Ohio History Journal

A CONFEDERATE PRISONER AT CAMP CHASE

Letters and A Diary of

Private James W. Anderson

by GEORGE C. OSBORN

Associate Professor of the Social Sciences, University of Florida

Since this article is drawn almost wholly from the diary and

letters of Private James W. Anderson, perhaps a brief sketch of

this Confederate soldier's early life will not be amiss. James

Anderson was born on a farm in McNary County, Tennessee, in

1835. He secured what little formal education he had at the

Farnsworth school, a village school near which he was reared.

Definitely, his "chance for schooling away from home" was

quite limited.1

His life as a youngster was brim full of play and work in a

healthy rural atmosphere. He often rode a horse from the stable.

amid "stalwart oaks and the scrubby black jacks," to the trough

in the barnyard that held a pool of water.² In the late autumn

or early spring he threw sandy stones at a robin red breast as it,

by flight, gathered protective distance, or he heaved a smooth

rock at a cooing turtledove as it sought safety in some bower,

brown or green with foliage, higher up in a tree. As a youth he

"walked in manly pride" with his younger brother and with his

sisters as they "gathered wild grapes from the tangled vines" or

picked blackberries from the briary bushes. He looked with

admiration on the "wild rose and the Lady Slipper as they grew

beside the gentle winding brook that was fed by the spring." As

 

1 James W. Anderson to Mrs. John H. Duke, January 13, 1853. Mrs. Duke

was Anderson's sister. The letter is in the possession of Clayton Anderson of

Memphis, Tennessee, who is a descendant of its author. All letters used in this

article are in this collection.

2 James W. Anderson, Diary, December 14, 1864. This diary was written by

Private Anderson while he was a prisoner of war in Camp Chase and dates from

December 11, 1864, to January 19, 1865. The original is in the possession of Clayton

Anderson. The writer wishes to express his appreciation to Mr. Anderson for the

use of this diary and the letters.

38

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A Confederate Prisoner at Camp Chase              39

a lad he joined "the ploughmen and reapers" as they went and

came "from the green fields or the fields of golden grain." The

pathway led through an old orchard where, for a goodly part of

the year, cattle grazed, sheep cropped short grasses, and hogs

rooted in search of tubers. A dairy barn and a meat house were

ladened with "precious burdens." His mother, he later recalled,

"walked amid these scenes with angelic loveliness to carry for-

ward the stern and firm decree of my faithful and devoted

father."3

Amidst scenes such as these, young Anderson grew into

manhood. Over such a peaceful horizon war clouds appeared in

the late 1850's, and in the spring of 1861 there came the deluge

of fraternal bloodshed. Anderson, now a young man, married

and the father of two children, was among those who aided his

native state in living up to its reputation as the Volunteer State.

While at home on a furlough early in 1864, Private Anderson

was arrested by some Federal troops.

The 8th March 1864 came and with its varried changes clearly

protraid the life of man. For it is ever intersperced with clouds and sun-

shine. On the day before, I had felt as if some unforseen disaster over-

hung my head, and so remarked to an asociate of mine. And although

such presentiments are considered by most Persons as a species of

superstition, and while I will agree that but few persons felt those

impressions and that only occasionally. Yet I regard the old saying

that "Coming events cast their Shadows before them" as true. I had

just rode in home to meet booth your Grand Fathers who were presant

to arrange some business with me, and we had just had the satisfaction

of taking a dinner quietly together and were discussing the Condition

of the Country generally and the probability of the raid that was reported

while the old men smoked- And I looked and behold I was then-even

then-a Prisoner, for a number of Federal Soldiers had already arrived,

and as [sic] my Sins against their government required them that I

should go under guard to their headquarters.4

The only unpleasant incident in connection with his arrest,

other than that of leaving his family, which this soldier could

 

3 Diary, December 14, 1864.

4 Anderson to William T. Anderson, December 1, 1864. William T. was the

two-year-old son of James W. Anderson.

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40    Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly

recall a few months later, was that of a bullying Yankee soldier

who robbed him of his boots from his feet. And this was forced

upon Anderson in the presence of his wife.5

During the first evening's march he covered ten miles. He,

in company with other prisoners of war and their captors, "en-

camped on the farm of Dr. Jackson near Mount Pinson." There

he "found under guard my old neighbors; W. R. Hains, W. J.

Blair, D. W. Suggs, R. B. Hays and J. L. Graham.... There was

also a young man there under guard with us named Vales who

was on the morning of March 9th taken out and ordered to run

and as he ran was shot dead near us. His offence was that of a

bushwhacker or at least that was the charge."⁶

Though Anderson's father was granted an interview with the

commanding officer and the soldier son was promised that he

would be released at the first post--"which would possibly be at

Lexington [Tennessee] or Fort Henry"--yet this promise was

not fulfilled.⁷

On the morning of March 10 Anderson "mounted a poor

old sore back poney" which the federal troops gave him. Soon

he was riding some distance ahead of the rest of the group with

the "Captain who commanded the provost guard." The captain's

name

was Ragan and [he] belonged to the 4th Tennessee United States Cavalry

and lived near Chattanooga, Tennessee. We had followed the same

occupation prior to the war and hence passed the time agreebly. The

chief point of differance about which we talked was the motives that

prompted each other to become soldiers in opposing armies, when our

interests were the same. I could not blame him for any opinions he

entertained for he was rather compromiseing in his views. But he said

he was fighting only to avenge wrongs done to him personally and that

he intended to return to his own section and reap his satisfaction from

those he disliked. From these views I of course decented and a warm

debate ensued, but we parted friendly he promising I should not be

sent forward as a prisoner of war.⁸

 

5 Ibid.

6 Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, December, 1864. W. Thomas was Ander-

son's father. By way of date, many of the letters carry only the month and year.

7 Ibid.

8 Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, December, 1864.

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A Confederate Prisoner at Camp Chase             41

"As the golden rays of the bright sunshine chased the dark-

ness from the earth," this Rebel prisoner found himself on the

march again. During the morning they "rode over the ground

where the battle between the Federal General [John S.] Logan

and the Rebel General [Nathan B.] Forrest was fought on 31st

December 1862." At eleven o'clock at Huntingdon the prisoners

were turned over to a Colonel Hawkins, "but as we had some

men in our party who were said to be bad ones, and his Command

was continually moving, he declined." That night was spent near

Paris, Tennessee, and a memorable one it was:

This night I can never forget. The hostage [host] was a man in

good circumstances, and he furnished an office for the benefit of the

prisoners. It had no chimney so we had to make our fires in front of

the door on the ground. It was quite cool. We bought some chickens,

buiscuit and molasses which, with our coffee, made a good supper. And

then we had the benefit of a good nice feather bed--a luxury we have

not enjoyed from that day 'till this. But the point that impressed me

most of this night was that I could so easily have made my escape and

thereby been free from all the embarassment, that I have been subject to

since. But it seemed that I was controlled by some inward irresistable

power that I could not over come. It seems to me now as I look back

on the half hour that passed there while I was halting between two

opinions, that the Great Ruler decided it for me. I think it may be said

of me that I always decide and act quickly and promptly. But now I

could not move. The guard had lost his attention of me and I was

under no parole; by steping twenty feet I would be out of sight, yet I

made the excuse for myself.⁹

Early on March 12 the prisoners arrived in Paris, Tennessee,

where they "fed our horses and rested for some time." That

night camp was made at a Mr. Courts, "a wealthy man in the

northern part of Clay County."

And when we rode up to this well provided home to strike our

camp, I could but be impressed with its beauty and great evidance of

industry that existed on every hand. A nice residence clad in a snow

white robe stood monarch of the scence [scene]. And I could well enlarge

and dwell here upon the sacredness of such a home but such is not my

province. It was enclosed by well laid and finely built pailing fence and

9 Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, December, 1864.

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42    Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly

a nice little gate seemed to invite you to enter. The farm and lot fences

were built high and strong. The barn and stables farely groaned beneath

their heavy burdens while 12 or 15 head of the finest horses and mules

came their to appease their hunger. But they were to come no more, not

[sic] the scence of long marches, heavy guns and the roar of cannon

shall be the scenes that greet this favored lott of valuable stock. When

we left the next morning that stately mansion and those empty barns with

their surounding shade trees stood like some edifice that sprung up lost,

in some open desert. Fences all gone and gates and bars removed to

some far off camp fire.10

On the morning of March 13 Anderson dismounted and gave

up his horse, saddle, and bridle. When the prisoners reached the

Tennessee River near the mouth of the Big Sandy, they were sent

down the Tennessee River to Paducah, Kentucky, and then up the

Cumberland River to Nashville. On the night of this day the

prisoners slept in the fortifications of Fort Henry. "Because of

a scarcity of wood and the damp wind from the Tennessee River,"

they suffered much from cold. Here the prisoners remained for a

day until a boat arrived to convey them to their next destination.

Late that evening we went on board a boat for our trip. We were

placed back of the engine where there was no fire and the boat was open

on all sides and the floor damp for the waves from the river almost

rolled over the bow. As we went on board two men passed with that

loathsome disease, the Small Pox; and went aboard ahead of us. They

were stored away near our chilly quarters enclosed from the bleak winds

only by a temporary tent on board. The boat moved out and anchored

in the middle of the river while two gun boats with their port holes

glareing in the rays of the setting sun like the eyes of some great

monster stood a short distance off.11

The Ides of March 1864 found these prisoners nearing

Paducah. The next day, March 16, they disembarked and were

marched to a "very damp and dark" cellar. Here "about thirty"

of them were crowded in close quarters.

No pure air could enter except such as could reach us through a

small door that was always filled with a crowd. I was fortuneate enough

to procure a few dry planks on which to make my bed thereby having

 

10 Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, December 24, 1864.

11 Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, January, 1865.

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A Confederate Prisoner at Camp Chase               43

 

some protection from the damp floor. It was quite cold and [there was]

but one very small coal stove at which we were all to warm and do our

cooking. I was again more fortunate than some others as I had some

kind friends who came to see me and brought me something to eat ....

John Duke furnished me [with] 1/p[ai]r [of] Blankets, 1 good over-

coat, and 1 overshirt and $30 in money. I then gave my friend D. W.

Suggs my old [overcoat] and thereby we were all made more comfort-

able.¹2

March 20 found these captured Confederates on board the

steamer Satan on their way to Nashville. The boat

 

was loaded down to the guard with comissary stores being sent to the

army at Nashville and its out posts, which extended as far south as

Chattanooga. It also had on board over 100 head of fine horses for the

same purpose. We marched back between narrow rows of barrells and

boxes built up to the ceiling above. When we reached the place on board

where we were to remain for our trip we found the limited space

allotted already filled with Federal prisoners to the number of about

100. Among these were Copper Heads, Deserters, Bounty Jumpers,

Federal Conscripts, (or drafted men) Thieves and Murderers. I never

before found so motely a crew. They abounded in filth and dirt and

the vermin it seemed to me would be enough to devour some of them.

There was one miserable stove to[o] small to accomodate one fourth

the number. I looked round for some place to sleep, and when I had

determined the best I could do, I found it would be on the floor of one

of these narrow pass ways amoung the mud from the feet and the off

bundles of hay that fed the horses at whose very heels almost we must

stay .... Our trip from Fort Henry had already been longer than

expected so the rations furnished us for the trip had about disappeared.

We got about 3/4 of a pound of bacon each and some "hard tack." With

the amount of the latter we managed to get from the boxes under us

and some we bought, we lived till we got to Nashville.¹³

They landed at Nashville the following morning. While

disembarking,

a little fellow who was captured at Paris, Tennessee: named [Thomas]

Orr forgot his blanket and turned back to get it without permission

from the guard, who hapened to be a bulling rough fellow and smartly

drinking and with out authority struck Orr a severe blow over the head,

with his gun, from which he bled profusely. It was the first cruel treat-

ment I had ever seen at [the] hands of the guard. And I was the more

12 Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, January, 1865.

13 Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, January, 1865.

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44    Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly

pained to see that so quiet a fellow as little Orr should be the subject

of it.14

At Nashville they were marched to the state capitol "and led

into the galleries." After this visit they were marched to the

Tennessee penitentiary, where for the time being they remained

prisoners.

When we were in prison we found it necessary to form our ac-

quaintance in a sort of company to protect ourselves against the inmates

who often mugged new comers. The filth, dirt, and vermin with which

this place abounded is more than I will attempt to describe, simply

because I could not do it justice. Twice on each day we were formed

in a line and marched past two guards and by a table behind which

stood a big darkie who handed us a handfull of dry crackers; further

on another with dirty hands handed [us] a peice of fat pork or beef.

Then, if we had a cup we could get a cup of weak coffee. Short as our

rations had been for some days with this meager allowance we neces-

sarially suffered of hunger. When night came we were crowded into

the main building for the night. Our squad was sent around on one of

the wings of the penitentiary proper and forced to lie down on the brick

floor covered 1 inch or more deep in sawdust, which was almost alive

with lice. The convicts, who had to be locked in cells, were so near us

and kept so much noise trying to keep themselves warm and calling for

the Turn Key, we could not sleep, tired as we was. And then it was

absolutely necessary for us to keep at least one of the party awake as

a picket for fear of a charge on our blankets.¹⁵

Fortunately they were forced "to make but a short stay in

this miserable place." On March 23, "before the sun was up,"

these prisoners were ordered in line and "marched to the depot

of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad." As they "passed out

of the prison gate we had a piece of bread and meat handed us

which was to serve as our rations for the day." Before midnight

they reached Louisville, Kentucky, and went immediately to the

prison, which was located near the depot. Each prisoner was given

a piece of bread and a slice of meat for his supper. Although

Anderson confessed that he had seen the time when he would

have given his rations "to a dog and hardly thought it good enough

for him yet I devoured it with an avidity that astonished me.^"16

14 Ibid.

¹⁵ Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, January, 1865.

16 Ibid.

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A Confederate Prisoner at Camp Chase               45

The Louisville military prison was "situated on a lot of

ground that formally belonged to the Rebel General Simon B.

Buckner."

On the right and left of the inner entrance was the offices of the

Provost and Sarg[ean]t. On the right of the inside the entire 150 feet

was barrack. On the left it extended but 70 feet in barrack and the

remainder was a dining room. Into which we march[ed] three times

each day, and stood by high tables with neither plate, nor knife and

fork. At appropriate distances was laid on the bare table a peice of

bakers bread, a peice of fat mess pork or beef on it. For breakfast and

supper we had, in addition, old oyster cans full of hot coffee. At dinner

these contained bean soup, or something of that nature. But we suffered

most here from the smoke of the chimneys in which stone coal was

burned nearby and which came over the walls in such quantities as to

almost stiffle those not accustomed to it.17

On the night of April 3 this tired group of southern prisoners

arrived at Camp Chase. Now that others had been added, there

were about one hundred of them. From where the train stopped,

Anderson wrote, he walked one mile "through the middle of the

muddiest road I ever saw to the pike which leads to the prison."

His entrance into Camp Chase he carefully recorded:

We were formed in a line in front of the headquarters of the

Commandants and notified to give up all valuables and monies in our

possession. I had ten dollars of the money I got from Mr. [John H.]

Duke at Paducah which for safe keeping I had conceiled all and carried

it into prison with me but as I knew I would get a receipt, on which I

could draw as I was in need, I prefered to give it up. So on the next

day we got a receipt and my cravat was safely returned. We were then

marched to the front of the prison office to be searched. It was really

amusing to see the prisoners working to smuggle in money, and other

things such as pocket knives, etc. which were reported contraband but

were not. We passed in five or six at a time and were examined closely

in general. I was proud however that I was not subject to so close an

inspection as most of those who seemed to murmur at this as a hardship,

while common sense ought to have taught them that it was but reasonable

to expect [it] under the circumstances.18

 

17 Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, January, 1865.

18 Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, January, 1865.

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46    Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly

The federal prison camp which was to house Private Ander-

son was located some two miles west of Columbus, Ohio. It had

a high board fence around the cabins, but unlike the Louisville

military prison there were no brick walks within. The peculiar

soil in rainy weather became "worked up in beds and hog wallers

of murkey stickey mud. There was not even a board walk of any

description; the earth was like a hog pen." To Anderson the high,

whitewashed walls, the gloomy, low, and dirty cabins, most of

which were deserted when this group of Confederate prisoners

arrived, and "the faint glimmer of the lamps presented a scene"

quite gloomy.

We bogged round in the damp cold night and got up an old

rickety stove, and some old rusty, dirty, greesy, cooking vessells and

by two o'clock in the night had some fire going to warm by. We had

had nothing to eat all day and I for one wanted none. I rolled myself

in my shawl and stretched my weary bones out on the cleanest bunk I

could see and slept untill morning. I awoke early, feeling better, arose,

got some water and washed, but I was so miserably filthy and dirty

haveing worn one suit all this time without washing that it almost made

me sick. I looked round and talked with some of the old Prisoners. I

found we were in prison no. 3. It was an enclosure of about four acres

and contained 69 mess rooms which, with a forced effort, could be made

to bunk 20 men. We formed a mess by order of the Provost, and was

put in the next highest number to those filled which was no. 37. I don't

think a much ruffer set of fellows could be found than this was, but I

there met my old friend and fellow prisoner Thomas A. Catlett of New

Liberty K[entuck]y who, unlike too many of our number, has proved

by over nine months of severe test to be a gentleman in the strictest

sense of the term. The first thing he did was to call us all out, give us a

blanket each, and to those who had not: a change of under clothing

and clean shirts. Then the efficeint and worthy Provost Marshall Lieu-

tenant, S. L. Hammon of [the] 7th Volunteer Regular Cavalry ordered

"That every man should wash and clean himself up properly." Soap in

abundance having been furnished with our rations. A good order it was

which I had as far as posible already obeyed. Next morning roll was

called and the Lieutenant looked at us, and said he, "Look here you man"

in his peculiar Yankee style. "I say," and all eyes were turned up,

"Come forward you, you dirty fellow." It was no mistake; he meant

him and the fellow who he meant steped out the line. The gate opened

[and] in came a heavy serg[ean]t. "This way sir we have a place for

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A Confederate Prisoner at Camp Chase             47

you here." He led him to a little house built of heavy plank with heavy

rise and full doors and big bolts and locks and little cramped up cells,

and stuck him in. "There now," Said the Lieutenant from the parapet,

"let him stay all day without anything to eat. He's to[o] lazy to live."

He disobeyed the order to wash and clean himself up after he had ample

opportunity. It was not my misfortune to have to stay long in this

miserable dirty squad. My old friend Catlett found a mess room on

the citizen row. A smaller and nicer concern than the rest and we got

permit to form a mess of six-who consisted of C. N. Perkins, Fayette-

ville, Arkansas R. B. Hays & J. H. Graham of Jackson Tennessee, Catlett

& myself to[o] first. Afterwards we got with us W. V. Metcalf of

Montgomery Alabama with whom I have slept all the time. We lived

quiet and peaceably together.19

For almost three weeks these six enjoyed their little mess

together. Then came an order to move elsewhere, as that house

"was wanted for some other purpose." This command caused

these prisoners to grieve, since they "were comparatively quite

comfortable." An appeal was made to Lieutenant S. L. Hammon,

who at that time was one of the chief officers of the camp. Ulti-

mately he agreed for them "to go in cabin number 60, the highest

and most private of all the shanties in which soldiers were allowed

to go."

This building was near the wall and we had to give a parole that

we would not ground hog, out. We were glad to accept this as we

would be much better situated. After a few days stay here we took in

with us as mess mates [E. D.] Frost, Superintendent [of the] Mississippi

Central Rail Road, D. H. Otto, & James Compton, Canton, Mississippi

making nine of us where there was room for twenty. We had quite a

nice time. We drew our rations from the head commissary which

[rations] consisted of fresh beef, corn beef, salt pork, bacon, flour,

light bread, sugar, coffee, tea, pepper, salt, vineger, etc., etc. all in the

greatest abundance. Occasionaly, Colonel Frost would get from his

people a box of choice provisions. So all together we lived too well

for prisoners. Indeed, we could scarcely realize that we were in prison

at [all]. How strangely those times contrast with the one in which I

now live. We spent our time in reading, writing, and gameing all in a

quiet nice way. While here I received many letters, some from home

and only at such times that I could realize that I was shut up and

could not go forth. Sometimes, we would climb an appeture [aperture]

19 Ibid.

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48    Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly

 

in the attic and look out on the green budding trees and the opening

spring, for it was the bright sunny May of the year. The winter winds

and the April showers had ceased, and the fragrant rose and the wood-

land honeysuckle bloomed in many a peacefull home beneath many a

cottage window and many retireing dells, but from none of these refresh-

ing scenes of nature came to the weary prisoner one single draught.

Many became weary, yea restless, and determined to escape. Two or

three differant squads started tunnels from under their shantys (and

from the pits usually built near the wall) and although they often

promised success, yet some poor miserable rech who hoped to gain

favor from the authorities would "blow it" and all would be discov-

ered. On one night a squad of forty or fifty fixed to charge the guard

and escape, but when the slightest demonstration was made shots were

fired and soon the whole Federal Guard was on the look out. One

prisoner was severely wounded in the thigh. And many others lost all

their greenbacks and fine cloths.20

Not until after Anderson had been confined in Camp Chase

for more than nine months was it that he secured a ledger and

concluded to begin a diary. In the opening paragraph of this

journal he summarized his activities from April 3 to December

11, 1864:

I have worn myself out at all the various trades that I can find in

Prison. For a few weeks I tried lounging, then I got a Testament and

gave it some attention. I then tried my hand at making Pipes, Rings,

etc. at which I succeeded but poorly, Cheifly because I have no mechan-

ical talent. I have during the Summer Spent much time in reading

Novels and light works of various kinds.

He confessed that he had never attempted a diary before

and despaired of ever finding enough material within the confines

of that Yankee prison to "fill half the pages of the book." His

daily entries in the diary lasted approximately five weeks-from

December 11 to January 19--and when typed years later

amounted to fifty-five pages. Numerous topics were discussed in

this journal. Some of the more important of these matters, such

as the food, the climate, conditions of camp life, his comrades

and his quarters, will be treated in this article with excerpts from

Anderson's diary.

 

20 Anderson to W. Thomas Anderson, January, 1865.

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A Confederate Prisoner at Camp Chase         49

Almost daily this Confederate private confided to his diary

facts about his diet. At one time his fare consisted of one-third

of a pound of light bread, four ounces of beef, beans, and soup.

This meal was prepared by the soldiers themselves and "quite as

nice as if by the hands of some cherished female friend at home."

Though this was no feast, it was enough to cultivate a good

appetite. If they had had more food, they probably would have

eaten too much, and living in idleness, as they were, such eating

possibly would "breed diseases."21

On another day the prison cook announced a dinner which

consisted of "roast beef, light bread, and two rations of irish

potatoes." During his imprisonment Anderson learned to eat Irish

potatoes and onions, "boiled or fried," just as he had "learned

to make letters with my pen at Farnsworths old school house."

When dinner was over this soldier agreed with the cook that they

had "had a very good dinner."22

December 15, doubtless, was a day long remembered by this

Tennessean in that he saw a rat cooked for the first time in his

life. For breakfast the prisoners were served light beef hash and

a small piece of bread. With his share of this food Anderson

had some tea which he had purchased. Dinner consisted of two

ounces of boiled hominy with no grease, three ounces of poor

hashed beef, and five ounces of light bread. Anderson made cush

out of his: "I made cush out of mine I.E. Mixed all together

a[nd] wet it and cooked it over in a tin plate and I think it goes

further that way, fills up better, when you have not got enough.--

Today, I saw my first Rat cooked. Those who eat of it say it was

very good. I am not quit[e] that far gone yet as to yeild my

prejudice to the dirty things."

Shortly before Christmas Day this inmate of Camp Chase

recorded with evident rejoicing that

the agents for the distribution of Confederate Supplies have been per-

mited to visit the other Prisons to day, the first time. At Presant their

Parole extends to the limits of the outer fence. They got permission yes-

terday for the Sutter to sell us Pepper, so our hash is to be Seasoned a

 

21  December 12, 1864.

22 December 13, 1864.

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50    Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly

little--we eat it all anyway; what's lift [left] on My plate would starve

a Snow bird. A Cat tried it in here, but he passed away of Starvation.

We are to have Molasses Christmas and it [is] nearly here. Ah, a Sweet

tooth once more; did I ever hear the like.23

If the prisoners enjoyed any kind of yuletide feast, Ander-

son did not confide it to his diary. On the day after Christmas,

however, he was complaining of being hungry. In Camp Chase,

he wrote, "a man's belly is his God." But on December 27 he

was even more pronounced: "I think if I had a rat well served

up I would try him tonight. But if any body should ever read

these Notes they will worry over My complaints of hunger, and,

for all I speak, often yet I do Not tell half the suffering I see,

1/2# of Bread will bring one Quarter dollar readily & 4 oz Green

Beef hash as Much."

Near the end of Anderson's imprisonment his diary reveals

two further brief statements about the prison food. He was "in

better spirits" than he had "been in three months," because he had

purchased some rations from a messmate, which when added to

his own food was enough to satisfy his hunger. What he left

uneaten, however, would not have fed "a mouse once."²⁴ Bread

was selling in the prison for "six dollars per loaf in greenback"

and a "loaf weighed four pounds."25

Since Anderson's diary was written in midwinter by a south-

erner, he naturally perhaps wrote of the northern weather and

its effects on the prisoners. On December 11, 1864, the weather

was quite cold. Snow had fallen recently and covered the ground

"two or three inches in depth with plenty of ice in the prison."

It was "hard on the prisoners who were born and raised in South-

ern lands." The diarist had not suffered, because he had

"plenty of clothes and a fair share of blankets and comfortable

quarters."

Two days later Anderson lamented:

Another day has come and still we have a frozen Earth, which

seems the more chilled as She stands wraped in her bleached white

23 December 22, 1864.

24 January 12, 1865.

25 January 18, 1865.

26 December 17, 1864.

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A Confederate Prisoner at Camp Chase            51

winding sheet. I do not remember to have Seen a Snow remain so long

without melting more than this one has, but I must not forget that I [am]

Many degrees further North than I ever was at this season [of] the year.

Let me see, I was born and raised in about 35 degrees North Latitude

and this is 40 degrees, So I perceive that 5 degrees makes a vast differ-

ence in the Winter.

On December 14 the mercury rose in the thermometer. The

earth's bleak white sheet receded before the golden rays of the

sunshine that beamed from a clear blue sky. "How cheering the

bright Sun as he Sheds his luster upon these gloomy windows!"

The day following was "dark and gloomy" with heavy clouds

hanging low in the sky. A light mist of rain and sleet fell and

made "a sheet of ice on the entire visible surface of the earth."

Rain continued for two more days, then the weather turned quite

warm. "The prison walls have become thawed through and our

Prison Walks resemble a hog pen more than the abode of 200 well

raised and educated men."²⁶ The mud was "the meanest, blackest,

slickest, stickyest that ever was made.27

Amid dark and lowering clouds with rays of sunshine some-

times penetrating through, Anderson wrote on December 20:

Day after day Snow, Rain, Sleet, and Mud has greeted us on every

hand untill for the want of exercise both mind and body has become

stall and Stupid. Still today, as we may expect in all the dark hours

through life, we have a lovely sunshine; its bright and golden rays

seem made to disperse every gloom and Chace every Sadness from our

heart. Nor does the Chronicle of the weather contrast unfavorably

with our Bodily welfare, and Suffering For amid the short rations and

empty stomachs where Clothing is Scarce and feet are cold for want of

Blankets, and poverty and rags stare us in the face we turn about and

in comes the ray of Some gentle beaming Star & it disperses the gloom

that over hangs this department of our existence.

December 21 opened with a snowstorm and ended the same

way. Before nightfall the snow was four or five inches deep on the

ground. Once or twice the sun "tore its way through the clouds

and dispersed for a time the gloom that overhangs such days."

This Tennessean declared that December 23 was the coldest day

that he had ever experienced. Although he anticipated suffering

 

27 December 19, 1864.

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52   Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly

from the severe cold, he would endure it as others near him were

also in much discomfort.

On Christmas Day, which came on Sunday, early visible

clouds vanished and the sun rose bright. A clear sky in mid after-

noon began to give way to cloudiness, and the day ended with a

sprinkle of rain. Evidently inclement weather continued, as evi-

denced by the diary entry of December 27: "Today has been warm

and Cloudy with appearance of rain. About 11 o'clock A. M. [the]

sun Shone out a few Minutes, Clouds [were] generally close and

heavy. Since dark, light rain [has fallen]-- Our Prison is cer-

tainly the muddiest place in creation; the ground thawed through

and there is hardly a foot in the pen where you will not go over

shoe mouth."

The sun shone intermittently during the next few days.

Clouds appeared, rains fell, snow came, wind blew, and the

temperature dropped. Then a wind from the south warmed the

environs of Camp Chase but only for a day. Snow fell again on

the night of December 30, and the New Year, 1865, began "very

cold and clear." Anderson wrote on January 2 that the day was

"bright and sunshiny," and continued: "The snow that covers the

earth is giving way before his golden rays like the morning dew.

It's quite cold and little clouds would soon restore the rocks of

frozen earth to the surface. Such days as this increases our desires

to be free again and enjoy the open air."

Only a few days more remained of this soldier's captivity,

but he continued to include a brief description of the weather in

his diary. Wednesday, January 3, revealed changeable weather.

Morning cloudiness gave way to midday clearness, which as night

approached was replaced by low-hung clouds. There was much

snow on the ground with every indication of "more soon."

These forecasts of early snows were apparently amiss, be-

cause the next two days were "clear and warm" with the sun melt-

ing much of the snow already on the ground. It was not until

January 6 that there was a real change. "Heavy snow fell all day

and I don't think I ever spent a more gloomy day." During the

night "a heavy snow fell. It was a regular snow storm. Today

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A Confederate Prisoner at Camp Chase            53

great festoons of ice and snow overhang the eves like crags of

rocks on the distant mountain in Mid Winter. Our prison is full

of drifts from two to four feet deep. Such sights as these I have

never before seen."

Not for three days did Anderson mention the weather again.

On January 10 he wrote: "This is a real winter day such as may

be found in Northern Countries. It began in the night past to rain.

Morning came it still continued. The surface of the Earth was a

sheet of ice. And all day it has been rain, sleet and snow. At this

writing it is a perfect snow storm." This southern soldier dis-

liked the enduring snows of Ohio and wrote with disgust: "[I

have] not been out of sight of snow for several weeks."28

How did such inclement weather affect the prisoners in

Camp Chase? So far as Private Anderson and his comrades were

concerned, his diary reveals some interesting information. Ander-

son secured an upper bunk after his arrival in this northern prison

camp. In cold weather a bunk near the ceiling was preferable

for many reasons. "First, its warmer because as science teaches

heated air rises. So when the stove below gets warm we who bunk

near the roof keep very comfortable. Second, Having to climb

seven or eight feet lazzy fellows rarely ever have energy to climb

so high to lounge, hence we can keep our blankets cleaner, and

third, its more private and not so much crowded."29

Perched high on his bunk a few feet beneath the ceiling,

Anderson penned in his diary a lengthy description of his quar-

ters:

Our room is about 24 feet Square, Our bunks occupy 7 feet on one

side of the room. The Stove [is] in the Middle of the House and our

Shelves and Tables [are] next [to] the wall all around. Each Man

has his chair, Stool or Box to sit on. And when we give our Stock of

Wood room inside (which we have to do or have it stolen) we are just

about as thick as we can be to "Stir with a Stick." Every Man is always

in somebody's way. And our different dispositions is as different as

our phases. We get on with very little quarreling which seems almost

a wonder of itself. I rather conclude, that Men are like so Many Mules,

 

28 January 14, 1865.

29 December 13, 1864.

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54    Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly

 

that to treat them like Mules and they act that way. If you want mules

to fight put a few in the Stable together, but if you want peace Crowd in

as long and [sic] it will hold and they can't or don't fight- So it is

I think with this Many Men.30

There were nineteen men in Anderson's mess. The identity

of only a few of these prisoners of war has been preserved in

this diary. The oldest comrade, "that old man whose face bears

so many furrows" but who had "as yet few gray hairs," was

Judge Jonathan Huddleston of West Virginia. "His ups and

Downs" would have provided food for Anderson's pen for several

hours, but he was over sixty years of age and deserved to dwell

"in peace and enjoy all the comforts and conveniences which he

could fix up for himself. If he smokes or chews let him spit where

he may."

Yet another man past three score years was a member of

this group. He was formerly a chancery judge in Tennessee and

"a man of much dignity and taste." Now his "heavy locks and

frosted beard and wrinkled brow" were mute evidences of "the

bitter waters that flow in thy path."

"Again, the ruthless hand of war, sends from their quiet

country home far, far away in the State of Mississippi, two

brothers who humbly try to preach God's great goodness to a

dying world. And now I see them leaning implicitly on His

Providence for deliverance from this gloomy abode."31

With two exceptions, none of Anderson's comrades were re-

leased before he was. On January 13 this diary records the dis-

missal of the aging Judge Huddleston. Anderson delighted in the

freedom of his comrade from West Virginia because of "his

extreme age and infirmity" and the fact that he had been in prison

"more than 14 months." Three days later there occurred the

quite unexpected release of Anderson's "fellow prisoner and mess

mate Colonel E. C. Frost of Canton, Mississippi. He has been

superintendent of the Mississippi Valley Railroad and was my

constant companion day and night since last May." In the absence

 

30 Ibid.

31 Ibid. They are revealed elsewhere in Anderson's diary as the Rev. John E.

Pearson and the Rev. J. M. Pearson.

• 17
 

A Confederate Prisoner at Camp Chase             55

of all hope his health gave way, and when he was ordered out he

could scarcely rise to walk. "I rejoice to know that he has got

his liberty although I miss him very much."32

The diary contains a brief description of the prison in which

Anderson was confined during the latter part of his imprisonment:

This prison No. 1 is one of the first made after the War began

and at first contained about one Acre. It [is] Now enlarged to one

and one half acres and contains two Barracks with five mess rooms each.

It will hold Six more [barracks] of the same size, and will then house

600 prisoners comfortably. Prison no. 2 adjoins it on the South and

contains 18 Barracks 24 X 100 feet and Made to hold from two [to]

three hundred Men each, who at that rate would be very much crowded.

It was built the 2nd year of the War, and formerly contained the

Hospitals Now removed out side the inner Wall. Prison no. 3, as it

now stands, is entirely New and Joins no. 2 on the South. It is said

to be very nicely laid out and Kept. It contains between [sic] 18

buildings like those in no. 2 and is an enclosure of about 7 acres. The

Parapet is about 18 feet high around all and Sentinals walk on the

top at distance[s] from one another of 40 yards with but one opening

besides the office door to each one.

Prison No. one contains one hundred and Ninety Men; No. 2

about fifteen hundred and Prison 3 between thirty eight and forty

[hundred?]. I would be safe in Saying that there is Now Six[ty?]

hundred men Confined here. [Anderson later added with pencil that the

"true figure is 5,482."]

The Water is supplied from wells. It is Smartly impregnated with

lime stone though quite Cold and clear. It is found from 15 to 20 feet

from the surfice. Prison No. 2 had [sic] a large reservior that Contains

several hundred gallons which is filled each day and loosed to carry

away the filth that accumulates in a deep planked ditch thereby Keeping

all things quite clean. The Hospitals are opposite the gate of No. 3 on

the west side. It is [sic] well supplied-and attended by Men Paroled

for that purpose.33

During most of the months in Camp Chase this Tennessee

Confederate soldier was in fairly good health. On occasion, how-

ever, he complained of illness, as on December 16: "I am quite

unwell with a cold, rather hoarse and sore throat--was greatly

 

32 January 16, 1865.

33 December 15, 1864.

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56    Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Quarterly

benefited last night by pinning my sock around my neck." But

the next day his room was "lit up nicely and how much more

cheerful all seemed."

Repeatedly the diary reveals the ravages of smallpox. The

air was "perfectly impregnated with small pox." One case de-

veloped within four feet of Anderson's bed, hut he escaped.34

On January 4 this soldier was ill again:

I suffered all night nearly with cold, and yet I could not tell why

for I had my usual Am[oun]t of blankets and the night was not as Cold

as Some others have been when I was quite comfortable. Today I am

nearly sick. [I have] a severe pain in My Stomach and a bad head ache.

How gloomy such feelings Makes us. We begin to think about being

sick and having to go to the Hospital, and what is worse we Never Know

at what time the Small Pox is [likely] to lay hold of us and Carry us

to our long home by way of the pest house. But I have been so Much

exposed to it in the last 10 mo[nths] that I have learned to think I am

not subject to it. Let come what May I will try to be ready to meet it.

"Every Prisoner," wrote Anderson, "was issued one blanket,

one changing of under clothing and one suit of common grey pants

and coat." They were allowed to buy from the prison supply

room "stamps, writing materials, tobacco, cigars, pipes, combs,

hair brushes, tooth brushes, clothes brushes, scissors, thread,

needles, handkerchiefs, towels, soap, pocket looking glasses and

matches." On December 17 newspapers and candles were added

to the list of things which could be purchased.35

As early as December 16 Anderson's diary reveals that he

had information to the effect that an uncle, James M. Anderson of

Glasgow, Kentucky, had recently returned from      Washington

"whither he has been to procure the release of some prisoners."

He requested his nephew who was the author of this journal "to

secure the proper papers of his case." A statement of this pris-

oner's arrest and imprisonment was forwarded to Anderson in

Kentucky, but the inmate of Camp Chase dared not hope for

immediate release, because "matters are so uncertain."

 

34 December 21, 1864.

35 December 17, 1864. The soldiers could write two letters per week of one

page each. These were to be written on Wednesday or Saturday.

• 19
 

A Confederate Prisoner at Camp Chase              57

The diary reveals numerous thoughts of Anderson's im-

mediate family, his relatives and his friends, and his great desire

to be returned to them. On December 23 the entry reads in part:

What can I say to my dear wife to keep up her spirits. I can not

flatter her again of my chances to get home, she has already been de-

ceived too often on that point. I must not tell her how little I get to

eat nor how cold I am for that would give her Anxiety for me that she

could not better. So I will let these points pass without notice and boast

of my good health for it is true that God does bless me in it.

On January 11 a letter from his uncle informed Private

Anderson that he would "be released next week." The prisoner

regarded the news as correct. That which seemed "but as an acci-

dent is to be the cause of my liberation. So it was in my cap-

ture."³⁶ Soon the monotonous scenes which he had experienced

would be "erased from the tablet of memory. The jar and

wrangle of discontented men," Anderson hoped, would "give way

to the Society of my dear and quiet little family. The entire

absence of all interest in worldly affairs will be replaced by more

active scenes of grasping men. And I hope that the time is near

when Short and meager diet will give way to abundance and

plenty."³⁷

The last entry in the diary, on January 19, ended thus:

I can neither read, write, nor work; for the former it is too dark

up here and the Stove is so crowded that we can hardly sit there at best.

If Mr. J[ame]s M. Anderson was successfull in getting my release it

ought to reach here tomorrow or at all events the next day. So, I end

My pilgrimage in these parts and go to [the] field of a fairer clime.

 

36 January 11, 1865.

37 January 18, 1865.

• 20