Showing posts with label Libby Prison Hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Libby Prison Hospital. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: September 24, 1864

Off again. I am so ill I can hardly stand. Bade Arthur good-by — left him my chain, etc., again. On the Allison. I expected every moment a summons to go on shore again. Off at last, twenty minutes before 10 A. M., down the James. Ashore at Varina. A grasp of a friendly hand, Major Mulford. A short ride, and there floats the old flag. May I never lose sight of it again. I am too ill to eat. Comfortable bed and state room — lie at landing all night.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 142-3

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: September 21, 1864

The first thing I heard this morning was, “We shall lose the General.” I opened my eyes and Arthur said, “Have you got your valise packed? The papers say that the boat is up and General Walker on board.” So I hope to go by this boat. This may “go back” on me again, but it would be very mean. I shall hope to go. The boat goes Friday. Played poker, evening. I am about $40 ahead; shall leave it with Arthur and Brady.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 142

Friday, January 20, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: September 20, 1864

The papers say that the boat is up and General Walker on board, so I may get off this time. If not, I shall give up.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 142

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett to Colonel Francis W. Palfrey, September 20, 1864

Libby Prison Hospital,
Richmond, September 20, 1864.

It was a happy surprise to me to get your letter of the 2d, a day or two since. It came through by the last boat It is the only letter I have had, excepting one from home (August 3d), since I was captured. You didn't think when you wrote, telling me of Arthur's capture, that we should be sitting vis-a-vis partaking the frugal meal together, when it reached me. Such was the case. After I had been here in hospital five or six days, I received a scrap of paper on which was written a hasty salutation from Arthur. Imagine my surprise, not having heard of his misfortune. As I was expecting to go by the boat which went the next day, I asked to have him allowed to come down and see me. He came the next morning, just as I was going. I left with him all the money, etc., that I had, and bade him good-by. After going to the boat in ambulance, and getting nicely on board, an order came from Colonel Ould that I must go back to prison. I could not go until General Walker was sent up, etc. There was nothing to be said. I could not help thinking that it would at least have been considerate in Ould to have spared me the disappointment of going down on board the boat, to return again to prison, when he had no intention of letting me go. When I came to Richmond from Danville and reported to him, he said I was “to be sent North by first flag of truce boat,” and so endorsed the order sending me here. Nothing was said about its depending upon Walker's coming up, and I believe that was an afterthought. It was a sad disappointment to come back within these prison walls and bars after getting so far on my road to liberty. I looked forward then to the next boat, but was doomed to disappointment again.

I hope the next one, which will be here the last of this week, will bring Walker and take me away. Indeed I hope more than I expect. If I was well, I should not be so impatient, and am not so anxious now as when I was so very ill. The Surgeon at Danville recommended that I be exchanged, as I was in a critical condition, and “if I recovered would not be fit for duty for many months.” I am safely through, though, thank God. The thought of dying there in that hospital, with no one to speak to, not a single officer of our army in the place, no one to whom I could trust either effects or messages, was pretty hard to bear. I shall have much to tell you when we meet, which time, I pray, is not far distant. It is a great comfort to me, having Arthur here. He is shamming sick in order to stay here in hospital, where he is of course much more comfortable than “in quarters.” He is very well indeed, and in excellent spirits. I am very anxious to hear from home of many persons, especially Macy. I heard that he was seriously injured internally by his horse falling on him, and Patten has lost a leg! I am very sorry for him ; hope it is not above the knee. Poor Charlie Peirson, his death was very sad. I fear there must be others that I have not heard of yet.

I write this to send by some officer who goes by the next boat. I don't know whether letters sent through the regular channels reach you. They certainly do not reach us. This is contraband, but can easily be smuggled inside a man's coat-lining. I fear you will have trouble in deciphering it. I shall write mother by this boat, but you might let them know that you hear from me in case theirs should miscarry. I am doing comparatively well, remember, and am ready to endure it as long as may be necessary. My experience, I suppose. wouldn't have been considered complete without this phase.

Remember me to any who have not forgotten me.

Ever yours,
Frank B.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 139-42

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Tuesday, September 20, 1864

Beautiful day. The Sergeant in one of his whims has not been out to buy anything for us for several days, so that we have been short. We are dependent entirely on the whim of this low, ugly-dispositioned brute. This steward can't manage him as well as Cotting used to. Wrote F. W. P. to send by boat.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 139

Monday, January 16, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Monday, September 19, 1864

Pleasant day. Just two months since I left Washington. It seems like two years. I hope the end of this month will find me at home, or at least, at liberty. Colonel Hooper came down to see me last week. He is very well. I am to go and see his mother when I get home. One year ago I was at Albany, on my way to Saratoga with Mr. Learned.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 139

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Sunday, September 18, 1864

Chilly day. Read service all the morning. Had no book to read. Quite unwell to-day, very weak.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 139

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Saturday, September 17, 1864

Beautiful day. Oh, it is too bad to lose all this lovely weather. This week has passed very quickly. Arthur's being here accounts for it. We play poker every evening. Another hitch in the exchange question between Hood and Sherman. It is very disheartening for the poor men.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 139

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Friday, September 16, 1864

I wish I could get home this month on many accounts. The next boat is due a week from today. Make a little charm of peach-stone. Play poker in evening till ten. Fisher keeps us splitting with laughter all the time. Not very well to-day. Beautiful night, full moon, too pleasant to be in this place. I cannot get my bowels regular. It is now nearly two months since they have been so.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 138-9

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Thursday, September 15, 1864

It was just a month ago yesterday that I began to mend and get well. Oh, how grateful I am for the mercies of this past month! I have suffered two awful disappointments, but when I think how much worse it might have been, I can only be thankful and patient. A year ago I was at Pittsfield, just going to Saratoga. What a pleasant time I had. That is past for this year. I am still very anxious about my horses — wish I knew they were safe at home. They are safe anywhere so long as Tieman is with them. At the Learneds’ one year ago.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 138

Friday, January 6, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Tuesday, September 13, 1864

I have moved out into a quiet corner of the ward; his bed is next mine. Fisher and Brady next. A select party. It is a different thing altogether having Arthur here. I don't feel badly about not going now. I try not to think of it. Play poker this evening until twelve, first night I have been up so late for a long time. Twenty to Brady. Cold night — sleep well. I am very grateful to God for all his goodness. I am well, comfortable, and in good spirits. How much worse off I might be.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 137-8

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Monday, September 12, 1864

The boat goes this morning. Thirty officers went. It was hard to see them go and think that in twelve hours they would be under the old flag. I hope I shall not see another load go away without me. I am more contented than I was the last time. Arthur being here makes it very pleasant. We play cribbage, talk, smoke, and study Spanish together; the time passes very quickly. I shall try and keep him down here as long as I can.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 137

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett to Harriet Plummer Bartlett, September 11, 1864

Libby Prison Hospital, September 11, 1864.

Dear Mother, — I write this to send by some officer who goes by this flag of truce boat. I don't know whether any of my letters have reached you or not. I have sent three or four. I was sent to Richmond from Danville, August 26, to be exchanged, and was to have been sent north by first boat. The boat came September 1. I was carried down with the other officers in the ambulance, got on board the boat, and then an order came for me to go ashore again and back to prison. Commissioner Ould said I could not go because the (rebel) General Walker, for whom I was to be exchanged, had not been sent up. So back to prison I came. It was a bitter disappointment, as you can imagine. I could not even send you messages by the officers who went, or to Major Mulford, our Agent of Exchange, to send General Walker by the next boat. I hardly dare hope I shall get off on this boat. I suppose it will depend on Walker's being sent up. I got your letter of August 3 on the 30th, the only letter I have had. I have been very sick, but am better. Arthur is up stairs; he is very well indeed. I was surprised to find him here. I hope my horses and all my things are safely at home long before this. They should have been sent at once. Dr. White promised to attend to it.

I am comparatively comfortable in this hospital. The suffering among the prisoners here and farther south is too horrible to speak of. It is a disgrace to our government that they do not make a general exchange. The rebel government is ready and willing to do it, on almost any terms. I hope I shall get away before long. I am improving in health, and so am not so anxious as I was when so low with dysentery. Give my love to all. It Is useless for me to write, except by some officer going North, or else I should often (if I could get the paper). Hoping you are all well, I remain ever,

Your affectionate son,
W. F. B.

Let Uncle Edwin and A. P. know that you have heard from me, if you get this. Let Arthur's father and mother know that he is in splendid health and spirits. I got permission for him to come down and see me the other day, when I expected to go away. Gave him a good breakfast, and all the money, etc., that I had left. I am going to have him come down again to-day.

Much love to all,
W.

I wish you would give Mr. Cotting twenty dollars, as a present, for me. He has been very kind to me while I have been here.
W. F. B.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 136-7

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Sunday, September 11, 1864

The boat goes to-morrow. Officers permanently disabled are to be sent. My rank will prevent my going under that head. I must expect to be disappointed again. General Walker has not been lent up. Again my hopes and plans go overboard. Wrote few lines to mother and Agnes; sent by Cotting. Sedgwick goes, promised to call see father. I have made up my mind to wait.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 135

Monday, January 2, 2017

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Saturday, September 10, 1864

(August 23. What wouldn't I give for the promise that I should be at Saratoga with uncle and aunt by this date! Nous verrons. I shall probably be in Columbia, S. C.) If I had only got away when I started, the above wish might have been fulfilled! It is too late, even if I go Monday. The boat is up; no particulars. I hope I may get off, but hardly expect it. Arthur is coming down from up stairs to-day.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 135

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Friday, September 9, 1864

Have been a little feverish (typhoid) for a day or two; took dose of quinine last night. Arthur came down to-day. He is pretty well.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 135

Friday, December 30, 2016

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Thursday, September 8, 1864

My chance of going depends on General Walker's coming, I suppose. I shall be able to send some message this time, at least. Some officers will go. Rainy, cold.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 135

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Tuesday, September 6, 1864

McClellan is nominated by the Chicago convention for president. I fear there is not much chance of his being elected. I don't like the names that he is associated with.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 135

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Monday, September 5, 1864

One day is like another. I play cribpage with Sedgwick, or chess occasionally. The papers say a boat is expected to-morrow. I don't look for it till Sunday or Monday.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 134-5

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Sunday, September 4, 1864

Cloudy, dull day. Morning, read the service from eleven to twelve. I wish I could look in on them at home to-day. I hope they have got some of my letters, and have got the horses home. To-day I was to have been in Baltimore and comfort and freedom, but here I am still in misery, a prisoner. I have so much to be grateful for, it would be base to murmur at my lot. How much worse it might have been! Not so well to-day. No exercise, no out of doors, is beginning to tell.

SOURCE: Francis Winthrop Palfrey, Memoir of William Francis Bartlett, p. 134