 P. reaching in camp by Mr. Gains of Capt.
Roberts company. One can see all the rent phases of human nature
in camp. Some singing and praying, some playing iddle, some
playing cards, expecially the long noted game of seven up, some
wrestling and tustling, some setting around the fires telling
yarns of times gone occassionally intermixed with the peculiar
polish of camp language a refined as the day declined and the
evening shades advance till nights sable in covers all nature in
darkness. The attention of the mind is turned for a moment to the
last hours of the last day of the year of our lord, one thousand
eight hundred and sixty one, the thirty first of December. We are
far away from home and all things near and dear and cause many a
sad reflection when the chances of returning are so slim. We are
on our own soil to beat back an insolent and invading foe or to
fail in the attempt. And should we escape the darts of the enemy
we stand exposed to dime disease, the great human destroyer of
every campaign, which has taken more lives than the Bullet. But
such is the great fiat of the Omnipotent who ruleth all things.
“Not my will but thine be done, 0, Lord, Amen.” D. I. J. Chandler,
Company F, CSA, 16th S. C. Reg.
- 1862 January
1st - Nothing new in camp. Heard some firing in the direction of
Beaufort in the evening.
- Thursday Jan.
2nd - I obtained a furlough for ten hours in company with G. N.
Green and T. Hammett. Started for Fort Sumter. Arrived at the
wharf too late for boat. As we had leave of absence till 4 P. M.
we concluded to walk around and see what we could. Walked up the
wharf. Came to a steamer that had run the blockade this morning.
Went on board. Walked around on deck. She was from Nassau, one of
the Bahama Islands, loaded with shoes, clothing, guns, and
ammunition. She was the Ella Warley. Went up meeting street &
crossed and crossed to the North Eastern R. R. Depot. Saw some
baby wakers, one rifled, in the shape of canon. Then we steered
our course towards the Magnolia cemetery. About one mile out of
town passed into Bethany graveyard on the right as we passed to
Magnolia. Saw some beautiful tombs and headstones, flowers,
ornaments. Nearly every grave emblematical of the respect the
living have for the dead. Went to Magnolia, turned to the right,
passed a small lake on the left, went up a gradual rise, saw some
soldiers graves to the left, the remains of one just exhumed to be
carried home to Pickens district, S. C. A little farther to the
right saw sixteen soldiers graves in a row. Some were marked by a
piece of pine at the head with their name written on it. Every
grave was decked with flowers, placed perhaps by some fair hands
that had time to remember the soldier, in all the busy whirls of
life to drop a tear as they passed, for those who sacrifice lives
for their country. Walked around. Saw many fine monuments and
marble slabs. Some places enclosed with marble fencing & some
with iron. Saw the grave of a lady buried with Masonic honors. The
nicest work I ever saw, sea shells neatly worked together, at the
head virtue of the breast, chastity is engraved on glass on the
foot or rather from the breast down is engraved on glass. “I had
thy first and last kiss, Maria.” That was the lady’s name.
Fidelity, chastity nearer the foot. Passed on by many vaults and
graves. Saw the monument over Kerr Boyce & wife. As it was
getting late in the evening had no time to take notes. Returned to
camp at 5 P. M. rather wearied from the tramp during the day. Was
too late for dress parade. Got my first mark in default at roll
call.
- Friday Jan.
3rd - News confirmed of the Lincoln government surrendering Mason
& Slidell at the demand of England. Regular drills and guard
mounting comprised the orders of the day.
- Saturday Jan.
4th - Nothing new in camp. Had to act as orderly sergeant on
account of the indisposition of the 1st sergeant. Had the pleasure
of giving a few commands in the manual by order of Lieu. Russell,
drill master. Felt a little awkward at first but soon nocked the
black out.
- Sunday Jan.
5th - Sickness in our regiment considerably on the increase in way
of mumps and measles. A bad rainy day. Soldiers suffering from
dampness and cold in their tents. Water running under us in some
of our tents that was not floored with planks. Had no preaching
nor dress parade owing to the inclemency of the weather. Roll call
at 7 P. M. so the soldiers could retire to their quarters as our
supply of wood was getting short.
- Monday Jan.
6th - Measles on the increse in camp. Felt unwell. Suppose I am
taking measles. No news particularly in camp. Regular drill and
guard mounting making the business of the day. A serious accident
happened in our company today. Mr. A. Brown received a severe
wound in his left foot from a bowie knife. The knife was hanging
up in the tent. He had his shoes off changing his clothes and
struck the knife. It fell and struck in the top of his foot.
Another lesson to soldiers about the careless way they use their
knifes.
- Tuesday Jan.
7th - No news in camp. Still unwell, not drilling.
- Wednesday Jan.
8th - Still feeling unwell. No news. Regular drills. Battalion
drill at 3 P. M. but raining this evening. No drill. Went in the
regimental hospital to sleep on account of the rain and as I was
unwell, supposed to be taking measles, found some fifteen or
twenty others lying in there on a little tick filled with straw,
some with the mumps, some with cold, most of them though taking
measles.
- Thursday Jan.
9th - Wrote home in the morning. Went to sailors home hospital in
the evening. Sick with measles. Remained there till Friday
night.
- January 24th -
Obtained a furlough to come home to recruit in health. Arrived
home on Tuesday January 28th 1862.
- Remained at
home till March 17th Monday. A good deal of sickness in my family.
Had to return to camp according to orders although not able to do
duty. Left Greenville Depot on Tuesday morning 18th, arrived at
Newberry half past one. Found Father waiting for me. Staid till
next morning with him & took the cars for Columbia. Left
Columbia at 6 o’clock P. M. for Charleston. Arrived in Charleston
A. M. Thursday morning the 20th. Went to the Charleston &
Savannah R. R. Depot, took the boat across the river to the cars
at ten o’clock A. M. Arrived at new road station about twelve.
Found the commissary wagon waiting. Arrived at Camp Greenville in
Colleton District, S. C. in a low swampy country. Found the boys
in lively spirits. Not a great many sick, some very bad. I felt a
little worsted from my trip. On perusing the company roll
ascertained that we lost nine members of our company from the time
I was taken sick till my return to camp whose names and dates of
death are as follows: Edward
Harbin died January 20th 1862 in hospital in Charleston from
the effects of measles. G. W.
Owens died in Charleston Jan. 23rd cause unknown.
James Barbery died in Charleston Jan.
24th from the effects of measles. William
Moore died in Charleston Jan. 28th from the effects of
measles. E. G. Smith died in Charleston Jan.
31st pneumonia. B. J.
Crowder died in Greenville at home Feb. 6th 1862 of typhoid
fever. G. W. James died in Charleston Feb.
13th from the ravages of fever. Richard
Mason died Feb. 27th ravages of
pneumonia. Leon Hawkins died at home in
Greenville whither he had gone on sick furlough from the ravages
of fever. Mason just named above died
at home in Greenville whither he had gone on sick furlough also.
and that the following persons had joined the company during my
absence: J. T. Gwyn enlisted at Camp Moore
Jan. 25th. R. W. Baily enlisted at Camp
Greenville March 11th. J. H.
Traysham enlisted at Camp Greenville March 11th. March 1st.
Edmond Brown takes the place of
A. Brown. J. W.
Fowler enlisted April 7th at Camp Leesburg. After my
rejoining the company Friday March 21st our company (F) detailed
on picket duty at Walton Battery 3 miles of f on the coast. Myself
and three others not able for duty were left with the regiment to
nurse H. L. (?] King and
Jesse J. Henderson in regimental
hospital.
- Saturday 22nd
- Nothing new in camp more than the regular routine of duties.
Sunday 23rd. Mr. Cannon a member of Fosters
Comp. (D) died in hospital at Adams Run, pneumonia, and a man from
Hodges Comp.
- Monday 24th.
Struck tents and moved to Sydney Kings house on Tugaloo creek and
named the place Camp Leesburg, some three or four miles from Camp
Greenville.
- No news in
camp till tenth of April when we heard of the great battle of
Shiloh near Corinth, Mississippi, where our troops were once more
victorious.
- Nothing more
interesting in camp up to 20th April. The news of the conscription
act of congress and then everything was an uproar till the
election of officers for reorganization for the. . .came off 28th
and 29th April.
- On Wednesday
the election was declared. Field officers James McCollough,
Colonel; W. B. Joor, Lieut. Colonel; C. Co.: O’Neill, Major;
Company officers, Co. (F): T. D. Gilreath, Captain; W. E.
Phillips, First Lieut.; G. W. Holtzclaw, Second Lieutenant; Jesse
Hawkins, third lieutenant. The old officers were relieved from
command and the newly elected ones installed in office by order of
Gen. Evans.
- Thursday May
1st - Old officers started home, some rather dejected in spirits
on account of their late defeat.
- May 12th -
Cleaned off and leveled down the ridges about two hundred yards
from our tents for new camp. gr. und.
- May 13th - Dug
wells and cleaned off parade ground, built arbors over
wells.
- Wednesday 14th
May - Moved camp. A very warm day. Heavy thunder shower at night
with vivid lightning.
- Thursday May
15th - Cloudy, no drills. Fixing up beds and building arbors the
business of the day.
- Friday May
16th - Drills resumed. Inspection of our tents by Brigade surgeon.
Saw the first rattlesnake brought in by the woods hands. He was
full five feet long and as large around as the calf of my leg. Had
twelve rattles.
- Saturday May
24th 1862 - Long roll beat at twelve. Men ordered to provide two
days rations and be ready to march by three P. M. At three the
regiment took up the line of march to church flat on Stono River,
leaving the guard and men not able to march to protect the camp
and sick in hospital.
- Monday 26th -
Regiment returned to camp. No fight. Could find no
yankee.
- Tuesday
morning 3rd June - Long roll beat at two A. M. Ordered to prepare
two days rations and be ready to march at daylight. Marched at the
time. Give out the first three miles and returned to camp. The
regiment went on to Johns Island and remained out marching to
& fro till Tuesday the 10th. Returned to camp.
- Wednesday
night - Ordered to prepare two days rations & marched to R. R.
to go to Charleston. Returned to camp Saturday June
14th.
- Sunday 15th -
Many a soldier scattered about writing home to friends and
relatives.
- June 21st -
Two gun boats run up to Simons Bluff and run our pickets off,
burnt tents. Nobody hurt on our side. The regiment marched to the
scene of action in quick time but the enemy had taken the
background again and we marched back up camp by
dark.
- July 11th -
First lieutenant W. E.
Phillips of Co. F died from fever at Camp Leesburg. The main
body of the regiment struck tents and moved to Adams Run, leaving
Capt. Bolings Company (G) at Camp Leesburg to support Walters
Battery.
- July 23rd - My
wife arrived in camp.
- July 24th -
Obtained a sick furlough to go home. Arrived home July 26th. Found
all well. Remained at home till October 2nd. Ordered to report to
the confederate hospital at Columbia, not being able for soldiers
duty. Arrived in Columbia Friday evening 3rd October. Saturday
morning reported to surgeon. Ordered in hospital though able to go
about.
- Sunday Oct.
5th - Nothing special.
- Monday &
Tuesday, 6th & 7th - The same.
- November 1st
1862 - At hospital in Columbia yet. Unable for duty in
camps.
- November 11th
- Taken with severe cold and high fever. Out of all nearly all day
of the 12th. Confined to my bed till Saturday 15th. Able to walk
about a little. Went before the board of examination, pronounced
unfit for service, recommended to be discharged. Received a
discharge from service 17th Nov. Paid off and left Columbia on
23rd. Stopped at Fathers in Newberry till the 3rd Dec. Arrived
home on the 4th of Dec. 1862.
Volume 2
Diary
1864 - Drayton Chandler’s memorandum book. Member of Company G,
Holcombe Legion, South Carolina Volunteers of Newberry District,
South Carolina. Home address, Newberry, C. H., S. C.; to wife or
father Thomas Chandler or to father-in-law, Greenville, C. H., James
Darby of Sandy Flat, P. O., Greenville Dist., S. C.
- April 22nd -
Left home, went to Columbia and remained there until the 26th then
took the cars in company with Capt. Williams for the legion then
at Weldon, N.C. Travelled by way of Wilmington, N. C. to Rocky
Mount station on Wilmington and Weldon R. R. thence to Tarboro, N.
C. where we found the command guarding prisoners on the 28th April
1864.
- Saturday,
April 30th - The legion marched to Rocky Mount. I was left with
the baggage to go by R. R. Arrived at Rocky Mount at night with
baggage.
- Sunday May 1st
- The Legion marched back to Tarboro then to Kingston, N. C. and
thence by R. R. to Goldsboro on Friday the 6th. I remained at
Rocky Mount with baggage and guard til Thursday the 5th went to
Goldsboro where we met the Legion on the 6th and took the cars to
Weldon same day.
- Arrived at
Weldon on the morning of the 7th. Five companies were sent forward
on the Weldon & Petersburg R. R. in the morning and the other
five left in the evening, Co. G being in the last crowd. Companies
J & K were attacked in evening at Stony Creek and most of them
captured.
- With Major
Zeigler on Sunday the 8th, company E & F were attacked at
Garretts Station and a good many captured. Company G was stopped
at three Creek R. R. bridge on the evening of the 7th and remained
there till Monday morning the 9th. Marched to Otterdam Creek and
stayed till night of the 10th. Took the cars for Garretts Station
and arrived there about sunrise on the morning of the 11th. The
Legion marched to Nottoway. Companies A, B, G, & K were left
to guard that point. The rest marched to Stony Creek where
companies C, E, F, & H were left to guard that point.
Companies G & D took the cars to Rowanty R. R. Bridge three
miles from Stony Creek and 17 miles from Petersburg. Arrived there
on evening of 11th May. Stony Creek is twenty miles from
Petersburg and Nottoway 5 miles from Stony Creek towards
Weldon.
- Friday 13 May
- Companies G & D were ordered to Stony Creek to reinforce as
the enemy was reported approaching. Returned to camp on the 14th
as no enemy made his appearance.
- Monday 16th -
Cos. G & D again ordered to Stony Creek. Lay in breast works
all night on our arms.
- 17th -
Returned to camp at Rowanty. Remained at Rowanty throwing up some
breast works and doing picket duty until the evening of the 28th
of June when companies D & G were ordered to Stony Creek to
aid in repelling Wilsons raiders in their march on that place. Six
companies of the Legion left Stony Creek a little after dark in
the night of the 28th of June and marched about four miles to
Sapona church where Gen. Hampton’s cavalry had met Wilsons raiders
and had been fighting them for several hours. We took position in
the centre on left of the road. The enemy attacked us twice before
daylight on the morning of the 29th of June but we repulsed them
every time.
- On the morning
of the 29th of June we assaulted the enemy who were posted behind
some temporary breast works and drove them from their chosen
position, capturing quite a number of prisoners, horses, &
losing two men killed and thirty wounded, some mortally.
Lt. Col. Crawley, commanding the legion,
was seriously wounded in the groin. Capt. Bost, acting Major, was
mortally wounded in the neck. Company G had one man mortally
wounded, seven severely and three slightly. We returned to Stony
Creek about midday, bringing our wounded with us and remained
there till Friday morning the -- July when Cos. D & G went
back to Rowanty.
- On the morning
of the 2nd of July before day, Cos. D & G fell back to Stony
Creek to avoid being cut off, and remained there until the evening
of the 30th July guarding prisoners & working on breast
works.
- On the evening
of 30th July Cos. D & G moved back to Rowanty bridge and
remained there till the morning of 15th October 1864 when we bid
adieu to Rowanty and marched to Stony Creek and joined the
remainder of the Legion and at ten o’clock on the 15th Oct. took
up the line of march for Petersburg, Va. Marched about 15 miles
that day. Reached Petersburg on the evening of 16th Oct.
1864.
- On the morning
of the 17th we moved into the front line of breast works in front
of Petersburg and remained there doing duty sharpshooting, etc.
till the morning of the 27th October when we moved about a mile to
the right to occupy the place of an Alabama brigade that had gone
to the fight on the right of the lines that took place that
day.
- On the night
of the 27th the enemy charged & took part of our skirmish line
and captured some prisoners, wounding several.
W. R. Chapman of Co. G. We soon
retaken the works, capturing some prisoners, losing one man
killed.
- On the evening
of 28th Oct. we moved to rear line of breast works, some of the
men having been on duty two days & nights & some thirty
six hours without anything to eat. Remained in reserve working on
breast works of a night till the night of the 5th November when
the legion that is a chosen part charged the enemy picket lines in
front of Burnsides blow up. We captured that portion of the line
and held it for four hours when the enemy retaken the lines,
capturing forty one prisoners, myself one of the number. Captured
before day on the morning of the 6th November and carried to Army
Headquarters at yellow house on Petersburg & Weldon R. R.
where we took the cars for City Point. Arrived at City Point on
Sunday evening the 6th November. Remained there till the morning
of the 11th when there was sixty one prisoners put on board a
steam boat for Point Lookout, Maryland. We landed at Point Lookout
in the night of the 11th where we was put in a lot to
ourselves.
- On the morning
of the 12th Nov. we were duly registered, put in the regular
prisoners camp & distributed among the several divisions, D.
I. J. Chandler being dropped to company G, 5 Division prisoner,
Camp Point Lookout, Maryland, where I am now, Thursday, November
17th, 1864.
- November 25th
1864 - Point Lookout Maryland. Beautiful day, clear &
comfortably warm in sunshine.
- Tuesday
December 6th 1864 - One month ago this morning just before day I
was captured. This is a clear warm day for the season of the year.
Had rambling dreams last night, of better days.
- Saturday
December 10 - Cold damp morning. Snowed in the night, turned
warmer and rained nearly all night. Cloudy morning.
- Monday 12th
1864 - My birthday, thirty years old today [sic- 31?), a prisoner
of war at Point Lookout Maryland, and no likelihood of being
released soon. God, speed the day of peace to our desolate land
and a safe return to the land of my birth and to meet those who
are so near and dear to me. D. I. J. Chandler.
- Sunday January
1st 1865 - Cold and cloudy. Ground covered with snow. The old year
covered nature with a white sheet before she departed. The new
year came in clothed in white. God grant that it is emblematical
of the return of peace to our desolate land and
country.
- January 26th,
27th, & 28th - Very cold weather. Saturday the 28th being the
coldest day I ever experienced I think. (No fire to warm by.)
Prisoners of war camp, Point Lookout, Maryland, January 30th,
1865.
- Point Lookout,
Maryland, Prisoner camp, Sunday February 12th 1865. A beautiful
morning but turned suddenly cold by twelve o’clock, Monday the
13th being very cold and no wood to have one spark of
fire.
- Sunday the
19th 1865 - A pretty day and pleasant for this climate this season
of the year.
- April 14th
1865 - A warm spring day, pleasant breezes stirring.
- May 3rd
Wednesday 1865 - Enrolling the Prisoners at Point Lookout, Md. for
the purpose of releasing them by their taking the oath of
allegiance to the government of the United States of America. All
are being enrolled with a few exceptions, as the only chance of
being released from prison, as it appears useless to suffer
imprisonment longer for the southern confederacy, as it is near
about played out, from appearances.
The
Oath of Allegiance to the Government of
the United
States
I do solemnly
swear that I will support and defend the constitution and government
of the United States against all enemies whether domestic or foreign
and that I will bear true faith, allegiance and loyalty to the same,
all ordinances, resolutions, or laws of any state convention or
legislature to the contrary notwithstanding, and further that I do
this with a full determination, pledge and purpose, without any
mental reservation or evasion whatsoever, and further that I will
well and faithfully perform the duties which may be required of me
by law. So help me God.
- Thursday May
4th 1865 - A clear, pleasant and beautiful morning. Nothing new
stirring this morning. The Rebels all appear cheerful at the
prospect of soon getting to their homes again and meeting long
separated friends and relatives.
- May 12th,
13th, 14th, 15th - Released those prisoners who had registered
their names to take the oath of allegiance previous to the fall of
Richmond, Virginia.
- Point Lookout,
Maryland, May 20th 1865. Rainy evening. Warm forepart of the
day.
- The oath
recorded [above] is the one published in prisoners camp at Point
Lookout, Maryland May 2nd, 1865. The following is the oath of
President Johnsons amnesty Proclamation, May 29th, 1865. “I do
solemnly swear or affirm in the presence of Almighty God that I
will henceforth faithfully support, protect and defend the
constitution of the U. S. and the union of the states thereunder
and that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all
laws and Proclamations which have been made during the existing
rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves, So Help me
God.”
Point Lookout, Maryland, June 2nd, 1865
- Friday June
9th 1865 - Commenced releasing prisoners from the Bull pen on the
oath.
- Saturday June
17th 1865 - I was sent to prisoners hospital suffering severely
with scurvy.
- Saturday June
24th - Took the oath of allegiance to the U. S. Government.
Obtained my certificate of release as prisoner of war. Got aboard
the boat, Philadelphia, at dark, for City Point. Landed at City
Point Sunday evening the 25 June 1865.
- Monday June
26th - Took the cars at City Point for Berkville Junction on
Southside R. R. Arrived there about one o’clock. Lay over until
sundown and started to Danville, Va. Arrived at Danville about
twelve o’clock Tuesday June 27th 1865. Went to Charlotte, N. C.
evening of the 29th.
- Friday morning
the 30th - Took the cars at Charlotte and came to Blackstock
Station. Got off the cars and took it afoot for home. By the
assistance of the good people along the route, arrived home on
Sunday the 2nd day of July 1865.
Back
page--L. C. McNary of Edgefield District, S.
C., member of Co. H Holcombes Legion S. C. V. is to be held in high
esteem for his special favors to one during imprisonment at Point
Lookout, Md.
Hugh Rogers of
Co. D 2nd Reg. S. C. V. Newberry District, S. C.
George A. Gilbert
Co. F 9th Ala. Reg.
John H. Case Co. H 32nd
Tenn.
John R.
Funderburke & D. K. Funderburke, Company B 2nd Reg. Georgia
Volunteers, Warm Springs, P. 0. Merriwether County, Georgia. Ever to
be remembered for their kindness to me during our imprisonment at
Point Lookout, Md.
Prisoners Camp, Major A. G. Brady, Provost
Marshall
Barnes, Asst. Provost Marshall,
1865
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