Hello. My name is bill Coughlin. And welcome to first person civil war podcast. Which retells the stories of the soldiers and officers on the ground, in the battles of the civil war. Episode 20 is entitled private John B Arenal. Of the first North Carolina artillery at point lookout prison camp. And relies on his booklet life of a Confederate soldier in a federal prison, which he published in 1914. John. lived in Craven county, North Carolina, before the war began. And in April of 1861. Just one month before his 18th birthday. And after receiving the permission of his parents. He enlisted as a private in company. I 10th North Carolina, state troops. Which eventually re flagged to the first North Carolina artillery. Of the 10 companies in the first North Carolina artillery. For including company, I remained in their home state. Private Arenal did see action during the civil war. But he remained true to the title of the booklet. On the 14th of March, 1862. I got my first experience in real war. But as I am writing mainly of my life in prison camp point lookout. And how I was captured by a Yankee. I'll go back to March 7th, 1865. Although it is not stated at exactly which battle of 1862, it was one can deduce that this was the battle of new Bern. I fought on the exact day, mentioned by private Arenal. By early March, 1865. Confederate forces in North Carolina had to contest with two separate union formations advancing deeper into the state. Uh, sherman's army having completed its March through South Carolina entered North Carolina and began marching toward Fayetteville. Major general Schofields men who had just taken Wilmington in late February. March towards Goldsboro. With the purpose of linking up with Sherman. Private Arenal and company, I, as part of the department of North Carolina. Marched to contest the union advance from Wilmington. It was reported that Scofield's army Corps. In reality, a force commanded by major general Cox. Was advancing. We marched to a Creek to investigate and found the enemy in full view. They shelled us pretty lively all that evening. But made no attempt to charge. Our commanding officer decided that we had better get in their rear. So we started to the rear of the yanks about an hour before day. To play tag with them for a spell. We found them about sunrise and we received them right. Warmly. After much tagging on both sides. The yanks gave way. And we captured some, two or 3000 of them. So private earner. Does not give a location. He just described the battle of Weiss fork, specifically the flanking movement on March eight on the Southern end of the battlefield. This also means his estimate of captured union soldiers is a bit inaccurate. Private originals use of the term tag to describe fighting was surprising. Four. It was a deadly form of tag that night. Private Arenal was captured. I was wounded in my leg and seeing a pool of water. I thought I would bathe my leg and stop the blood. While busily engaged with my work up poke to yank. And said. Johnny you are mine. Come with me and I will take you to a summer resort. We have room enough for you all. He was brought to an unidentified general and continues. He asked me many questions concerning the troops in his rear. Then he asked if my leg was painful. Called a doctor who examined my wound and said there were small pieces of bone in the wound, which made amputation necessary. Private Arenal does not from mark anymore about his leg. So it is assumed that it was able to heal. He stayed along the North Carolina coast within union lines for an unidentified amount of time. And eventually boarded a ship. To travel north. There were about 800 of us prisoners after we had gotten out to see. They began to issue rations of raw pickled beef and hard tack to us, which we all ate. Heartily. The sea was awfully rough. The waves were rolling high and soon it was very evident that almost every prisoner was suffering dreadfully with sickness. After several days, we arrived at our summer resort. Private original had arrived at point lookout, Maryland. It is the Southern most tip of land where the Potomac river and the Chesapeake bay meet. Though it had a prison camp that housed Confederate soldiers and officers separately. Adjacent to it was a Wharf post office, hospital bakery, hotel, commissary lighthouse. Barracks for several union regiments. Spalding's photograph gallery. And several other buildings that turned point lookout into a small city. Private Arenal was in processed and marched to the prison camp. We were taken from the barge to the headquarters of the officers' families. I saw some of the ladies pointing at us and remarking, I suppose, about our appearances. Some of us were barefooted. Others without hats while our pants were worn off on the knees. We were required to give our names and commands name of states, which we came after, which we've remarked to the bullpen. This in processing while at face value was to keep proper records of who was in the camp. But it seems authority is across the United States. We're aware of when new prisoners were admitted. There was at least one cold case reopened with the admittance of a Confederate soldier around the same time as private hurdle. Brigadier general Stevenson commander at Harper's ferry wrote to Edwin M Stanton QS, secretary of war in mid-March 1865. There is at point lookout, a rebel prisoner by the name of Frank Bernoff. Who previous to his entering the rebel army committed a most want and murder of an Irishman who declared his purpose to fight for the union. Can he be detained and tried for this murder? After him processing private Arenal entered the prison camp. We got to the gate, it was thrown open and we marched in things were looking bad to me. The prisoners were placed intense from eight to 10 to the tent with no bedding, but our clothes. The next morning we drew meet. I thought at the time it was rather small for a meal, but found out it was to last all day. At 10 o'clock. We drew one half loaf of bread and one pint of soup. As we were all sick, the rations did very well for a while. On Saturday, each man drew a loaf of bread. To last until Monday. And his first few days of the prison private Arenal quickly learned that thievery of food prevailed within the camp. No matter how carefully he had food to eat later. He found it gone when he decided to finally eat it. I feel sure that my bread was not stolen by a Confederate four. They did not steal. One might have borrowed it. And though I felt hard towards whoever. Got it. Then. I have forgiven him since. If he were a Confederate and only borrowed it. After the first Sunday I hit no more bread. But put it where friends could not borrow it. North thieves could steal it. I spent Sundays in fasting. And prayer. Lack of food, drove private Arenal and others in the prison camp to resort to eating anything, they could get their hands on. Just as a warning to the listener, some of the descriptions are unpleasant. After I'd been in the prison for a few days, I began to suffer from hunger. I saw some of the boys eating broiled rats. They smelled very appetizing, but I could not get any to eat. I decided that I either must find something to eat or starve. On looking about, I saw some oats or rye. Growing beyond the deadline. I waited until dark to venture out for some of the grain. I thought I could make a soup of the grain. I got a turn of it, came back and put it on to boil. The longer it boiled the tougher it became and the less fit it was to eat. So I gave up trying to find more to eat than my captors. Pleased to give me. Though prisoners, the Confederates at the prison camp had a degree of free rein at point lookout during the day. One day at the camp, private Earl recalls. After walking through the hospital and passed the dead house. Known today as a morgue. Now I am coming to the toughest thing I had ever struck after leaving the dead house, I came to the guard. Meaning the guard building just outside of the camp. He told me to halt. I told him that I belonged on the other side and must go. He called over a white man who came and talked to me a while. And then he said, You need some jewelry, something like a 12 pound ball and chain. Oh, horror of horrors. But my pleadings were all in vain. I sat down and received the jewelry. I sat there for a while thinking. I can't express how badly I felt. Can't remember a time when I felt. worse. Private Arenal entered the camp with the Juul, Rory. And immediately went to his tent. He was not alone being fitted with this jewelry. And it seemed to be at random. Luckily for private journal, there was another prisoner at camp. With a file. And he could remove the jewelry. I found him. And at soon concluded a bargain. The gate on the bay. Meaning the prison. Stayed open during the daytime. Anyone noticing what have seen me going toward the end of the Wharf. Carrying my haversack, but only one person knew what it contained. That ball and chain is now resting at the bottom of the Chesapeake bay. Point lookout was not a permanent prison facility for any one soldier. On nine, February, 1865, for example. The Wharf welcomed flag of truce boats to take newly paroled men. Back south. By private herbals own account. The ball and chain was no isolated incident. And exchange Confederate soldiers informed Confederate officials, such as our O old agent of exchange. Who wrote to his union counterpart, Lieutenant Colonel, John E Mulford assistant agent of exchange. On 15, February, 1865. To halt such treatment. I am informed by returned prisoners from point lookout that private Gorman of general Lee Scouts is confined with ball and chain at that place. Why is this done? It is not contested that he is a regular Confederate soldier. Cannot this sort of treatment of soldiers be permanently prevented. I will thank you to return this man under our agreement. The war of the rebellion source material does not have any replies by Lieutenant Carl Mulford on the topic. But Mr. Old did write enough letters that even Edwin and Stanton corresponded with Brigadier general Hoffman. Commissioner general of prisoners on 25 May, 1865. On use of the ball and chain. On the 20th of March, a letter from Mr. Old complaining that Colonel Wilson and other rebel officers were wearing ball and chain at altun. Which was an Illinois. Was received from Lieutenant general grant with directions that if the facts whereas reported. The officers should be forwarded for exchange. On receipt of this letter, I informed the Lieutenant general by telegram March 25. That the officer's referred to were not then, and had not been wearing ball and chain. But that they were under sentenced to confinement for various periods. By June of 1865 as Confederate commands across the south. Continue to surrender. Release of prisoners accelerated. Private Arenal still at point lookout prisoner of war camp would soon be released. On the 11th of June, 1865, uh, notice was put out on the bulletin board that all the prisoners were to be discharged. This notice brought forth the most joyous yells I had heard in months about 20,000 men and boys made a rush for the gate. Each man gave his name, company, regiment and state. Then received as discharge. My name happened to be among the first called. I think I smiled for the first time in months, took the oath and received my parole, which I still have. So it does not include most of January through June. Uh, report on nine January, 1865 details the death rate at point lookout. Which was the largest pow camp since its creation in July, 1863. Uh, report as to the number of deaths among the prisoners has been called for from the three largest camps. Point lookout, Maryland since July 31st, 1863. Number of prisoners 32,140. Number of deaths. 1,532. 4.7% of POW's that entered point lookout. Died. Compared to San dusky city, which was an officer camp, 2.6%. And for Delaware's 8.6%. John B Arnell. I returned to North Carolina. Where he served as a ward in new Bern. In 1914, he wrote. Life of a Confederate soldier in a federal prison. As many of the veterans that already died, he opened his book. As the greater number of the boys of 61 and 65. Who donned the gray. And fought for the right as they saw the right. Have passed over the mysterious river Styx. And are at rest under the shade of the tree of life. And those who still remain must soon follow. I have decided to write a sketch of my life as a Confederate soldier. Thank you for listening to the 20th episode. The link to private herbals book is now available on the podcast website. First person, civil war, podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn this week. You will find a detailed drawing of point lookout, Maryland. And a picture entitled Johnny Reb. And unidentified soldier at point lookout prisoner of war camp. In the show notes, you will find a link to a more detailed file of the drawing of point lookout, Maryland. On the library of Congress's website that allows zooming in for detail and a description of most buildings at the bottom. The prison camp is the walled-off section in the top, right corner of the drawing. First Sergeant Thomas B. Marshall. Of company K 83rd, Ohio provides next week's first person account. At the siege. Uh, Vicksburg. My name is bill Coughlin. And thank you for listening to first person civil war podcast.
