A Hoosier in Andersonville

By Robert Houghtalen

I have no great actions to boast of,
but I will endeavor in my way, which
is a way of my own, to write you
some anecdotes, give you some ideas
of how we fared, what we did, what we
seen, and how we seen it.
I do not propose to give you a history
of the war, or a history of the prisoners
in the South.
I was a prisoner.

-Erastus Holmes-

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491800850

Robert Houghtalen

Robert Houghtalen is a graduate of Hanover College, Indiana, with a BA in US history/education. He also has a graduate certification in Civil War studies from American Military University. His previous work, A Hoosier in Andersonville, was included in the Indiana Authors Book Fair of the Indiana Historical Society in 2014. He currently works as a teacher’s assistant in the Noblesville, Indiana, school system. He is also a member of the Indianapolis Civil War Roundtable and Roanoke, Virginia, Civil War Roundtable.

Book preview

© 2013 by Robert Houghtalen. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/24/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-0124-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-0123-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-0085-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013913257

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

NOTES

THE DIARY

RECOLLECTIONS & LETTERS

A BIOGRAPHY OF ERASTUS HOLMES

A HISTORY OF THE 90TH INDIANA REGIMENT VOLUNTEERS

POST WAR NOTES

POST WAR LIFE

APPENDIX #1

APPENDIX #2

APPENDIX 3-12

REFERENCES

ENDNOTES

NOTES

When I started this project, I thought to be able to tell great great-grandfather Erastus Holmes’ story, would be a relatively easy undertaking. But as anyone who has ever attempted this type of project will tell you, it is NEVER that easy. So now, more than 30 years since the seed was planted to do this, Erastus’ words are finally being made public to any interested reader.

Although his words and medical records have been referenced in other works, such as Eric T. Dean’s Shook Over Hell (1997), David Evans’ Sherman’s Horseman (1996), and University of California at Irvine’s study on post war traumatic syndrome (2006), this is the first time that Q.M.S. Holmes’ entire diary, recollections, and biography have come to print.

In researching this work, I read many other Civil War diaries, biographies and works and found often they were over-edited to a point that the original words were lost in the secondary notes or historical points being made. This work is presented with the words as written by Erastus, except for grammatical corrections or reference points, (as presented in italics), to aid the reader in better understanding content and context of the events mentioned.

There is always an endless number of people who provide assistance when working on a project as this, and although I know there are much more than I can ever mention, I do wish to express my gratitude to the following people: First to those who are no longer with us, beginning with obviously, my great great-grandfather, Erastus Holmes, who somehow managed to keep a record of all his experiences while a captive in Andersonville. To W.H.H. Terrell, Adjutant General, State of Indiana, for finding a way to return the diary to its rightful owner after being lost at the end of the war. To my grandmother, Helen Barry Houghtalen, who preserved and protected the diary, notes, letters, and photographs presented herein. To my father, Harry Houghtalen, for deciphering Erastus’ handwriting years ago. To my mother, Norma Houghtalen, for always telling me to do this project. And to Robert Bowers, Professor of History at Hanover College, for teaching me the value of unbiased research. I also wish to thank those who currently assisted me: Charlene Harmon and staff of Johnson County Indiana Historical Society; Chib Roth and the team at Authorhouse. Robert Morris-fellow author-whose aid and advice concerning publishing was invaluable. To Russ Hawkins, for sharing his enthusiasm about this period of history, To my friends Colleen, Harris, Jesse, Tangela, and Preston, for allowing me time away from work to finish this project. To my brothers Barry, Tom, and especially Jon(for your help designing the cover of this book), for keeping the story of grandfather Erastus moving into the next generations—Brandon, Courtney, T.J., Megan, Eric, Justin, Victoria, and Natalie.

THANK YOU everyone.

DEDICATED

TO

VICTORIA, NATALIE AND MEGAN

FOR ALWAYS

BEING WILLING TO LISTEN

TO YOUR UNCLE BOB’S STORIES

WITH LOVE

THE DIARY

By the summer of 1864, Western Tennessee and the Mississippi River were under Union control and General Ambrose Burnside had gained Eastern Tennessee for the North. The plan was then developed to send General William T. Sherman to Atlanta and split up the Confederacy and destroy the railroads, in order to shut down communications and supplies to the main cities throughout the Deep South. Sherman also realized the important strategic location of Atlanta as the cornerstone for his March to the Sea.

The 90th Indiana Regiment (5th Indiana Cavalry) with their leader, Colonel Thomas Butler, was placed under the direct command of General George Stoneman, as a part of Sherman’s forces. As the Boys in Blue marched closer to the city, there was a decision to split the forces and to surround the city. General Edward McCook’s horsemen to go west and south to Lovejoy Station, while Stoneman’s men were to move east-southeast and after success at Lovejoy Station would then move on to Macon to free Union officers being held prisoner there, and then would march further south to gain freedom for the 30,000 Union prisoners in Andersonville. Unfortunately for General Stoneman, Confederate General Joseph Wheeler had become aware of this maneuver, and began moving forces into south central Georgia to wait on the Yankees. The Union men were turned back from Macon and began a retreat. As the Union cavalry approached the area of Sunshine Church on July 31, 1864, Joe Wheeler ordered General Alfred Iverson to intercept them. As the battle ensued, Stoneman, being short of ammunition and outnumbered, realized he was about to lose men at a high rate. He commanded Colonel Butler and his men to face Iverson’s forces and hold a defensive position so that the rest of the Union troops under Colonel Horace Capron and Colonel Silas Adams, could escape back to Atlanta. As the day moved on, Butler’s boys were successful in holding the ground as the rest of the Union men were able to retreat unharmed. Eventually, it became apparent the brave dismounted cavalry from Indiana were being surrounded, and under protest from Col. Butler and the other Hoosiers, Stoneman surrendered himself and almost 500 loyal men . . . . thus began the trek to Andersonville as prisoners of the South and soon to be guests at Henry Wirz’s Hotel.

The following is the actual diary of Erastus Holmes, Quartermaster Sergeant of F Company, 5th Indiana Cavalry, as written from July 27 (4 days before surrender) to November 6 (just prior to transfer to Macon) 1864.

July 27, 1864—Wednesday—Left camp this morning at 2 o’clock & marched 2 miles and a half to Decatur. Leave Sherman’s line of battle to the right. Pass Stone Mountain at 12 o’clock N. We leave the mountain to the left, pursuing a southeasterly course. After marching 20 miles, stopped for supper.

Thursday—July 28—Marched 47 miles yesterday and last night & took breakfast near Covington. Started at 6 o’clock this morning & march in a southeasterly direction. Tom Gill & I started on an expedition in search of mules or horses. 3 men being ordered from the Comp. for this purpose. We took off to the right, through a big cotton plantation. After traveling some 5 or 6 miles we came to a farmhouse & enquired about mules & horses. They had none, of course, but we got something to eat bought a ham off the lady. Paid her in Rio or Yankee coffee as they call it in this country. Had a pleasant chat, but we both concluded that the lady was a grain too sociable, or at least more than the occasion called for, as we could see. So tipping each other the wink, we were off. Much no doubt to the lady’s chagrin, for we were followed very closely by the Graybacks.

We passed a house where Sergt. Doosing & his squad were stopping for dinner. They were fired into in a very few minutes after we had passed on about a mile or two. Stopped at a farmhouse and got a good dinner & some fine watermelon. Struck out again (before this however, we procured a mule) one mile or so from here I found a beautiful white blanket, worth in Indiana some 10 dollars. Before going a quarter of a mile I found another I sighted, but ’twas no use, I had no transportation. I found on enquiring, there had been a skirmish there in the morning. Here we met a first Ky. Cavalryman & Sergt. Gill struck out to find a mule, with him. I gon on the track of the 1st Ky., until just before dark. They had stopped for supper. I eat some crackers & ham with Doosing, who had also come up to the Kentuckians. They rescued one man. Went into camp about 12 o’clock P.M., 5 miles from Monticello. Unsaddled & went to bed in my blanket. Slept like a top.

Friday—July 29—Was up & in the saddle early. Marched through Monticello & so on to Clinton. Joined my Regt. at Holmes’ farm house, 17 miles from Macon. After feeding, we marched 8 miles & camp for the night at Mrs. Morton’s farm house, 9 miles from Macon & 6 miles from Clinton, on the left hand road.

Saturday Morning—July 30Up and off toward Macon. Skirmishing commenced 2 or 3 miles from Macon, but we drove them rapidly, until within a mile of town, when heavier firing was endulged(sic) in. (My Company were ordered in the skirmish line after fooling around an hour or so. They poured shot & shell into us at such a rate that Genl. Stoneman sent for us. Well, we were ready to go.) I particularly noticed Henry O’Hara & John t. Pritchard, while they were shelling at such a rate, they were very cool & seemed to be firing very close to the ground. A mighty good sign. I think Genl. Stoneman burned his baggage wagons a while ago & we are off on the back track. I guess we are to fight Wheeler tomorrow.

Sunday—Aug. 31(supposed to be July 31).—Sure enough, here we are in a most beautiful predicament. Old Wheeler or somebody else of large size (probably Genl. Iverson), right square in front & rumors coming to us that the very devil is to pay on both front & in the rear. Well we have been skirmishing for ¾ of an hour, when we was ordered to strip all extra baggage from our horses. Here I lost about 75 lbs. of fine tobacco, which some man had overloaded himself with & threw it on the ground & I saved it & hired a negro to carry it for me. Before this, at Holmes’ farm on Friday, I had mounted a negro for a Kentuckian on my mule. But Orderly Sergt. Harmon, on not thinking the mule strong enough for service, ordered me to turn him loose & advised me to send the negro home. I did so & told him to keep clear of the Yankees on their raid. For my own part, I very much prefer to let these negroes alone in this State of Georgia or any place else where they are at home & settle this, with other questions when the war is over. Here I lost 65 plugs of tobacco for want of transportation. The negro was riding a big mule for somebody, I don’t know who now, but he skeedaddled to the rear in double quick. We are now lying in the sun in an open field. Instead of cutting out, we lay around like some easy set of gents whose fortunes are made. Maybe like Micawber(Charles Dickens’ character in David Copperfield), we are waiting for something to turn up. Later something did turn up. After lying here for 5 hours, the Rebels opened on us with round shot & shell, followed shortly after, with heavy musketry. I cannot describe the fight, only the part of it I saw. Our battalion, commanded by Capt. Russ Finney, was ordered into a piece of pine brush. An old field burned out some 15 years since. Here we formed a line and had some very hot practice with our carbines & pistols. Falling back when the occasion required. The captain was in his usual good humor, talking to us very pleasantly. Had a deep ravine to cross, with smaller ravines running diagonally into it. We of course were looking up & down, some ahead of the rest. This kind of a line did not suit the Captain under fire & he let fly a few volleys, more expressive than elegant. After crossing the ravine, we fall in and whelled up by 48 into line. The Captain saw it was alright. By this time he had not seen the confound ravine before (You walk right to a river in Georgia without seeing it, if you don’t keep a sharp look out). Taking off his hat, Beg your pardon gentleman, I did not see the ditch before. He smiles, came back & all went merry as a marriage bell. After some very sharp carbine & pistol practice, we were ordered to fall back, which we did, to the cannons on the hill, about a ¼ mile to our rear. About this time, I noticed Fred Werner, is our Herculean Bl’k smith, putting a poor fellow from Comp. D, whose leg was torn off, (John Smock was his name) on a horse. He carried him to a house on the hill in the rear &n left him in the hands of the Dr. He joined us again at the guns. Genl. Stoneman surrendered himself & 440 of his men to the enemy. Three men of our Comp. would not surrender, but struck out for themselves. My messmate, Tom Gill, William W. Kinneck, & James Armstrong are the ones I speak of.

Sunday—August 7, 1864—This is not a very hot day, but a very tiresome one. We have been inside this stockade. To be a prisoner of war, is to me, to say the least, a very lazy way of living. There is two very important subjects discussion, i.e. rations & the exchange. We came from Macon, Georgia on the cars (train), Wednesday Aug. 2nd, 1864. Of F Company there come on that day: Joseph Harman, Ord. Sergt., Erastus Holmes, Q.M.S., George M. Whitenack, 1st Sergt., Charles H. Graham, 3rd Sergt., William W. Doosing, 4th Sergt., Corpl. John Duncan, Corpl. Andrew Kramer, Corpl. James W. Kinneck, David S. Whitenack, Henry O’Hara, James t. Roberts, Frederick Werner, Bl’k.Smith, Leander Zaring, John T. Pritchard, James T. Williams, Isaac Vohries, John T. Poor, Josiah K. Titus, Benj. Thompson, Peter Morman, Louis Dousher, Moses A, Harbert, Andrew J. Mock, William Sylvester, Harvey Turpin, Doctor Turpin, John Decker, James Braden, Anthony Early, Joseph M. Johnson, Nelson Rogers. We found inside the stockade of our Comp.; Corp. John Graham, Isaac J. Prickett, John Heron(Hearne), captured at the battle of Reseca, the 15th of May 1864. (John Heron died 17 Aug.,’64.

W.W. Tucker 21, Gratiot, Licking Co., Ohio, Carpenter,135th ONOG. 100 days). We also found John Thom Ross, Wm. F. Waggoner, who were missing from Comp. July 18, 1864.

August 18,’64—5 men of us dined today on 1 qt. of meal, made into mush. (Farmer, Harvey Cain, Outville, Licking Co. Ohio,) (Elisha R. Standiford, Gratiot, Licking Co., Ohio 20-2, Plasterer)(W.M.Tucker, Carpenter,21-3) (Joseph A.Smart, Bl’k.S. 21-3 Gratiot, Licking Co, Ohio).

Sat. Morning—Aug. 20,’64—I am sitting only a few feet, say 10, from a dead man who has layed out in the rain all night with no clothes on except drawers & shirt, so dirty & filthy that you can come to little conclusion as to their original color or material. Such a sight is only one of hundreds that you can see any week. (Corpl. Hugh Kennedy, 1st Mich. Sharpshooters, Cold Water, Branch Co., Mich., Henry Blatz, C.J. 118th Regt., Pa. Vols., scenic artist—takes this ground. E.H.) (James McCluskey, wood seller-close to the gate. 5th Ky. Cav. Lives 5 miles from Burkesville on the Cumberland River south from Burkesville & across the river) (James Sharkey 1st Michigan