Friday, Sept 30th 1864

Slept very well in our new tents
As the night was not very cold
the wind blew all night. Up
early and turned out at 7 A.M.
Late last evening they planted
2 Guns on the hill opposite the
Camp. 2 Men of the Squad sent to
the Gen. Hos. yesterday. Morgan
& Phillips. Sick call at 9 A.M.
At 10 the Drum sounded the
Breakfast call. Bread (25) and
fresh beef. Rained slightly during
the forenoon. In the Afternoon
7 Squads of new men from Libby
came in. Found one man
among them that we knew
Bill Davis 1st Va. Cav. At 5 P.M.
they issued Bread (28) Rained
a little in the afternooon. At 4
P.M. they issued the soup. Built
a fire and Boiled it. Evening cool
& cloudy. Very heavy fireing all day.

Three men in the 191st were named Morgan: James, John & Peter. None were in Company G.
Private William Phillips was in Co. G.

Thursday Sept 29th 1864

Up at 7. and turned out but not
as early as usual. [David] Richie & [James] Darnell
were still in the hole when we went
out this morning. Dick gave them
some thing to eat. Sick call at 9.
They tore down the old tents that
we stayed in, And commenced
putting up better ones, they put
up 34 rows of tents and quit
At 2 P.M. they commenced to go
in. All in at 3. Then they issued
One days ration of Bread (48) and
(2) buckets of meat. At 4 P.M. drew
soup (2). After eating soup they
gave us tents and we soon
put them up. 9 tents to 100 Men
Cannonading very heavy very
[?] All day. Richey & Darnell came
were put in camp.

A double Federal offense on the 29th would have produced the cannonading Springer heard. Richmond's outer defenses north of the James were attacked and Fort Harrison captured in an operation directed personally by Ulysses Grant. At the same time troops under George G. Meade continued the encirclement of Petersburg to the west of the Weldon Railroad (where Springer had been captured) beginning the four day battle of Peeble's Farm.

Wednesday Sept 28th 1864

All quiet during the night. Slept very
well. Up before sun up and washed.
Morning warm and pleasant
Turned out at 6 1/2 A.M. All in Camp
at 8 1/2. At 9 A.M. the sick call beat. Lynch
of our Company sent to the Gen. Hos. At 11 1/2
the drum beat the Breakfast Call
Drew soft Bread (24 1/2) and one Bucket of
fresh beef. At 1 P.M. I drew the extra
meat. At 3 P.M. they issued the Bread
(24 1/2). Commenced raining shortly
after and rained until we got our
soup ^'(4)' 5 1/2 P.M. Boiled the Soup. Some-
one stole my Tin Cup. Richey and
Darnell tried to escape, but was
discovered this evening. Some-
body informed in them. They
dug a hole in the ground. And covered
themselves up.

Private Malon Lynch, Co. G., 191st Pennsylvania
Corp. David Richie, Co. G., 191st Pennsylvania
Sgt. James C. Darnell, Co. G., 191st Pennsylvania

Tuesday Sept 27th 1864

All quiet during the Night. Slept very
well, but it was pretty cold. Up at
7 and turned out immediately
Old Sol came up in all his glory
and made it very pleasant.
The sickness of the Camp is pretty large
but the mortality is very small. A great
many is sent to the General Hospital.
the No. of men in camp when we first
came was 5791, it has come down to
4724. Sick call at 9 A.M. Cannonading
heard in direction of Petersburg. All in at 9 A.M.
27 Men sent to Gen. Hos. Bulford McGarvy
At 11 1/2 Drew soft Bread (25) & fresth beef (2)
at 4 P.M. Drew Bread (25) but did not
get the soup until 6 P.M. Boiled
my soup. The day pleasant
cool & Windy. [Word erased] 2 Men
sent to fill up the squad.

Cpl. John Bulford of Co. G
Could not identify McGarvy

Monday Sept 26th 1864

Slept tolerable well considering
the coldness of the weather. Up at
7 A.M. and turned out right
away Morning very clear and
tolerable cool. All in camp at
9 A.M. Cannonading heard
in the direction of Petersburg.
Sick call at 9 A.M. 6 Men sick
in the Squad. two sent to the Gen'l
Hospital. Ross and Lemby. the day
Clear and warm. The grum was not
issued until 1 P.M. on account of the
Bread not getting here in time
We drew Soft Bread (25 1/2) & fresh
Beef (2) the first had a Liver in it
At 5 P.M. the drum sounded the
Soup call Soft Bread (25) & Bean
soup (2) 2 Men sent to us to fill up
the squad. All retired at 8 PM.

Andrew J. Ross or John W. Ross? Both in Company G

Sunday Sept 25th 1864

Very cold during the Night. did
not sleep well. Morning clear
and very cool. Not a cloud to be
seen. Turned out at 7 A.M.
All in Camp at 9 A.M. Sick call at
9 A.M. One man Griffith of the squad
sent to the General Hospital. At
11 A.M. the Drum sounded the
Breakfast call. Soft Bread (25 1/4)
and one Bucket of Beef. At 12 M we
drew another Bucket of Beef
Continued windy & cool all day
at 3 P.M. Drew soup (4) & Soft Bread
(24 1/4) Loafed around all evening
evening clear and very cool
All Retired at 8 P.M.
Darby hooked 2 39 tent Blankets

John M. Griffith of Co. G?
George W. Darby of Co. G

Saturday Sept 24th 1864

All quiet during the Night. Slept
well. Up at 7 A.M. And turned out
immediately. Morning cloudy and
sultry. Commenced raining at 8 A.M.
All in camp at the sick call 9 A.M.
Jim Malone of our company sent
to the General Hospital. Stoped rain-
ing at 10 1/2. At 11 A.M. the Drum beat
the Breakfast call. I drew the
Rations. soft Bread (24) and one
bucket of meat. At 1 P.M. they issued
another bucket of meat. Nothing of
interest until 3 P.M. when the
Drum sounded the supper call.
Soft Bread ^'(24)' and Rice soup (2)
Rained and blowed very hard
in the evening. very cool

Friday Sept 23rd 1864

Up at 7 A.M.. turned out
immediately Morning cloudy
cloudy and sprinkling rain
Sick call at 8 A.M. all in
camp at Nine A.M. At 11 A.M.
the Drum sounded the Break
fast call, Soft Bread (24 1/2) &
fresh beef (1) Stoped raining at
12 M. At 1 P.M. they issued the
extra Meat (1) continued cloudy
during the rest of the day
At 4 P.M. the Drum sounded
the Supper call Bread (24 1/2)
and 4 buckets of Bean soup
Warmed my soup and made
a cup of coffee for Jerry
Cleared off late in the evening
& sun set beautiful. All retired
at 8 P.M.

Jerome Donze/Douze or Jeremiah Jones of Co. G.

Thursday Sept 22nd 1864

Rained very near all Night
I was up at 3 A.M. Stoped raining
at daylight. Turned out at 7 A.M.
Camp Policed. dreaned off &c.
Heavy Cannonading heard in the
direction of Deep Bottom. Morning
Cloudy & Sultry. Sick Call at 9 A.M.
All in Camp at 10 A.M. At 11 A.M.
the Drum sounded the Breakfast
call. I drew the Rations. Soft Bread (25)
and fresh Meat (1) At 1 P.M. Drew
another Bucket of Meat. At 4 P.M.
Drum beat supper call. Soft Bread
(24) and bean Soup. traded my
soup for Meat with [Sgt. James W.] Eberhart
Made coffee out of ^'a' crust of Bread.
Continued cloudy & cool all day

Wednesday Sept 21st 1864

Bells made a great fuss in the
City last night. No light could
be seen. could not make out
what it was for. Slept tolerable
well. Up at 7 A.M. Morning
foggy and cool. turned out at
7 1/2 A.M. Sick call at 9 A.M. All in
Camp at 10 At 11 1/2 A.M. the Drum
sounded the Breakfast call. Soft
Bread (24) the best we have drew
yet & fresh beef (1) At 1 P.M. they one
Bucket of meat extra. Made
Coffee out of the crust of Bread
At 4 P.M. Drew soft Bread ^ '(24 1/2)'. the
same Kind we drew this
Morning & Bean Soup (2). Made
Coffee again this evening
Evening clear & warm

Tuesday Sept 20th 1864

All quiet during the Night (Very
cold) and did not sleep much.
Up at sun-rise Turned out at
7 A.M. the Camp was policed &
limed and the sink cleaned
out. All in at 9 A.M. Sick call
at 9 A.M. 5 men sick in the Squad
At 11 A.M. Drum sounded the
dinner call. Soft Bread ^'(24)' and
fresh Beef ^'(2)' instead of Bacon
Very hot during the middle of
the day. Nothing of any note
until 4 1/2 P.M. the Drum sounded
the supper call Soft Bread (24)
and 4 buckets of Bean Soup
Traded my soup with Eberhart
for his Ration of Meat

Sgt. James W. Eberhart Co. G 191st Pennsylvania

Monday Sept 19th 1864

All quiet during the night
up at sun up. Turned out at
7 A.M. Started in at 8 A.M.
I took the Sick out at 9 A.M.
Six Men sick in the squad.
At 10 A.M. the Drum sounded
the grub call. Soft Bread (25)
and Meat. Traded my soup with
Dick for 1/2 ration of meat. Nothing
of any importance until 3 P.M.
when the Drum sounded the
supper call. Soft Bread (24 1/2) and
Bean soup (2). Toasted my Bread
I feel better this evening than
I have for some time. the
Diaria has nearly stoped on
me. Retired at 8 P.M.

Sunday Sept 18th 1864

Nothing transpirred during the
night. Up at 6 A.M. Cloudy & Cool
Turned out at 7 A.M. At 8 A.M.
they commenced going in by Squads
Cleared off and the sun came
out hot. Sick call at 9 A.M. 4 Men
sick in the squad. Between 10 &
11 A.M. Drew soft Bread (24) & Meat
When we went in we were
put in old tents, did not get our
Sibleys. After dinner I took a
sleep. Wakened up at 3 P.M.
Clouded up & was raining. Drew
Bean Bean soup (2) & Soft Bread
(24 1/2 at 4 P.M.) Give my Soup
to Rawley & Darby. Stoped rain-
ing at dark. All retired at
8 P.M.

Sgt. George W. Darby, Co. G, 191st Pennsylvania
Corporal Rawley H. Jolliff, Co. G, 191st Pennsylvania

Saturday Sept 17th 1864

Up at Sun up. Passed the Night
tolerable well although it was
very chilly. The Bells Rang furiously
in the City last night. Heavy Dew
this morning. At 7 A.M. we
were turned out. Sick call at
9 A.M. At 10 1/2 I drew the Rations
Dick sick. (24) we got a good Buck ^'et'
of meat today, but the Bread was
sour. At 11 they commenced going
in. All in at 1 P.M. At 4 P.M. I
drew the Rations Soft Bread (24 1/2)
& Bean Soup (2) After supper I went
after the Sergts extra Ration, but
did not get it only 16 Squads
drew. Cool and pleasant in the
evening. At 8 P.M. we all
retired

Friday Sept 16th 1864

Slept very well. Up at 3 1/2 this
morning and the Bells were
ringing and making a big fuss
in the City. Supposed to be another
large fire. Sick Call at 9 A.M.
At 11 A.M. Drew soft Bread (23 1/2) &
Meat, a tolerable good ration. At 2
P.M. we had roll Call. The day
warm & very pleasant. At 4 P.M.
Drew soft Bread (24) and Soup (2)
After eating supper we drew (2)
Buckets of extra soup. This is the
29th Day of Captivity. In the evening
it got very cool And after dark it
was very chilly. Retired about
8 P.M. the 18th Va was relieved tonight
by the Militia.

Thursday Sept 15th [1864]

Passed a very pleasant night
last night. Up at 7 A.M. Old
Sol out in all his glory and
prospect of a hot day. The Diarea
has nearly [word lined out] stoped on me
and I feel a great deal better
this morning. Sick call at 9
A.M. 3 men sick. At 10 1/2 A.M.
Drew Soft Bread (23) & Meat. [?]
Some says the paper states that
Gen Lee had evacuated Petersburg
At 12 M we turned out and the
squads filled to 100 men. At 4 P.M.
they issued soup (2) & Bread (23 1/2) the
Bread was miserable very sour
Roll call in the evening. All
present.

Monday Sept 14th [1864]

Slept pretty last night as it
was not so cold as night before
Sick call at 9 A.M. 3 men Sick.
At 10 A.M. Drew Meat & Bread
(24). the day was cool and
pleasant. And the evening
warm. Staid out and walked
around until about 8 oclock
[Line erased]
In the Evening heavy Cannon-
ading, [letter lined out] could be heard it
appears to be close and many
are the speculations as to
where it is.

Springer probably heard the guns from the Second Battle of Deep Bottom, fought in Henrico County, Va., August 14-20, 1864.

Tuesday Sept. 13th [1864]

Extremely cold during the night
and early this morning.
Sick call at 9 A.M. 2 Men
sick in the squad
At 10 1/2 A.M. Drew Bread (24 1/2)
& a Ration of Meat. The Meat
has been cut down form 1/2
to 1/4 lb. Nothing of any note
until 4 P.M. When we drew
Soup (4) & Bread (24). 79 Men
went to Richmond to day
but no one knows what for
Report says 6 took the Oath
The Sergts of Squads met &
appointed a committee
to get up a Petetion to the
authorities to Parole us
the Sergts to sign it

Monday Sept 12th [1864]

Slept very little last night on
account of the Diarea and Pain
in the Stomach. Up early. Turned
out at 7 A.M. Prospect of a hot Day
Sick call at 9 A.M. 2 Men sick in
the squad. 25 day of Captivity. At 10
A.M. commenced clouding up. Slight
sprinkling of rain & a heavy wind.
At 10 1/2 A.M. Drew soft Bread (24 1/2) &
Meat. Got into Camp about 12 M
Did not rain any of any account
but continued cloudy & Windy.
At 4 P.M. Drew Bean Soup (2) &
Soft Bread (24). Built a fire
& Boiled my soup & Bread together
And made a pretty good
super. A Sudden change in
the weather very cold

Sunday Sept 11th [1864]

Rained all night. Turned out
at Sun-up. They did not Keep us
long. They commenced going in
as soon as they got out. At 11
A.M. we drew Bread -- (soft (25) &
meat[)] Cloudy At 1 P.M. commenced
raining Turned out the squad
and had roll call. Rained
abut one hour. At 3 P.M. Drew
Soft Bread (25) & Bean Soup (2)
Give my soup to Jerry. I could
not eat my soup or Bread
Had the Diarea very bad and
had no apetite.

One man in the regiment was named Jerry, Jerry O'Connell of Co. E. Seven men in the regiment were named Jeremiah or Jerome. Other good candidates for Jerry would be two from Co. G: Jerome Donze or Douze and Jeremiah Jones, both privates

Saturday Sept 10th [1864]

Up at daylight. Cloudy & Cool.
Did not turn out this morning
until 10 A.M. Cleared off and became
very warm (Sick call at 9 A.M.
4 Sick) At 10 A.M. they issued
rations of Soft Bread (24) & Meat.
Lay Around all day. At 3 P.M.
we got in. And was ordered to
get tents where ever we could
We took a row next to 19', but
was ordered out. We then went
to our old Sibleys. At 4 P.M.
beef issued soft Bread (23) & rice
Soup (2). After we had eaten our
supper they fixed it up about
the tents. We got our old tents
After dark commenced rain
ing

Friday Sept 9th [1864]

Turned out again this morning
for the purpose of fixing camp and
arranging tents &c. Sick call 9 A.M.
Issued rations at 11 A.M. Soft
Bread (23 1/2) instead of Corn Bread
At 4 P.M. they commenced to go in
by Squads Calling the Roll & taking
the names. Each Squad got its
rations as they went in.
Bread (24) & Rice Soup (2). The Squad
were all filled to 100 men. The thing
was mixed up. We did not get out
tents. While we were out 12 men
tried to escape by swimming
to a little Island. They were found
out and brought back but
were not punished. The men
did not all get in until long after
dark.

Thursday Sept 8th [1864]

Very cold last night and early
this morning. Sun-up turned
out to count us and to Police Camp.
[most of this line erased] Sick call
at 9 A.M. Kept us out nearly all
day Very hot. While we were out I
washed my Shirt socks and
Hand Kerchief. At 1 P.M. they commen^'ced'
going ^'in'. It took 2 hours for them all to
get in. At 3 P.M. They issued Meat
and Bread (1 Days ration) (17) At 4 P.M.
It commenced raining 4 1/2 issued
soup (2) I sold my God Ring for $4.00
I bought 6 Apples (25) and one loaf Bread
(25) traded the Wheat Bread for 1 Days
Ration of Corn Bread. Rained all
night. Eberhart slept in our tent.
Quit chewing tobacco.

Sgt. James W. Eberhart, Co. G., 191st Pennsylvania Infantry

Wednesday Sept 7th [1864]

Rained all night. Sun came
out this morning in all his
glory. we are going to have a
hot day. Sick call at 8 A.M. One
man sick in our tent. (Malon
Lynch) 2 Men sick in the Squad
At 12 M. Drew meat and Bread (21)
About 1 P.M. the bells began to
ring in the City. And a large
smoke could be seen. Another
large fire. At 4 P.M. Drew soup (2)
and Bread (23). The rest of the day
passed off quietly. In the evening
saw a Richmond paper. No
News except the notice of the death
of John Morgan. And several
pieces on McClellans nomination

Tuesday Sept 6th [1864]

Cloudy & cool. slight sprinkling of
rain. Turned out and counted. I
was up sometime in the night. A
large light could be seen in the City
and bells ringing. Supposed to be
another fire. Sick call immediately
after we were counted. Our squad are
all in pretty good health. Only one man
gone to the Hospital yet. At 2 P.M. we
drew one days ration of Bread (45) &
meat. at 3 P.M. we drew soup (2).
Continued raining at intervals
all day. In the evening it got
very cold. Fixed up the tent and
made it pretty comfortable. Sergts
drew an extra Ration today
No news

Monday Sept. 5 [1864]

Clear and appearances of a hot
day. Heard that Atlanta was
evacuated. It was published
in their morning papers. At 11 A.M.
we drew Bread (24) but only half
rations of meat. The day exceed-
-ingly hot. About the hotest we have
had yet. The day passed away
slowly. the Richmond papers
state that Atlanta was evacuated
on the 1st Sept. and Hardee's Corps
had been driven from their
position with the loss of 9 Guns
At 4 P.M. we drew soup (2) & Bread
(25). Mitchel & I bought a loaf of Brea^'d'
After dark it commenced to rain
rained very hard

Isaac Mitchell was a Corporal in Co. G, 191st Pennsylvania

Sunday Sept. 4th [1864]

Cloudy and sultry Rained during the
night. We were turned out and
counted this morning. Cool & appearance
of rain. Traded my Pocket Book off
this morning for 5 Apples & 3 Peaches
At 10 A.M. we drew meat & Bread
(23) Cleared off and became very hot
traded my hat and got One loaf of
Bread. Heard that Zed Springer was
a prisoner in Richmond
At 4 P.M. we drew Soup (2) & Bread
(23) Darby traded his hat and got
four (4) loaves of Bread. He gave us
one half loaf apiece. At dark Davis
brought a small piece of Corn
Bread & Meat. Prayer Meeting in
Camp, Attendence pretty large

Lieutenant Zadoc B. Springer, Co. K, 116th Pennsylvania, a second cousin of Tom Springer, was captured at the Battle of Reams Station, August 25, 1864 Eberly. "Bouquets from the Cannon's Mouth"

Saturday Sept 3rd [1864]

Slept better last night than any
night for some time. it was
not so cold. When I got up it
was cloudy and looked like
rain. About 7 Oclock A.M. it
commenced to rain. The fire
bells rang again in Richmond
last night. This is my birth-
day. today I am 20 years old
At 11 A.M. we drew meat & Bread (21)
it cleared off and only rained
about one hour. 25 of our men went
to Richmond to work for the Gov
at 4 P.M. Drew Soup (2) and Bread (22 1/2) the
day turned out a very pleasant one
At dark Davis brought another loaf
Made a new place for a sink
and to get water.

Friday Sept 2nd [1864]

Sleep tolerable well last night. I was up some time in the night
and the Bells were ringing in the
City a big light could be seen
Supposed to be another large fire
Very pleasant and cool in the
morning until 9 A.M. Bread fell
to three (3) loaves for $1 Green back. Pies
250 in script. At 11 A.M. Drew Meat
& Bread (23). Layed around until
4 P.M. when we drew Soup & Bread
(23) & (2). Exceeding hot during the
After part of the day. Darby made
arrangements with a man named
Davis for Bread, he brought one
loaf of Corn Bread and small
piece of Pork Just at dark He is
to bring one every night for 21 nights

Sgt. George W. Darby was also a member of Company G, 191st Pennsylvania. In 1899 he published his memoirs "Incidents and adventures in rebeldom: Libby, Belle-Isle, Salisbury."

Thursday Sept 1st [1864]

Up early on account of getting cold
Saw a Richmond paper and it
stated that the Commissioners
met. The Confederate Commissioner
Ould proposed to exchange man
for man & Officer for Officer, but
the Commissioner on our side
had no instructions from the
Government whatever.
At 12 M. Drew our meat and Bread (21)
At 4 p.M. Soup ^ '(2)' & Bread (24) the day
was exceedingly hot. the bells ring in
Richmond & a big smoke can be
seen from Camp another fire
Let our tent down and fixed it to
make it warmer. Report say the
Evening ^'paper' said we were to be exchanged
immediately.

Judge Robert Ould (1820-1822) Commissioner for the Exchange of Prisoners His 1864 "Report of the agent of exchange, with accompanying papers, relative to arrangements for the relief of soldiers who are prisoners of war in the hands of the enemy" is available in Special Collections, University of Virginia Library.

Wednesday Aug 31st [1864]

It is getting to be so cold during the
nights that we cannot sleep without
blankets and does not get warm in
the morning before Eight O clock A.M.
Bread trade going on brisk behind
our tent $1.00 per loaf Greenbacks Apples
2 for $1.00 At 10 1/2 A.M. Drew meat &
Bread (22). Saw in the Richmond
Papers that the Commissioners of
exchange meets today. At 2 P.M. we
got 2 buckets of Soup & Bread (21)
very warm during the day
There was some Artilery firing
beyond Richmond but could
not tell what it was

Tuesday Aug 30th [1864]

Tolerable cold during the night &
early in the mornings. they did
not turn us out to count us this
morning. Prospects of a hot day
10 A.M. drew rations (21) ^'loaves' Nothing of interest
until 4 P.M. drew rations (21) and
only two Buckets of soup instead of
four (for 100 men) Slight shower of
rain at 4 P.M. Nothing of any interest
during the rest of the day
After we had retired some one
in a tent close by raised a big
noise they had a fight one
man got hurt considerable
There was a fire in Richmond
some time before 12 oclock the
Guard says the Central Depot & two blocks
were burned down

Monday Aug 29th [1864]

Marched out by squads this morn-
ing and was counted. Rained very
hard in the night last night
Sun shining and prospect of a hot
day. At 8 A.M. the citizens guarding
us were returned (to go home) by regular
soldiers (Heavy Artillery) just from Peters ^'burg'
(18th Va.) At 12 M we got our meal. At 2 P.M.
another squad of Yanks came into
camp and swells the number to 5,900 or
59 squads of 100 each. these last men were
taken at Reams Station, Weldon R.R.
At 4 P.M. we drawed grub. Squad 39 &
40 were consolidated made it the
20 Squad (100 men in it) Sergt moore
in charge. Camp is very much
crowded.

Sunday Aug 28th [1864]

We were turned out again at sun-
up and counted over thus far I
believe only three are missing. there
are a great many rumors in camp in
regard to exchange and Parole, but I think
there is no truth in any of them. Sun
shining beautiful but not hot. A strong
wind blowing makes it cool. Between
10 & 11 A.M. they gave us our regular meal
today. they hoisted the stars & bars by our
camp. its a white rag with a red field in
the corner & bars (blue) across the red field
thirteen (13) stars in the blue bars. At 2 [?] P.M.
we got our soup & Corn Bread. Bread
selling at $5.00 a loaf. [a word erased here] I made an
effort to get some bread but did not
succeed. The day passed away pleas-
antly.

Saturday Aug 27th [1864]

We were wakened up a little after day-
light & taken out in the same place &
counted over again. cloudy & ^'cool' signs of
rain. rained nearly all last night
At 10 A.M. they issued us our meal
Wrote a letter home this afternoon --
This is our Ninth (9) day of imprisonment --
At 3 P.M. they issued soup & Bread
[This line has been erased.]
In the evening the rebs planted two
Cannon on the hill overlooking
our camp. they are looking for a
raid. A train of cars passed over the
Bridge into Richmond loaded with
Yanks the cars loaded
with them supposed to be about
1000 or 1200

Friday Aug 26th [1864]

Did not sleep very well last night
on account of the rain. We were all
put out in the green out side of
the Guard. Marched back single
file & counted. They posted a paper
on the gate, that no rations would
be issued until the man was
found that struck Sergt Mark
yesterday while he was selling
Bread in camp. Four shots were
fired last night. they killed one and
wounded one of our men, 3 P.M.
no rations yet & no prospect of getting
any. At 6 P.M. they commenced
drawing tents and soon our
squad (40) had our ^'a sibley' & were putting
them up when they sung out
for the Sergts to come & draw
rations. put our tent up
ready to sleep in Another
man shot this afternoon
by one of the Guards [a word erased]
25 men in a tent

Thursday Aug 25 [1864]

Got up at 7 and took our regular
wash at the river. Nothing of note trans-
pired during Issued one days rations
at 1 P.M. At dark it commenced
to cloud up and soon we had a good shower it rained for about 1/2 hour. Made the ground very wet- so that we could not sleep

Wednesday Aug 24th [1864]

Sun came out very hot and very
good prospect of being extraordinary
hot today. Got our regular meal at
10 A.M. About 3 P.M. another
Squad of Yanks were brought
in and Swells the number
up to about 3500 on the Island
at 4 1/2 got other meal 2 Buckets
Bean Soup & Corn Bread the day wore
away as usual

Tuesday Aug 23rd [1864]

Slept pretty considering the damp-
ness of the ground. Sky cloudy
sun came out & very hot all
day at 10 A.M. they issued our meal
1/2 loaf Corn Bread & fat pork. In the
afternoon another Squad came in
altogether on the Island 3140 or
63 squads at 5 P.M. they gave us
two buckets of Rice Soup & Bread
Still putting up tents

Monday Aug 22nd [1864]

We at daylight built a little
fire and after blowing about an
hour got a tin of coffee made.
About 10 A.M. they commenced
putting up tents two Squads in
one row or 10 men in one tent
1 P.M. they issued one days rations
1/2 loaf corn bread 1 Bucket Soup &
some fat pork. At 5 P.M. Commenced
raining. rained about two hours
We all layed down on the wet
ground in a row & Spooned it
Very hot until 5 P.M.

Sunday Aug 21st [18]64

Wakened at daylight. About 9 1/2
A.M. the other squad came in
the room pretty well crowded
at 10 A.M. we were taken to Libey
just across the Street. We got in
the upper Story the room about
the Size of the other About
300 in here. One of Butlers Nigers
in the same room with us.
he is a Sergeant and has charge
of the room. They gave us some
thing to eat. Corn Bread & Boiled
Beef. After dinner our names
were taken & the room swept up
we number all told in this room
172299. After our names
were taken they gave Corn Bread &
Bean soup. then we were drawn
up in line and went through
another Searching, they took our
Haversacks left us nothing but
our private effects. we were put
into another room. As soon
as they were done we were
marched out through Rich
to Bell Island. Divided
into squads of 50. Sergt Moore
has charge of our squad (No. 40)
we arrived here about 8 P.M.
Lay down to sleep.

Sergeant Isaac A. Moore, Co. G, 191st Pennsylvania, is frequently referred to as "Dick" in Springer's diary.

Saturday Aug 20 [1864]

rained pretty much all night. About
9 AM our names were taken and
every thing but our Haversacks -- two
more squads came in this morning
altogether about 2,000. About 2 PM we
[?] squad marched to the
Depot about 3 miles from
Petersburg we arrived at the
Station at 4 P.M. (20 miles from R)
We got on open cars. Started at 4 1/2
Commenced raining and rained
until we arrived in Richmond.
we got to Richmond about 6 1/2
and was taken to a Prison on
Cary Street. The room was 100 by
40. we only had one hundred
in here tonight.

Friday Aug 19 [1864]

5 P.M. we received orders from Maj.
to fall back. the line fell back about 1/4
mile and found we were surrounded
as near as we can judge the whole line
was taken prisoners. We were marched
out to the right on a double quick.
We formed in line about 3:00 and
marched through Petersburgh and
camped on low ground for the night
rained all day. About 48 of our
Com. and nearly all of the regt taken

Battle of the Weldon Railroad
"During the afternoon troops of A.P. Hill's Confederate corps hit Warren's Federal infantry in the dense woods south of Petersburg, Va. The Union forces suffered severely and Warren had to pull back toward Globe Tavern, seized the day before in his operations against the Weldon Railroad. But the Northerners still held the important railroad. Warren lost 382 killed and wounded, but 2518 were missing, many of whom were capturred from S. W. Crawford's broken divison." E. B. Long. The Civil War Day by Day An Almanac 1861-1865. According to a postwar article by Silas Crocker of Co. E, the men of their regiment had actually captured Confederate General William Mahone when they found themselves surrounded and Mahone in turn captured them. Eberly "Bouquets from the Cannon's Mouth."

Thursday Aug 18 [1864]

Received orders to move at 4 a.m.
took up our line of march about
5 direction South. Struck the Rail Road
at 12m. halted in an open field About
1PM Our batteries commenced fireing
we were drawn up in line. Deployed
[?] Skirmishers and advanced through
very thick woods until they opened a fire
on us the line advanced & fell back
several times and finally took a
position near the edge of the wood. In
sight of ^'Rebel' rifle Pits. rained all day 12th

Thomas W. Springer from Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. He was a 16 year old student the son of a tailor. See "Bouquets from the Cannon's Mouth, Soldiering with the Eighth Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserves" by Robert E. Eberly, Jr.