USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > The story of Camp Chase; a history of the prison and its cemetery, together with other cemeteries where Confederate prisoners are buried, etc > Part 15
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I have not seen Jim Niles since I left home. We have an abundance of everything and are kindly treated. I am not nearly so exposed as when in camp. May God Almighty shield and protect you from all harm and aid and comfort you in this dark hour! I would write more, but I am limited. Kiss my dear boys and train them to love and remember their pa. God bless you and the children !
Yours ever,
W. SMITH.
To Mrs. W. E. Smith, Oaktuppa, Ala.
CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OHIO, April 22, 1862.
Mr. J. C. Durham.
DEAR COUSIN : I drop you a few lines, but I don't know whether they will reach you or not. This leaves me in good health. I will write to my wife to-day, and will direct it to West Point; and if she is not there, I hope you will forward it to her. I am in prison four miles west of Columbus, Ohio.
I cannot tell you when I will see you, but I hope I will some- time. I can't write much. Our food is very good, better than I expected. O, but we think this life is a hard one, and we hope for better days.
J. Z. DURHAM.
Mr. J. C. Durham, West Point, Ga.
160
THE STORY OF CAMP CHASE.
Mus Louer P Parmele Camp Chase Ohio April 25 /862
Carroll 60 Sanduskie
Dear Wife Michigan I have no mensto
write only that I am a Prismen of War at Campo Chase as you will See from The Caption and in from health and will Coursfes a Plenty of Provisions uno ull that Prisimena Can wek for acept blevity all of The fit fre Ry. Officers and Private and well and a good health WG Thompson Macomb Staffers and Meny E Curtis have dien Wife be of gioo Cheen when Kuss all The Babies can't tell Them All is well and thank of Them every day will all my Relatives and friends howdy till gas to stay at horn. and lathe Cause of our Family.
Iam your Afec Husband W.J. Parmelo
write me of your can
anske direct as above Io Poison no 2 hours 13
I amithis to say that W Ft Webb and Youmy Ralluff was Killed on The Battle Field . I and our Rougesment are burg Sont to Sandes the Johnsons Islow in Take Mshagan so onne ct all of your Calling
AFTER FORTY-TWO YEARS. - 161
CAMP CHASE, April 21, 1862.
DEAR MOTHER: My health is tolerably good at this time, but I have been very sick since I came here first, which was after Fort Donelson was taken. I guess I have got to stay here, for I see no chance of getting anywhere else. I hope the time will soon come when I may go home, but you need not look for me until you see me coming. We are treated much better than I expected. We have plenty to eat and good cabins to stay in. I send this by Mrs. Clark, who will take it to Richmond.
Yours until death,
URIAH GARDNER.
To Mrs. Mary Gardner, Jackson, West Tennessee.
CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OHIO, March 20, 1862.
DEAR MOLLIE: You will doubtless be surprised to learn that I am in this region and in the confines of a prison. We were sur- rendered on the 8th instant at Island No. 10 by General Mackall, and not even a colonel had any intimation of it until it was an- nounced that we were surrendered as prisoners of war.
I am happy to say, however, that we are well treated, and I hope we will be exchanged soon. I now have the painful neces- sity of informing you of the death of William D. Johnson, who died on the 16th instant of pneumonia and measles. I hope that you are all well at home, and that I may soon be permitted to visit you. I would write often, but it is very uncertain as to your receiving my letters.
My respects to the friends and my love to you and the baby. R. H. RILEY. Your husband,
CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OHIO, March 16, 1862.
DEAR BROTHER: I take pleasure in writing you a few lines to inform you that I am well at the present, and I hope that you and my dear family are well also. The health of the men here is not very good at this time. Captain Read and Lieutenant East died yesterday. Dave, I want you to see J. F. Gresham and get him to draw my money and pay it to you, and you can dispose of it as you see proper.
We are very well treated here by the enemy. I would like to see you all very much. I want you to write to G. A. Inders and have my trunk sent home. I am in hope I will be released soon and sent home. You will read this to my family and tell them to weep not for me, for I am game .. The same Hand that led me through dark scenes will lead me home.
I remain your brother,
WV. P. PARDIER.
[ No envelope inclosed this letter.] II
1
162
THE STORY OF CAMP CHASE.
Mention is made in the introduction of this chapter that only a portion of the letters found would be used. After the letter from W. Meikle, of Dobbs Ferry, New York, was in type a few more letters were found, and one of them gave the information desired about "Robby." The following letter from St. Cath- arines, Canada, mentioning Mr. Meikle, shows that he was Mr. Robert Beers, supposed to be in prison at Camp Chase, but the envelope contains a notation of the fact that Mr. Beers was not at Camp Chase, and was signed by Tiffany, an officer having charge of Confederate mail.
Mr. Robert Beers.
ST. CATHARINES, June 30, 1862.
MY DEAR FRIEND: I write a few lines and will wait to see whether you get them before I write much to you. I have had some intimation that you were at Camp Chase, and so I direct there.
Myself and family are here in Canada. I wish we could see you, for your mother's sake, as well as your own. She was well, as usual. So were your father and other friends. They know that you were wounded and that you were in the hospital when it fell into the hands of the Union troops, so that they judge you are a prisoner. Still, they are very anxious lest your wound might prove fatal. Your poor mother, however. bears all with fortitude. I have heard from Eddie Treat, and have notified Mr. St. John, who is in New York, of his whereabouts, and he has sent Eddie money.
We were at Mr. Meikle's house and stayed all night. I told them all I knew of you at that time. and Mr. Meikle immediately set about searching by correspondence for you. As soon as I heard you were at Camp Chase I sent him word. You must let him and me both know how you are and what you need to make you comfortable.
I have written to a minister of my acquaintance in Columbus. and requested him as a special favor to give you some attention. Tell Mr. Plum that his mother has been quite sick. but is again well, and that his sister is also well. They were both very anxious about him, as they had heard he was wounded.
I was compelled to stop preaching for a while on account of ill- ness, so I started for Europe via Havana. Our vessel was captured and we were brought to New York, where we were at liberty to go where we wished. We came here, and I may not go to Europe. We have to return to Mobile in a few months, so that I may resume my labors.
There were fifty-eight additions to our Church last year. Be of good cheer. God bless you and your companions !
Your affectionate friend and pastor,
J. W. BURGETT.
163
AFTER FORTY-TWO YEARS.
CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OHIO, April 20, 1862.
DEAREST MOTHER: God has willed it that I be far from all my near relations and dear friends, but it is his desire. I will bear it cheerfully, thinking of the poor men here suffering. I have only God to thank that I am well and strong, and I do thank him with all my heart. I often think of your affection and kind and gentle care. Since my confinement I have been somewhat blue, but now, thanks be to God, I am over it. Tell pa to use all his influence to have me again restored to you. Give my love to him and all the family, and embrace them, one and all, for me.
Write to me often, as that will be one of my greatest consola- tions. You can easily do so on a flag of truce. I send this by a noble Southern lady, who has done all in her power to relieve our suffering as much as she can.
Your son,
JOHN Z. GUTHRIE.
Mrs. John Z. Guthrie, care of W. O. Greenlare, Esq., Memphis, Tenn.
CAMP CHASE, April 21, 1862.
David Bradley.
DEAR SIR: I desire to inform you that I am a prisoner of war at Camp Chase, Ohio. We are in tolerably good health. I would like to see you all very much, but I can't get home just now. I wrote several letters to you all, but have received no answers, and I want to hear very much. Tell John I would like to hear from him. Tell Aunt Sarah howdy, also, and say that I am all riglit.
Show this letter to all who desire to see it, and tell Ad I want to see him too. Tell old Mrs. Davis that I heard from Frank a short time ago. Tell Capt. D. P. Curry to have us four ex- changed. I have been here since last September, and am getting tired of staying in this place. He can have us exchanged if he will. Henry Whitman is here, and John McCutchen and Hugh McTuanns.
When you write don't put in anything contraband, for our let- ters are all opened before we get them. Tell old Mr. Ebberd that I wrote to Ben Ventrick; but have not heard from him. I must close by saying: God be with you all. It is the sincere prayer of your nephew, JOHN W. THOMPSON,
Rock Creek Guards, Twenty-Fifth Va. Regt.
"When this you see, remember me. Though many miles apart we be."
Tell all the girls howdy for me.
To Mr. David Bradley, Goshen Bridge, Rockbridge Co., Va.
164
THE STORY OF CAMP CHASE.
· CAMP CHASE, April 15, 1862.
MY DEAR FRIEND ALLISON: We were captured December 5, 1861, and taken to Calhoun, where we stayed three weeks, and while there my mother and several of my fellow-townsmen came to see me. We were kept there longer than necessary, expecting every day to be exchanged ; but no offer being made by the South, we were sent to Louisville and there lodged in the military prison, where we had comfortable quarters and were kindly treated. Friends and relations were allowed to visit us twice a week, and they came in crowds, bringing clothes, tobacco, and everything we needed. I made the acquaintance of several fine young ladies while at Louisville.
We left Louisville March 21 and arrived here the next morning, where we are safely housed in an inclosure, with four rows of comfortable cabins extending from one end of the prison to the other. We draw ample rations and cook for ourselves, each cabin being supplied wth a cooking stove and all necessary uten- sils ; so you see we are as well situated as prisoners could expect, my company being Capt. Charles R. Biller and Lieutenants Wick- leffe and Hanis. We have been waiting through all the long months of our imprisonment for an exchange, but alas! we have looked in vain. Our desponding hearts have been many times cheered by the rumor of a speedy exchange, but as many times sorely disappointed. Jim Watthal is well.
Your friend,
To Allison G. Hall; no address.
J. B. HALL.
CAMP CHASE, PRISON NO. 3, MESS 2, April 20, 1862.
DEAR BROTHER: I am in good health. There are fifteen in a mess. All well with the exception of Capt. J. Smith, of Morgan County. I have had the mumps. I was vaccinated, and it has taken good effect. We have had since the first of this month four cases of smallpox. There is one case in this prison at this time, but none have died as yet with the disease. There were several deaths since the Ist of March. Dr. Houston is the only one of my acquaintances here. I get letters from the other boys at Camp Douglas. They all have been sick; two have died-A. J. Braden, on the 18th of March, and Green Harber, on the 5th of this month. The boys say they are all very well treated, but anxious to get home. Robert Clarke and Wren both are doing pretty well. All of us are guarding against smallpox. I have made several requests for clothing. It looks favorable for me now.
I remain, Gallatin, Ky.
P. PORTER, Prisoner of War.
165
AFTER FORTY-TWO YEARS.
CAMP CHASE, NEAR COLUMBUS, OHIO, April 18, 1862.
DEAR CAPTAIN : Our second campaign has been a very unfor- tunate one, and the First Alabama is now in durance-prisoners of war. Our accommodations and fare are far better than any of us expected. The privates have been sent to Springfield or Chicago. We officers, including Major Know, are rusticating at this place. I have written to my parents, but have received no reply.
When we abandoned Island No. 10 we lost all our clothing and comforts. We are now realizing the truths of the expression : In a strange land, without money, "duds," and almost minus friends. WVe neither fear pickpockets, shoplifters, nor are we in dread of "false alarms." My space is limited and ideas cramped; so I will conclude.
Your sincere friend, S. B. MOORE.
My address is : Lieut. S. B. Moore, Camp Chase, Prison No. 3, Columbus, Ohio.
CAMP CHASE PRISON, COLUMBUS, OHIO, April 20, 1862.
MY DEAR BETTIE: Nine weeks have elapsed to-day since I, with my regiment, was surrendered at Fort Donelson. I have as yet received no news from home, but I hope you have at least received some of my letters written since my capture. A kind lady of this State, Mrs. Clark, has obtained permission to visit Richmond, and very kindly offers to carry our letters beyond the lines and mail them. There is at least a possibility of this reach- ing you. I hope, however, ere this that some one of the fugitives from out the regiment who escaped has informed you of my safe- ty. My health thus far has been unusually good, and bids fair, through the regularity of all my habits, to continue so. How much longer I am to remain a prisoner depends upon so many contingencies that it is impossible to conjecture. Major Brown was paroled several days since to Richmond, to effect, if possible, his exchange for me. Whether he has been successful, I have not learned. Immediately after our surrender we were taken to Chicago, and there the officers were separated from the men, the men remaining there and the officers brought to this place.
On last Thursday the other officers of my regiment, with one exception, were taken to a prison on an island in Lake Erie, where they report they are more comfortably quartered than here. Lieutenants Siddile, Jeff, Monroe, and Stoddard are there. Some two days since, Captain George was removed from here.
Your brother,
To Miss Anna Keyes.
F. B. KEYES.
·
166
THE STORY OF CAMP CHASE.
CAMP CHASE, April 20, 1862.
MY DEAREST WIFE: I have written to you several times since I have been in prison at this place; but, owing to the difficulty of my letters passing the Federal lines, I send this by a lady who will leave for Richmond in a day or two. My health has improved. I was confined in the hospital for some time after my arrival here, but, with the help of God, I now feel quite well. I am in a cabin that at least keeps me dry. We draw plenty of rations of flour, nieal, bacon, beef, sugar, coffee, tea, candles, soap, vinegar, salt, potatoes, and hominy. In addition to this, we buy butter, eggs, and molasses, or anything else we prefer. We are now paying twenty cents a pound for butter and seven cents a dozen for eggs. We still have Giles to cook for us. In a word, we want nothing but liberty to be doing better than soldiers in the field possibly can.
We have bought useful books and pass the time reading, jump- ing, foot-racing, etc. Indeed, I have but one thing to disturb me, and that is your welfare. If I were assured of that, I should be content. I find my Bible, that you were thoughtful enough to put up for me, of great use and comfort.
The officers in charge of this prison have been generally kind to us. There are about six hundred prisoners here now, mostly officers. Poore and Menly are here. Poore was shot through the hip with a Minie ball, but has entirely recovered. John Morris and Pleasants have been released on parole through United States Attorney General Bates. They both live near the court- house ; and if you see them, you can get all the particulars.
The officers and men are all indignant at the surrender at Fort Donelson. Do the best you can, and sell everything on the farm if you cannot collect the money due me. My love to Bessie and Billy. Kiss Dig for me.
Affectionately yours,
JOHN TALLEY.
To Mrs. Dollic A Talley, Bula, V'a.
CAMP CHASE, April 24. 1862.
DEAR PA: It snowed here this morning, and it is pretty cold to-day. I have been tolerably sick. I was in the hospital six weeks ; but, by the goodness of God, I was spared. Pleas Dodson waited on me like a brother. I am going to Sandusky to-morrow or the next day. We will have better quarters and a healthier situation. Pa, I want to write a long letter. but I am limited. I will write that I am well now and doing well under the present circumstances. Jimmy Cotheral is dead: died in Chicago about the middle of March. Love to all.
Your son,
J. A. Cox.
P. S .- I send you $1.50 by Mr. Ross, from F. D.
AFTER FORTY-TWO YEARS. 167
CAMP CHASE, April 20, 1862.
MY DEAR MOTHER: An opportunity having offered itself by which I can get a letter through the line, I will embrace it to drop you a few lines. As doubtless you are aware, I am a prisoner of war at Camp Chase. We arrived here from Fort Donelson on the 4th of March. On arrival we were put in a prison of about three acres, surrounded by a fence fifteen feet high. Within the inclosure are enough houses to entertain twelve or fifteen per- sons, who constitute a mess.
The houses are comfortably built, and the streets are regularly laid off. Rations are given to us just the same as to their own soldiers, perhaps a little better. With rations and what delicacies we buy, we live in fine style.
My mess are all Virginians, mostly from the lower part of the State. Most of them, having friends in the North, get money enough to do very well. I wrote to Uncle Albert Brown, but have not heard from him. Why, I cannot say. Perhaps I was mistaken in his address. If you can get a letter through the line, let me know his office.
The authorities are very kind, and try to make us comfortable. I am limited as to how much I write. I am in fine health now, but was quite unwell after I was captured.
With love to all, I am yours, WILLIAM O. COLEMAN.
CAMP CHASE, April 25, 1862.
Mrs. Lydia Parmelee, Winona, Miss.
DEAR WIFE: I have no news to write you, only that I am a prisoner of war at Camp Chase, as you will see from the caption, and that I am in fine health and well cared for. Have plenty to eat ; all the prisoners can ask for but liberty. All the Fourth Mis- sissippi Regiment officers and privates are well and in good health. W. O. Thomson, M. Stafford, and R. E. Curtis have died.
Wife, be of good cheer; kiss all the babies and tell them pa is well and thinks of them every day. Tell all my relations and friends "howdy." Tell James to stay at home and take care of the family.
I am your affectionate husband, W. J. PARMELEE.
Write me if you can, and direct, as above, to Prison No. 2, Mess No. 13.
I omitted to say that W. F. Webb and Tommy Ratliff were killed on the battlefield; and I and our regiment are being sent to Sandusky, Johnson Island, in Lake Erie; so direct all your letters there.
Tell James to write.
Sandusky, Johnson's Island, Ohio.
-
168
THE STORY OF CAMP CHASE.
CAMP CHASE, April 21, 1862.
R. W. Price, Esq.
MY DEAR FRIEND: I, for my first time, have an opportunity of writing you since becoming a citizen of Ohio. Last February I removed from Bowling Green, Ky., to Fort Donelson, Tenn., arriving there on the 10th, and on the 15th something like a fight occurred, accounts of which you have seen. The number of the enemy is unknown ; that of ours, 13,890; our killed, 209; wounded, 965.
Sunday morning, February 16, the whole Confederate force were sold to General Grant by a man named Gideon Pillow. He sold us, skuiked off to Nashville before daylight, and left his men to suffer the consequences. As the result I am here with a portion of our regiment, as a prisoner of war; but I am proud to inform you that my health is good, and we live just as well as we wish, each mess having a nice little house, with a good cook- ing stove in it. Part of our regiment is at Indianapolis and a portion at Fort Warren and some of us here. The health of the prisoners is generally good. Captain Reed and Lieutenant Rast are dead. Captains Sharp and Demo are both here, as lively as ever. I would like very much to be at home and know who of our friends suffered at the battle of Shiloh. We are all hoping to get home soon, but God only knows when that time will come. If you can get any money for my wife, do so. I am allowed to write only one page, so I must close. Send this to my wife at Burnsville.
Believe me forever your friend, GEO. W. SMITH. Written to R. WV. Price, Eastport, Tishomingo County, Miss.
The letter from George W. Smith to R. W. Price mentions the death of Captain Reed and Lieutenant Rast, but there is no record of their burial at Columbus, either in the Camp Chase Cemetery or the earlier one, where a number were laid to rest in what was called the City Cemetery. The only name found among the list of the dead mentioned in any of the letters was Lieut. John F. Allen, of the First Alabama.
CAMP CHASE, April 20, 1862.
MY DEAR WIFE: I take this opportunity of writing to you. I am well and doing very well. After we left Somerset, we were taken to Louisville, Ky., and stayed there four or five weeks, and then brought to this place, which is near Columbus, Ohio. I am well treated and comfortably situated. Tell father and mother where I am, and not to be uneasy about me, for I am well and
169
AFTER FORTY-TWO YEARS.
perfectly safe. I don't know when I shall be at home, but shall come as soon as I can.
You must keep a good heart and not be troubled about me any more. Kiss our dear little ones for me, and do the best you can for them. You need not answer this; don't think it would reach me. Good-by, dear wife.
Yours ever, I. J. LOWE, Twenty-Ninth Tenn. Vol.
From a prisoner of war to Mrs. Martha A. Lowe, Midway De- Fot, Greene County, Tenn.
CAMP CHASE, COLUMBUS, OHIO, April 21, 1862.
AFFECTIONATE COMPANION AND LITTLE CHILDREN AND MOTH- ER: I drop you these lines to let you know that I am in tolerably good health, and hope this will find you all well. I am enjoying myself as well as the nature of the case will permit.
We have plenty to eat and ground enough to exercise. We are all well treated by the Federal officers and men. L. B. Martin and our men are at Camp Douglas. I got a letter from there three days ago stating that B. had been sick weeks, but was thought to be mending. John Martin is dead; he died on March I. W. C. Brandon and James Logan died at St. Louis about March 10. We left Captain Davis at St. Louis sick. I heard a few days ago that he would join us in a few days.
John Evans and myself are all that are here from our com- pany. I have no knowledge of when I will get home; but if not before, we will have a chance at the end of the war. So do the best you can, and I will do the same.
I am all right.
SEBERN PHILLIPS.
P. S. Phillips.
CAMP CHASE, PRISON NO. 3,
NEAR COLUMBUS, OHIO.
DEAR PARENTS : I have been desirous of writing you some time, and now avail myself of the first opportunity offered me since arriving here. I was taken prisoner at Fort Donelson. I heard through John Walker from Moss Craddock. They were taken at Island No. 10.
My health is remarkably good, and I am very pleasantly sit- uated, taking into consideration that I am a prisoner of war. trust this will find you both well.
Your son,
JAMES GRIFFIN.
170
THE STORY OF CAMP CHASE.
STATE OF TENNESSEE, HICKMAN CO., May 1, 1862.
DEAR HUSBAND: I write you a few lines to find out whether you are dead or alive. I want you to take good care of yourself, and do not be uneasy about me; I will do the best I can.
I am trying to have a crop made. I wish I could send you some money and clothes. I am waiting with patience for you to come home, thinking about the time when we will meet. I'd rather you were there than to be here fighting against the Union. The prisoner who was pressed when you were is in Mississippi.
I wanted our Union to stand, for I lived happily then and see no pleasure now. I want you to write to me. Direct your letters to Nashville, for I can get them there. I send my love and best respect to you and all the Hickman boys. If Wilson Overley is. dead, please some of you write to me, and all about his sickness .. I will say no more BANCKEY OVERLEY.
To Wilson Overley.
COLUMBIA, TENN., May 4, 1862.
DEAR GEORGE: I have just written a letter to my brother, Eugene, and concluded to inclose a short one to you. Mr. Pease had service to-day, the first time for weeks; delivered a good sermon and read a portion of the morning service. There is. quite a change in the people since you left a few days since. Three prominent gentlemen of Columbia presented a Union flag to the troops here. It was presented by Messrs. Chesly Benum, Charles Crawford, and Jerome Wilson. The latter, you remem- ber, married Miss Hailey. The flag is now waving over the courthouse.
Colonel Branch and your Uncle Jerome left a day or so since for Arkansas. Pa has been in Mississippi ever since the fall of Fort Donelson, having left mother and myself here alone. We are completely surrounded by tents, but have not been molested. We have nothing to complain of, but much to be thankful for. The Provost Marshal, Captain Green, came out to see our sick soldiers of Colonel's cavalry; treated us very kindly, request- ing us to keep him until his health was restored; when he took the oath of honor, got a pass and left. We were very grateful for his kindness, as he might have made it a very distressing visit to us.
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