USA > New York > Records of the 24th Independent Battery, N. Y. Light Artillery, U. S. V. > Part 17
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The food furnished to those sick men was just that which they ought not to have had.
All persons know that careful nursing and proper diet have much to do with the recovery of an invalid. The food and shelter which were furnished at that hos- pital would have defeated the skill of the best physicians in the world, with every remedy named in the Pharma- copoia at his command. What, then, could be expected of half-fledged physicians (as most of the prison surgeons were), with little other than indigenous medicines ?
There were a few able physicians and excellent sur- geons-men with kind hearts and much sympathy, but they were powerless.
The supply of medicine was so small, that the dispen- sary would be unable to supply the smallest requisitions for several days in succession.
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None of the stores usually found in hospitals were ever seen there, notwithstanding such things were sent from our Northern friends by the Christian Commission. (See Document No. 9 in the Appendix.)
Flour was the only luxury ever rationed out to the inmates of the hospital ; and what could sick men do with flour, having no fire and no utensils to cook with ?
The best evidence that can be had that these assertions are true, is the mortality that occurred.at that prison. Thirteen thousand died in about eight months.
This tells the tale of hunger and thirst, of disease and suffering, of want of comfort and care, of lack of nour- ishment and medicine, in words of brevity, but words of terrible meaning.
Notwithstanding all this unjust and cruel treatment, still did they lengthen their list of crimes by adding cruelties under the name of punishments.
Several times they ceased to issue rations for a day and even two days. Cause-" some few of our number had dug a tunnel in order to escape," and to punish these men thousands of starving men were deprived the mor- sel that would barely keep the breath of life in them from day to day.
They shot men. Cause-they had reached over the dead line for water, or for a cracker that was a foot be- yond the dead line. And they shot men even within the dead line. I myself attended a man in the hospital who died from the effects of a wound in the leg, made by a rebel guard shooting him while he lay about the hospital camp fire, inside the dead line. I was with him a minute after the report of the musket was heard, and he
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had not moved from the spot he was in when he was shot.
They chased men with dogs, and these dogs did bite and mutilate men, from the effects of which they died. Cause-They were attempting to escape.
They put prisoners in chain gangs and in stocks; they whipped them at a whipping post; they hung them up by the thumbs. Cause-these prisoners attempted to escape.
They did force prisoners to be vaccinated with poison- ous virus, and but few that were vaccinated lived.
They destroyed letters to our homes and letters from our homes, uselessly, carelessly, and purposely to distress us. They destroyed or themselves used great quantities of clothing, food and delicacies that were sent to us by express from the North.
They beat and kicked sick soldiers who were too ill to keep up in line of march. And, last of all, when they had killed by inhuman treatment and cruelties, they buried our friends and comrades in an indecent manner that even barbarians could not have excelled.
Starvation, thirst, want of clothing and shelter, cruel treatment, disease, want of medicine and medical attend- ance, and lastly an indecent burial, are a terrible and re- volting list of horrors; yet there was still another trial that to a prisoner was harder to bear than all these : that was the agony of the mind which was caused by the knowledge that our imprisonment might be a long one, and death was certain if we were held there any length of time. There was nothing to look forward to. Day followed day, and all were alike. Nothing to divert the
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mind, no exercise for the body. Sorrow and despair per- vaded the camp. A smile was a rare thing, a real laugh almost unknown. There were hollow, forced laughs, that went back down our throats, like the resounding tones of a voice in a dark, damp cavern. They caused us rather to shudder than to feel merry.
No stories had interest, they but recalled the time when we were free. The mind was left to itself, and it would destroy itself. Depression and homesickness were the terrible forms of disease that we feared. Once under the influence of either in that terrible place, we could with greatest difficulty rise from it, so insinuating and so gradual was its approach. Thoughts of home became constant. Dreams of home and of home comforts, espe- cially of the favorite dishes that had been prepared by the hands of a doting mother, a pet sister, or a loving wife, were of nightly and even daily occurrence. Then the victim began to talk of home, of the probabilities of an immediate exchange of prisoners, of the probable ex- ertions that were being made for his release. He begins to believe that he will soon be exchanged. He looks at every rebel guard that approaches the gates with the ex- pectation that they are coming to free him. He talks of nothing else, his mind cannot be directed from that one subject.
Days pass by and yet he is not sent for, still he be- lieves and watches. He sits in the wide camp street, where his eye may rest constantly on the gate, refuses food, refuses to move from his position night or day. His mind wanders, his eye is vacant and staring, he is weak, and though in sitting posture, falls over to the ground.
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" There, there they come! I said they'd come, I knew they'd come! Hold me up, I must go to meet them. Mother ! father! I am glad you've come. I'm so tired, I'm so sick,; take me home."
God grant that it was his good angels that came to our dying comrade, as the "king of terrors" thus made his last day one of happy delirium.
This is only one true picture out of many which I saw in Andersonville Hospital.
T. J. Hyatt, sergeant in Company K, One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, is the author of the following lines, which very truthfully tell the feeling that was uppermost in the hearts of us all :
THE PRISONER'S PLEA.
When our country called for men, we came from forge and store and mill,
From workshop, farm and factory, the broken ranks to fill ;
We left our quiet, happy homes and ones we loved so well,
To vanquish all our Union's foes, or fall where others fell.
Now in prison drear we languish, and it is our constant cry,
Oh ye who yet can save us, will ye leave us here to die ?
The voice of slander tells you that our hearts were weak with fear- That all, or nearly all of us, were captured to the rear.
The scars upon our bodies from the musket balls and shell, The missing legs and shattered arms, a truer tale can tell. We have tried to do our duty in the sight of God on high ; Oh ye who yet can save us, will ye leave us here to die ?
There are hearts with hope still beating, in our pleasant Northern homes,
Waiting, watching for the footsteps, that may never, never come. In Southern prisons pining, meagre, tattered, pale and gaunt, Growing weaker, weaker daily, from pinching cold and want, Their brothers, sons and husbands, poor and hopeless captives lie, Oh ye who yet can save them, will ye leave them there to die ?
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From out our prison gate there's a graveyard near at hand, Where lie twelve thousand Union men, beneath the Georgia sand ; Scores on scores are laid beside them, as day succeeds to day, And thus it will be ever, till they all shall pass away; And the last can say while dying, with upturned and glazing eye, Both Faith and Love are dead at home, they have left us here to die.
ANDERSONVILLE, Oct. 20, 1864.
[A singular incident has occurred in regard to this poetry. We had supposed Sergeant Hyatt was dead. We had copied the lines in his tent at Andersonville, and had afterwards been told that he died the following morning. What was our astonishment when our printers informed us that the compositor who was setting up this chapter was none other than Sergeant Hyatt, and the author of this poetry. The lines are none the less pathetic, and certainly the more romantic, from this singular circumstance.]
We had intended to follow out in this chapter a line of argument and facts as to the following points :
Was this inhuman treatment necessary ?
Did not the Confederacy possess food, fuel, water, clothes and medicine, bedding, tents and lumber, and was it not immediately near Andersonville ?
Did Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet know of this condition of things ?
Were they not accorded in by superior officers of the Confederacy as well as the inferior officers ?
Can, therefore, any blame be attached to any Federal officer by the sophistry that declining to exchange on unjust and unfair terms, was assuming the responsibil- ity of causing this suffering ?
Space will not allow us to introduce evidence on these points, but we can assert that there are quantities
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of proof to show that this treatment was not necessary ; that there was plenty of provisions, lumber, fuel, and all other things needed to save life and health; that all this suffering was known to all prominent Confed- erate officials, and that it was intended to cripple the Northern army, by killing prisoners of war, or at least making them unavailable on account of chronic disease.
In reviewing this chapter, it occurs to the writer that his reader may complain that it is too general in its char- acter to be entitled to a place in this book of records. But I must beg you to bear in mind that in this in- stance general experience is individual experience. The boys of the Battery suffered in the proportion of 100 to 30,000.
As a rule there was no show of weak heart or falter- ing will. They stood up and grappled with this mon- strous horror, with the same unflinching bravery that they displayed when in battle. They were, too, mostly Christians, and death rather than dishonor was their decisive reply to overtures or taunts from rebels. They met death, if in consciousness, with calmness and even willingness. They were kindly and ten- derly treated by each other. The devotion of the well to their sick comrades was notable.
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If there is or ever has been on this earth a place where selfishness and self preservation even at the cost of another's life, could make an appearance, Andersonville was that place. Yet to their honor be it said, were the members of the Twenty-fourth New York Battery true and faithful to each other. Honor and generosity were
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triumphant over animal instinct, and death became sweet from the knowledge of devotion and sacrifice of friends.
Slander and hurtful innuendos to the contrary, we as- sert that to the end was there uprightness, faithfullness and affection, between all of those boys. And when that great day comes, when we shall all meet, we believe there will be joyful greetings by each to the other.
In November, the few that were left of the Battery were made to feel that there was still reason for clinging to this wretched mode of existence, since they were in- formed by good authority that exchanges were actually taking place. Finally the writer, with others, was placed on the cars and started towards Savannah, and told that at Savannah we would meet the Federal exchange fleet. A two days' trip, which was endured by even the sick without murmur, brought us to Millen, and the reader may imagine the terrible reaction of spirit and hopes, when we were ordered to march into the new prison stockade. It was a paradise in comparison with Ander- sonville, but only another dreary prison in comparison with the country which we had supposed we were bound for-our own country.
However, our stay, to our glad surprise, was of short. duration. In a few days we were again called out and taken toward Savannah. Having here signed a pa- role of honor, we were taken in steamners to Venus Point and delivered over to the United States Exchange Agent, General Mulford.
Our joy knew no bounds. Threats of taking them back unless they were less demonstrative could hardly
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check the shouts of the captives as they again beheld their long missed but dearly loved Stars and Stripes. It was a proud and happy day. Reflections were sad, but anti- cipations were joyous. We had sad tales to tell, but we had dear friends to meet.
It was a cold, dreary winter day when we entered Perry. Familiar faces crowded about us. Anxious in- · quiries overpowered the warm welcome, and we felt that to be the bearer of such tidings was indeed an unenviable lot.
The statistics presented in this book will tell the story far better than any description given by a single witness. No reader of this volume can deny that on the part of these lost comrades there was a brave sacrifice to loy- alty. And I would, with these last words, still beseech you to show them honor and to do them justice. Let us raise a monument to their memory.
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OF VOLUNTEERS FROM PERRY AND VICINITY, WHO ENLISTED IN THE FEDERAL ARMY DURING THE WAR, IN OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAN THE TWENTY-FOURTH NEW YORK BATTERY.
Under the suggestions and persuasions of friends inter- ested in the monument enterprise, the writer presents, with some reluctance, the following incomplete and necessarily brief records. The same opportunities and the same documents for information regarding these men, as were in our possession and gave us accurate evidence regarding the members of the Battery, are not obtain- able.
We know these sketches are not full, but, so far as they go, we believe them to be correct.
That these men are entitled to equal honor with our comrades in the Battery, we promptly admit, and we therefore feel that, so far as our knowledge and such in- formation as is in our power to obtain, shall, through our pen, do them honor, it shall be done.
We appeal earnestly in behalf of those brave comrades of the war whose record is, " died while in the service," and who lost their lives for the sake of their country. Let us all, with one interest and purpose, do justice to all who left their homes and found a grave while in such noble service.
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We find the following statements concerning the different organizations represented in these personal records, in the Adjutant-General's Report of the State of New York :
FIRST NEW YORK MOUNTED RIFLES.
This regiment was organized at New York City, to serve three years. The companies of which it was com- posed were raised in the State at large. It was mustered into the service of the United States from August 31, 1861, to September 9, 1862. The original members, ex- cept veterans, were mustered out on expiration of term of service. The regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, was consolidated with the Third Regiment New York Cavalry, July 21, 1865; the consolidated force being known as the Fourth Provisional New York Cav- alry.
SECOND NEW YORK MOUNTED RIFLES.
This regiment was organized at Buffalo, N. Y., to serve three years. The companies of which it was com- posed were raised principally in the counties of Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Orleans, Alleghany and Wayne. It was mustered into the service of the United States from October, 1863, to February, 1864. Mustered out of ser- vice, August 10, 1865, in accordance with orders from the War Department.
Battles-Coal Harbor, Petersburg, Bethesda Church, Weldon Railroad, Pegram's Farm, Hatcher's Run, Pop lar Spring Church.
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THIRD NEW YORK CAVALRY.
This regiment was organized at New York City, to serve for three years. The companies of which it was composed were raised principally in the counties of Albany, Schoharie, Chemung, Delaware, Oneida, Onon- daga and Orleans. It was mustered into the service of the United States from July 17 to August 27, 1861. On the expiration of its term of service the original members, except veterans, were mustered out, and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in service. It was consolidated with the First Mounted Rifles, July 21, 1865. The consolidated force was designated the " Fourth Provisional Cavalry."
Battles-Burn's Church, Young's Cross Roads, Wil- liamston, Kinston, Whitehall, Goldsborough, Ball's Bluff, Weldon Railroad, Edward's Ferry, Stony Creek, Petersburg, Malvern Hill, Newmarket, Johnson's House.
NINTH NEW YORK CAVALRY.
This regiment was organized at Albany, N. Y., to serve three years. The companies of which it was com- posed were raised in the counties of Chautauqua, Catta- raugus, Wyoming, Rensselaer, Washington, St. Lawrence and Clinton. It was mustered into the service of the United States from September.9 to November 19, 1861. On the expiration of its term of service the original mem- bers, except veterans, were mustered out. The Fourth Regiment New York Cavalry was transferred to this regiment as Companies B, E and L, and the organiza- tion, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in ser-
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vice until July 17, 1865, when it was mustered out of service in accordance with orders from the War Depart- ment.
Battles-Cedar Mountain, Brandy Station, Aldie, ITpperville, Gainesville, Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam, Gettysburg, Kelly's Ford, Rappahannock Station, Sul- phur Springs, Opequan, Wilderness, Coal Harbor, Me- chanicsville, Deep Bottom, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburg, Richmond.
THIRD NEW YORK ARTILLERY.
This regiment (originally Nineteenth Regiment In- fantry) was raised at Auburn, N. Y., and was mustered into the service of the United States, May 22, 1861, to serve two years. It was reorganized as the Third Artillery, January 31, 1862. On the expiration of its term of service the original members were mustered 'out, and the organization, composed of veterans and recruits, retained in service. The Twenty-fourth Bat- tery was assigned to this regiment as Company " L," March 5, 1865. The regiment was mustered out by batteries from June 22 to July 29, 1865, in accordance with orders from the War Department.
EIGHTH NEW YORK HEAVY ARTILLERY.
This regiment (originally the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry) was organized at Lockport, N. Y., to serve three years, and mustered into the service of the United States as
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such, August 22, 1862. It was changed to an artillery regiment in February, 1863. Two additional companies were organized for this regiment in January, 1864. The whole organization was raised in the counties of Niagara, Orleans and Genesee (29th Senate District). Companies G, H, I and K were transferred to the Fourth New York Artillery, June 4, 1865. Companies L and M were transferred to the Tenth New York Volunteer Infantry, and the remaining six companies mustered out June 5, 1866, in accordance with orders from the War Depart- ment ..
Battles-Spottsylvania, Tolopotomoy, Coal Harbor, North Anna, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Deep Bot- tom, Ream's Station, Boydton Road.
SEVENTEENTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized at New York City, to serve two years, The companies of which it was com- posed were raised in the counties of New York, West- chester, Rockland, Wayne, Wyoming and Chenango. ' It was mustered into the service of the United States, May 20 to 24, 1861. Mustered out June 2, 1863, by reason of expiration of term of service. The recruits en- listed for three years were transferred to the Twelfth Regiment New York Volunteers.
Battles-Hanover Court House, Groveton, Fredericks- burg.
TWENTY-FIRST NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized at Elmira, N. Y., to serve two years. The several companies composing it were
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raised in Buffalo, N. Y. It was mustered into the ser- vice of the United States, May 20, 1861. Mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, May 18, 1863.
Battles-Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antie- tam, Fredericksburg.
TWENTY-SEVENTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
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This regiment was organized at Elmira, N. Y., to serve for two years. The several companies of which it was composed were raised in the counties of Alleghany, Broome, Livingston, Monroe, Orleans, Wayne and West- chester. It was mustered into service, May 21, 1861. Mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, May 21, 1863.
Battles-Bull Run, Gaines' Mills, Seven Days' Battle, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Freder- icksburg, Marye's Heights.
THIRTY-FIRST NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
This regiment was raised and organized in New York City. It was mustered into the service of the United States, May 24 to June 14, 1861. Mustered out by rea- son of expiration of term of service, June 4, 1863.
Battles-Bull Run, West Point, Gaines' Mills, Charles City Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Crampton Gap, Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights.
THIRTY-THIRD NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized at Elmira, N. Y., to serve for two years. The companies of which it was
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composed were raised in the counties of Livingston, On- tario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates. It was mustered into the service of the United States, May 22, 1861. Mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, June 2, 1863.
Battles-Lee's Mills, Williamsburg, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mills, Savage Station, Grampton Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights, Salem Heights.
THIRTY-SIXTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized in New York City, to serve two years. The companies comprising it were raised in the counties of New York and Erie. It was mustered into the service of the United States, June 17 to July 4, 1861. Mustered out, July 5, 1863, on expira- tion of term of service.
Battles-Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Marye's Heights, Salem Heights.
EIGHTY-NINTH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized at Elmira, N. Y., to serve three years. The companies of which it was com- posed were raised in the counties of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Livingston, Monroe and Schuyler. It was mustered into the service of the United States, December 6, 1861. On the expiration of its term of service the original members (except veterans) were mustered out, and the regiment, composed of veterans and recruits, re- tained in service until August 3, 1865, when it was mus- tered out in accordance with orders from the War De- partment.
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Battles-Suffolk, Camden, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTIETH NEW YORK VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, OR NINETEENTH NEW YORK CAVALRY, OR FIRST NEW YORK DRAGOONS.
This regiment was organized at Portage, N. Y., to serve three years. The companies of which it was com- posed were raised in the counties of Wyoming, Living- ston and Alleghany (30th Senate District). It was mus- tered into the service of the United States, September 3, 1862. Changed to Nineteenth Cavalry (First Dragoons) August 11, 1863.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIXTH NEW YORK VOLUN- TEER INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized at Portage, N. Y., to serve three years. The companies of which it was com- posed were raised in the counties of Alleghany, Living- ston and Wyoming (30th Senate District). It was mus- tered into the service of the United States, September 26, 1862. Mustered out, June 13, 1865, in accordance with orders from the War Department.
Battles-Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Moun- tain, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Knoxville, Buz- zards' Roost Gap, Resaca, Cassville, Dallas, Gilgal Church, Kulp's Farm, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Turner's Ferry, Atlanta, Milledgeville, Savannah, Charleston, Averysburg, Bentonville, Goldsboro', Ra- leigh.
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List of Volunteers from Perry and vicinity, who enlisted in the Federal Army during the Rebellion, in other organizations than the Twenty- fourth N. Y. Battery.
1 Ayers, Oscar.
2 Andrews, Rob't F.
3 Axtell, Abner.
4 Andrus, Merritt.
5 Beardsley, Edwin H.
6 Buttre, Chauncey.
7 Bishop, I. G.
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Babcock, Orso.
9 Boughton, Arthur.
10 Boughton, Myron.
11 Beardsley, Alton.
12 Bullard, Rob't F.
13 Booth, Harrison.
14 Burden, Albert.
15 Burden, Adelbert.
16 Calkins, Melatiah.
17 Childs, Reuben.
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