John McElroy

Civil war Union soldier, POW. Daily diary entries from the Rebel prisons, mainly Andersonville. Related accounts: @JohnLRansom @RobertHKellogg @POW_Yanks

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

"I wish I could see hope that their shed blood would benefit mankind but I can not." ~ John McElroy -Sgnt Mjr, Company L, 16th Illinois Cav

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

@sarahkaybierle Thank you kindly Mam. I must admit that it is not an actual quote from my diary. Rather its a thought and observation of the curator of these POW accounts. A mingling of the various incorporated diaries which ripple into one another regarding the #Andersonville experience.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

Today I saw a dry leaf resting at the base of a post at the deadline. It lingered there. Suddenly a strong gust pulled it skyward. It fluttered high above and floated past the looming prison stockade, likening it to the dear souls whom chose the deadline to be free.

[Andersonville Diary @POW_Yanks]

Overhead layout of Andersonville Prison. Drawing is one of many from the diary of John McElroy. @_JohnMcElroy

[Andersonville Diary @POW_Yanks]

Our Yank fellows tell of their experiences and observations through diary entries about #Andersonville, prisons of the #Confederacy and their escape adventures. @JohnLRansom @_JohnMcElroy @RobertHKellogg Click link on this account for uninterrupted #Twittergraph content.

[Gazette665 @Gazette665]

Have you read about the 27th Indiana Regiment at #Gettysburg? It's quite a story... https://t.co/O2x5jHE88P #UnionSoldiers

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

@lr4kids @Miss_Bellatrix @Mr_Lincoln Hope they at least,feed him some decent cornbread! #TwitterJail #Censorship

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

@geoffers64 Very much so, Sir.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

.......once this war is finished.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

Rations more plentiful now with so many prisoners gone.. Lieutenant Davis tells us that he will put in a good word of our dedication .....

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

Stench is unbearable. So many dead like skeletons. Yet it empowers us to strive to get those remaining here well enough to get them home.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

Nothing to mark their burial places. Caretakers try to record each dead mans information, but many corpses have no identification on them.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

We, along with Rebels and Negro servants now together bring the dead out to be buried. They are placed in long trenches, laid side by side.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

Rebel guards are softer now under the command of Lieutenant Davis. We've not seen Captain Wirtz for many weeks. It's rumored that he's dead.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

Our regiment was chosen to be detained here yet because we are well and can help those here to get stronger to make the journey home.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

October 25th,1864, Andersonville, Georgia~ Many prisoners have been transferred, many remain, mostly those who are too weak to travel.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

@geoffers64 Quite so. Not sure when it will be our time to leave. Still we carry out our task for dignity's sake.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

@lr4kids The departure was all quite spontaneous. We've heard rumors of exchange for many months. Now it arrives and many are not prepared.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

@lr4kids It's sad to see. Men being separated is a practical decision made by Lieutenant Davis. Many are too weak to make the journey home.

[John McElroy @_JohnMcElroy]

@lr4kids We use a canvas to carry each one to the gate. I image it being logs or bundled firewood to block out it's reality.