1 50 1 https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/1206e2a4fcf018fb1a0022bec8a11878.jpg d282e35b7ea6ff9fae42ac3bd5809ba8 PDF Text Text Part 2 J H W https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/70a8dab1bbae60d866c6e2a1c43a77a5.jpg 06db641dda612cace6b3c7cf8a68fb02 PDF Text Text My Services at Mobile. Although <s>nominally in the rebel army,</s> my name was by force of conscription placed upon the Rebel Muster rolls, I was virtually serving the Union. This was my sincere <s>intention</s> + desires, whatever the results. I very much deprecated the fact that I and other loyal men, were forced into the rebel drill camps <s>ranks</s>. Stationed at the city of Mobile as we were for [drice?] + <s>to do</s> post duty, the awkwardness of our condition did not as <s>so</s> plainly appear, as I knew it would, when <s>were</s> we should be ordered <s>sent</s> to active service in the field. While <s>I knew, so long as I were</s> on post, garrison, or <s>rear</s> Guard duty, I could render my services worse than a blank to the rebel cause, for I could have ample opportunity to overbalanse, every service, that https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/654d247175555f0762526269a67b1a17.jpg 4a67b8976be98f9039e680b074ff7675 PDF Text Text <table> <tbody> <tr> <th>Left Page</th> <th>Right Page</th> </tr> <tr> <td> Our names had, without our consent, been placed upon the Confederate Rolls; but union, men should not be less esteemed for this: especially if it can be shown that they were, while in this servilance, really serving the Union Cause by planning and organizing secretly for the demoralizing and the overthrow of the Rebel <s>author</s> powers. These things we attempted to do, after we ascertained that conscripts were nearly all Union men. Hence I concieved the idea of organizing the loyal element in the South, for self-protection and of for the reclaming of their most sacred rights; which were being wrested from them by the rebelious Slave aristocracy. I should be forced to render, by some counter influence, which would in the finale, cost the rebel cause more than such forced service could be worth to them. How? In what way or ways? Well, in the course of a few weeks observations among the soldiers, I found that a great number, perhaps a majority of them were originally, and until now (Nov. “/62) really opposed to secession; consequently to the “Confederacy.”—Pres. Lincoln, although never in the midst of the Southrons during the war, believed the same fact, for he says—“There is much reason to believe that the Union men are the majority in many, if not in every one of the so-called seceded States.” Hence, I concieved the idea that all this loyal class had as </td> <td> I should be forced to render, by some counter influence, which would in the finale, cost the rebel cause more than such forced service could be worth to them. How? In what way or ways? Well, in the course of a few weeks observations among the soldiers, I found that a great number, perhaps a majority of them were originally, and until now (Nov. “/62) really opposed to secession; consequently to the “Confederacy.”—Pres. Lincoln, although never in the midst of the Southrons during the war, believed the same fact, for he says—<a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-2-unionists-of-confederacy" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 2, Unionists of Confederacy footnote" rel="noopener">“There is much reason to believe that the Union men are the majority in many, if not in every one of the so-called seceded States.”</a> Hence, I concieved the idea that all this loyal class had as </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/7093666aaba2ca8d5e3a31c958a38015.jpg 9d66874641d1e6c0a8f6004b2616a8f3 PDF Text Text <table> <tbody> <tr> <th>Left Page</th> <th>Right Page</th> </tr> <tr> <td> I argued that we had committed no crime by being born in, or by emigrating to the South, and that we had as much right to our political opinions as those had who would abduct us from our allegiance. The number of loyal persons resident in the south I believed to be sufficient to [enlittle?] them to respect. We had waited patiently for some circumstance of relief from the unexpected dilema in which we were placed, and when our freedom of opinion + speech was denied us and when we, (as a class) were not even respected as men, but driven like brutes by the bayonet; what could we do but attempt by secret organization, to avoid the tyranny imposed upon us? By so doing we hoped to do valuable service for the Union at the same time. much right politically, and more in principle, to secede from, or to deny the right of the Confederate rule over them, than the dissatisfied Southerners had to secede from the Union. I believed that we, as Union men in the South, by misfortune or accident, and there abducted from our proper allegiance, were as every respectable a class in comparison with the republic of the United States. This reflection was the mother of many others on this subject. I had, too, read Lincoln’s first annual message to Congress, which assisted me in deciding to complete injustices of the secession bauble. From that message I quote—“The seceders insist that our Constitution admits of secession. They have assumed to make a </td> <td> much right politically, and more in principle, to secede from, or to deny the right of the Confederate rule over them, than the dissatisfied Southerners had to secede from the Union. I believed that we, as Union men in the South, by misfortune or accident, and there abducted from our proper allegiance, were as <s>every</s> respectable a class in comparison with the republic of the United States. This reflection was the mother of many others on this subject. I had, too, read Lincoln’s first annual message to Congress, which assisted me in deciding to complete injustices of the secession bauble. From that message I quote—“The seceders insist that our Constitution admits of secession. They have assumed to make a </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/73c642373c436930fe71597da4d6ced4.jpg 0b7357f14462adaf6134340d73b67942 PDF Text Text National Constitution of their own, in which of necessity, they have either discarded, or retained the right of Secession,++++. If they have discarded it, they thereby admit that on principle that it ought not to exist in ours:—if they have retained it, by their own construction of ours that shows, that to be consistent, they must secede from one another, whenever they shall find it the easiest way of settling their debts, or <div class="tooltip" title="This quote, continued from page 3, is also taken from Lincoln’s “Message to Congress in Special Session.”">effecting any other selfish or unjust object.”</div> —But I had heard leading secessionists on the Subject of “State rights,” by which they claimed to have become independent of the Union. I Have also heard their reasons for not allowing parts of the <s>so call</s> seceded states to secede back <s>again to</s> the Union, as many East Tennesseans, and https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/36aec59f8118459aaa90f96c77027735.jpg bbf1eda1219c61b50b2446d8b76a7203 PDF Text Text West Virginians had desired. I once asked <div class="tooltip" title="Abraham Caruthers was a professor and judge at Cumberland University where Woods attended law school. Alongside his brother, Robert L. Caruthers, he was an innovator in law instruction and a co-founder of the Cumberland School of Law, which was one of the first law schools in the South at the time.">Judge Abe. Caruthers of Tenn.</div> What principle denied the right of secession <s>from</s> to a county, community, association or class of persons in any state. He answered the lack of State Sovereignty,—the want of state organizations. I soon saw clearly that the rebels would not grant peaceable secession to any of the subjects they claimed. They were not generous enough to accord to Union men the right of refusing or opposing their service: but knowing that Union men were in the rebel ranks, and there Unwillingly, my sense of duty dictated that some remedy should be tried for their relief. I believe that the number of Union men thus desiring relief was sufficient to create an extensive https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/d9ee074868fed5fd9cccd6fc38ac6e34.jpg 35495ecc5bf6e68320de1a79f2c614dd PDF Text Text Secession from the rebel rule.—Call it desertion, mutiny, rebellion against the rebels, or whatever else you choose but its real object <s>character</s> must be to weaken the rebel cause and aid the Union: an object of which no loyal man will ever be ashamed. I was fully aware of the dangers and bearings in an attempt so “disloyal to the South,” but its very magnitude and the importance of the object sought prompted me to examine the premises, and finally to act.—The premises were—1st That the Union, is the government, to which Union men owe allegiance. 2ndly Union men are <s>were</s> here (in the South), and under rebel control. There were many evident difficulties, <s>rising</s> in the way to prevent the execution of the Conclusion; for the rebels, although, in an illicit and https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/284fd90b575b22509d727d041ce5ef32.jpg c17e6c43c44865e600fe1065985161ff PDF Text Text unjust cause were in power and had means at their command, enabling them to execute civil or military judgement [sic] against us according to their own interpretation of right, and sectional interests. The Conclusion would plainly be that loyal men should serve their country, and hinder disloyal ones from serving against it. To execute this conclusion would surely be a consideration of the highest moment; and would justify dangerous, uncertain, or even desperate measures to attain the great and commendable object. But here we were, at Mobile, surrounded by the rebels, who have both the weapons of war, and the law of the land, in their own hands; however, when Union men can by any civilized means concen— https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/46f53589e3a6f3e885265bbffbc39ab9.jpg fc52faa4d78af0cbd7bd40190e6e5a18 PDF Text Text trate power into their own hands, it would appear unnatural in them, did they not concentrate wield that power in their rightful defense, against the usurpation that forced them from their interests. We were far from the protecting power of our country, and were we, to openly avow our purpose of fealty to it, we might easily be punished or put to death before rescue could reach us. Others in Tennessee and elsewhere, tried it thus,—we know their fate. Then this means would most likely be a failure, and our own destruction would be the consequence. The Union could not even know that loyal men had thus and here, sacrificed their lives for her, voluntarily, and without persuasion or recompense. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/8cb9b320b2ab537e3ea72f0298f87b78.jpg fae9a2d14bafd99edfb52f33741eea32 PDF Text Text By acting alone and upon individual responsibility, by deserting or escaping from the rebel lines, loyal men, through much danger and tribulation, might render a very efficient service to their country. This means, however loses half its virtue, by its having none of the power of cooperation, nor yet leaving behind it a growing influence.—There must be unity of action and circumstances; and <s>seeds</s> sentiments of patriotism’s [muse?] planted, anew else the work will be very limited and end with the actor. When influences are disseminated among the people <s>planted in good ground</s> they grow; and though the hand that cast them, be palsied in death, they still <s>will</s> ripen into good and glory for other days. Truth trodden under foot will rise again, because as it sinks beneath a tyrant’s heel https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/86e2fc1eae9b49484b00c039bba9dd9c.jpg ee2fbf6915de076d2ed0038b23439c98 PDF Text Text to precious seeds fall upon the virtuous inceptive heart of some stander-by and thence springs to light and life again, when the tyrant is dead or of his guard. Some secret means of concentrating the influence and advice of Union men throughout the rebel army, I believed would be a more effectual means of weakening the “Confederacy” than either “Open Avowal” or individual desertion; for it would effect all that both of these could, and be attended with many more extensive influences. This would plant a crop—diffuse influence which would spread and ripen into Union help. It would cheerish, keep alive, and cultivate the Union spirit whenever and wherever https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/c58a68ad71b61fcb058ede4e67d1c946.jpg 1b1d6b21ed1e25b08feea354a5545a81 PDF Text Text opportunity so to do, might <s>may</s> be practicable and wise. This means would at once resolve itself into a “Union League,” which would have for its object the immediate and protracted exertion of each and all of its members to work in conjunction with the Federal Union against all her enemies, especially against this unprovoked rebellion. For the consumation of this I worked from the date of my conscription (Oct. 29/62) until April 14 “/63,—(The date of my arrest by the rebels at Mobile). <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-11-alfred-cumming" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 11, Alfred Cumming footnote" rel="noopener">When I was first sent to Mobile there were about 7,000 troops there.—Genl. Cumming’s Brig. a battery and some Cavl.</a> There were also quite a number of troops in Fla. and at Fort https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/5a80d5243a369865fb52efadab96f866.jpg 7ac4142334c60508a8a37e18a2ad3400 PDF Text Text <table> <tbody> <tr> <th>Left Page</th> <th>Right Page</th> </tr> <tr> <td> JH Woods Book Mt Mo </td> <td> Morgan. I learned as well as I could the feelings of those troops to find if it were possible and practicable to kindle among them, or a respectable part of them, a Union Flame that might spread secretly and surely ‘till its sparks would catch from heart to heart, throughout the rebel States.—Could this be done the rebel leaders would be confounded and would not know in critical hours whom to trust. Every day lives were being lost, learning and religion were being suspended by the consequences of war and the interest of the whole country from the lakes to the Gulf was retarded. Then, it behooved the philanthropist and patriot, well, to do quickly what could or might be done </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/b5b1a9165d97bbe32b623035315f1087.jpg 9a8f3449fefa8183dbdb9a40a7d74160 PDF Text Text to stay the tide of blood, and sever the rebel strength, that suspends the best interests of the world: But the great difficulty to be overcome, requires caution and time, that the vantage be planned and planted wisely, lest the desired result be thwarted. Some important inquiries present themselves at this juncture of the investigation; for the <s>difficulties and</s> dangers are known, and the great results to be obtained are only seen dimly through the glass of possibility, over the tangled copses of difficulty. The means by which it is possible to aid our country in destroying this treason, must be organized, concentrated, and systemized, There must be an originator <s>undertaker</s> https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/b8fd4608a396ea662f1f1ab89f34bbf0.jpg 3042be1576fccffadc2931fcecd6d2f0 PDF Text Text For such purpose there can be no public assembly, no mass meeting of Union men, and no convention to organize, decide the plan and extent thereof. This must all originate with some head, <s>and that head must be the Undertaker Originator</s> or, else, the effort for the work will never be made at all, and thus would be lost to the Union, the strength and influence of thousands, good and loyal.—Their lives would ebb out in vain. Their dead bodies would moulder unblest, beneath a Southern sky, like a golden harvest unreaped for want of laborors. These thousands of loyal<s>ty must</s> men + women live in mental prision [prison?] and die in despair, and the country must lose their https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/1a2837c18580bd1abada8342554bebf5.jpg 4a45030f70c8c78d3fe2b6ca1d648eca PDF Text Text moral influence and even count their enemies, unless something be speedily done for their release. Their political and military power will be worse than lost to the Union, for the rebels are compelling them to do the blackest deeds of treason, and they must yield obedience, or give up their lives, summarily, in the midst of dismal swamps where no friend or help is nigh to know their last testament or hear their plaintful [plaintive?] lamentation. This must not, be it can not be, while a stone is left unturned and a hand untied to turn it. Some one must stake his own life for the chance of planting the seed, which once planted would grow despite the difficulty and danger, and would bring forth fruit unto the down fall of the Southern Conspiracy. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/c92710bf2c7bfaf24cc143d062dc56c5.jpg dbcd1886eb47a7f17a99040dbb0f673e PDF Text Text Who will be the undertaker? Who will boldly, yet secretly, fearlessly, yet carefully, in good faith, yet using policy, pledge his life, his fortune, and his sacred all to support, protect, and defend the Union of our Washington? I will undertake. I will be one of a few or many. I will plant the League. <div class="tooltip" title="“Deus vult” means “God wills it” in Latin. It has served as a long-time motto for Christians, originating in a statement by Saint Paul as recorded in the Bible and being used as a rallying cry for early Christian troops during the First Crusade.">“Deus vult.”</div> I’ll try the problem. I know, if my hand shall be first to plant it, my blood may be first to water the plant:—Others may live to cultivate it, while some may live to garner its fruits in the Union, lead by our noble Lincoln. What though death may menace one like a yawning fiend.—If I remain, I must bear these https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/d6cfb7a60788c49908d42a90947dfdde.jpg d0da423e2ab3932939c2f6ebf8c48281 PDF Text Text chains and slavery:—Is life so sweet as to be purchased with such a price? I will meet death voluntarily rather than be forced <s>to</s> like a beast to the bloody slaughter. What, though I do die, for the Union’s sake, are there not thousands dying for the same every day by land and sea? Is life more sweet to me than to them, or is my life worth more to the world? Mine is worth but little indeed here, chained to the support of <s>wrong</s> Slavery and all its wrongs. But they (the Union soldiers) are where the government can take care and count of them. The “Stars and Stripes” floats above them. Their names are registered at Washington, and they recieve wages and honor for the dangers they bravely meet; while the government does not even know that I live. The rebels have stolen my name—Then https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/68d2e27efdb65436a9bc2f2ce6c1e811.jpg 81e8e3df3c72415ececab6b1dfa89039 PDF Text Text shall I go down under their [frown?] when they smiles could be gained as well? Shall my name be blotted on their books with what they call disgrace, when I might as easily aspire to what they call honor? Shall I give up principle to gain rebell praise by worshiping their traitorous flag? Shall I bow down to treason that the satelites of the devil may give me favor therefore? No. Emphatically no. I will not refuse to bless in secret, just because the recipients know not whom to thank. Neither will I forget nor forsake my country though traitors chain and hide me from her protection. Let me, rather serve truth, tho’ truth know not who her servant be.—This day—Jan. 1st 1863—I will be The Undertaker!! https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/b7b2fda8c6c4a6cc3c572bef11c3689d.jpg db1fc4a3969e37368eb4a724b9d98884 PDF Text Text The Union League. If my readers have carefully considered the “Situation,” they will now be prepared to appreciate the condition of the Writer at the date of the Organization of the Union League, at the city of Mobile Ala. Jan. and Feb.—1863. The undertaking was as difficult as the marshalling of a might host on the eve of decided battle. Before proposing an organization, I thought it proper to diffuse a few insinuating lessons among some of my most confidential friends; which I did in conversations and by writings Camp life gives good opportunities for extensive and repeated conversations. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/1e5b791986cbd32138b771116691eb51.jpg bfee03b414b61e3bb871402f4208b98d PDF Text Text It is well known by most persons that a larger proportion of the men who were in the rebel army, could neither read nor write. These necessarily employed some one to write for them. (Soldiers will write to their Dear ones at home, and generally write more affectionately than they appear when there.) I availed myself extensively of these two means of gaining friends, and of finding out what men really thought. I always shaped the conversation so as to induce inquiry in the mind. viz How came the war? What for? By whom? What is proposed by it? What will be the gain, and loss +c +c. When I wrote to their friends I always worded the missive so https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/5ef0e7d2f6d40e883d4b18588fd008c5.jpg 7c92a88e0eace516e53e243ca8d34b17 PDF Text Text that it touched the hearts, and showed up the unjust cruelty of the sad partings. I wrote so that I did not openly avow the Union cause, but it was exceedingly convenient to draw out serious reflections about our once “happy country.” During Jan. and Feb. 1863, I wrote a few unpresuming pieces of poetry—had them printed on slips and circulated them among the soldiers in camp. There was not a political word in them, but they were so socially sentimented [sentimental?] that I hoped to increase the distaste for soldiering in such a cause, and generate in the mind the idea that nothing but ill continually, would come from all this war.—I had read somewhere that Thoughts slumber in the brain— https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/a251cf762ee7a9c58ce111c354400648.jpg e21679a1d6befdefdf545c38324fd691 PDF Text Text “awake but one And lo! what myriads rise” Human nature is such, that thoughts and reflections come up by association, and the actions do follow them.—g Those pieces were <s>first</s>, “Sweet Home”—“Wife’s Soliloquy”—“My Love”—“Oh Where is He” <s>+c</s>. They were read with pleasure and each soldier inclosed a copy to his “Dear Wife”—He read “Home” and cried and She read “Oh where is he.” and cried.—Every one, both he and she heartily wished the Confederacy and all its Officers, [?] in Hades.—In all the hundreds of letters I wrote to the “Dear Wives” I never penned a good word for the Confederacy, but her palpable wrongs I showed up in impressive style. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/c0074e86521724efed0e3b48ef2c8f15.jpg ae4ea7473d6bf26713ed7c29cc76d0b0 PDF Text Text Most of the men approved of my style and would always remark—“That is just what I wanted”—“You can word it better than I can tell” you.—That’s just right” +c. The world is made of sand the ocean of drops, so is every great result brought about by the friction of small causes. The way prepared—the plans reviewed—the crisis came—the League must be organized and help attained. <s>In Feb. or March 1863 (I don’t remember the day—the rebels took my diary when I was arrested)</s>. I wrote a preamble, declarations and resolutions as a basis for a Union League. <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-23-phonography" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 23, Phonography footnote" rel="noopener">It was written in Phonetics and phonotopy</a>—none could read it but I. I submitted the whole matter https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/912485a691e28bdbffc76086307d3d34.jpg 67340c00c7e356f742ffa9a9892f18c8 PDF Text Text to my friend <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-24-woods-and-abbott" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 24, Woods and Abbott footnote" rel="noopener">Hyram Woods.</a> He and I associated with us a Rev. Mr. Abbott. We took muted counsel together and assumed the title of “Directory.” I and the preacher were conscripts.—My friend H—W— was a volunteer but under circumstances that he could not well resist. Our preacher was by nature enthusiastic and zealous in whatever he believed to be right. He believed the Union to be right, and Secession wrong. He evaded the conscript law and preached Union to the people in the mountains of North Ala. He was finally conscripted and ordered to report—He disobeyed the order, and told them the Confederacy had no jurisdiction over him. He was arrested https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/9cc12c00428eeae64822988e56753ec0.jpg 7359fd07b3ec8cc1bbf6c558c2501b40 PDF Text Text and confined in jail: Afterwards To avoid cruel treatment he asked to be assigned to some Regt. and was came to sent accordingly to Mobile; chained to another conscript—He was scarcely ever able to do any kind of “duty”—His health was always very bad, when the rebels wished him to do service—They did not make him pay well—and he was proud of it <s>it</s>. I sought opportunity to see my friends frequently and to make new ones,—drilling and going to the city on “duty” gave me such opportunity—(<s>So</s> I did not get sick every time they wanted me). My friend H—W— was nearly always indisposed, and inhabited the hospital frequently: but a more Jealous man in the pursuit of what he undertook could scarcely be found. He was a good https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/6f4fe3466616ef63086a96737d6d8509.jpg 9397c5647752246bea07a0762ebae8fc PDF Text Text We three composed the embryo League and the Directory. We were dependent upon our own guidance for <s>our own</s> success. An Organization with an object so important, deserved the ministration of men of profundity and more sagacity at its <s>birth</s> origin. We could boast of no qualifycation except that of Zeal: <s>and</s> We knew, it hath been said that Zeal is the blind leader of the will. Looking to God for <s>the</s> wisdom, we hoped victory would “burst to light through the darkness of our control.” We mutually agreed upon a method of conducting the meetings of the League,—of receiving members, and defined the object and the extent to which we desired to https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/0bf3ff3a7887e260c56d45245832e631.jpg 2c8be8a52a7597d3c4f20ef9c2148cc6 PDF Text Text prosecute our cause. We thought to disguise the character of the League by its name, “The Home Circle” by which we hoped to feign (if betrayed) that the Society had no object further than that of social<s>ity</s> intercourse and friendship—to cultivate good habits—care for each other in sickness +c. This was the character under which we always introduced the League to candidates for admission. in the process of the introduction we could find out whether the applicant was “all right” politically. None, even of the members knew the origin of the “Secret Society”—The original Directory gave out from the beginning that https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/29f10130674e6d72f42d4063d1f6bd0d.jpg e8268d248cb673e29477b8e0e36e8f84 PDF Text Text it was an exotic. It was hailed with delight by the Union men. The intense interest with which they listened to the “Private lectures” when initiated proved the spell that blessed <s>bound</s> their souls with buoyant hope. Their spontaneous exclamations advertised the new delight that swelled their longing hearts.—“This is just what we have been wanting”—“I’m glad it’s started”—“How long has it been on hand” “How many belong to it” “push it on—let’s have all the Union men in it.”—“I want to shake the hand of the man who originated it”—“We’ll not go cowering under these rebel boasters <s>Slavers</s> much longer.” One in his gladness said he “could kiss the man’s feet who started it.” Another said—“I am so glad—I feel https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/2efc884d60745eef91ee35dd274b6ddc.jpg 76f006f1200de44efa1dadf49894fbe1 PDF Text Text like I did when I first got religion” These exclamations were <s>as</s> straws which showed the way the wind was blowing. Organization of the Home Circle at Mobile Ala. Jan. + Feb. 1863 When in the course of events secession and treason, engendered by the institution of slavery, <s>has</s> have involved our country in dreadful war, and whereas, disunion—Slave-holders hold the reigns of power, in these Southern States, and by that power are forceably depriving Union men of the South, of their rights and citizenship under the United States, by arbitrary laws, compelling them to the support of the treasonable ef- https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/e58d37640f09d87facd96f1d5ffc039f.jpg 8cc002f7fd2e8591e150d3f73e999274 PDF Text Text fort to establish a Southern Confederacy it therefore becomes necessary for all Union men thus oppressed to unite <s>join themselves together</s> in a Secret League for self-defense, and for the execution of design in concert. The Design is that Union men by concert of action, upon their own responsibility and moved by principles of patriotism, may cooperate with the Government of the United States, in her effort <s>duty and design of</s> to suppressing this unprovoked rebellion. Declaration. We, Union men of the South, whose homes <s>by chance, fell</s> have fallen to us in the rebel- https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/7f7eae1eebbaae9bf8f617ddeb70b98d.jpg ebdfd90fcf99546940a4cc2413323ef5 PDF Text Text lious States, do declare that we ever have and still claim allegiance to the Union of our forefathers; and we now and henceforth disavow, any voluntary connection with this traitorous effort to establish a Southern Confederacy. The rebels have been reminded from time to time, by our words and actions, that we were unwilling to serve them in their unjust attempt against our country and interests, and we do refuse to recognize the “so called Confederacy” as a <s>lawful</s> government, but look upon it as usurpation and treason. We have given attention to “State rights,” but have failed to see that any rights of the South were https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/ff36c70757ca781633d638e0d200aff1.jpg 8af12b04cbacd53009fe789262028d7d PDF Text Text either “trampled upon” or menaced by the general government of the U.S. Hence we declare that non-slave holders, have not even a pretext towards justifying or influencing them to take part with Slave-holders in this wicked rebellion; <s>then we must consider it blindest fully in them so to do.</s> We are not interested for the perpetuation of Slavery and and do not desire it: therefore we will not fight with secessionists for it; but we do sincerely hope that this rebellion maybe turned back like a destructive <s>upon itself treasonous</s> viper upon itself to the sudden abolition of Slavery, by God and the government; that these precipitate rebels may see that in their blind disloyalty they wrought their own humiliation. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/1957168938440df887d9dd8e734113f3.jpg f2f714f34232f3815e3667fba597c9d0 PDF Text Text We are under no obligations to the “Confederacy,” and will not voluntarily fight its battles or otherwise serve it. We owe allegiance to the Union and <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-33-support-protect-defend" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 33, Support Protect Defend footnote" rel="noopener">“will support, protect and defend”</a> her in every possible and practicable manner even to the imminent peril of our lives. The determination of the “Confederacy to force Union men into her service, to aid in perpetuating Slaver, in which we <s>they</s> hold no interest, <s>but rather see it abolished, than pr continued,</s> is virtuely reducing us to object slavery ourselves. To constrain us to bear arms against the flag we love, is to force us to sley our friends and save our enemies, which is https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/b264ea3de1feef3dedd6e6ee32150837.jpg 8ebb4e8253c14faa25b952d2c91a933d PDF Text Text as unnatural as it is unjust. Union men for the love of their country have been abused in divers ways,—hunted from their homes with dogs,—ironed and driven like beasts to the field of Slaughter,—hung and their families insulted by the rebel authorities: We do therefore most solemnly resolve that we will beat lasting hate against the “Southern Confederacy”, but we will never entertain any sympathy for it or for any <s>person or</s> measure in support thereof. We will fight against the “Confederacy” secretly:—to injure it—to weaken it,—to bring it into disrepute among its own deciples. We do this in self defense. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/0f4f9edca227314e2843e42cd967a851.jpg 7f55e79a1ebcf1b6f18cbe33f60b1768 PDF Text Text to aid our country what we can, though she knows not our will, but we hoping she may approve, we, with steady faith and free bent minds, launch our lives in this uncertain peril, trusting in God for wisdom to guide us. (Parenthetical My Readers will please remember that I word these writings from memory, as the rebels took all my papers Diary +c, which I did not myself destroy when I was arrested Apr. 14 1863. So these brief instruments of the Secret Society are not verbatim of the original, but they contain the spirit fully and the words as far as I can remember them I will not give the names of men who joined with me in the League fearing that it might by some possibility https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/de039858c3339365c02cb0e58cbd37f2.jpg 814f246edb317d90d7ccc9085d611323 PDF Text Text bring them in to danger, as many of the paroled rebels are yet no better than vile assassins.) The Home Circle Articles of agreement. We, the members of this Secret Circle, are Union men who believe that the “so called Confederacy” is wrong and treasonable, and know it to be tyrrannical: We therefore owe it no service and will give it non voluntarily. We will use every secret means in our power, to injure the Confederate cause and to aid the Union. (We can not do it openly—). If forced into battle by the rebels, we will not fire upon our friends, the Union Soldiers, but into the https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/73fbb93ba2aa3e99085d9556ae557cbd.jpg 2a39410cd46e150c7cf1c097fb5acd35 PDF Text Text ground or otherwise <s>for a blind</s>. We will encourage desertion from the rebel lines, and any disobedience which will give trouble to the “Confederacy” and annoy and dishearten rebel citizens. From henceforth, we consider ourselves secret Soldiers of the United States. We assume this honor in good faith because we are cut off from correspondence with our government; nevertheless we will only do those acts and things which we believe our government will, one day, approve. We make these agreements secretly, mutually, and intelligently, knowing that we are proposing to meet great dangers without <s>assurance of</s> pay, honor https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/d9eaf6231f43983d5fc5284264232399.jpg a3d7f177c10309a146afaf6322b2fe29 PDF Text Text or protection, but feeling that a clear conscience and the smiles of heaven will be our reward. We unite in this League to stand by each other when and the principles we profess, when danger threatens or rebel frowns lower darly [darkly] on us.—Here we plight our faith in pursuance of right <s>as God has given us as understand to see that right.</s> Initiation—Oath. Each candidate for admition [admission] into this Secret Circle must take the following oath. We solemnly pledge upon our honor as men moved by a common necessity, withe our hands upon the Holy Bible before each other, and in the sight of God, that we will https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/65f85824ee2999a316b9b6169c5355a1.jpg 73b1030d50b378b4d80817f758d60589 PDF Text Text keep profoundly secret all the proceedings, designs, signs and passwords of <s>of</s> this League known as the Home Circle. —That we will individually, and collectively, labor zealously for the consumation of the designs and purposes of this League, and that we will never divulge any member’s name so long as danger may menace therefor. For the Support of this League the resolutions and Declaration We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred all. So help me God. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/4d2163e200cb7426196e45fbb7398d32.jpg 4baafb0d83f9fcdb3a1051a2bc303bf9 PDF Text Text By Laws— The power of the Home Circle shall be vested in Directories which shall consist of three men in each Directory, whose duty it shall be to direct the meetings and proceedings of the respective Circle to which they belong; and to initiate members. The different Directories shall meet in general Convention to decide upon general plans of action. Every meeting must be so conducted that no large assembly shall be brought together at <s>the</s> one place. It shall be the duty of every member to be watchful of danger and to solicit all his well known Union friends and no others to become members. No new member shall <s>not</s> https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/3439d3ccfcdc61288ccaf66786d535a6.jpg f216a1eb19aadd3ffe36c4fa701120ca PDF Text Text be admitted, <s>who is</s> unless he is well known by one or more of the well known and intelligent members of the Circle where the initiation is proposed. When a meeting is being held all business must be immediately suspended on the approach of any individual, and some light conversation taken up; but if the person approaching gives the signs of the Circle he may be admitted, and if no doubt remains, the business of the Circle may be resumed. One or more of a Directory may with other members initiate new members anywhere and at any time when the instructions can be given without detection. New Directories of three, of congenial sentiments, may be https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/efc45c5943c1ad5444ccf0c116eb8a64.jpg 219f1ac2cf014f6a75f3f9ea579a4188 PDF Text Text formed by an older Directory wherever there is opportunity of receiving new members. No names of members, pass-signs or pass-words shall be written; neither shall any of the proceedings or writings of the Circle be written or drawn off,—except such a careful number of the Constitution, Declaration, resolutions and Oath as are actually necessary to spread the organization: which are then to be given in parts and destroyed. An estimate of the number of members initiated must be kept by the Directories Other rules may be introduced according to necessities, but the strictest secrecy must be preserved. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/128c81705f658e1ea0ff03809f3aa7b7.jpg 2668caafd56e8771a140082b2ea664e1 PDF Text Text The Work of initiating members into the Home Circle was facilitated by the extensive dissatisfaction which existed among the men; and Secrecy was made sure by the mutual and self-interest of the dissatisfied. Each Union man felt oppressed and sighing for relief he was anxious to take hold of any scheme that promised it. It is an old adage that “misery loves company” Rebel oppression induced Union men to make inquiry for a common <s>mean</s> means, to secure a common relief. <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-43-camp-beulah" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 43, Camp Beulah footnote" rel="noopener">Four miles from Mobile in “Camp Beula,”</a> We were in “Winter quarters”—divided into “messes” of ten., Each “mess” having a little house or tent for quarters. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/3aba0bde6fefe2dc36ee4218263a529a.jpg 9aa86e4c7bb1a2ac8ec716c4a7c118f6 PDF Text Text The “quarters” were nicely laid out with streets like a village—polieced [policed] thoughorly and a broad “parade ground” alongside. It is a fine, sandy, level, sweet-potatoe country down among the Alabama pines. There were broad <s>leve</s> fields for drilling and reviewing. The rebel authorities were building military prisons and fortifying the “Bay City” as if they expected some day, to see yonder “Yankee fleet” come sailing up the bay. They were planting torpedoes—building gun-boats and mounting “siege pieces.” Every soldier is acquainted with the “Duty” to be done at a Camp like this.—A detail for guard—a detail for work—drilling—parades and reviews. All to take up the time, yet you https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/c72a310f0655fdae68a5ab275a8dd8ee.jpg eb2c1fe8ce54bcd1bba938c199384cd6 PDF Text Text may find a great deal of leasure for reading—writing—attending preaching and mingling with friends, or if you be of a contrary turn of mind you may find leasure for playing cards, <div class="tooltip" title="Taken from the common phrase “pressed into service,” this is likely a reference to some soldiers’ practice of stealing goods, including chickens, from locals, with the claim that it was necessary for the good of the Confederate army or cause. “Trafficking” in this context also likely refers to trading in banned goods in a dishonest manner."><s>stealing</s> “pressing chickens,” +c and for trafficing.</div> A man <s>of short reflection</s>, whose mind did not reach out into the future, could endure all this Camp life and even enjoy it. But thinking men—men who have aspiration, conscience, and ambition become restless and unhappy. Taking it all together Camp life is an excellent condition to make acquaintances. Each man soon has a number of confidential friends and each confidential has his. Then, as meetings are free https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/7aaf2ad8df2d0aebff13af9f43952b4b.jpg f96a9ed250b2680111d061a9117656ff PDF Text Text and frequent among friends, there is no better place for secret combinations to grow and flourish. True, as military is stripped of that spirit of compromise and leniency, which belongs to civil law, it is dangerous to subject one’s self to the mercy of its courts: but it is, also true, that those who would attempt to excite a mutiny or secret combination to overthrow the power that binds and oppresses them, Stake their lives upon the success of the effort: They choose death, rather than bear submissively, the galling chains of Slavery. In this desire, I entertained of planting an influenced which perchance might trouble the Confederate imposition, even https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/0c3215812c7f89088b3f4216c56e9ce7.jpg 51cac819ed194965a0376aed549e521d PDF Text Text more than regiments of armed men, I determined to give up my life if needs be, as a voluntary sacrifice upon the alter of the Union. I knew there was a possibility of accomplishing my designs and of saving my life too, but I was fully persuaded that the probabilities were against me. I devoutly asked the light and guidance of God in the undertaking; and I believe there is virtue in asking. We at first held our meetings very cautiously; frequently in some of the little houses where the “Mess” were members, but generally on the “parade ground.” We assembled in small numbers at different places on the parade ground about dark. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/5b2adcd226ec24d40b43178ea823c9aa.jpg ee18a1489c4bec6476b4f8b308015ed1 PDF Text Text Forming small Circles of those present, the Directory and candidates for admission in the center, the initiations were performed, the instructions given and the meeting dispersed; perhaps to meet again at some other point in five or ten <s>m</s> minutes afterwards. In this way as many as twenty or thirty would be and were often instructed in a very short time. We frequently held meetings and initiated members in day-light even while <s>and the</s> officers were in sight. There was very soon a Directory in nearly every Company in two or three regiments. (38 and 36 Ala.) We sent the organization by a citizen, (whose sons were at Mobile and members). to North https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/2550acbade5f9c2d7d6b61ed4a0214d7.jpg b6441f4a75fe2d5dce9e3ec2ce397817 PDF Text Text Alabama; and also by furloughed soldiers and letters to different parts of the rebel armies—to Va. N.C. Ga. +c. We never learned directly what success the League ever meet with other parts to which it was sent. I have heard it spoken of frequently by North Carolinians and North Georgians. I met a few of the members in prison at Atlanta a year after the organization at Mobile. These told me that the League to which they belonged was known by a different name and that they read the Second chapter of Joshua for encouragement. (Reader please see 2d Chap. Josh.). many of us did truely “bind the line of scarlet thread in https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/2e44fb24ae1fe3819d91defcfe8d38c2.jpg 41a85daab6260082878ead3171682529 PDF Text Text <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-50-bible-quotation" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 50, Bible Quotation footnote" rel="noopener">the window”</a> for Lincoln’s spies as a sign. There was I am informed a mutiny among the rebel soldiers at Fort Jackson, below New Orleans, which <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-50-fort-jackson" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 50, Fort Jackson footnote" rel="noopener">gave the Union forces an easy victory on the 24th of Apr. 1862;</a> but I have never heard of any <s>League</s> Union League of earlier date than ours at Mobile. According to the best information I have, there was some organizations of the <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-50-union-leagues" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 50, Union Leagues footnote" rel="noopener">Union League in New York and other northern States</a> <s>about</s> in the summer of 1863. I do not know what occasion gave rise to the idea in the North, but I am of the impression that the influence first planted at https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/211b55ea11bc93e4e0dd5fed1a045ffa.jpg a7af19186c81d13a7fa5eaa365dc5b33 PDF Text Text the South by the necessities of which I have spoken and then for mutual advantage transmitted by some member to some of the earliest captured Union soldiers, who upon their exchange carried the idea to the North from E. Tenn. or Va. We worked zealously and uninterruptedly in the Home Circle until about the 1st of Apr. “/63, when the rebel officers became aware that some extraordinary subject engrossed the minds of the men. The officers used many cunning devices to discover, what was to them a mystery. On several occasions the Leaguers had tried their alarm signals, to ascertain what https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/3ca183b3ac103dd2382ac7c89357aa93.jpg c83b03d32579bfd547634669c8acb4db PDF Text Text force they could quickly rally. One night at 8 P.M.—the signal was given—the members gathered on the parade ground like portentous clouds before a storm. Some evidently thought active operations were about to begin,—as defiant shouts were raised by the more enthusiastic. A few of the officers were seen skulking about in disguise, to see what they might see.—They may have supposed that actual hostilities had commenced. “On or about” the 5th Apr. the rebel officers held a “war council” to determine for their own safety. They said the men had become impudent and discontented;—that they collected in bands at night and “[run?] the guard” and that they were unreliable to do guard https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/fb01524f08810b238c3db9309eea29c6.jpg 56f32e2cfde2146502468e3b4b8da041 PDF Text Text duty, as they would let prisoners escape. Planters too were laying in complaints about their chickens and pigs being stolen. Some of the speculative planters in their wrath swore that they had as <div class="tooltip" title="“Lief” is an old-fashioned word for “gladly or willingly.” Originally from Old English and particularly popular in the early 1800’s, “lief” saw a resurgence in use around 1861 that may explain Woods’ use of it here.">lief</div> have the “Yankee Soldiers” there at once. (I thought I had rather). The officers regretted this state of affairs very much indeed They decided that their safety lay in scattering the companies <s>troops</s>. But to leave Mobile with all the pleasures they had there been enjoying almost col cooled their ardor in the “Southern cause” and one Colonel (36th Ala.) did actually resign, rather than leave his “Dear Wife” and negroes to fight in the inglorious cause of Slavery. Oh how their unpatriotic hearts swelled with desire to https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/b65cd0db855d563286408cdceba53f4d.jpg 5b287866da518af84ba2c706262805ef PDF Text Text enjoy their salaries at their homes. The soldiers had long since become enviously sick of the happiness the officers were enjoying with their accomplished wives and fair daughters. Oft they rose in close proximity past the “lines” on the review grounds, rustling their gaudy silks as if to mock the chafings of the men forced from home <s>soldier’s broken and longing heart.</s> These venial temptations may light up cheerfulness to some, but they only vex the lonely senseativeness of him whose imagination flies like swift-winged fancy. One dry, sultry day—“Camp Beula” Mobile—there was a general review of all the companies <s>troops</s>. I managed to be “excused”—then I placed me where spectators thronged. The officers were in self important style—their fine https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/9a93820a4ad00d526e768553d2c7866e.jpg 064855f155b2cbd193342cf78abc7d6c PDF Text Text chargers prancing to the treasonable tune of Dixie and the soldiers murmuringly biding their time.—Wealthy ladies from the city and “fancies” from St. Michael Street in glittering <div class="tooltip" title="The barouche was a kind of horse-drawn carriage used for leisurely travel mainly in the summer. These carriages had an open top and two bench-style seats inside made to seat four people.">barouches</div> were gathered on the common At length the wily Buckner, <s>with</s> came with all his puffed <s>up</s> retinue.—The evolutions began and progressed untill the men were tired and faint. They were “double quicked” for miles to please the vain curiosity of spectators and the ambition of officials.—From some cause we had been given no rations of meat for three days. In the course of the review my attention was called to a conversation between some ladies and an officer. They seemed to be talk- https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/935b772a61b60c47fd3ed68ee2add838.jpg 3badf80855f80f78298b4fb2e0032f8f PDF Text Text ing lightly about the hardships, which soldiers have to bear.—One exclaimed—“See them double-quick” “How they come dow [down?].” “Ha, ha ha—one <s>soldier</s> fell.” The ladies seemed to be recieving great pleasure <s>from</s> by the fatiguing and vexing labors of the men in drilling <s>men</s>—The officer spoke saying—“I don’t think they ought to run them quite so much, for I understand they have had nothing to eat for several days but bread.”—The lady replied—“Then they ought not to run those fellows to death.”—Thus the disrespect and coldness of feeling, the wealthy ladies and officers entertained for the "rank and file.” I have seen them, on the field and passing through <s>in</s> prisons, and in hospitals, laugh at the poor soldiers lonely trouble https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/22d33a7a5081ff631e09c7732539aeb1.jpg 9d0ad93d0b897cc7f3dbd10df16ca758 PDF Text Text and mock at his feverish pain. A few men can read the cruel indifference of a “marble heart” to another’s woes, and ply the punitive mien it well deserves. On the 8th of Apr. 1863, the troops were, upon short notice, ordered to march—some in one direction, some in another. Men excited and officers in doubt, confusion ensured. The men <s>soldiers</s> had not been paid for some time, hence they used this as a pretext for their discontent. It was rumored in camps that the men were not going to leave Mobile without their wages were first paid.—Eleven dollars ($11.) per month was not much but then Confederate script was nearly at par. The chaplin came around https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/7a2c08ce60d8df662c3dcc76eca5bed5.jpg 94c56aef36dfbedf424b32bc446956ed PDF Text Text among the men <s>soldiers</s> to persuade them to obey the orders. He told them that he was aware they needed their money to send to their families, but that it could not be attended to at that time—he said “we must all bear these ills for the good of our country” (meaning the Confederacy). The “Home Circle” had not fully completed its work and we, did not want to divide our strength without making an attack. In our last meetings we had decided upon a plan of action—We had determined for every member of the League to load his piece secretly for dress parade—then when the officers closed in line and marched to the Colonel for instructions, the signal was to be given. Then, quickly every member of the Circle with loaded https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/744b4315b5d64a550b3ebea333958f71.jpg 9005e3d747f665e479467d0c086cc1fe PDF Text Text gun was to rush forward and closing up around the affrighted officers, our Captain was to demand their surrender. In the event, they refused <s>our</s> our bayonets being set, a fight would have followed. This was to take place simultaneously in several Regts. If the officers could thus have been captured or killed, complete disorganization <s>would</s> of the regiments would have followed <s>in quick succession.</s> The League in perfect discipline and understanding would have remained in working order. A general invitation from our officers then would have secured to us the majority, probably of those <s>rem</s> uninitiated. The balance could have been captured or conquered ‘ere other rebel soldiers could be brought from a distance. The idea was to right for the Union https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/608642534442ee41a6bcddabe530cbbd.jpg 22ed7c2c3c1857f7be7667552dc3973d PDF Text Text and we intended to fight the first battle <s>right</s> there, bury our dead and march with our prisoners to the <s>Union</s> coast near Pascagoula—there signal the Union fleet—turn over our prisoners and offer our services regularly to the Federal commander. This plan was decided upon but no time appointed. Now by the order to march our plan was about to be thwarted.—<s>Our action was to have be simultaneous in all the regiments.</s> We now became apprehensive that the rebel officers had a spie in our ranks to betray us, and that this order to scatter the troops by marching them to different <s>poin</s> points, was only a stratigem to destroy our strength or to bring new troops to Mobile, to ar- https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/de5c19dcf1f1ca8028ed21d72cadffed.jpg d8a323fc6291106027ba849b1bf6f3aa PDF Text Text rest or displace us, hence the excitement on the morning of the 8th, but through the efforts of the chaplin of the 36th Ala. and the treacherous spie in our ranks with the promise of the officers that we would all be come back in a few days and then be paid, we acquiesced, as we <s>thought</s> hoped only to get a better opportunity. A part of the troops were left in camps as if to insure our return. We were marched beyond Dog-river toward Pascagoula I was a private, but on account of my qualifycations I was assigned a position as a clerk to make out Muster and Payrolls and some of the officers had solicited me to accept a position in the ordinance department. I stood fair among https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/c4ba855e772daef69e6eefe8eee57914.jpg 607ab10e9345156dd264e91fccfed612 PDF Text Text the officers and knew many of their plans, and up to this time I did not believe they knew the cause of the dissatisfaction among the men. We initiated a few new members on the march toward Pascagoula, and those remaining at Camps worked zealously while we were gone. I was very much interested in the march for I thought it had gained friends to the Circle. We hoped we had a majority in two regiments—Some in others. We delayed action, in order to gain strength. Our delay was fatal. The rebel officers had taken advantage of it <s>our delay</s>, to scatter the troops and to bring new ones to Mobile. On the evening of the 13th Apr. we returned and camped https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/854d7a3b9c2a4c4115dbf8c26446c1bc.jpg 8b4681c0c5fc5534a3ffec71e2c84877 PDF Text Text near <s>the old</s> Our winter quarters. On the morning of the 14th. Some of our Directories met for consultation and decided that action must not be delayed much longer; And while we were yet hoping to concentrate our strength in action, an order came for all to be ready to take ship, accross Mobile Bay to Bpollard, thence by rail to the seat of war at Tulahoma Tenn. Again excitement ran high and there was signs of precipitation. I was busily consulting with the Directories, when a Lt Silas Mosely, a pretended friends, but in reality the Spie in our midst, treacherously invited me and my friend H.W—to go with him to the City, where he https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/09e6b330e7301e17172dc82f61c13fd0.jpg 85e903728168a7cdadad0223cb9c696e PDF Text Text pretended some of our confidential friends were waiting to see us. I hesitated, I yielded, I went.—On the way as we neared the depot on Dauphin St. I felt as though some dark-winged augur hovered over me. The hand that Judas-like <s>sh should</s> would soon betray me was at my side and I knew it not. We went on to the Post Office where after some little purposed delays of our disguised enemy, guards and officer approached and informed me and my friend H—W—<s>Hiram Woods</s> that we were prisoners. We were taken down the street, below the Battle House to the military prison, at 11 A.M. Apr. 14, 1863. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/9936221913bc172a69a0bb4ccc7c65b3.jpg 3c5f04a304b829bb1bf4c1cb418b4144 PDF Text Text My Imprisonment at Mobile Many of my readers, doubless know by experience, what imprisonment means. In every army, whether its aims be good or bad, there are those <s>from</s> who from some cause give offense to the military power over them. They are sought, arrested imprisoned, <s>and</s> tried and punished. All good people everywhere will agree, that insubordination to or desertion from a good cause is a crime; but few if any can decide that desertion from a bad cause is a crime. It should rather be considered a virtue to forsake the Service of the evil and unjust. It is no disgrace to be imprisoned for conscience’s sake, by the hands of the evil. Since this cruel rebellion many https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/1e0068ac99becb02ee88644dc66276de.jpg d104ce03b29b8bc72d2f039836bdbfcb PDF Text Text thousands of our best and loyal citizens have been imprisoned, condemned, and punished by the rebel authorities; for alleged opposition to the “Confederacy.” Their arrest, imprisonment, and punishment, was advertised by the rebels as being ignominious. I wish hear to impress upon the minds of all, that military crimes even in a good cause are quite different from civil crimes.—Murder, theft, fraud +c are crimes per se, and their disgrace can never be effaced from the culprits character in any just and intelligent community. But “military necessity” makes things right in time of war, which are wrong in time of war, which are wrong in times of peace, and vice versa.—for instance in time of war it becomes a virtue in https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/34bc1cf515ce1c7cf059ca4856074959.jpg 1a8825d13e3cfcc540c93ca5fddc329b PDF Text Text a man to leave his wife and home to the charities of the people, to enter the military service as a volunteer in a good cause. In time of peace it would be a crime to leave one’s family unprovided for. In times of war, desertion and mutiny are the higest crimes and are punishable with death.—Yet there may be circumstances and times which would justify both of these military crimes. In forced Service—draft and conscription there are often domestic obligations and claims of conscience, which the mutineer or deserter may plead in bar against punishment. Those pleas might give self justifycation, yet be rejected by the courts-martial. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/cda28dac14d0f1e724deae66abd691c8.jpg 71e59da54fdc4fc368901908881b66e0 PDF Text Text Thus, often in military, he, who feels justified and innocent of any crime, is actually accused imprisoned, tried and punished in the most ignomminious manner. This is heart rending to the friends and relatives of the quasi criminal but the accused person himself when he feels justified, can bear his punishment with much more patience than he, who feels himself guilty of real crime: yet I have heard many a prisoner say that if he was quilty, he could bear the punishment better. In the case of our own soldiers who have by military authority been wrongfully accused and punished, or where there were sufficient mitigations connected with the crime of which they have been accused, as far as the https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/6a6978914bd3ae714d8d0b4717deaa5d.jpg 907899fdba024db51d30172b782be179 PDF Text Text people or the government can discern such cases imputed disgrace should be removed, and they should be honored as though they had suffered in the execution of the most meritorious commands. For it is only by the toleration and cultivation of this desire to act according to conviction of duty, that moral responsibility can be secured to man. Yet while I hold these exceptions to general rules, I believe in the main all should acquiese in the power over them, even against conscience, especially when acquiescence would result in less evil<s>l</s> than disobedience. In voluntary service the presumtion for acquiescence is stronger, or even obligatory. I do not desire that one word https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/6fb5ea1828e4ae8f889e3f766b48498d.jpg 0ede8f2dffe49380bc04b299bf25a6e0 PDF Text Text I say shall be construed in favor of deserters from a good cause into which they volunteered, but I do desire to encourage an<s>d</s> inclination in the American people to discern between willful crime civil or military, and those offenses <s>wh</s> against regulations, in which the mitigations may outweigh the offense itself. In this war against the rebellion, every true loyal person has hailed desertion from the rebel army as a virtue, and would readily honor the deserter there from. On the other hand he woul decide it a great crime to deserte from the Union ranks. So I decide it. In this narrative I must consider that to disobey the https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/b5377682f88626cbb97bc2bc9e64938e.jpg f02612bb0f5323bc4f13c7fa735a7489 PDF Text Text confederate laws was a virtue yet I suppose most of the people who were caught in the Confederate bounds, considered obedience there to a virtue. Hence those there, who disobeyed against Confederate authority were the victims of the execrations of the rebels; and the victim if overtaken and imprisoned was sure to suffer the full expiation for his offence. So it was with us in the Mobile prison, we were subjected to many abuses and cruelties at the hands of officers and guards in charge of the prison. Prior to my imprisonment I had been compelled to stand guard a few times around this https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/d79775b5c8209f20656f0218394961e9.jpg 5da230da363cd4f19336f2465953269e PDF Text Text same prison house, but my sympathy was for the inmates rather than their keepers. Many of the prisoners were vicious and unworthy men, but I sympathized with them because I knew full well that every trouble to the rebel cause was doing service for the Union. I don’t mean by this that the government of the United States should feel under obligations to that class north or South, who unintentionally injured and weakened the Confederate cause; for many of these I suppose would have committed the same offenses against the Union, had they been in her armies. But I do hold that the United States does owe a modest respect to those, who in the South, pressed by every https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/7b425f4b69176bd6abb2556c9ddbadd4.jpg e65bad16ce8813c16bb9d1dc2a6c2851 PDF Text Text rebel influence, were yet firm for the Union, and voluntarily with an intelligent eye to ther the good of the Union, <s>sought and</s> gave trouble to the Confederacy. Having these reflections, I felt proud of my imprisonment. I felt proud of the character with which the rebels thought to disgrace me. I was a prisoner charged with disloyalty to the Southern Confederacy. I was proud of the charge, but I <s>thou</s> thought it best policy not to let my real feelings be known openly. I consoled many worthy prisoners by arguing this question with them—telling them that a crime against the Confederacy was only a local crime and a local disgrace at worst:—that our actions would one https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/bd3720fc799baee7ee2e77982370c45e.jpg d904300102cf190403506970f559bf13 PDF Text Text day be honorable among the great majority of the American people. Believing that my imprisonment would result in good to myself and enable me to extend my thread of influence for the Union, I resolved to content myself the best I could. When Capt.____ arrested us, he marched us directly to the military prison between the Battle House and the depot on the Second Street from the Bay.—Mosely, also who betrayed us, was with us and the Capt.___ pretended to arrest him too in order to deieve us—that we might not divine from whence our betrayal came: and Mosely supposed that if by https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/fe1c85c508f01aa1f6e8e3e0cb5d8c04.jpg 38e147ad936072529929026a859c4116 PDF Text Text any chance the members of the League become aware that he was the traitor his own life might not be safe any where. When we were brought into the prison office—I and my friend were taken up to the second story. As we were ordered out of the office the Captain remarked that Mosely was a commissioned officer and must be taken to another place. We immediately saw the ruse, and agreed that we were “sold.” I resolved forthwith to be calm and unconcerned as though I apprehended no danger. My friend was much alarmed, but I told him to be calm and we would “play off” https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/85179fc2b5fd0790592e061cade46de9.jpg 86e94eb5f367336d245d0778ef51203b PDF Text Text on them yet. We found quite a number of prisoners in the room to <s>wh</s> which we were taken. They hailed us with the prisoner’s <s>exclamation</s> salutation—“Fresh fish.” Some of the prisoners were asleep others were eating Soup,—some were reading and some were playing vards. They did not gather around us as is common for prisoners to do when new ones are brought in <s>in</s> Immediately after the officer and guard disappeared below the stairs, I told my friends that <s>on</s> we must destroy all papers and writings about us which might be taken from us and used as evidence against us; for we both had a copy of the Declaration +c of https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/811efe6105195e85c201ecf43ad3ac19.jpg f869525fa6c51a212e41794fa12c7a96 PDF Text Text the “Home Circle” and I had a memorandum of the number of members of the League. There was a little blaze on the hearth where some of the prisoners had been lighting their pipes, so we burned our papers quickly. The ashes were still blazing in the hearth when an officer and a guard opened our door and called for the two men who had just been “put in” <s>a few minutes ago.</s> We were then taken down to the prison Office where we were to searched from head to foot by order of the Provost Martial, who wished to see all our papers and writings; for this Mosely had repared to the Provist’s office. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/8242ecd585385442d8235118eb152145.jpg dbf50d125c5cdd610606341c6551a5a5 PDF Text Text to immediately after our confinement, to talk over his brilliant exploit, and told that we had papers. no doubt We were stripped and searched thoroughly. They took my Diary, an account book and two or three of my wife’s letters which I chanced to have in my pocket. Every thing in our possession was taken. We were then both hand-cuffed and taken to the third story of the prison and consigned to a room where there were a number of other prisoners in irons.—The door was locked and we were left to the first musings of prison life. My friend and I congratulated ourselves that we had burned our papers so opportunely. Prisoners will assist each https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/89fa74c01ab571e7554d12eb9504bf3e.jpg 66870f9f90ce94fcda396be5676d5d61 PDF Text Text each other when they can without danger of rendering their own condition worse <s>more intolerable excruciating.</s> It happened that my friend was acquanited with one of the prisoners in the room. He was a young man who from some cause had deserted the Confederate service very soon after he entered <s>got into it</s>, but being caught he was tried, and condemned to be shot, but his sentence was commuted to thirty nine lashes and imprisonment during the war. He had been in this prison six or seven months and had of course learned “the ropes” of prison life. He was glad to see my https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/2e4c989411012594f6fdaf75f668ffba.jpg 58aa4068a6223d223eab2fb3df6fc90c PDF Text Text friend and to make my acquaintance, and very soon informed us that he could take our irons off without a key. He showed us how he could take his own off and then replace them when he heard the officers or guard approaching. He said he and the other prisoners were going to keep the officer ignorant of their arts untill they might have some chance to escape. With his help we took our cuffs off, for it is very vexatious indeed to eat, rest, or sleep with handcuffs on. When a prisoner is ironed it is evidence that a heavy charge stands against him which if sustained https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/e2814347523be735530857921d234f87.jpg 962994f4f477b173a46385318ed765af PDF Text Text may cost him his life. This thought kept constantly before the mind by the irons on the hands causes <s>the our</s> one’s condition when ironed, to be doubly painful. We were given bread and coffee, made of parched meal, for supper; and then we laid us down upon the floor, (for we had no bed nor blanket). Most of the prisoners had become used to this kind of life and thought it very good fare. I and my friends slept but little that night. We turned often and in <s>sighings</s> thinking we passed the hours away. The morning light brought us relief, for the darkness of the night seemes to mark the line that bade our most sanguin hopes an eternal https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/8ee130292f327bd4f7698431ca4224aa.jpg ddae51026566f45300300b81ffb8bd76 PDF Text Text farewell; and the mid-night hour is when the troubled mind can see spectral visions of future despair in all its hopeless forms. While we shut our eyes to invite unconsciouness, in halfway dreams unseemly imps of evil birth, assayed to discourage us, but then, anon their mocking shades were dispersed by bright spirits of friends that whispered in our ears—hope,—faith and all that catalogue of consolation, which keeps the christian alive. We arose early in the morning <s>of the morning</s> (15th Apr.) and looked out from our prison hight upon the noble river as she wends her way to the Sea. In prision — <div class="tooltip" title="This is a quote from the Bible, Genesis chapter 1, verse 5: “And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.rdquo;">“the evening and the morning were the first day.”</div> https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/d16f2e3e558e4177f8d67d39403aa3d4.jpg d6f0cfea3fca344311e94de9635db716 PDF Text Text Reflections in prison—Mobile. I looked about me awhile to become capable of appreciating my situation as a prisoner. Then I tried to turn my thoughts into a channel suitable to my condition. With pencil and paper I began my prison diary. I noted where I was.—The prison building was a three Story brick-high and commodious. It had in former year been used as a negro market by Southern planters and negro-traders. It fronted toward the river eastward. From the windows of the third Story we could <s>have</s> have a fine view of the city, River Bay, and of the steamers plying between Selma and Mobile. It was not far from one of the Hospitals. The depot, wharf, <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-83-the-battle-house" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 83, Battle House footnote" rel="noopener">Battle-House,</a> and Dauphin and St. Michael Sts. were all in sight. So we had a view of nearly every https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/d8bb8ad73cfd1fa94bd108b37e41a0a4.jpg c09d85d82a3012b5b3e5c07f5ac02689 PDF Text Text grand movement about the City.—Our position would have been a good one for a correspondent of some M.S. or Phila. paper. Dauphin Street is the most business part of the city and Saint-Michael is where “fast men” and rebel officers used to resort to find fancy, painted angels. The wharf was day and night thronged with steamers and gun-bo boats. Vast amounts of Sugar, grain +c. were piled about the landings: And Mobile’s bricked-walled presses were stored with great quantities of ammunition. Shot and Shell.—The Confederacy was “inexhaustable” then—her script was almost at par, and Ala. Notes signed by <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-84-john-gill-shorter" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 84, John Gill Shorter footnote" rel="noopener">Jno. Gill Shorter</a> were nearly good as gold. Jeff. Davis had many friends there; and <div class="tooltip" title="Sterling Price (1809-1867) was the 11th governor of Missouri and a Confederate general. While largely successful as a governor, he is now remembered for his failure at the Battles of Pea Ridge and Westport in the Western theater during the war. It is unclear what Woods means in this sentence.">Sterling Price</div> was there to see the future prospects. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/e0d8aee201be24ef9e4d566261f3858f.jpg 797cce5b1db48e6d0780ac42079e781b PDF Text Text Officers in disgusting profusion met at the Battle-House, and discoursed of the delectable future of the new born Confederacy. While I scanned the scenes around, from my lofty seat in that Historic window, I was impressed with the strength of the monster I had offended: but I should not waste my time in useless sighs over what I could not change for the better. I must call in my winged mind from the sense and hopes of youth and center it where the shades appoint my fate. A friends on the 16th brought our clothes, books +c which we left at the Camps. We learned a few outside items from him. The prisoners were assembled every morning in the walled yard for “roll-call.” The hand-cuffs were https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/d524e27bad37bc1595993d0ad16e7535.jpg 5bab0a6bcbb9ca8249a964c97c97ff07 PDF Text Text not fastened upon me and my friend any more, for the officers became favorably impressed toward us, and the Regiment to which we were held responsible was was gone to Tennessee. In the yard was a good pump at which we could wash and get water, by asking the officer or guard. We were fed three times per day—breakfast, corn bread and meal-coffee;—dinner, corn-bread beef, and rice-soup;—Supper, cornbread and meal-coffee. Every day the same and usually plenty of it. I had now my Bible and songbook, writing paper +c. There is nothing so well <s>to aff</s> suited to afford a prisoner comfort as a Bible and Song-book. It seemed I could find richer https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/1649e15e41611191199e312471bd156a.jpg 9e2c599cd970d3da9f6b57e4e695dbc1 PDF Text Text pasture in the Bible and make to myself sweeter notes than ever before. I read my Bible with such avidity that the early sun found me reading, and the last lingering twilight left me studying of Paul Silas, and John. There were at this time and place about 80 prisoners, mostly for desertion from the rebel service;—a few Union prisoners captured off the Gulf coast. There was an old gentleman, Cowdry—from N.Y. State and one Brown, from Tenn. with whom I had many conversations—Mr. Cowdry was held as a spie. He was a thourough Union man and ought to be rewarded for his patriotism. The rebels (I think) had conscripted Brown at Chattanooga, but be it said to his credit he was https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/36fa2f7c4ac506218aa0f9333803234d.jpg a7e9749149115866a5a3ec376c9642b9 PDF Text Text making them pay for all the Service they got out of him. <s>He was my</s> Many of the prisoners escaped,—those who remained would assist those who wished to risk an effort to escape. I have known the more daring to descend from on the outside from the upper windows by ropes made of strips of their blankets. They have often gone down in the dark by near the guards without being seen:—sometimes the guards were bribed If a prisoner attempts to escape and does not succeed, it only subjects him to closer confinement and makes new proof to sustain charges against him: Hence not more than one out of every twenty ever try to escape: for most prisoners feel more safe to remain quiet, stand a trial and risk the pun- https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/ee68a9709e2fd5230f387ed9227950aa.jpg bc7b86dc06bf51892a9f4227ddcef8e2 PDF Text Text punishment, than to make an effort to get away and run the risk of being recaptured. And in a country like the South during the war, where officers and conscripting scouts were in all parts it is extremely difficult to evade recapture. It was the business of these conscripting scouts to catch deserters and other Union men. In prison some men by their flexible character suit themselves to their condition;— <div class="tooltip" title="This appears to be a quote from Rufus Sage’s poem from 1843 called “The Wanderer’s Grave.” The poem is a response to Sage’s experience in finding the spot where a previous frontiersman had died 11 years before his visit and is a reflection on the empty nature of the wilderness. The exact line that this quote is taken from is in the second stanza: “And sickness prey’d upon his frame/ And told its tale of woe/ While sorrow mark’d his pallid cheeks/ And sank his spirit low.” For a complete version of this poem, click <a href="https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/wanderers-grave"> here</a>.">‘till “sorrow marks their pallied cheeks” for death.</div> My education was limited, but it was life and comfort to me in prison. It was company indeed. Those whose thoughts welled up like a spring of life in their own soulds found solace, while the ignorant could see https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/ee19efc31c251dd6d4754ceddb123e28.jpg 195cbfe9ea4a925e4254859d53d0b069 PDF Text Text naught but present gloom. Confinement, (with a student) sharpens sensibility and cultivates hope patience and the imagination. The lonely prisoner feels that if a sister’s, mother’s, or wife’s soft hand could press his cheek he could bear his deprivations better. But these tender friends hundreds of miles away, know not that he peeps through prison barrs to see the light of day. The enchanting distance and the prisoner’s condition transforms his wife into an angel of light, and a sister or parent into the joy of loving kindness. The imagination with almost incredible facility reviews the whole of life.—“All I’ve thought, wished or known.” As in each a dream I saw my https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/7ccb8883938965c85c8a488be194c2d2.jpg 7d99b5d8ea67a922ac82169cb8c7d040 PDF Text Text childhood, singing joyfully along my accustomed walks, or my youthful days, when I lustily drove with louder sound the panting team. In my mind, these fond memories of field, prarie, and woods, were decorated anew with celestial charmes. As in a glass, I saw myself, fourteen years before, as I appeared at “Spring River Academy” reciting on the Map of Ala. the site of Mobile.—Then, little did I think, that in 1863, I should sit, a prisoner, in this iron-barred window, and view the city and watch the rolling-river bear onward her foaming floods to rock the Union fleet on yonder Gulf. In unsuspecting youth, I read of wars and prison chains; but now, for myself, I behold the https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/3e66be07d1a7fd0e8adacfdf54d28d51.jpg 6cbfbbbd034d1617dbf6364ecfbdf2ec PDF Text Text gathering wrecks of the former, and feel and hear the clankings of the latter. I had read animated, historic narration, of “Weary Wanderers,” unfortunate adventures, of prisoned martyrs and lost loved ones, who were “Away from home <s>and</s> away from friends, And all the heart holds dear,” <s>Were</s> In sea-girt isles or dismal fens, Or prisons dark and drear; Naked, and sick <s>hungry</s> and <s>sick</s> hungry too —No hand to save was near, Nor voices kind from loved one’s lips <div class="tooltip" title="While the first two lines of this poem are from Sage’s “The Wanderer’s Grave,” the rest appears to be Woods’ own writing.">To soothe the aching heart.</div> —And behold, it was my future-self of whom I read.—Thus were my reveries—thus were my prison dreams. A prisoner will reflect too about the probable punishments https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/8d87cfc78d536b4cf59cc8778663786b.jpg 8cc9fcb4b3050b215c79e61ca2b219f9 PDF Text Text which a court may adjudge him to suffer.—Up to this date (Apr 1863) I had not seen any one shot or hung, but a few weeks before my imprisonment, I witnessed a heart-rending sight. viz— Three men had deserted the rebel service. <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-93-desertion" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 93, Desertion footnote" rel="noopener">They were caught, brought to trial and sentenced to be whipped, three times,—Six (?) days intervening,—thirty nine (39) lashes each tim [time] on the naked back—,then to have their heads shaved—to be branded with the letter D on the hip,—then imprisonment with ball and chain at hard labor.</a> On the day of the execution of the sentence—the troops about Mobile, were marched to the parade ground, and formed into a hollow square to witness the tragic scene. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/7a63e78467e6cdad6e3d610198ba7376.jpg 4b5de9b46b6e7eecca3b710c792ec940 PDF Text Text Our League friends talked much about rescuing the victims and waging a general fight against the rebel officers; but our organization was not perfect, and we had to bear the sight. The three were taken, singly tied to a stock in the center of the square, with the hands overhead. They were stripped and given thirty nine (39) lashes each with a forked raw-hide whip, by a stout drummer, who (I was told) recieved $125 to do it. The blood ran in streames down the hips and the flesh lay open like slices of beef-steak. The men hollowed and prayed most piteously, but the officers seemed to glory in it as did Southern masters in whipping their negroes. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/e3f16b02d83f5712a85c017af0c7cb06.jpg 65a4092f08a5bcd3eee5e358a31f1a9c PDF Text Text It was very common for the rebels to brand deserters with a red-hot iron. This was done by binding the victim, face downward, upon a table; then the red-hot iron is firmly pressed to the naked hip until it burns the letter D in the flesh. Having witnessed such <s>scen</s> scenes of punishment, my prison reflections, that similar or worse ones would be my own, created unpleasant feelings I assure you: but In my darkest hour, the bright star of hope beamed upon my way. The 19th Apr. “/63 was my first Sabbath in prison. The church and Sabbath bells rang invitingly through the city; but I <s>cou</s> didn’t (couldn’t) go.—Others in style, <s>and</s> with friends, arm in arm, pressed https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/6d0a59f57206db5bc87c4c5399c5aec3.jpg 71a2d07fe18cac0015f2a25a8a22a70e PDF Text Text hard by our prison, on their way to church.—As for me my Bible was my preacher (and much better than the rebel preachers), and I was the congregation. I believe that God was with me rather than with the proud city. I sang, read, and wrote a few verses entitled “My first Sabbath in prison.” In a similar manner I passed many subsequent Sabbaths, weeks, and months. By our quiet demeanor, I and my friend were appointed prison Cooks, which position we readily accepted, as we would be allowed more liberties, better victuals, and some authority about the yard and cook-house. When prisoners are kept, <s>for</s> successive weeks at a prison they are apt to form an attachment https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/4be0bdcb038e44364547e429494b8db2.jpg a33782ead804b0b3906796c40ee32c40 PDF Text Text for that prison above others and for the officers. They accumulate many little conveniences about the corner where they sleep which they regret to leave, when they are only to be transferred to some other prison.—We feared to fall into the hands of strange officers and guards; but my experience has proven to me that prisoners are oftener benefited by change, than injured. Change of prison and officers gives many useful lessons of experience:—observations—new scenes,—acquaintances,—and protects the health of diverting the mind. A man need not fail to treasure materials of thinking and knowledge just because <s>just becau</s> he is a prisoner—for, even though he be put to death https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/29840a52aa97b59d8ad7266f2fc07022.jpg e3589dd036a20e68e5c993b16be2db3e PDF Text Text or disgrace; his experience written in a book may be way-marks for his own children in subsequent years. I have seen officers and guards abuse prisoners one day—the next day they were prisoners themselves among those whom they abused. How do you suppose they were treated then by the other prisoners? I have seen their lacerated faces and pounded bodies pay for the abuses they had given when in authority. Let this be a lesson to <s>precipitant</s> inconsiderate people everywhere. I was kept in the Mobile prison about six weeks. In the latter part of May, <s>my Diary</s> <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-98-dabney-maury" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 98, Dabney Maury footnote" rel="noopener">Genl. Maury (Comds Mobile)</a> ordered that my friend, three others and https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/b837c3a440dc98a506d626c39bcda094.jpg ff9fb6b379f82610ec2ed25119b018ba PDF Text Text (P. 80) myself should be sent to our the commands in Tennessee to which we were assigned. We did not know whether we were to be released or tried: but all the same, whatever our wishes, we had to go. We were marched aboard of a Steamer, to cross Mobile Bay for Pollard <s>on the Fla. side:</s>—thence to take the cards, via of Montgomery, Atlanta, Chattanooga, to Tulahoma Tenn. The Ride was tedious but was at the expense of the rebel authorities; and we tried to stamp improvement upon the wings of passing events. Our little party of five prisoners bade goodbye to Mobile and our prison friends. We were soon aboard <s>of</s> https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/34dcc8914d374f7fa7f9a89d045d790e.jpg d83c99303ef57062ec135b1d8805e45f PDF Text Text <s>a Steamer</s> plowing accross the isle-studded-Bay <s>for Pollard.</s> The guards allowed us more privileges than we expected. We walked about the boat wherever we could get a fine view. I cast my eyes wishfully toward the Gulf; as if perchance I might catch a glimpse of the Stars and Stripes, floating patiently beyond Fort Morgan; but my vision was too short. I then consoled myself that I was only going nearer the Union lines in the other direction Two of our party—G and F were shrewd young fellows, and evidently had learned many city arts in New Orleans and other cities. By their cunning they manipulated about $5.000 on the way to Montgomery. As they were “pressing” it from a drunken rebel editor https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/52fae865c81845f8cad9577895c872bd.jpg e2b44b453d865aecdf86b07aa89461a2 PDF Text Text I thought it my religious duty to let them alone. <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-101-benjamin-dill" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 101, Benjamin Dill footnote" rel="noopener">The Confederacy had felt this editor’s helping hand in many a high sounding Editorial in the “Memphis Appeal.”</a>—Hence as those two boys were prisoners I believed it would be <s>pretty good</s> operating against the Confederacy for the boys to “press” the Editor’s full ($6.000) six thousand dollars undisturbed (for he had exhibited that amount to them). The “boys” then having plenty of money were very liberal and the whole party fared sumptuously, on cakes fruit +c. At Pollard they secured a new supply of whisky for the Editor and against dark, he and a portion of the guard were real drunk. We were now rattling toward https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/ec5228a28ae0a017fb70fc2fb94ddf0f.jpg f671b804a3e449190c52346b3cd7396a PDF Text Text Montgomery fast as steam could take us—The boys <s>want</s> “Went through” the Editor and then leaping off of the cars escaped from the guard. Our prison party was now reduced to three: and we desired to escape too, but we thought best to wait till we should get nearer the Union army. At day-light next morning we found ourselves in Montgomery. We had in one day and night left all of the <s>sha</s> orange shades and “green-bay-trees”—(and this was congenial as the sight of those tropic scenes was only a vexation to us, who could not enjoy them) In Montgomery, by the lights early dawn I had a distant view of the edifice which the first rebel https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/1a9a26e0005f6f3640342647453136c2.jpg ec19a4d9ca152416e0c1b9b952134059 PDF Text Text Congress desecrated by their <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-103-confederate-congress" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 103, Confederate Congress footnote" rel="noopener">treasonable broodings</a> When we arrived in Atlanta new scenes oppened to our view, but I shall defer my description of those scenes until my return thither from Tenn: <s>w</s> We were only kept in Atlanta prison three days and then sent forward to Chattanooga where we were kept a week. I shall also leave a description of the cruel and inhuman fare which prisoners recieved at this city, for passing notice on my return. I met with many good Union men, prisoners, from Tennessee and other places, both at Atlanta and Chattanooga. I always sought to advise with these prisoners, to learn the news from https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/d6533d8646a028cf0e4a4bc17a49c796.jpg 02604cf084de71547b5a867101070839 PDF Text Text different quarters. On the 2d of June 1863 I found myself at Tulahoma, The rebel <div class="tooltip" title="'Braxton" bragg="" 1817-1876="" was="" a="" general="" in="" the="" confederate="" army="" who="" served="" mostly="" out="" western="" theater="" highly="" disagreeable="" man="" trait="" that="" also="" made="" him="" poor="" however="" at="" this="" point="" war="" he="" command="" of="" entire="" tennessee="">Genl. Bragg</div> and his army of “Southern chivalry” were in this section of country: And here I began to see more of the works of rebel power. On the 3d of June, I was taken to Wartrace about 30 miles towards Murfreesboro.’ Wartrace was at this time to me, an unseemly place, perhaps the more so because of my critical and unpleasant situation. I was barred up here with about fifty other prisoners in an old frame on the <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-104-wartrace-alabama" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 104, Wartrace Alabama footnote" rel="noopener">north east side of the depot.</a> It was in the immediate vicinity https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/7b4716d964a8ea5e376a6b43273bf9cf.jpg d185e1480c28557ba0bbcba076537377 PDF Text Text of the “front” and the rebel authorities were doing great things throughout the hilly country round about. The courts-martial was in Session nearby and many a deserter was getting sentence of death at their hands. A few new made mounds marked the spots where some of these victims had very recently been shot.—Bragg’s army was fortified at Shelbyville, and other points only eight or ten miles around, to oppose the advance of <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-105-rosecrans-and-hardee" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 105, Rosecrans and Hardee footnote" rel="noopener">Genl. Rosecrans</a> from Murfreesboro.’ <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-105-rosecrans-and-hardee" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 105, Rosecrans and Hardee footnote" rel="noopener">Rebel Genl. Hardee’s</a> Head Quarters were a few miles north-east of Wartrace and during the days of “quiet” along the lines, he made details of his soldiers to harvest the people’s wheat, https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/f0a76a2d7f82a6b2599c4a6ae5f137d8.jpg 80b3d7bb4d54e26198583a4f8c7761fb PDF Text Text but he had not supposed that Genl. Rosecrans would come along in time to trash it. The Guard-House was strictly guarded, so there was but little chance for our escape. We suffered much from hunger, thirst and abuse while in prison at Wartrace.—We were allowed to go one at a time to the spring for water, with an escort of two guards. Hence our supply of water was always deficient. One for every ten was allowed to go out near by to cook, but lack of vesels to cook in and confusion in issuing rations to us always kept us hungry. We were so closely confined without exercise or pure air that it was quite deleterious to https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/6eb51303c99642c664113dfbf85c2984.jpg e3705a247ca78f482d95a7eefa90833a PDF Text Text our health: and <s>the</s> our condition was fitted to demoralize all the graces of human nature. We could hear canonading distinctly toward Murfreesboro’ and we would have been inexpressably glad any hour for Rosecrans to have moved forward to our relief. But during the intervil of quiet Bragg was instituting a reign of terror among the deserters from the rebel lines who were so unfortunate as to be caught. There were several of them in prison under sentence of death. One was a tall graceful young man. No friends were there to mitigate the solemn loneliness of the suspended hours of death, by words of kindness or acts of gentleness. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/c9f33d7d36753f512b600366800d3997.jpg f4a83b5399ef93b044ec699f39a61010 PDF Text Text Others, prisoners and guards, hardened by bloody scenes of war, were laughing at his silent tears and heavy heart. Late one evening a rebel chaplin came to pray with the sentenced young man,—to advise him to give up all hope of life in this world and look beyond the tomb. The preacher informed the young man that he would be shot the next day—that all the preparations were made and no hope of life was left him—that he had violated the interests of the Southern <s>his country, the</s> Confederacy, and must die ignominiously therefor. That night that young man <s>with</s> and a number of others put <s>his</s> their trust in knives by which they cut through the floor and https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/7816e303e678c89d24976ede022a9ce8.jpg 75b3b2b4a152d6b97d3ca773b706148d PDF Text Text escaped.—I hope he reached the Union lines safely. His escape however was quite a disappointment to the rebel officials and especially to the Provost Martial, Colonel Reed, a Cumberland Presbyterian preacher!!! I laughed with gladness at their disappointment, but I knew by actual experience that those of us remaining [text underneath: the balance of] us would have to suffer for the escaped. Chafed by their escape <s>of some of the prisoners,</s> the preacher Provost <s>Martial</s> determined to have revenge upon those <s>of us who</s> remained. He accordingly transferred us to another house,—a brick and gave more stringent orders concerning us. One evening https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/ac523a42b917e8017d28c5313b2f3c31.jpg fb60acfe2b414348b6ce6e2652722cec PDF Text Text this same Provost Martial came into the prison, his face all ablaze with wicked anger;—he wrested a musket from one of the guards and struck me a blow in the breast because I was near a window, where I had gone to get fresh air. He then ordered the prisoners to lie down (at dusk), and commanded the guards that “if a man (prisoner) moves blow a ball through his head or drive your bayonets through his heart.” Fitting language indeed for a preacher of the Gospel of peace. My faithful friend who was arrested with me at Mobile, being overcome by hard fare and continued anxiety, took sick here and was sent to the hospital. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/cc1edfa7d3a70719342a6ecb9ff7141a.jpg 95752a3cf961d5aefe22437adba460ca PDF Text Text On the 22d of June 1863 Provost Martial Reed, handed me a copy of the Charge preferred against me by the <a href="http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/exhibits/show/john-henning-woods/2-111-lewis-woodruff" target="_blank" title="click to view Memoir 2, Page 111, Lewis Woodruff footnote" rel="noopener">Colonel Woodruff of the 36th Ala. Regt.</a> to which I had been assigned at Mobile. I state heare that it has been my intention to insert her all the official proceedings in my case, but the copy of the charges against me, I left behind when I made my escape—The proceedings of the court, testimony against me +c I have never obtained. Hence I shall just give the import of these things from memory. “Charge—Mutiny Specifycation—1st—That <s>Private</s> J.H.Woods, <s>Co K 36th Ala. Regt. C.S.A.</s> did on or about the 10th of Apr. 1863 organize https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/0d94003bfd2426dad2befc04a645ffea.jpg 9864ee1b0a596a723863becb7689cd1a PDF Text Text a Secret Society, known as the Home Circle for the express and wicked purpose of breaking up the Confederate army of Mobile ++++ + + + All this at and near Mobile “Specifycation 2d.—That sd. Prvt. JHWoods knew of an intended Mutiny at or near Mobile, and did not report the same to the officers.+ + + + + —Woodruff Col. 36th Ala. Regt. Lt Silas Mosely Capt A J Derly Edwin Fox } witnesses + + + A few days afterwards I was taken before the Court Martial near Hardee’s Hd.Qr’s. but my trial was postponed. https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/5a94daee6e51482003be4d6bcceb2507.jpg 70ea4b4a527e5ad3fcc01643a82c4ef8 https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/20fcd655211306f11f4fdacd10c7626e.jpg a8ae35475411054d0cf7620066dbe5f4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource John Henning Woods Papers, 1856-1873 (Ms2017-030) Subject The topic of the resource Civil War Description An account of the resource This collection includes three memoir volumes and three diaries written by John Henning Woods, a Southern Unionist, Confederate conscript, and Civil War memoirist. Woods was born in Tennessee on July 4, 1834. After spending his childhood in Missouri, Woods married Mary Emma Caldwell, the daughter of a wealthy slaveholder and planter from Alabama in 1860. In 1861, Woods moved to Lebanon, Tennessee, to pursue his law degree at Cumberland University. Despite his ties to the South, Woods hated slavery and strongly supported the Union. Following the war's beginning and interruption of his education, he returned home to farm and teach. Due to his support for the Union, Woods chose to remain at home throughout the beginning of the war until his conscription into the Confederate army in October of 1862. While at first Woods fought to remain at home, the threat of imprisonment eventually sparked him to report to the army, where he was drafted into the 36th Alabama Infantry Regiment, Company K. As a part of this regiment, Woods was trained at Talladega and then posted around Mobile, Alabama. While at Mobile, Woods and a few fellow Unionist conscripts formed a secret Unionist organization called the Home Circle and planned a mutiny. Unfortunately, Woods was discovered prior to their planned mutiny and imprisoned to be tried. While awaiting his court martial, Woods was transported behind the army, following them through the Tullahoma Campaign and was then sent to Atlanta. His trial resulted in a sentence of death by firing squad; however, his execution was delayed due to the interference of a sympathetic general who had been his professor before the war. Woods saw the Battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga while imprisoned by the Confederate Army until he was once again sent to Atlanta following a stay of execution, furnished at the last minute from Jefferson Davis. He was then sent to work building trenches around Atlanta until he finally escaped Confederate officials on August 11, 1864, and made his way into Union lines. Following his escape, Woods made his way to Buffalo, New York, where he enlisted in the 93rd New York Infantry Regiment. He served out the rest of the war as a clerk for the Union Army until his discharge on May 11, 1865. Following the war, Woods returned home and continued to teach, moving to Lawrence County, Missouri sometime before 1885. In 1885, his wife Mary died and in 1889, he married Mae Laverall of Pennsylvania. Woods died on March 5, 1901, and is buried alongside both of his wives and his daughter in the Woodland Cemetery near Springfield, Missouri. The three volumes of Woods' memoir make up the largest portion of the collection. These three books focus on the years 1861-1864, describing his experiences of sectionalism, his opposition to secession and conscription, the process of forming an underground Unionist society in a Confederate regiment, his arrest for inciting a mutiny, and the resulting imprisonment and trial. The three journals cover a much broader range of topics and years, including genealogy, religion, marriage, slavery, and Woods' childhood. These three journals serve to contextualize the journals, as Woods referenced them during the writing process. Besides this, these journals also contain highly detailed drawings done by Woods during his imprisonment and a number of short entries in Pitman shorthand. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Woods, John Henning, 1834-1901 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="http://search.vaheritage.org/vivaxtf/view?docId=vt/viblbv01913.xml" target="_blank">See the finding aid for the John Henning Woods Papers</a> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1856/1873 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Permission to publish material from the John Henning Woods Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Ms2017-030 Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: John Henning Woods Papers, Ms2017-030, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va. Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Memoir Volume 2, John Henning Woods, c. 1865 (Ms2017-030) Subject The topic of the resource Civil War Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Woods, John Henning, 1834-1901 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="http://search.vaheritage.org/vivaxtf/view?docId=vt/viblbv01913.xml" target="_blank">See the finding aid for the John Henning Woods Papers</a> Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 1865 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Permission to publish material from the John Henning Woods Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech. Type The nature or genre of the resource Memoirs Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Ms2017_030_Memoir_Vol2 Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: John Henning Woods Papers, Ms2017-030, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va. Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va. Description An account of the resource The second of Woods' three memoir volumes covers his early service with the 36th Alabama, the creation of the "Home Circle," and his discovery and imprisonment. archived