Officer's Clothing at Johnson's Island

[CYoungJSU]

I was reading John Washington Inzer's "Diary of a Confederate Soldier," edited and annotated by Mattie lou Teague Crow, this morning, and a question just kind of came to mind. For those of you who do not know, Inzer was Lt. Col. of the 58th Alabama and was captured on November 25, 1863 during the Chattanooga Campaign. He was subsequently shipped to Johnson's Island where he kept a very detailed diary account of the daily activities in the prison. Now, here is the question. When these officers received clothing, was it of civilian or military persuasion? Although Inzer never tells us specifically the cut of the clothing, it seems that a heavy amount of civilian influenced attire is being sent along with the basic clothing. This leads me to lean more toward the idea that many prisoners are strolling around Johnson’s Island dressed more like civilians than captured Confederate officers. Any comments or other postulations will be greatly appreciated. Like I said, this is a question I have never considered until reading this diary. Here are some excerpts from Inzer’s diary.

Thursday, March 31, 1864
Am in usual health. Weather warm and cloudy. Received box of clothes from Miss Emma McCaw, Lexington, Ky., ---coat, vest, 2 woolen shirts, 2 calico shirts, two pair woolen drawers, 2 silk handkerchiefs, 2 towels, soap, 4 collars, 2 cravats, 1 pair suspenders, lots of smoking and chewing tobacco, pipe, tooth brush, hat, needles, pins and thread. Fine Bible. Paper, envelopes, stamps, wax.

Wednesday, April 13, 1864
Cloudy morning, cool wind. Went to express---got nothing. Health improving---sore throat better. No meat issued to us in four days. Rain in the evening. Called Block 3, received a bundle sent by Thomas A. Demill, containing: hat, shoes, 5 pair socks, 2 scarfs, 1pr. Gloves, 2 gauze shirts, 1 white shirt, ½ dozen collars, razor, strop, brush, soap, shoe brush, pencils, paper, envelopes, pens, one pen knife, two white linen handkerchiefs, 1 plug tobacco, 4 pipes, 2 small cravats. Gave Lt. Smith, today, 32nd Alabama, one jacket and one flannel shirt.

Friday, April 15, 1864
Went to post-office before breakfast. Hand mackerel for breakfast. Exchange has played out, and I have the blues. Wrote letter to Mrs. C.J. Viley. Capt. Lee received box of clothes from Mrs. M. C. Desha, Lexington, Ky. A nice suit….

Tuesday, April 26, 1864
Received by express from Thos. A. Demill, 1 pair cashmere pants, 1 fine vest, 2 pair drawers, 2 shirts, 3 pair socks and 1 paper pins.

Thursday, May 12, 1864
Received the express sent by Thos. A. Demill for myself and others. Delivered the packages. Scoville gave me the articles without examination: 1 coat, valise, diary, ½ ream of paper….

(Thomas A. Demill was an older man, a distant relative of John W. Inzer. He had been reared in the North but was living in a Southern state when the war began. Being a Southern sympathizer, he joined the Confederate Army. Fearing he would not survive the harsh life at Johnson’s Island, he signed the oath of allegiance to the Union and was pardoned. He did no further military service for either side. He faithfully kept his promise to help the officers who were incarcerated at Johnson’s Island by sending them food and clothing and by writing to them. These things we know by legend.)

Chris

[roundshot]

Re: Officer's Clothing at Johnson's Island

This view of late war CS Prisoners is probably a pretty good cross section of CS POW attire.

[CYoungJSU]

Re: Officer's Clothing at Johnson's Island

It would be interesting to know the identities of these individuals to see how long each had been imprisoned prior to the photo being struck. Which further raises the question...Could it have been possible that the prisoners donning the civilian attire had been incarcerated for a longer period of time and were they from the same unit(showing us they could have been captured at the same time)?

[roundshot]

Re: Officer's Clothing at Johnson's Island

Many of these fellows were in the Washington Artillery of NO and captured at the fall of Petersburg, if my memory serves me right. I believe the photo was originally in Miller's Photo history and includes their identities. If someone has the "Prisoners" volume of Miller's, perhaps they can confirm this.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Officer's Clothing at Johnson's Island

When these officers received clothing, was it of civilian or military persuasion? Although Inzer never tells us specifically the cut of the clothing, it seems that a heavy amount of civilian influenced attire is being sent along with the basic clothing. This leads me to lean more toward the idea that many prisoners are strolling around Johnson’s Island dressed more like civilians than captured Confederate officers. Any comments or other postulations will be greatly appreciated.

Chris,

Take some time to look up the relationship between prison camp sutlers and the goods provided to CS prisoners. The ORs contain a number of inspection reports, and some correspondence (some of it far more comical than you'd imagine) worth reading. While this may not answer your specific questions, the info will explain at least one more source of clothing for CS prisoners, as well as what happens when that source is shut down.

For those interested in the upcoming Camp Morton event, this area will provide some non-specific background reading, as well.

[CYoungJSU]

Re: Officer's Clothing at Johnson's Island

Charles,

Thanks for the lead. I will definately take a look at the ORs when I get a break from having to read all these darn books about the French Revolution...like I need to know about it for some reason. Idid have some time this weekend to read more into Inzer's diary, and the sutler/prisoner interaction is very interesting from his viewpoint. It will be interesting to cross reference his diary with some OR accounts. Thanks again.

Chris