William Henry Harrison Wilcox's War Diary
William H.H. Wilcox's diary written while he was in Libby Prison before and after the escape in Feburary 1864. I'm working on transcribing the pages. A list of names mentioned in the diary is here. Anything in brackets [like this] are my notes. I've tried to keep the images in the order they were scanned and the transcripts will be beneath the corresponding photos as I finish them. Thank you to Duchess Martin for her help in transcribing.
IMAGE 2 TRANSCRIPT
Libby Prison Richmond, Va Oct 17, 1863 Dearest Nellie, I was captured on the 12th [unsure of word]. My health and spirits are good and you must not feel uneasy about me. Write no more letters at present. When I get out of prison I will be able to see.... [Nellie is believed to be Emily Clark, who became Wilcox's first wife in 1868] IMAGE 3 TRANSCRIPT
[left side continues from Image 2] you, until then farewell. I remain as ever Your devoted Harry [right side of page] Libby Prison Richmond, Va Oct 17, 1863 Dearest Nellie, Your presentiments of evil have been fulfilled here. I am in prison, I was captured on the 12th [unknown]. Nellie I trust you will not feel uneasy about me. I am in good health & spirits. I am obliged to send this letter … TRANSCRIPT IMAGE 4[letter to Nellie continued from Image 3]
Unsealed. I cannot therefore speak to you as I would wish. Do not write any more letters. When I get away from this place. Write a few lines to let me know if you receive this. When I get away from this place I will be able to see you before rejoining the army. Until then farewell. I remain as ever, Yours devotedly PS [unknown] your [unknown] & direct Lt. W.H. Wilcox [?] Prisoner of War Libby Prison Richmond Va (via Fortress Monroe) IMAGE 5 TRANSCRIPTMiss Emily Clark
61 Bank St. NY City [Note: Emily Clark became William Wilcox’s first wife in 1868] IMAGE 6 TRANSCRIPT
Libby Prison Richmond Va Octr 20, 1863 Dear Charley: I was captured on the 12th [unknown] together with Sgt Sprague - All my [unknown] were sent in up to the time I was taken. Let whoever acts in my place [unknown] all that is rec'd & issued. I shall probably be ex= IMAGE 7 TRANSCRIPT [continuation of Image 6]=changed in time to make our [unknown] for present [month?].
Please look after my private property. I am & will [unknown] for good shirts. My kind [unknown] to all the officers. Send [can't read rest of sentence] Lt. W.H.H. Wilcox Prisoner of War Libby Prison Richmond, Va [NOTE: "Charley" is believed to be Charles W. Cowtan (or Cowlan) who served in the 10th NY with Wilcox] IMAGE 8 TRANSCRIPTLibby Prison
Richmond, Va Nov 5, 1863 Dear Father, I wrote to you from here on 16th of last month & have as yet rec'd no answer. I have now been a prisoner for upwards of three months & there is no prospect of getting away from here this winter. My health remains good. I am becoming used to prison life & think I can stand it for a long time if necessary. The authorities allow boxes to be sent to the officers, the contents of which add greatly to our comfort. Will you please send me a box or barrel for a [unknown] containing the following articles: bed comforter [flannel? or plain?] shirt [his father was Lester Wilcox] IMAGE 9 TRANSCRIPT [continued from Image 8]towel & [unknown]
comb & tooth brush small looking glass Pens, ink, paper Plenty of reading matter Chess, checkers & playing cards 1 lb Andersons chewing tobacco " "Smoking "" Pipe 10 lbs coffee 15 lbs sugar 2 lbs tea 6 cheese 1/2 doz Cans Bordens Cond. Milk Bott pickles Some homemade [unknown] [unknown] 1 Ham 10 lbs Butter 5 lbs Boston crackers 2 stockings Needle & thread, pins & Buttons Small coffee pot Tin plate & cup Knife & fork Small pan for frying meat 1 [cod fish?] 1 of potatoes IMAGE 10 TRANSCRIPT[left side]
[Directions?] as follows: Lt. W.H.H. Wilcox Prisoner of War Libby Prison Richmond Va Care of [General?] Meredith Com of Exchange Fortress Monroe, Va. Pack well + ship as soon as possible with great love for Mother, Annie [uknown] I remain yours, [affectionately?] [right side of page} Octr 12/63 Taken prisoner about [7?] o'c P.M. in Elk Run, Va by Curtis Clark & 5 others B.H. Cavalry. Taken to house of Mrs. Burton [?] & remained over night. Octr 13th Marched about 13 miles in the Pines. remained at private house. Robbed by Sgt. Eogass [?] of SC Octr 14 Placed in charge of Lt. Baken IMAGE 11 TRANSCRIPT
Co H 9th Va Cavly & marched to [unknown] & remained during night. Octr 15th Marched 6 miles to Hamilton [unknown]; then took cars [train cars?] for Richmond. Confined in Libby Prison. Oct 16 Made acquaintance with Capt. Alexander 1 Del Vols. Went in Mess [?] No 3. Wrote home Oct 17th Mailed my letters. Heard Libby Chronicles [?] read. NY [unknown] in evening - "Libby lice-u-see-um" [not sure if this is right] 18th Sunday - Wrote to Nellie [likely his wife, Emily based on how he signs letters] 19th mailed letters 20th wrote to Cowtan [or Cowton. that's how name looks elsewhere but no idea who it is] 21st arrival of 11 offs & 1000 men 22d 23 24 25 26-27 Bread riot IMAGE 12 TRANSCRIPT
Octr 28 - Went on as cook. [unknown] in evening. Octr 29-30-31st Novr 1st 2nd 3d-4th 5th Rec'd letter from Father [Lester Wilcox] 6th Wrote & sent for [unknown] 7th Made Mess {?] [unknown, possibly Commissary] 8-9th Wrote to Cowton 10th Rec'd Letter from Father 11th muskets [?] 12th - 13th Wrote to Father 14th Rec'd letters from Annie & Cowton 15th-16th Rec'd letter from Mary Eacker [not sure who she is] 17th-18th Rec'd letter from Nellie 19th Rec'd letter from Father. 21st [unknown}] with commissary 22d-23-24 [troops?] released 25th, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 Decr 1-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Rec'd [game from home?] IMAGE 13 TRANSCRIPTNov [?] Rebs own lots of [unknown]
[words written over each other and crossed out. Looks like] Maj. Carpenter 28 Capt Millsap [or something like that] 29 Lt. Moore 30 Dec 11, 12, 13 14th Rebs shut down on [unknown} & c 18 - attempted escape of Col Streight and ale [something] in cell — Canal frozen 19 - Visit of Rebs of [Loudan?] lines Mess Rolls Lt. John Ryan 1 “ “ Boughton 2 “ “ Divine 3 “ “ Davis 4 “ “ Eagan 5 “ “ Connelly 6 Capt. Alexander 7 Lt. Moran 8 “ “ Burns 9 “ “ Cropley 10 Capt. Robins 11 [could be Rollins] “ “ Baldwin 12 “ “ Hart 13 [name?] 14 “ “ Gordon 15 IMAGE 14 TRANSCRIPTLt. Sprague 16
Capt. Greene 1st, 17 Lt. Richardson 18 “ “ Gaumbol 19 Adj. Small 20 Lt. Steele 21 [name crossed out] “ “ Greene 2d, 22 [name crossed out] Lt. McKee 23 “ “ Kelly 24 2. Mr. Wilcox 25 Lt. Brooks 26 “ “ Pretzman 27 Nov. 7, 1863 Capt. Hart Chewing Tob 1.00 Bread 1.00 2.00 Capt. Alexander Bread 2.00 Lt. Conelly Sugar 5.00 Flour 2.00 Onions 1.00 8.00 IMAGE 15 TRANSCRIPT
Capt. Baldwin Eggs 2.00 Flour 1.00 Candles 1.00 4.00 Lt. Sprague Sweet potatoes 2.00 Lt. Ryan Bread 1.00 Lt. McKee Sweet Potatoes 2.00 Eggs 2.00 Bread 1.00 Lt. Kelly Bread 1.00 Lt. Burns Bread 1.00 Total $26.00 [something] on Bill Nov. 7, 1863 Chewing tobacco $1 Bread 15 Loaves IMAGE 16 TRANSCRIPTNov. 9, 1863
Capt. Hart [crossed out] Capt. Greene 2d Potatoes Irish $4 Onions 2 Bread 1 $7.00 Capt. Alexander Bread 2.50 Lt. Burns Bread 1.00 Lt. Pretzman Bread 1.00 Capt. Gordon Sweet Potatoes 1.00 Capt. Rollins Irish Potatoes 2.00 Sweet “ “ 2.00 4.00 Lt. Connelly Flour 2.00 Bread 1.00 3.00 Lt. Moran Bread 1.00 IMAGE 17 TRANSCRIPT
Lt. McKee Bread 2.00 Flour 2.00 Irish Potatoes 4.00 2 knives & forks 6.00 14.00 Bale Smok Tob 5.00 19.00 Total $39 [crossed out] $39.50 $40.50 [crossed out] DMI 50 cents Mess Bill Nov. 12 63 Lt Richardson Bread $2.00 Lt. Pretzman Bread $1.00 [crossed out] Chewing tobacco 1.00 $2.00 [crossed out] Capt. Gordon Sweet Potatoes 1.00 Capt. Rollins Bread 1.00 IMAGE 18 TRANSCRIPT
Lt. Boughton Bread 2.00 Lt. Small Bread 2.00 Sweet Potatoes 3.00 Irish Potatoes 2.00 7.00 Lt. Krebs Bread 2.00 Dried Apples 1.00 3.00 Capt. Greene 2d[?] Smoking tobacco Bags [?] 1.00 Lt. Ryan Bread 1.00 Lt. Burns Bread 2.00 Lt. Connelly Sugar 5.00 Capt. Alexander Bread 2.00 IMAGE 19 TRANSCRIPT
Lt. McKee Bread $4.50 Drawing paper 1.00 5.50 Total $33.50 [something] of bill Nov. 12/13 $1 Chewing tobacco $1 Smoking $2 Total November 14th 1863 Major Carpenter Plate $2 Cup 2 Spoon 2 Knife & fork 4 [?] coffee pot 5 Irish potatoes 2 Bread 2 Cabbage 2 Towel 1 Toothbrush 2 $24 IMAGE 20 TRANSCRIPT
Lt. Moore Bread $3 Lt. Burns Bread $1 Lt. Eagan Bread $1 Capt. Hart Bread 2 Sweet potatoes 2 4 Capt. Rollins Candles $1 Bread 1 $2 Lt. McKee Bread 3 Lt. Kelly [crossed out] Capt. Green 2d Bread 2 Lard 1 $3 smoking tobacco 1 $4.00 IMAGE 21 TRANSCRIPT
Lt. Sprague Sweet potatoes $2 Lt. Connelly Sugar 5 Bread 1 Onions 1 Flour 2 $9.00 Lt. Pretzman Chewing tobacco $1 Total $52.00 Nov. 18 1863 Capt. Greene 2d [?] Irish potatoes $5.00 Capt. Alexander Bread $2.00 Lt. Connelly Bread 1.00 Flour 1.00 2.00 Lt. Burns Bread 1.00 Capt. [can’t read] Bread 2.00 IMAGE 22 TRANSCRIPT
Lt. Ryan Bread 1.00 Lt. Pretzman Bread 1.00 Capt. Rollins Eggs 2.00 Irish potatoes 2.00 Bread 1.00 5.00 Lt. Small Bread 3.00 Sweet potatoes 4.00 Turnips 1.00 8.00 Capt. Gordon Bread 1.00 Capt. Greene Irish potatoes 2.00 Major Carpenter Bread 2.00 Irish potatoes 2.00 4.00 Capt. Hart Bread 2.00 Sweet Potatoes 3.00 5.00 Total $39 IMAGE 23 TRANSCRIPT
Nov. 20/63 Lt. Burns Bread $2.00 Capt. Alexander Bread $2.00 Capt. Gordon Bread $1.00 Capt. Rollins Candles 1.00 Major Carpenter Bread 3.00 Irish Potatoes 2.00 Smoking tobacco 2.00 Pipe 1.00 8.00 Lt. Krebs [?] Bread 2.00 Lt. Connelly Chewing tobacco 2.00 Total $18.00 IMAGE 24 TRANSCRIPT
The articles you allude to have been written by those who were ignorant of the facts or were willfully [misreferred?] the same. To be sure our condition is not very agreeable. It is is [exceedingly?] to be [unreadable words] in crowded rooms [hard to read] this [hard to read] be strained or have our liberty [unknown] with. [next sentence hard to determine] no prospect of an exchange & we grow tired [unknown] as thoughts of home & friends [steal?] over us as we become at times [unknown]; but I can not but feel that it ill becomes any soldier to complain. So long as we are [word crossed out] no worse. IMAGE 25 TRANSCRIPT
Libby Prison Richmond, Va Nov. 22 /63 Dear Nellie, Your letter of 3d [night?] was rec’d yesterday. I was delighted to hear from you. I had begun to fear that my letter had not reached you & that you would be wondering abt my long silence. As you say there is no prospect of an exchange of prisoners & it will probably be a long time before we will have the pleasure [continued on image 26] IMAGE 26 TRANSCRIPT
[cont. from image 25]of seeing each other again, but you must [keep?] up good heart as I do, I am very well off here & enjoying the best of health. I was not wounded. My friends know of my whereabouts & have had several letters from home since I have been here. I hope you will write often, it does one much good here to receive kind words from the loved ones far away. I trust you are well again [and?] this may so remain. If you see Mr. Cole [?], tell him where I am. I am restricted to one page and must say farewell. Yours Aff.[ectionately] Harry IMAGE 27 TRANSCRIPT
Libby Prison Richmond, Va Nov. 22/63 Friend Minnie Your letters enclosing [unknown] was duly rec’d. I should have acknowledged the same long ago but shortly after I was captured. I have been a prisoner ever since. I have [unknown] to write from here as there is no prospect of an exchange of prisoners for a long time to come. Allow me to thank you for the [unknown] with which your letter was worded & the [word kindly is crossed out] spirit that forwarded the same. I trust I may be worthy of the kindly wishes you express for my welfare; these feelings as we [unknown] by one a thousandfold. [unknown] how often since I have been in prison. IMAGE 28 TRANSCRIPT
[letter continued on left side] have I thought of the happy hours of the [unknown] that we [unknown] to come back again; but why am I weak enough to speak of these things, it is futile. My kind regards to your family. With great [wishes?] and affection, I remain your friend W.H.H. Wilcox Libby Prison Richmond, Va Nov. 22/63 Dear Mary, Your letter of Octr 30 was rec’d a few days [ago?]. I need not say that I was highly delighted [this day?]. It is exceedingly gratifying here in prison to hear from loved friends at all times but especially in one confined in prison, shut out entirely IMAGE 29 TRANSCRIPT
from the outside world. May I thank you for having thoughts of me, of having given me this evidence of your kind [unreadable]. I trust you will write often. I have had one letter from [Annie?]. One from Father since I have been here. I have no news for you but it may interest you to know that I keep up good spirits & am enjoying the best of health. [unknown words] no prospect of an exchange of prisoners for a long time to come. [unreadable] to all Watertown friends. With much love & a [cousinly?] kiss I remain. Yours truly Harry [note: Wilcox had a cousin Mary Wilcox Woodruff who was the daughter of Chauncy & MaryAnn Wilcox (Chauncy was Lester Wilcox’s brother). IMAGE 30 TRANSCRIPT
Libby Prison Dec 3/63 Dear Charley Yours of Nov. 21is just rec’d; much obliged for the paper. I should like to hear from Dewey to know if he rec’d the money I sent him from [unknown] Octr 5th. Please retain the letters you have for me until you see me. I hope you will continue to [address them?] until my return. Tell Charley the [unknown] to send me a case of his best oysters [unknown] in tin cans; the same as he got for [unknown] Owen. Enclose a bill of same & send as soon as possible for Adam’s [unknown]. Should he decline or delay get Rogers to do it. For particular reasons of my own you will please find out all you can of character standing & of Capt. IMAGE 31 TRANSCRIPT
E.C. Alexander Dec Vols now a prisoner here & tell me the same in your next. My kind regards to all who enquire after me especially our own officers — Yours truly Harry Libby Prison Dec 4 1863 Dear Mary: Your welcome note of Novr 21/63 came to hand yesterday. Yours of Oct 20 was also duly rec’d I sent reply to the same Novr 22d which has probably reached you ere [?] this. I know not what [“I” crossed out and replaced with “we”] should do here were it not for receiving letters from IMAGE 32 TRANSCRIPT
[“my” crossed out and replaced with “our”] friends, they are our principal [source?] of relief & tend greatly to break the monotony of prison life. They come like the sunshine disperses the darkness & chasing away from ones mind all [clouds?] & cares. Capt. Teed [?] “ “ Connell “ “ Sears Lt. Palmer [?] Lt. Knapp Capt. Johnson Lt. McKee Maj. Napier [?] Lt. Col. Norcott [?] Lt. Sprague “ “ Smith “ “ Gamble [?] “ “ Moran “ “ Eagan IMAGE 33 TRANSCRIPT
Dec 22 — 20 [unknown] of N. England drew lots to be sent to Salisbury, N.C. at hard labor for was drawn Capt. Litchfield “ “ Chase “ “ Kendall —————————————————————-- 23 [unknown] excitement for several days had about overall great [unsure of words] questions 25 — Christmas Ball [?] in evening. Guards [unknown] offer to let us out [unknown] too green backs 26 5 [?] Boys drowned in canal 27 Arrival by boat 93 offs & 500 [soldiers?] [several unreadable words and then two words in quotes one of which looks like “exchange struck”] IMAGE 34 TRANSCRIPT
29 — [unknown] hostages sent to Saulsbury[Colonel Robert] Ould [decline communications?] with outlaw [unknown] 30-31 — wrote to Mother 1864 Jan1 — [three words hard to read] exchange struck down Ex down 3d 4th 5th 6th Alphabetical rolls of prisoners verified; considered as indication of ex [exchange?] of offs [officers]. Heavy snow storm 7th Ex struck [or stuck] of offs [unknown] Reb [unknown] say they are out of wood. Can’t supply us more than 5 days — Very cold 8th Got up this morning found snow 2 inches [unknown] on level; been snowing all night; no [heat?] IMAGE 35 TRANSCRIPT
Since Dec 24 Rebs very much excited about it. Rebs very doleful in first [editions?]. [Colonel Abel] Streight out of cell 9th Had interview with Sprague 9th [unknown words] gr. & morgan who arrived in town yesterday, today visited prison in company with [unknown] A.P. Hill & other [unknown] notoriety 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th “Examiner” (3 mos a prisoner) contains extracts from northern papers “No Ex of prisoners until [Major General Benjamin] Butler is recognized; B to have full control of Reb prisoners & all matters appertaining to exchange.” Weather quite moderate. rain last night. 15th 3 mos in Libby. Arrival of Flag of [unknown] at City Point. Capts [?] Metcalf went away. 16th — Ex struck down. [Colonel Robert] Ould has had [unknown] with our [court?] of exchange IMAGE 36 TRANSCRIPT
17th Large load of boxes arrived yesterday & it is rumored that they will not be delivered until it is seen what Butler’s course is to be in regard to Reb prisoners 18. [Colonel Robert] Ould has [returned?] from our lines & says our government offer are one [unknown] in regard to exchange & this [unknown] a [unknown] on the whole [unknown] 19th Heavy wind & rain last night. Quite cold this A.M. Reb papers announced the confiscation of all field govt stores & Santy [?] Com Supplies now in Confederacy in all (70 tons). Claim govt to be justified in same as goods were sent contrary to orders.[Cafferty?] IMAGE 37 TRANSCRIPT
agrees that it serves our govt right. They knew the goods would be confiscated before they sent them. It was only [unknown] & comfort to the enemy. I told him he would have [unknown] said of [unknown] to his govt. He despised me. I told him he had made serious charges abt his govt. He said he would stand by it or words to that effect. Witness: Capt Alexander, Lts. D Connelly, D.V.B. Caldwell 20th Recd letters as follows Father 1 Annie 2 Mary 1 Nellie 1 Dewey 1 Angee [Angel?] 1 Cowtan 1 8 IMAGE 38 TRANSCRIPT
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William Henry Harrison Wilcox - Military
These are some of the documents in William H.H. Wilcox's military pension file, obtained from the National Archives.
See next section for more military documents
See next section for more military documents
Other military documents or transcriptions (most found on Ancestry.com or Familysearch.org)