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

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

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

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

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

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

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Lemuel A. Abbott: Sunday, July 10, 1864

Oh! I'm so tired and used up I can hardly write; have been marching all day on the pike, and my feet are badly blistered, besides being so lame, sore and stiff from my wound I can hardly move without groaning and crying out with pain after being still a little while. We arrived at Ellicott's Mills, Md., about 4 o'clock p. m. where we remained about two hours and took the cars for the Relay House. The Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania is with us. The balance of the division is yet at the mills. Stragglers still continue to pour in. Our regiment was never before in such disorder, i. e. so many stragglers. The tension was so great though, having held the enemy all day with such an attenuated line, that when it did collapse, being nearly surrounded, it was every man for himself in order to keep from being captured. The stragglers report the enemy's cavalry close after them all along the retreat in order to pick up prisoners. We arrived at the Relay House at sundown with only about ninety men. But the regiment fought valiantly yesterday up to the last moment when we were obliged to fall back in disorder or be made prisoners of war, and anybody could have played checkers on my coat-tail, I know, if they could have kept up, for Libby Prison had terrors for me, and I have always looked upon it as being a disgrace to be taken prisoner by the enemy; but in this I am wrong — still it would hurt my pride to be captured. We found no troops but a regiment of hundred days' men here, and they were greatly frightened. We are camped a short distance in rear of the hotel on a side hill in the woods.

SOURCE: Lemuel Abijah Abbott, Personal Recollections and Civil War Diary, 1864, p. 118-9

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Wednesday, September 14, 1864

A letter from F. W. P. at dinner, September 2. Says father told him I had been exchanged as it was arranged. Tells me of Arthur's capture. Arthur and I were eating a good dinner together when it was received. The time passes much more quickly than it did. Beautiful moonlight nights now, too bad to be shut up within prison bars. I hope the next moon I shall see on salt water. I am tired of seeing it reflected on this river and canal. My leg pains me a great deal to-day and to-night. We play, poker — six.

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

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

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

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

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

Diary of 1st Sergeant John L. Ransom: December 1, 1863

With no news concerning the great subject — exchange of prisoners Very hungry and am not having a good time of it. Take it all around I begin to wish I had stayed at home and was at the Jackson Citizen office pulling the old press. Dream continually nights about something good to eat; seems rather hard such plenty at the North and starving here. Have just seen a big fight among the prisoners; just like so many snarly dogs, cross and peevish. A great deal of fighting going on. Rebels collect around on the outside in crowds to see the Yankees bruise themselves and it is quite sport for them. Have succeeded in getting into thee,tent with Hendryx. One of the mess has been sent over to Richmond Hospital leaving a vacancy which I am to fill. There are nine others, myself making ten. The names are as follows: W. C. Robinson, orderly sergeant, 34th Illinois; W. H. Mustard, hospital steward 100th Pennsylvania; Joe Myers, 34th Illinois; H Freeman, hospital steward 30th Ohio; C G. Strong, 4th Ohio cavalry; Corporal John McCarten, 6th Kentucky; U. Kindred, 1st East Tennessee infantry; E. P. Sanders, 20th Michigan infantry; George Hendryx and myself of the 9th Michigan cavalry. A very good crowd of boys, and all try to make their places as pleasant as possible Gen. Neil Dow to-day came over from Libby Prison on parole of honor to help issue some clothing that has arrived for Belle Isle prisoners from the Sanitary Commission at the North Sergeant Robinson taken outside to help Gen. Dow in issuing clothing and thinks through his influence to get more out for the same purpose. A man froze to death last night where I slept. The body lay until nearly dark before it was removed. My blanket comes in good play, and it made the boys laugh when I told how I got it. We tell stories, dance around, keep as clean as we can without soap and make the best of a very bad situation.

SOURCE: John L. Ransom, Andersonville Diary, p. 14-5

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diary of Brigadier-General William F. Bartlett: Saturday, September 3, 1864

I am getting very well, my face is not so thin as when I came here. I am stronger much. I am reading “Harry Lorrequer,” etc. I wonder where everybody is of those I love. Agnes is at home. The rest of the family must have returned from Swampscott. We are all at home. Sallie is in Baltimore, etc. I think Miss Wyeth has hardly ventured to leave 129 this summer. Got word to Arthur to-day.

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