The time in a boys life should be filled with play and thinking of grant adventures, but in the time of war there was little time for play. But for the boy who was looking for some adventure would have many chances to find it. Many would follow a regiment just to watch the fight others would take up arms to fight. Many a army camp of both sides had boys in them even though it was against the regulations. One reason the officers aloud it, it was that the boys reminded them of their own sons they left behind. Some of the younger boys would be adopted by a company as a mascot for good luck. Boys were used as letter carriers, look outs and spies, and many would pay the high price for doing so with their young life’s.Note. Most of this information will come from the official recorders of the Union and Confederate Armies which is housed at the State University of Ohio.
Civil War.
Prisoner of War.
James Kincaid.
James Kincaid. - Boy of sixteen; born in Fayette County; son of James Kincaid; lives on head of Loop Creek. Says he never hand anything to do with the enemy or the home guard. Was arrested in August; has been in jail since. Willing to take the oath of allegiance. Colonel Coleman says this boy lives in a disaffected neighborhod. His father is a quiet man, and it is understood he and his family are not of the disaffected party. I recommend his discharge on taking the oath of allegiance.
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GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, Numbers 4.
Santa Fe. N. Mex., February 18, 1865.
January 8. -Mr. George Cooler, wagon and forage master at Fort Arizona, N. Mex., with ten infantry soldiers and a party of Mexican boy, citizens, while on a scout after Indians, recovered 1 Mexican boy, named Vincente Ubano, who was stolen by the Indians near the Pecos River.
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Corpl. James Dunlavy.
I witnessed the capture of Major-General Marmaduke by Corpl. James Dunlavy, of Company D, Third Iowa Cavalry. Marmaduke was endeavoring to rally his men and Dunlavy was galloping toward him, occasionally firing at him. Marmaduke evidently mistook him for one of his own men and started toward him, reproving him for firing on his friends. At least I so judged from what I could see and hear, and so the boy afterward told me. The boy stopped and coolly waited until Marmaduke got within twenty or thirty rods of him, then covered him with his carbine and ordered him to dismount and surrender or he would fire. Marmaduke dismounted and his horse galloped off. Seeing that I was an officer the boy proposed to turn him over to me, but I declined being bothered with a prisoner. General Marmaduke then said: "Sir, you are an officer. i claim protection at your hands. I am a general officer - General Marmaduke." I then took charge of him and informed him that I would protect him until delivered to you as a prisoner of war, at which he seemed very much relieved. The boy then spoke up and said, "Colonel, remember If took him prisoner; I am James Dunlavy, corporal of company D, Third Iowa Cavalry." I told the boy (who was severely wounded in the right forearm, but who still grasped his pistol with vigor and energy) to come along also, and he should have the honor of being introduced to you as the captor of Marmaduke. On the way General Marmaduke complained of being dismounted, and Dunlavy promptly apologized, saying, "If I had known you were a general officer I should have allowed you to remain on horseback." Marmaduke then informed me that he was very faint and weak and could not walk much farther. meeting a soldier with a led horse I took charge of him and mounted my prisoner. Soon after this I met Major McKenny, of your staff, and proffered to turn the prisoner over to him, but he was too intent on getting to the front to be troubled with him. On my way back I saw one or two general officers, but preferred delivering my prisoner to the commanding general of the Army of the Border, and you will remember that I accordingly placed him in your own hands, at the same time introducing him captor, giving his full name, company, and regiment. this it the true, unvarnished story of the capture of Marmaduke, about which there has been so much misrepresentation in the newspapers.
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Prisoner of War.
James Mayner.
James Mayner. - Says he was born in Raleigh [County], on Clear Fork of Coal River. Raised where he was born. Was arrested half a mile from home at John Stover's. Two men were with him, Sampson Stover and Creed Mayner. Creed Mayner ran and was shot. Sampson Stover was arrested with prisoner but afterward discharged. Says for the last year he lived with his brother on the Pound Fork of Sandy, in Wise County. There are no Union men there. Says he is not a Union man- is a Southern man. Never had anything to do with the home quarrel. Had not been at home two weeks when he was arrested. Heard Captain Dunbar, who lines on Coal River, was trying to get up a Union company, but he, prisoner, had nothing to do withit. Heard this from some men who had been down on Coal, but he would have nothing to do with it. Says he saw Dunber once after he came home but had no conversation with him. Is willing to take the oath of allegiance. Heard an election for the Wheeling government was to be held on Coal River but he did not anything to do with it. Captain Linkons of his neighborhood says his boy was away from home, he supposes in Wise County, when the Union company was formed. As there is no charge against this youth and I can find no one who makes any charge and as he seems to be fair and trutful I recommend his discharge.
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Prisoner of war.
Jasper Melum.
Jasper Melum. - Not sixteen years old. Had on a Northern fatigue uniform. Says Captain Dunbar gave him this uniform and a gun. Says he had not volunteered or joined Dunbar's company. Says Dunbar was recruiting for the Northern army and his company had been stationed at Charleston. Says he was arrested at Jacob Harper's, on marshes of Coal River. Says part of the company had been on Coal River and he had been with them. He was taken up by two citizens. Captain Linkons testifies this boy was suspected to be one of a company Captain William Dunbar was raising for the U. S. army on Coal River. This boy seems to be truthul and honest and well disposed, but I do not see how he can be discharged. I recommend he be held as a prisoner of war.
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Prisoner of war.
D. Shears
D. Shears. - A boy of seventeen years of age; joined the home guard; had musket given him; stood guard at Rhinehart's Mill; was taken prisoner there. I think this boy must for the present be held as prisoner of war.
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Prisoner of War.
J. Keplinger.
J. Keplinger. - Another youth; joined the home guard; taken prisoner at Rhinehart's Mill. Says he received his musket from Daniel Shell. I think this boy should be held as prisoner of war.
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Prisoner of War.
William Connell.
William Connell. - A boy of seventeen; hardly. Taken with the home guard at Rhinehart's Mill. Says he had left his father and was in Keller's store when he joined the home guard. Says he was persuaded by Daniel Shel. Says his father was much distressed when he heard it. Is the son of T. R. Connell. As this youth was taken with arms in his hands I suggest he be held as a prisoner of war.
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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, December 11, 1863.
GENERAL: An unpleasant affair occurred at Fort Jackson on the evening of the 9th instant. Lieutenant-Colonel Benedict, of the Fourth Regiment, Corps d'Afrique, having some difficulty with the troops there, struck and punished 2 soldiers with a whip.
Question. Did you ever see him maltreat any man; if so, when and where?
Answer. I saw him whip Harry Williams, a drummer boy, on the evening of the 9th instant. I have never seen him whip anybody else, but I have seen him handle men very roughly at guard-mount; shaking them. He struck Harry Williams from fifteen to twenty times with an army wagoner's whip or an artillery driver's whip. The boy had his coat off. I do not know what offense the boy had committed.
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Robert P. Tannehill.
While encamped in a wood-land near that place R. P. Tannehill, of Company A, Texas Squadron, was by the accidental discharge of a gun launched into eternity. Robert was a brave soldier boy, always ready, devoted to the Southern cause, and the main prop of his widowed mother; but we laid our bold soldier boy to rest more than 1,000 miles from his fond mother, who little dreams, of the removal of her boy.
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HEADQUARTERS FORT WARREN,
Boston Harbor, January 30, 1865.
Brigadier General H. W. WESSELLS,
Commissary- General of Prisoners, Washington, D. C .:
SIR: I have the honor to report that the following- named naval prisoner of war who was captured on the steamer Florida were this day released upon his signing a parole of honor to leave the United States within ten days after date of release, which are herewith transmitted, viz: James Cotter, cabin boy.
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WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, November 21, 1862.
Brigadier General J. H. WINDER, Commanding, &c.
SIR: Upon the recommendation of S. S. Baxter, esq., you are directed to dispose of the following citizen prisoners in the manner indicated: James Amsco (a boy), to be discharged.
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Prisoner of War.
William Stallins.
William Stallins. - Aged nineteen. Born in Loudoun; moved to Fairfax and volunteered in the Seventeenth Regiment Virginia Volunteers. At Lewinsville he got scared and went to his home and was turned out of his regiment, dishonored and branded with cowardice. This boy is proved to be faithful to the South and seems pentient for his conduct. He admits he behaved badly and was scared, but he is very anxious to volunteer and redeem his character for courage and good conduct. He was going with Fisher to volunteer when arrested. I recommend and opportunity be given him to redeem himself and that he be permitted to volunteer again.
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Prisoner of War.
John Hanaher.
John Hanaher. -Boy of sixteen. Lives with his father and was arrested at home in the absence of his parents. Says his father is a Methodist connected with the Southern Church. Has had no connection with the enemy in any way. Mr. Coleman says the general impression is his father is connected with the Northern Church, but since secession may have changed. This boy's examination is not satisfactory, but as no connection with the enemy appears I recommend his discharge on taking the oath of allegiance. Witness, Coleman.
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Prisoner of War.
Albert Fuller.
Albert Fuller. -Native of Cabell County, Va. ; aged eighteen; an unruly boy. His farther and brothers Unionists. Albert Fuller was passing the house of Henry Shelton, a secessionist, armed with a musket and bayonet going in the direction of the federal forces at Barboursville in company with another youth. W. Ward is the other youth. W. Ward is the other youth. Shelton took the gun from him. Fuller went on to Barboursville, and a company of Ziegler's U. S. cavalry were sent to arrest Shelton. The boy who was with him went back to Fuller's farther. Fuller's father and brother came on to Shelton's and killed him before Ziegler's cavalry arrived. Fuller's brother went to Ziegler's camp and thence to Ohio. His father was killed by a son of Shelton. I think Fuller ought not to be discharged but from the imperfection of the testimony I cannot advise where he should be sent for trial. I think he was the cause of Shelton's death and ought in some way to be brought to justice either by the State or Confederate authorities; but the seat of justice of the Confederate States for this district (Charleston, Kanswha County) and the committing of the offense are both in the possession of the enemy. I would suggest the propriety of an act of the Legislature of Virginia authorizing the trail in some other county. Witnesses examined, Peters, Poteet, Beekman, Wilson.
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Prisoner of War.
John Hays.
John Hays, a lad of twelve years of age, who was attached to Lieutenant Earl in some capacity which we could not ascertain and who remained with him after he was wounded, was held by Lieutenant Paddock as a prisoner of war.
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Prisoner of War.
Stewart Armstrong.
Stewart Armstrong. -Born in Greenbrier. Moved to Fayette when he was a boy. Twenty-five years old now. Voted against secession, but turned when he heard the Union was broken; supported the South. Is opposed to the Federalist Never saw the Yankee army or had any communication with them. Willing to take the oath of allegiance. Fair character. I recommend his discharge on taking the oath of allegiance.
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Prisoner of War.
John Hanaher.
John Hanaher. -Boy of sixteen. Lives with his father and was arrested at home in the absence of his parents. Says his father is a Methodist connected with the Southern Church. Has had no connection with the enemy in any way. Mr. Coleman says the general impression is his father is connected with the Northern Church, but since secession may have changed. This boy's examination is not satisfactory, but as no connection with the enemy appears I recommend his discharge on taking the oath of allegiance. Witness, Coleman.
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Thomas J. Cole.
Thomas J. Cole, private, Third Regiment Georgia Reserves, Company H, age sixteen, arrived at Andersonville on the 20th of July. Was ordered to guard prisoners at the stockade. Performed guard duty every third day, two hours on and four hours off during the twenty-four hours. Before leaving home received a slight scratch on the side of the left foot below the ankle. This boy had not been accustomed to wear shoes at home, and on the way to Andersonville the shoes bruised and inflamed the small injury. This small abrasion did not heal after the commencement of his duties as a soldier at Andersonville. It did not, however, give him any special trouble or appear inflamed until about the 1st of September, three weeks ago, and forty-two days after his arrival at this post. Up to this time this young recruit had never been inside the stockade, and had never stood guard around or within the hospital inclosure. On the 4th of September the patient was compelled to quit duty, and on the 12th instant (ten dyas ago) he was transferred to the Confederate general hospital. At this time the gangrenous spot was not larger than a silver half dollar, and presented an inflamed areolar in the sound skin, elevated everted edges, and elevated, pulpy, raged, greenish and grayish cerntral mass. Up to the present time the grangrene has spread rapidly, and the wound now presents a large, fungous, fetid mass, three or four inches in diameter. Hemorrhage continually takes place from numerous small eroded blood vessels. Several smaller gangrenous spots are visible upon the leg. The ankle joint is exposed. The constitutional symptoms are well marked in this case. Last night when I examined him he had a hot fever with rapid pulse, parle, anaemix, sallow complexion. This morning he had less heat of surface and the pulse is less frequent, but still there is a feverish excitement, and he is very nervous and weak; cries like a child when his wound is touched even in the gentlest manner. Bowels loose.
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Frank Albor.
Frank Albor (a cabin boy) who was part of the crew of the privateer Petrel,
has recently died in prison of consumption.
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Prisoner of War.
Thomas N. Fisher.
Thomas N. Fisher. - Aged seventeen. Born in Loudoun; moved to Fairfax. Says when arrested he was coming in to volunteer in Bob Radford's cavalry. Passed our lines (not knowing it) in the night; was arrested. It appeared no evidence before me this boy is warm in the Southern cause. On two occasions he borrowed a gun from a neighbor and scouted on the Potomac to get a shot at the Yankee who were expected to cross. He wishes to go either into a cavalry company or the Eight Virginia, as his relations are in that regiment. He is a brave and true Southern boy and I hope his wishes will be gratified
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Prisoner
R. Clay.
R. Clay-A boy sixteen years of age, son of Charles Clay. Says he never had anything to do with the Northern army or with the Union men. I recommend his discharge on taking the oath of allegiance.
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Prisoner of War.
Donald McKay.
The Salvor remained and subsequently I learned from Mr. Thomas Savage, vice-consul-general at Havan, that Captain McKay sold her to British owners and her name was changed to the M. S. Perry. While sailing under British colors the Perry was captured by the U. S. steamer Keystone State, Captain G. H. Scott. Captain McKay and his son Donald, a mere boy, were on board. The Salvor was carried to Philadelphia, condemned and sold by the admiralty court as a prize. Captain McKay was detained in Fort Taylor and his son sent to Fort Lafayette. By permission of Major B. H. Hill, commandant of Fort Taylor, Captain McKay appears in Washington to ask the liberation of himself and son and that they have permission to return to their home.
Added info. Donald McKay was captured from on board the steamer Salvor while attempting to run the blockade some twenty miles south of Tortugas by Captain Scott, commanding U. S. steamer Keystone State, on the 14th of October, 1861. McKay, a boy fifteen years of age, was the son of the owner and master of the Salvor, which vessel contained a cargo of contraband and other goods. He was brought to Philadelphia by a prize crew on board the Salvor and sent to Fort Lafayette where he remained February 15, 1862, when in accordance with an order from the War Department of the preceding day he was transferred to the charge of that Department.
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