CIVIL WAR DIARY OF EUGENE PARKHILL 1864-1865

The Civil War diary of Eugene Parkhill of Williamson, NY was discovered at the Office of the County Historian by co-coordinator Allyn Hess Perry. According to the book Military History of Wayne County, N.Y. by Lewis H. Clark, Eugene Parkhill enlisted September 12, 1861 in the 17th Infantry, Company I. He was transferred to the 146th Infantry, Company I, later re-enlisting in the same regiment. He was captured at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run and held ten days. He was taken again at Weldon Railroad and held six and a half months at Salisbury Prison. He was discharged from the service August 5, 1865.

Mr. Parkhill's diary conveys the harshness and monotony of life for the prisoner of war, with days passed marked by meals, illness, and death or transfer of comrades. His Confederate captors regularly held out the temptation of food and better treatment as enticements for joining the Southern cause. To the reader with no background as to the events described, this is a confusing account. We'd like to know more about where and under what circumstances Eugene Parkhill and his fellow soldiers were captured, and how he was exchanged or otherwise returned back to the Union. More explanatory detail from site visitors, as well as any information about the men that Eugene mentions, would be appreciated by the site coordinators. The diary was typed from a copy of the original handwritten document, so errors may have been made along the way.





Copy of Civil War Diary of Eugene Parkhill, Williamson while he was in Saulsbury and Libby Prisons.

This is a copy of the Civil War Diary kept by Eugene Parkhill of Williamson, New York while he was a prisoner of war in the South. Mr. Parkhill joined the Army's Co. I of the 17th Infantry in 1861 when he was 21. He transferred to the 146th Infantry, Co. I; was captured at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run and held for 10 days; again at Weldon Railroad near Petersburg, Virginia on August 18, 1864. The first entry in the diary is dated the day before his capture and states, "I made a pledge that I would not take nor touch a drop of intoxicating liquor as long as I was in the service of the U.S. Government." The diary continues as follows:

1864

THURS. AUG. 18 - We were captured and taken to Petersburg, Va. and put in prison.

FRIDAY AUG. 19, 1864 - Our names were registered and we marched to the ..... island and from there we were taken to the railroad and stayed in the cars until morning.

SAT. AUG. 20 - We started for Richmond and were put in Libby Prison. We got rations at night.

SUNDAY AUG. 21 - We ate breakfast and marched to Bell Island. There were 25 of our regiment who came in this evening. Hanes was taken prisoner today.

MONDAY AUG. 22 - I wrote home this morning. We got tents this afternoon and it rained this afternoon.

TUESDAY AUG. 23 - It is quite pleasant this morning. The rations were ordered to be stopped until the man was found that struck the Sergeant. They were issued in the afternoon.

WEDNESDAY AUG. 24 - There were 1000 prisoners who came in from Petersburg.

THURSDAY AUG. 25 - This forenoon there were some prisoners who went out to work. A man was shot by the guard.

FRIDAY AUG. 26 - Rumored in camp that we were going to be exchanged. They brought two pieces of artillery across the river and planted them to command the camp.

SAT. AUG. 27 - There were 2038 prisoners came in from Petersburg.

SUN. AUG. 28 - This evening a man ws shot by the guard.

MONDAY AUG. 29 - This evening I went to church in the camp. The men have prayer meeting every evening.

TUESDAY AUG. 30 - There was a fire in Richmond at night.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 31 - Another fire in Richmond this evening.

THURS. SEPT. 1 - There were some men who took the oath of allegiance.

FRIDAY SEPT. 2 - This morning the women in Richmond had a bread riot. Another fire in Richmond about 12 o'clock at night.

SATURDAY SEPT. 3 - Nothing of any importance happened today - only two fights in camp. I wrote home.

SUNDAY SEPT. 4 - We were counted. It rained this morning. There was a fire in Richmond last night.

MONDAY SEPT. 5 The rebel papers say that Hood has evacuated Atlanta, Ga.

TUESDAY SEPT. 6 It is very cold and it rained. We got a day's ration at noon.

WEDNESDAY SEPT. 7 There is a large fire in Richmond this afternoon.

THURSDAY SEPT. 8 There were two fires in Richmond last night. We did not get rations until three o'clock in the afternoon.

FRIDAY SEPT. 9 We drew one ration of wheat bread today. We were out of camp all day.

SATURDAY SEPT. 10 There was a fire in Manchester last night.

SUN. SEPT. 11 We drew ham and wheat bread this noon. There was a fire in Richmond last night.

MON. SEPT. 12 There was a fire in Richmond last night. Our rations were cut down this morning.

TUES. SEPT. 13 It was very cold last night.

WED. SEPT. 14 There is very heavy cannonading across the river this afternoon.

THURS. SEPT. 15 Today they are taking the names of the men whose time is out.

FRI. SEPT. 16 Fire in Richmond last night.

SAT. SEPT. 17 Today there were about 50 who left the island to take the oath of allegiance.

SUN. SEPT. 18 The regulars that were here have gone away and the militia is on guard.

MONDAY SEPT. 19 We went out this morning. They made a rule that we should draw rations at ten o'clock and again at 3 o'clock each day.

TUES. SEPT. 20 We drew fresh meat this morning.

WED. SEPT. 21 The militia went away today and the convalescents are on guard here.

THURS. SEPT. 22 The rebels sent a recruiting officer into camp today. He offered one hundred dollars in gold and thirty days furlough.

FRIDAY SEPT. 23 It has rained most all day. They had three men on the horse and one tied up by the thumbs.

SATURDAY SEPT. 24 There were more men who went out to work today at coopering. It rained all day.

SUNDAY SEPT. 25 About 25 men went off the Isle to work at coopering.

MONDAY SEPT. 26 They detached some bakers out of the camp today.

TUES. SEPT. 27 The working squad was digging rifle pits on the Isle.

WED. SEPT. 28 There was very heavy cannonading all night.

THURS. SEPT. 29 They took us out and kept us until noon. Heavy cannonading all day on the river.

FRI. SEPT. 30 There were 672 men who came in from Libby Prison.

SAT. OCT. 1 There was very hard fighting on the north side of the river this afternoon. Sgt. Mark and the quartermaster went away this afternoon.

SUN. OCT. 2 The guards shot a man in the leg last night.

MON. OCT. 3 Some prisoners left Libby Prison for the South.

TUES. OCT. 4 This morning 700 left the isle for the south. We drew a loaf and a half of bread and some meat.

WED. OCT. 5 We were on the road all day. We got to Greensborough after dark and stayed all night.

THURS. OCT. 6 This morning we drew rations at Greensboro and left on cars for Saulsbury, N.C. Arrived here at night and drew some bread.

FRI. OCT. 7 We got bread, meat, soup and molasses. There was a squad of prisoners came in this evening.

SAT. OCT. 8 There was another squad of prisoners today. We drew molasses, soup and bread.

SUN. OCT. 9 We drew bread, meat and soup today.

MON. OCT. 10 We got bread and soup.

TUES. OCT. 11 We got bread, molasses and soup.

WED. OCT. 12 We got bread, meat and soup.

THURS. OCT. 13 We got bread and soup.

FRI. OCT. 14 We got bread, molasses and soup.

SAT. OCT. 15 We got bread, meat and soup.

SUN. OCT. 16 We got bread, molasses and soup.

MONDAY OCT. 17 We got bread, molasses and soup.

TUES. OCT. 18 We got bread, meat and soup.

WED. OCT. 19 We got bread and soup.

THURS. OCT. 20 We got bread, meat and soup.

FRI. OCT. 21 We got bread, molasses and soup.

SAT. OCT. 22 We got flour and soup.

SUN. OCT. 23 We got bread and soup.

MON. OCT. 24 We got bread and soup.

TUES. OCT. 25 We got bread, meat and soup.

WED. OCT. 26 We got bread and soup.

THURS. OCT. 27 We got flour and soup.

FRI. OCT. 28 We got bread and soup.

SAT. OCT. 29 There were a lot of our men who went to join the rebel army today. We got flour and soup.

SUN. OCT. 30 Today we drew flour and soup.

MON. OCT. 31 Today we drew soup twice.

TUES. NOV. 1 Today we drew flour and soup.

WED. NOV. 2 Today we drew flour and soup.

THURS. NOV. 3 Today we had soup twice.

FRIDAY NOV. 4 Last night about 600 more prisoners came in - some of the 111th N.Y. Volunteers were with them. Today we got soup.

SAT. NOV. 5 Today we got flour and soup.

SUN. NOV. 6 John Mahan died last night of the 118th N.Y. Volunteers 18th Army Corps. Today we got meat and soup.

MON. NOV. 7 There was another squad came in last night. 29 died last night. We drew flour and soup today.

TUES. NOV. 8 There was 18 died last night. We drew soup and soup.

WED. NOV. 9 40 died last night. We drew bread and soup.

THURS. NOV.10 27 died last night. We drew meat and soup.

FRI. NOV. 11 17 died last night. We drew bread, meat and soup.

SAT. NOV. 12 25 died last night. We drew soup and bread.

SUN. NOV. 13 Today we drew bread, meat and soup.

MON. NOV. 14 Today we drew soup and bread.

TUES. NOV. 15 Today we drew bread, meat and soup.

WED. NOV. 16 Today we drew soup and bread.

THURS. NOV. 17 Today we got bread and soup.

FRI. NOV. 18 Today we got bread and soup.

SAT. NOV. 19 Today we got bread and soup.

SUN. NOV. 20 Today we got meat, bread and soup.

MON. NOV. 21 Today we got bread and soup.

TUES. NOV. 22 Today we got bread and soup.

WED. NOV. 23 Today we got bread and soup.

THURS. NOV. 24 We got a quarter loaf of bread and soup.

FRI. NOV. 25 We got quarter rations of bread today. The men made a sally on the guards.

SAT. NOV. 26 We got quarter loaf of bread and soup.

SUN. NOV. 27 We got half a loaf of bread and soup.

MON. NOV. 28 We got a quarter loaf of bread and soup.

TUES. NOV. 29 We got bread, meat and soup. 375 went out to join the rebel army. Robinson went out.

WED. NOV. 30 We got bread, meat and soup.

THURS. DEC. 1 Quarter loaf and soup today.

FRI. DEC. 2 Bread, meat and soup.

SAT. DEC. 3 We got bread and soup.

SUN. DEC. 4 Today we got bread and soup.

MON. DEC. 5 Today we got bread and soup.

TUES. DEC. 6 Today we got bread, soup and potatoes. 437 went out to join the rebel army. James, Bacon, Carter and Dunn of my reg't went out.

WED. DEC. 7 We got bread and soup. Joseph Douglass came in last night from Richmond.

THURS. DEC. 8 We got bread and soup.

FRI. DEC. 9 We got bread and soup.

SAT. DEC. 10 We got bread and soup.

SUN. DEC. 11 We got bread and soup and meat. We got wheat and corn bread today.

MON. DEC. 12 We got bread and soup.

TUES. DEC. 13 We got wheat bread soup. They are recruiting again today.

WED. DEC. 14 We got bread and soup.

THURS. DEC. 15 We got quarter rations bread and soup.

FRI. DEC. 16 We got bread, meat and soup.

SAT. DEC. 17 We got bread and soup.

SUN. DEC. 18 We got bread, meat and soup.

MON. DEC. 19 We got bread.

TUES. DEC. 20 We got bread and soup.

WED. DEC. 21 We got bread and soup.

THURS. DEC. 22 We got bread, molasses and soup.

FRI. DEC. 23 We got bread and soup.

SAT. DEC. 24 We got bread, potatoes and soup.

SUN. DEC. 25 We got bread and soup.

MON. DEC. 26 We got bread and soup.

TUES. DEC. 27 We got quarter rations of bread and soup.

WED. DEC. 28 We got bread and soup.

THURS. DEC. 29 We got bread and soup.

FRI. DEC. 30 We got bread and soup.

SAT. DEC. 31 We got bread and soup.

1865

SUN. JAN. 1 We got bread, molasses and soup.

MON. JAN. 2 We got bread and soup.

TUES. JAN. 3 We got bread, meat and soup.

WED. JAN. 4 We got bread, meat and soup.

THURS. JAN. 5 We got bread, meat and soup.

FRI. JAN. 6 Bread and soup.

SAT. JAN. 7 Bread and soup.

SUN. JAN. 8 Bread and soup.

MONDAY JAN. 9 We got quarter rations, bread and full (ration?) soup and meat. We got a quarter more of bread.

TUES. JAN. 10 Bread, meat and soup.

WED. JAN. 11 Bread, molasses and soup.

THURS. JAN. 12 Bread and soup.

FRIDAY JAN. 13 Potatoes, soup and quarter rations bread. There was a big fire in the town today.

SATURDAY JAN. 14 Soup twice. They recruited again today. Beach went out to work.

SUNDAY JAN. 15 Bread, molasses and soup.

MON. JAN. 16 Bread and soup.

TUES. JAN. 17 Bread and soup.

WED. JAN. 18 We got bread, molasses and soup.

THURS. JAN. 19 We got bread and soup.

FRIDAY JAN. 20 We got bread, potatoes and soup.

SATURDAY JAN. 21 We got bread and soup.

SUNDAY JAN. 22 Bread, soup and molasses.

MON. JAN. 23 Bread and soup.

TUES. JAN. 24 Bread and soup.

WED. JAN. 25 Bread and soup.

THURS. JAN. 26 Bread and soup.

FRI. JAN. 27 Bread and soup.

SAT. JAN. 28 Bread and soup.

SUN. JAN. 29 Bread and soup.

MONDAY JAN. 30 Bread and soup.

TUESDAY JAN. 31 We got bread, molasses and soup. This morning Sgt. Charles Calan died.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 1 We got bread and soup. William Fuller died this morning of the m (?)

THURSDAY FEB. 2 We got bread and soup.

FRIDAY FEB. 3 Quarter rations, bread, soup and molasses.

SATURDAY FEB. 4 We got bean soup and bread.

SUNDAY FEB. 5 We got bean soup, bread and meat.

MONDAY FEB. 6 Bread, molasses and soup.

TUESDAY FEB. 7 Bread and soup.

WEDNESDAY FEB. 8 We got bread, meat and soup.

THURS. FEB. 9 We got bread, molasses and soup. Sergt Barnes died this morning.

FRIDAY FEB. 10 We got bread and soup.

SATURDAY FEB. 11 We got bread, molasses, soup and vinegar.

SUNDAY FEB. 12 We got bread and bean soup.

MON. FEB. 13 We got bread and soup.

TUES. FEB. 14 We got bread and soup. We had blankets given to us today.

WED. FEB. 15 We got bread and soup. 2 (?) stockings, 1 knapsack, one pair straps.

THURS. FEB. 16 We got bread, meat and soup.

FRI. FEB. 17 We got soup and half ration of bread.

SAT. FEB. 18 We got bread and soup.

SUN. FEB. 19 We got bread and meat.

MON. FEB. 20 We got bread today.

No further entries except as follows:

Feb. 25 Check #815 received.

Mar. 10 One pair of drawers.

Mar. 22 Check #1063 received.

Mar. 23 two pair stockings

Apr. 29 One jacket.

These last five were probably notes made after he was released from prison.

In the back of the diary are several pages of miscellaneous notes as follows:

Remarks:

The bread ration is a half loaf a day and the soup is rice soup, a half pint of cooked rice and water. The meat is about three ounces to a ration. Molasses is about three spoonsful to a ration.

Norwood died Dec. 17

Horace Hart of the 11th N.Y.V. died the 2nd of January

William Fuller died the 1st of February

Jeff died in January.

Prisoners belonging to the 146th Regt., N.Y.V. at Saulsbury Prison, North Carolina

Parkhill Co. I
Willson Co. I Exchanged
Wilson Co. H Ex.
Sullivan Co. D
Blackwood Co. C
Robinson Co. B Rebel army
Robinson Co. C. Discharged
D'Conar Co. A
Rosevelt Co. H
VanVarns Co. H died
Taylor Co. G Ex.
Kelley Co. E died
Demster Co. H Ex.
Jones Co. H. Reb. army
Barnes Co. D died, Feb. 9
Dorn Co. D
Soper Co. H
Bacens Co. D rebel army
Caster Co. A rebel army
Dunn Co. H rebel army
Coon Co. C died
Von Bramer Co. C
Calan Co. D died
Schoolcraft Co. D died
Russell Co. B rebel army
Andrews Co. D
Morris Co. H
Calhoun Co. D
Goodnow (?) Co. D died
Lanz Co. F died


[We don't know what the numbers following the names mean.]

Mank 11
Parkhill 1
Beach 11
O'Brien 1 went with the priest
Calaghan 1 went with the priest
Anderson 1
Divine 1
Gru (?) 1
Oalz D rebel army
Platt 1
Bice S hospital and died
Oburn 1 wounded
Sleigh 1
Armstrong 1
Smith 1 died
Normand died
Brower rebel army
Hites died

Men captured of my regiment 18 September 1864, 164th Reg.

(Note: the entry in the diary on 18th of August says he was captured that day.)

Parkhill Co. I
Wilson Co. I
Robinson Co. E rebel army
Robinson Co. B died
O'Conner Co. A died
Rosevelt Co. H died
Vanvarn (?) Co. H died
Kelley Co. E died
Taylor Co. G exchanged
Demster Co. H exchanged
Jones Co. H rebel army
Barnes Co. D rebel army
Dorn Co. D
Safer Co. K
Bacens Co. D rebel army
Caster Co. A rebel army
Dunn Co. K rebel army
Coon Co. E died
Sullivan Co. E exchanged
Vanbramer Co. E


3 Brig. Commissary

Please let the bearer have two pounds of sugar, two pounds tea, half bushel potatoes, three pounds meat and two boxes of crackers of my (own use?). E. Parkhill




Pinned to the inside cover of the diary is a clipping about Mr. Parkhill's death as follows:

OBITUARY

Eugene Parkhill died at his home on West Main Street Sunday morning after an illness of several months, aged 71 years.

Mr. Parkhill came to Williamson at the age of 9 years and had always lived there. At the age of 21 he joined the army and while in service was captured and confined in Libby and Saulsbury prisons for six months.

Mr. Parkhill was a member of the G.A.R. and a former business man of this town and as such was widely and favorably known. He leaves his wife, one son W. S. Parkhill of Lowell, Mass. and one sister Mrs. George Mesick of this place.

The funeral was held at the home Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. W. G. Boyd officiating. Interment was in Ridge Chapel Cemetery.




Mr. Parkhill died in 1913. His wife Harriet, who was also born in 1840, died in 1918, and was buried beside him in Ridge Chapel Cemetery in Williamson, New York.

[Note by Allyn Perry: Original Diary is owned by the Wayne Co. Historical Society]




Volunteer Typist: Nancy Allen Valvano




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Created: 4/3/99
Updated: 4/20/99
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Copyright © 1999 2011 Nancy Allen Valvano/ Allyn Hess Perry
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