USA > Ohio > Four years in the saddle. History of the First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 > Part 34
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Prisoners of War.
A regiment that was in more than fifty fights, and at least as many more skirmishes, was necessarily in contact with the enemy a great many times. As a result many soldiers of both armies would be taken prisoner, and the First Ohio was no exception to that rule. A great many of the First Ohio were taken prisoner, and a short account of their experiences will be of interest to every member of the regiment. While it is not possible to give the total number of soldiers of the regi- ment, captured, still I have the names of quite a number, and herewith devote a short chapter to some incidents connected with their capture and imprisonment.
When General Wheeler crossed the Tennessee River at Cot- ton Port, September 30, 1863, one battalion of the First Ohio was guarding a ford and a number of men of Companies K and B were taken prisoners. Of Company K the names were Ser- geant Elliott Young, Sergeant Cornelius Byers, Pressley E. Goff, Edward Garner, James Henry, James Stanton, David Nedrow
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and Frederick Wedo. Of this number, Garner, Wedo, and Goff died in Andersonville, and all of the others had an experience that is well worth relating. They were all sent to Libby Prison, via Atlanta, and in November of the same year were transferred from Libby to Danville, Va. The names of the prisoners taken from Company B Ihave not been able to find. They were sent from Richmond to Danville in box-cars, and were very closely packed in, with two Confederate guards in each car. In one of these cars it was arranged that they should cut a hole in the end of the car large enough for a soldier to crawl through, and when it became dark, a soldier was to slip through the end of the car, and uncouple the train. They were then to make an attempt to escape. At the front end of the car the large number of prisoners crowded around to cover the operations of two comrades who were cutting a hole through the end of the car with pocket-knives. The next important matter was to look after the guards, and two of the best talkers, including Sergeant Young, were detailed to uncap the muskets of the guards, and they became very familiar with the guards and handled their guns, and finally succeeded in uncapping both of them. The hole in the end of the car was completed, and every- thing was arranged to uncouple the train as soon as it was dark, but some of the prisoners became nervous and thought that they were nearing Danville, and uncoupled the train before dark. The front of the train moved forward after the engine, and all of the cars in rear of the one in which the prisoners were making an attempt to escape were of course stopped on the track. As the hole in the end of the car was quite small, it took some time for the prisoners to get through, and there was a great commotion as to who should go out first. Eight of the boys of the First Ohio succeded in getting out, and of course immediately ran across the fields and woods as rapidly as possible, and the guards began firing and pursuing them. All of the eight who made their escape were recaptured, except- ing David Alt, of Company F, who had been left as nurse with Colonel Cupp when he was left at the Lee House at the battle of Chickamauga, and when Colonel Cupp died, he was taken prisoner. Dave Laporte, of Company F, was also one who attempted to escape. Sergeant Young gives a very interesting and graphic description of this escape, as the boys were all intensely excited and were willing to take any kind of chances of being killed in hopes of escape from the rebel prison at Dan- ville, which they well knew was awaiting them. These pris- oners remained at Danville until about May, 1864, and were sent from there to Andersonville. They remained at Anderson- ville until October, 1864, and during this time Garner, Wedo and Goff had all died. From there they went to Charleston, S. C., where they remained about a month, and in November,
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1864, were transferred to Florence, where they remained until March, 1865. While at Florence, the prisoners were transferred to another camp, and having some notice of this fact, many of them tried to escape by digging holes under their tents, then covering them over with boards or sticks, and when the order came to move, they crawled down in these holes, and the boards were covered over with sand. Young and another soldier of a different regiment made this attempt, and Jim Stanton, of Com- pany K, covered them over carefully, and when the prisoners had marched out and it was thought that all was safe, some soldier who had been making the same attempt crawled out from his hiding-place, and the guard noticing him, a company of guards was called and made a thorough search of the whole camp by going over the camp and running their bayonets down into the ground to see if they could strike any boards where men were concealed. Young and his comrade were thus routed out, and were taken back to prison in a hurry. In March, 1865, Young and Stanton were sent to Wilmington, S. C., to our lines, and then to Annapolis, Md., where they were exchanged March 14, 1865. Nedrew was exchanged from Andersonville in the fall of 1864, and Henry was exchanged from Libby Prison in the spring of 1864. Byers was separated from the other mem- bers of the First Ohio, and was sent back from Andersonville to Richmond, to hospital and then to Annapolis, Md., where he was paroled in the spring of 1864. During the time they were in prison they met many other members of the First Ohio, but I can learn the names of but few of them.
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Sergeant Young relates a story about William Miller, of Company F, and himself making an attempt to escape while at Charleston. It seems that Miller had succeded in getting a detail to assist in a bake-shop, and he and Young laid a plan of escape. In order to have some rations to eat on their long journey from Charleston to our line, Young bought a barrel of flour, for which he paid $1300 in Confederate money, and Miller was to have it baked up, and they were then to make the attempt. After the matter was all arranged, it was learned that Sherman's army was nearing the coast, and the attempt was abandoned and the thirteen hundred dollar barrel of flour was baked up and sold to the other prisoners. It will be under- stood by this statement that flour was very high in the Southern Confederacy or that Confederate money was very cheap.
Another story is related about a Confederate soldier who had a horse that he wished to sell, and being offered three thousand dollars for the horse, he spurned the offer indignantly, stating that he had just that morning paid a fellow a thousand dollars to curry his horse.
Thomas A. Morrison, of Company B, was also taken pris- oner at the battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. He
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was then taken to Belle Isle, then to Richmond, Va., and re- mained there two months, and was then removed to Danville, where he made an escape from prison No. 5 by tunneling out of the prison, January 28, 1864, in company with A. G. Laughlin, of Company B, Thaddeus Mc Vay, of Company B, David Laporte, of Company F, and Charles Vaughn, of the Second Kentucky Cavalry. After untold hardships during the winter of 1864, laying out in all kinds of weather and almost starved for thirty- six days, they reached our lines at Fayetteville, W. Va., where they were entertained for a few days by the Eleventh and Twelfth O. V. I. They were sent to Charleston, W. Va., and from there to Cincinnati, where they were furloughed home for twenty days, and then joined the regiment at Nashville, Tenn., in the spring of 1864.
Captured.
During the advance of Buell's army east of Corinth, Miss., along the line of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, detach- ments of the regiment were guarding the different bridges and trestles on this road. A part of my company, I, was stationed near Decatur, Alabama, guarding a small bridge. While at this place, on or about the sixteenth day of July, 1862, a regi- ment of infantry and a squad of about twelve men of the com- pany were sent out to within a short distance of Summerville for the purpose of protecting a large number of refugees who desired to come within our lines and enlist in our army. Our cavalry squad, under command of Captain S. C. Writer, were sent forward as an advance guard. A reliable guide, who lived in the part of the country where the force was going, accom- panied our cavalry. About eight miles out from Decatur the guide informed Captain Writer that we were nearing the resi- dence of a noted "bushwhacker" and would probably find him at home. When we came within sight of the house he was observed sitting on the porch in company of two ladies and an old man. When he saw the Yankee cavalry coming, he jumped up, ran into the house, picked up his shot-gun, and fled out the back way. Some delay was caused in getting through the gate and we were just in time to see his fleeing form going across a field. A number of shots were fired, but without effect. I dismounted, took a careful aim and brought him to the ground. He was seen to scramble to his feet and start on. I quickly placed another cartridge in my carbine and gave him a parting shot just as he climbed over a fence to make his escape into the woods. I saw the same "old chap" after I was captured a few days later, and he told me one of the Yankees, the one that fired the second last shot, broke his
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right arm above the elbow. Of course, I did not claim the honor of being the "best shot."
A few miles further on, the guide cautioned the Captain that the country was infested with guerillas and it would be advisable to halt until the infantry column came up. The Cap- tain replied that he was in command and ordered him to lead on to his destination. We then proceeded about four miles further and were nearing a house, the owner of which, the guide informed us, was a "Union man." Two men were left in the road as a picket, and the rest of the squad rode into the barn- yard, were ordered to dismount and feed the horses. The Cap- tain proceeded to the house and ordered supper. Being some. what suspicious, I and Sergeant Sullenberger kept near our horses, while the rest went to the house. A part of them had eaten and came out, when the picket in the rear was fired on and driven in, a force of about two hundred of Paterson's rebel cavalry following up. Having my horse bridled, I led him to the fence and commenced to throw it down, the cavalry mean- while firing into us at short range, and when I attempted to mount I found my stirrup had been shot away. I started to go to the opposite side, and the next volley killed my horse and I received three shots in my right leg, but which did not quite disable me. I ran on as best I could into a cornfield near by and succeded in eluding the cavalry. That night I wandered through woods and fields until about four o'clock A. M. I was so weak and tired that I concluded to lay down and rest myself. I soon fell asleep, and when I woke up the sun was high in the heavens. I arose and started in what I thought was the right direction for Decatur, keeping within the shelter of the woods as much as possible. Becoming very thirsty, I endeavored to find water without going near any house and finally came to the bed of a creek, but no signs of water anywhere. I followed the dry bed and much to my joy I found a "muskrat hole," at the bottom of which I saw water. Having nothing to dip it up, I tried to find a hollow weed. Failing in this, I took off my boot, sank it in the hole and drew out an abundance of the precious fluid. After satisfying my thirst, I slowly moved on, and when night came I laid down by a tree and slept until morning. Not having a mouthful to eat during this time, I was very weak and my pace was neces- sarily slow and painful. I traveled all day and some time after dark I came to a barn and crept into the yard to a pump and drank my fill out of the watering-trough. Dogs at the house near by commenced to bark furiously. I turned quickly back into the woods again and shortly afterwards I wandered into · a dense prickly ash thicket, and after lengthy effort succeded in working my way through. My wounds, not having any care, began to get very painful and my limb greatly swollen, making
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it almost impossible to proceed, but I toiled slowly along. In the afternoon of this day I met a colored man going to mill with a sack of corn on his back. Upon questioning him, I was informed that I was then about ten miles from Decatur. He directed me the way I should go and cautioned me to keep away from the public roads, as the country was full of rebel cavalry and I was liable to be picked up any moment. I followed in the direction given me until night, when I again sought the shelter of the forest and rested as best I could until morning, when I again resumed my painful march. I had not proceeded very far until I came to an open space on my side of the road, which I dared not cross in daylight. I attempted to go across the road and into the woods on the opposite side and had almost succeded in gaining its shelter, when I chanced to look to my left and saw a "bushwhacker" within about forty paces from me. He was in the act of taking deliberate aim, but before he could fire I succeeded in gaining shelter. I was almost exhausted and unable to get away. I prepared to defend myself, as I still retained my carbine and revolver. He kept cautiously advancing and watching for me, and when he came within a short distance from where I stood I raised my carbine and, tak- ing a quick aim, I fired and he fell. I was afterwards told by my captors I had shot him squarely through the breast, killing him instantly. I got away from there as fast as I possibly could in my weak condition. I finally became so thoroughly exhausted and, coming to a cane-brake, I slowly made my way into it and dropped down, overcome with fatigue. I did not lay long until I heard the voices of someone at the edge of the brake, and by the conversation I overheard I found I was the object of their search. At times they were very close to where I lay, but fortunately they left without discovering my hiding- place. In their tramp on the outskirts of the brake they dis- turbed an immense rattlesnake, which came gliding along a little gully in which I lay. It came slowly towards me and I dared not move. It crawled across my wounded limb,and to my great relief it disappeared beyond. Late in the night I made my way out of my hiding-place and started on, and in the morning, just as daylight appeared, I attempted to cross the road again, when a squad of twelve rebel cavalrymen came onto me and demanded my surrender in the usual terms, which all old vet- erans know. Before complying, I managed to let my carbine drop by a log where I stood and pushed it under with my foot, and they failed to get it. I was taken by them to Summerville, where I received the first treatment after being wounded. Dur- ing my wanderings through the woods I often lost my bearings and made very slow progress, in fact going at times in an almost opposite direction. An old citizen doctor dressed my wounds, after which the question arose what to do with me. After a
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lengthy parley, they finally decided to take me to General Pater- son's headquarters. They pressed the old doctor's horse into service, and searching around, they found an old side-saddle, which was placed on the horse and I was helped to mount, and another painful march began. We traveled about twenty miles, stopping that night on top of a mountain at an old cabin, where I received the best attention, being put into a good bed, the first I had enjoyed for many months. After a good night's rest we resumed our march and arrived at Paterson's camp that evening. My wound was very painful by this time, being irritated from the long ride. The General treated me very nicely and told me, after I had something to eat, to lay down and get a good rest, and he would parole me the next morning. But on account of the proposed raid on our camp at Courtland, Ala., by his command, he refused the next morning to give the parole, but notified me that I would be sent to Tupello, Miss., a distance of probably one hundred and twenty-five miles. You may rest assured this was very unwelcome news to me, but I had to undergo the ordeal. Here I met an old comrade of my company, Casper Miller, who had also been captured at the time I was, but I was not aware of it until I met him. We started after breakfast, the four guards and myself being mounted, but Com- rade Miller had to march on foot.
An amusing incident occurred on this trip. Miller cut a good, stout stick for a cane to aid him in walking, and one even- ing, as we were about to encamp for the night, Miller, who was an expert in the use of the saber, having served seven years in the Prussian Cavalry, made a few cuts and parries with his stick. One of the guards noticing it, requested him to give him a lesson in saber exercise. The old veteran gleefully con- sented, - the rebel using his saber and he the stick. After playing with him a short time, he brought his cane down with a mighty sweep and across the rear of Mr. Johnnie reb and fairly raised him off his feet. He was inclined to get angry, but finally put up his saber and said he thought that would do. The next morning we resumed our march and after a few days' travel reached our destination completely tired out. We were placed in an old frame building, used as a guard-house. The next morning, looking out of the window, I saw Captain Eggleston, of Company E of the First Ohio Cavalry, walking across the camp. Of course I could not talk to him, but during the day, having learned of our presence, he came to our prison and told us how they had been surprised and captured at Court- land, Ala.
We remained at this place about two weeks, and while here I saw General Bragg's entire army on review, preparatory to his invasion of Kentucky. This was a very inspiring sight and I will always remember it.
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After the rebel army left Tupello, we were put on cars and taken to Columbus, Miss., and the next day to Mobile, Ala. We remained here one day and one night, and were then taken back to Jackson, Miss. Here we remained about six weeks, encamped on the common below the town. Here I witnessed the horrible treatment of one of our prisoners who was sick with typhoid fever. We were required to answer the roll-call three times a day, and on this morning, when we were ordered out for roll-call this comrade was too sick to respond, and when his name was called one of his comrades answered that he was sick and unable to come out. He was then lying in the little shelter his comrades had constructed for him. The rebel officer in charge became very angry and ordered a Sergeant and two guards to go and bring that , you can readily guess the meaning, out; he would show him whether or not he was too sick to attend roll-call. The guard pulled him out by the legs and pushed and kicked him into line, and when they let go of him he sank to the ground. They then took him outside of the guard line and sat him in the burning hot sun from seven o'clock in the morning until sundown, without any food or water. He died that night about ten o'clock.
While at this place we were very poorly fed, our rations consisting of one pint of cornmeal, with cob ground in, and about two ounces of spoiled meat. No salt was issued to us. One morning General Tiglman, of Fort Henry fame, came and took command of the Federal prisoners in the state of Missis- sippi. He came to our camp and talked very nice to us and sent us much better rations, but we stayed here only a few days after that. One morning we were ordered to get ready to march. We got ready in short order and were marched to the railroad station and placed on board of a freight train and informed we were going to Vicksburg for exchange, where we arrived that evening and placed in charge of a rebel guard. About two o'clock P. M. next day we were marched to the river and onto a small steamer and taken up the river to the mouth of the Yazoo, where two of our gunboats lay. We were put aboard of them and the little steamer returned. We remained at this place during the night and next morning steamed up the stream. We soon met a fleet of boats with sixteen thousand rebel pris- oners from Camp Chase and other Northern prisons. We were ordered back and accompanied them to Vicksburg, where the rebel prisoners were disembarked, and we took another start for the North. After several days we arrived at Cairo, Ill., where I secured transportation to Louisville, Ky., where I found my regiment in camp greatly reduced in numbers. My wounds not being healed, I was unfit for duty, but went with the regi- ment as far as Bardstown, Ky., where I was sent to the hospital
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for treatment and to aid in caring for the wounded until able for duty.
GEORGE W. SPIELMAN, Late Saddler Sergeant Company I, First Regiment Ohio Veteran Volunteer Cavalry.
· Taken Prisoner at Courtland, Ala.
I was taken prisoner July 25, 1862, at Courtland, Alabama, and I always celebrate this anniversary as the day of deliver- ance, as I had a hair-breadth escape from instant death. In fact my hair did not escape, as a minnie ball went through my hat, cutting the cross sabers on the front of the hat in two, and making a hole through the hat crown six inches long, and cutting the hair from my head down to the scalp, so that I pulled out a handful of hair from my head.
After the evacuation of Corinth, Miss., on the night of May 28, 1862, General Buell's army was scattered along the Memphis and Charleston Railroad from Corinth east to Huntsville, Ala. My company, K, and Company E of the same regiment, First Ohio Cavalry, and two companies of the Tenth Kentucky In- fantry, were stationed at Courtland, Ala., guarding a railroad bridge.
Courtland was a beautiful town, situated about midway between Tuscumbia and Decatur, Ala., about twenty-five miles from. each, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. It was a lazy little town of fifteen hundred to two thousand inhabitants, noted for the beautiful shade trees that lined the streets, and pretty Southern girls, who would insist on making mashes on the dashing cavalry boys, in defiance of their protests that they must continue true and loyal to the "Girl they left behind them" among the hills and valleys of the bonnie Buckeye state. We had been stationed here from about the first of July. Our camp being in a beautiful grove, along a creek and distant about half a mile from town, and the camp was supplied with water from several fine springs, within a stone's throw of headquarters. The duty of the detachment was guarding the railroad bridges and pickets were thrown out on all of the roads, about a mile from camp, to guard against a surprise from the enemy's cavalry, who were making frequent dashes against these small detach- ments.
Compared with the campaign of the siege of Corinth, dur- ing the months of April and May, this was considered a soft snap, as rations were of the best and duty- light. Our camp was on the plantation of an old fellow by the name of Bynam, who professed to be intensely loyal to the old flag, and his cornfield along one side of our camp, just in good roasting ears, was carefully guarded, and a soldier that even plucked one ear
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had the guard-house staring him in the face and visions of extra duty - policing the quarters with a pine-brush broom. This was in the early days of the war, before the emancipation procla- ; mation, and before any property had been confiscated; but we got bravely over such fastidious ideas before another year rolled around, and learned, as Sherman said, "that war was cruelty and we could not refine it," and required as well the destruc- tion of the sinews of war as the destruction of life.
A detachment of cavalry and infantry was stationed at Town Creek, about ten miles from Courtland, Ala., and drew their supplies from our garrison, and couriers passed over the line every day carrying dispatches.
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On the morning of July 24 a wagon train was loaded with rations and forage and, under a mounted escort, started for the camp at Town Creek, and when about five miles from camp, hearing firing in advance, the train was halted and the guard made a reconnoissance to the front and found a dead cavalry- man in the road, who proved to be B. F. Lucas, of Company K, First O. V. C., a courier. Lucas and another soldier were to- gether, and in passing through a dense wood, a regiment of rebel cavalry was lying in ambush, waiting for the wagon train, which they intended capturing. When the couriers had passed through the lines, they were halted and ordered to surrender; but Lucas stuck the spurs into his horse and undertook to run the gaunlet lined on either side of the road with hundreds of armed rebels, and fell from his horse, pierced with a half dozen balls. His comrade surrendered and was paroled and returned to camp next day, and gave the particulars of the capture and death of Lucas.
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