William A. Forristall Statement, undated
A Memorandum of Prison life.
Taken Prisoner Sept 11th 1861. By Brigade of Tenesseans whilst on Picket duty near the Cheat Mountins, N. V.A. Thence I was forwarded on to Richmond. Left Richmond Nov 25th 1861. Arived in Tuscaloosa. Al. Dec 2nd 1861. Left Tuscaloosa March 1862 bound for Norfolk Va. on a Parole of Honor. Arived at Salsbury NC. the 13th of March 1862. Released on Parole Honor on 22nd May 1862 Arived in safe with the the Union Lines the 25th 28 of May 1862 at New Berne, NC. in Genl Bursides Army Corps. Arived in New York City 1st of June 1862. arived safe at Home Cinti O. 5th of June 1862.
 
[overleaf]
Discharged from U.S. Service
23rd of Oct 1862.
 
Private in Co. I. 6th O.V.I.
                        W. A. Forristall
                        No 4 Linn St
            Cincinnati O.
                        May 6th 1879.
 
Copy of reasons of discharge &c
            Discharded
 
Discharged 22nd Oct. 1861 at Columbus, O. by reason of Surgeons Certificate & Genl Order No 36 of 1862. By order of
                                    Capt Albert B.
15th Infty U.S.A.                                  Dod
                                    Mill Comder/
 
Tuscaloosa, Al Dec 15th 1861.
Discouraged and awful hungry Dec 20th Terible low spirited &c rumors of Release heard of &c Bill of Fare to day good Bull Beef & Sawdust & Niger Mollasses. 5th of Feb 1862 The famous Blocke raized ruff times scarceity of water and other priveledges denied us to numerous to mentioned Bill of Fare Changed to worse Rotton Rice & Black Beans & Grease Water. Extra Guards put on to bore us. I received considerable exercize in during Police duty. 10th of Feb 1862 sorley afflicted with jaw ache for some days. Looking for some new clothes. Feb 22nd
Dress Parade with our New duds. Prospects very bright for Release./
 
Salsbury, NC. Conterfuting Shin plasters passing off on Huchsters for sour apple pys Books &c. Grub poor. Sour bread. live Bacon and plenty of Scurvy &c. Rotten Rice & fat & Bones swamp Beans & Grease Water for three months. Salsbury. Invariably Live Stock throwed in for Exercise &c.
                                    Nov
Friday 20 & 21st Feb 1862.
Grub Stoped. Bread & water cause not known. Meanness Feb 13th wrote home 12th of March found out while in Box Cars we was doomed to disapointment as regards our going to Norfolk or City Point but switched off for Salsbury NC A Trifle Discouraged set of Boys./
 
March 13th Arived at the Old Cotton Factory Salsbury NC. Prospects no very cheering &c March 15th Becoming somewhat reconsiled to new place. Genl or Col. Corcorian of 69 N.Y. brought in among other officers. Somewhat applauded but soon very soon stoped that buiz. March 23rd Feeling better in health. Supposed cause of more outside exersize in the oppen air and climate &c agreeing with me. Than again any amount of Rumours of our release and going home March 25th met two men at the “Old Well of 4th O.V.C. recently brought in from John Morgans Command in Tenesee near Nashville. Fine weather. Still reports of getting out &c/
 
Extracts taken from an Testiment written at times.
            [faint initials]
1606
DATABASE CONTENT
(1606)DL026429Other

“A Memorandum of Prison Life" by Union Soldier Released on Parole, May 22, 1862


Tags: African Americans, Ambrose Burnside, Discharge/Mustering Out, Food, Homecoming, Low Morale, Mail, Nature, Paroles/Paroled Troops, Picket Duty, Prisoners of War, Racism, Rumors

People - Records: 1

  • (1011) [writer] ~ Forristall, William A.
SOURCES

William A. Forristall Statement, undated, DL0264, Nau Collection