Unpublished Civil War Material
in the Clarke Historical Library
Prisoners/Prisons
Curtiss, Sheldon R. Diary of Sheldon R. Curtiss : through his three years of service in the
Civil War. [typed transcript with photos] [S.l. :S.n., 1970?] Also includes copy of his service record. Bio: Curtiss enlisted in Company M, 6th Michigan Cavalry on Sept. 19, 1862 at Berlin at age 23. He was mustered on Oct. 11, 1862 and was a prisoner of war from July 11 to Dec. 1864 at Andersonville, Ga. He was discharged at Fort Leavenworth (Kan.) on Oct. 10, 1865.
Montgomery, Thomas S. Eleven months experience in a Rebel prison. Typed manuscript (copy) (20 p.). 1 folder. Typed transcript of the story of his life before the war, his military record, battles, being taken prisoner at the Battle of Bull Run, life in Libby Prison and the U.S. Hotel in Tuscaloosa (MS), treatment of soldiers, wounding of his thigh, re-enlistment, re-capture, food and supplies, and being paroled. A photocopy of his service record is also included. Bio: Montgomery was born April 25, 1836 in Angelica (Allegany County, NY). In April 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 1st Michigan Infantry. He was mustered in May 1861, taken prisoner at Bull Run (Va) July 21, 1861, and discharged at Detroit, July 1862. He re-enlisted in the 5th Michigan Infantry, Co. G in 1862 at the age of 28. He was mustered in Sept. 1862, wounded at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863 and promoted to Corporal. He was transferred to the Invalid Corps on Oct. 20, 1863 and discharged on disability at Washington, D.C. on Aug. 5, 1865, from the 3rd Co., 2nd Battalion, V.R.C. (Veteran Reserve Corps).
Smith, Delivan, 1844-1916. Papers, 1862, 1916. 1 folder. Papers (mostly photocopies), 1862-1916, include his notes about Andersonville Prison, where he was imprisoned from May 12, 1864-June 2, 1865; a photocopy of his service record; and his obituary. The obituary notes that he was one of 100 men in his company to survive the Battle of Spotsylvania and one of ten in the company to survive the Prison. The ten survivors were swapped from the Prison in a prisoner exchange on June 2, 1865 and placed on the steamer, Sultana, which was blown up shortly thereafter, killing over 1600 men. Smith regained consciousness as the steamer was sinking and deserted. He survived by jumping into the river and hanging onto a floating tree. He was rescued five miles downstream and returned to Memphis and placed in a military hospital. His nine comrades were killed in the explosion. He was later transported to Columbus (Ohio) and Jackson (MI). On July 20, 1865, he was mustered out of service in Detroit (MI). Bio: Delivan Smith was born at Onondaga (NY) on Dec. 6, 1844. He moved to White Pigeon (MI) in 1860. He enlisted in Company H, 17th Michigan Infantry on Dec. 25, 1862 at age 18. He was mustered three days later. On May 12, 1864, he was taken prisoner at Spotsylvania (Va.) and imprisoned at Andersonville Prison. His official record says he was mustered out at Detroit on June 2, 1865. He married Marrilla Weatherwax, in White Pigeon, on Dec. 6, 1870. They later resided in Grand Traverse County and Grayling.
Wilkins, William D., 1827-1882. Diary, 1862. 1 vol. [photostat of typescript]. Later illustrated diary of Wilkins' imprisonment, August 12-Sept. 26, 1862, describing daily life, prison conditions, and inhumane treatment of prisoners. Bio: Prominent Detroit (MI) citizen; Captain and Assistant Adjutant General, U.S. Volunteers, under General Alpheus Williams; and prisoner at Libby Prison in Richmond (Va.).