Taylor, David D.
Pvt. 51st NC, Co. F
Born in Nash County and was by occupation a farmer prior to enlisting in Robeson County at age 21, March 10, 1862. Present or accounted for until hospitalized at Wilson on December 5, 1863, with an unspecified complaint. Returned to duty in January-February, 1864. Present or accounted for until captured at Cold Harbor, VA, June 1, 1864. Confined at Point Lookout, MD, June 11, 1864. Transferred to Elmira, NY, July 12, 1864. Died at Elmira on March 4, 1865, of "febris typhoid."
Taylor, DR. G.T.
Dr. Taylor served in the AL 1st Artillery Battalion - Company C. He was captured at Fort Morgan on August 31, 1864 and send to Elmira Prison Camp. The following article appeared in the Confederate Veteran Magazine after the war.
I belonged to Company C, 1st Alabama Battalion of Heavy Artillery, and served on the Gulf Coast most of the war of 1861-65. I was captured August 23, 1864, at Fort Morgan and was taken to New Orleans and placed in Cotton Press No. 3 on September 18 (?). About 300 of us were sent on board a ship for New York City and placed in Castle Williams, on Governor's Island. We were kept there until December 4, when were sent to the Elmira (N.Y.) Prison. While in New Orleans, we fared fairly well under the circumstances. While on Governor's Island a corporal (I think his name was Toby) stole our rations, and we suffered hunger until Colonel Bumford, in command of the prison, removed the man, who was making money while we were starving. While there I took small pox, as did several others, and we carried the disease to Elmira, where a number died of it.
Talk about Camp Chase, Rock Island, or any other prison as you please, but Elmira was nearer Hades than I thought any place could be made by human cruelty. It was a bend of the small river, surrounded by a high board enclosure, with sentinels walking some fifteen or twenty feet on the inside; and if prisoners went near the line, a wound or death was the invariable result. Snow and ice several feet thick covered the place from December 6 to March, 1865. We were in shacks some seventy or eighty feet long, and they were very open, with but one blanket to the man. Our quarters were searched every day, and any extra blankets were taken from us. For the least infraction, we were sent to the guardhouse and made to wear a "barrel shirt" or were tied to by the thumbs for hours at a time. There was one Major Beal who, I believe, was the meanest man I ever knew. Our rations were very scant. About eight or nine in the morning we were furnished a small piece of salt pork or pickled beef each, and in the afternoon a small piece of bread and a tin plate of soup, with sometimes a little rice or Irish potato in the soup where the pork or beef had been boiled. We were not allowed to have money, but could make rings or pins or buttons and sell them for suttler tickets and buy tobacco or apples; but we were not allowed to buy rations. After the surrender of General Lee, we thought it would be better, but were mistaken.
In May they commenced to liberate prisoners, sending three hundred every other day. I got out on July 7, 1865, and started for my home in Alabama. Upon arrival in New York City I secured my first "square meal" in over ten months.
My experience was that when you met a Western man you met a gentleman or soldier; but when you met a "down Easterner" or a Southern renegade, you meet the other fellow.
Taylor, Joseph .J.
Sgt. 7th NC Inf Co. E
Sergeant, born in Nash County (NC) where he resided as a farmer prior to enlisting in Wilson County (NC) at age 18. …..captured at Winchester, Virginia May 6, 1864. Confined at Point Lookout, Maryland until transferred to Elmira, New York August 10, 1864. Died at Elmira on September 29, 1864 of "typhoid fever."(N.C. Troops 1861-1865, Vol. IV, p. 460)
Information submitted by Richard Simmons.
Teague, Oliver Sanford
Oliver Sanford TEAGUE was born 30 May 1830 in Hall, Ga, the son of Benjamin TEAGUE & Ester Elizabeth SADLER. He died 21 Nov 1865 in Elmira, Chemung Co. NY and was buried in Elmira, Chemung Co. NY. He is buried in the Elmira Prison Camp, He was attached to Jeff Davis, Art. He married Sarah A. MILLER about 1853 in Randolph, AL. Sarah was born 1 Dec 1832 in Ga. She died 13 Dec 1912 in Lee, Tx. (The 1880 Lee Co. Census says she was born in AL this may be a mistake on the part of her son in law she is living with her son Allison Teague in 1910 in Hopkins Co. TX.) Children: Francis Marion TEAGUE was born 10 Jul 1853 and died 13 Sep 1933; Allison Monroe TEAGUE was born 1856; Leavina J. TEAGUE was born 1860. Leavina married L. G. WILLIAMS; Elizabeth S. TEAGUE was born 1863 in Randolph, AL.
Templin, William Harrison
William Harrison Templin was born on November 20, 1840 in Benton, Lowndes County, Alabama. He was the son of George Templin and Martha Pierce Templin. William enlisted as a private in the Jeff Davis Artillery at Selma, Alabama on July 23, 1861. The Jeff Davis Artillery battery was sent to Virginia in 1861 where it was fitted with guns and went through training. The battery was assigned to D.H. Hill's division. The battery's first engagement was at the Battle of Seven Pines in May, 1862. The next engagement was at Gaines Mill during the Seven Days Battle about Richmond. William Templin was wounded in that battle. Also in 1862, the Jeff Davis Artillery fought at the battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg.
In 1863, the Jeff Davis Artillery participated in the Battle of Chancellorsville, where they were with Stonewall Jackson during his famous flanking march around the Union Army. At Gettysburg, the Jeff Davis Artillery was in Carter's Artillery Battalion attached to Ewell's Corps and participated in the engagements on the 1st and 3rd days of the battle. In 1864, the Jeff Davis Artillery was in Page's Artillery Battalion attached to Ewell's Corps and participated in the Battle of the Wilderness in May, 1864. After the Battle of the Wilderness, General Lee anticipated that Grant would move around his flank to Spotsylvania Court House. Ewell's Corps was dispatched to Spotsylvania where Ewell formed a defensive line with a salient, which due to its shape became known as the "Mule Shoe". The Jeff Davis Artillery was placed in the earthworks near the tip of the salient in an area, which became known as "The Bloody Angle."
On the night of May 11, General Lee again anticipated that Grant would flank his army, so he withdrew Page's battalion from the line so they would be in a position to react to the move. In the early morning hours of May 12, Lee learned that the Federals were massing for an attack on the "Mule Shoe." Lee ordered Page's Battalion back to the front. The Jeff Davis Artillery rushed back into position and only managed to fire a few shots before Hancock's Corps. over-ran the Confederate line and surrounded Page's battalion, capturing 20 guns and many soldiers. William Templin was among those captured. William was initially sent to Point Lookout Prison in Maryland, and was subsequently transferred to the Elmira Prison Camp.
At Elmira, William joined a band of Confederates who successfully dug a tunnel from a tent inside the prison to outside the walls of the prison. The tunnel was over 60 feet in length, and required several weeks to dig. The tunnelers disposed of the dirt by placing it in bags made from a shirt and dumping it on the grounds of the camp. On October 7, 1864, William and nine other prisoners escaped from Elmira Prison through the tunnel. Once outside the prison, the escapees broke-up into small groups to make their way to freedom. William Templin, George G. "Hickory" Jackson, and John Fox Maull, all Jeff Davis Artillery battery mates, formed a team. They successfully made their way back to the Confederate lines. Their trek, which took them through New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia was very challenging. They had to forage for food and "borrow" clothing along the way. They encountered Yankees several times along the way and were assisted by both Northern and Southern citizens. Their journey took approximately three weeks.
Upon arrival within the Confederate lines, they were directed to General Jubal Early's headquarters near New Market, Virginia. General Early granted them a 30-day furlough in consideration for their prompt return to the service. After the furlough, William Templin re-joined the remnant of the Jeff Davis Artillery, which was assigned to Fort Clifton between Richmond and Petersburg. On April 2, 1865 the Jeff Davis Artillery retreated with Lee's Army and surrendered at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. After the War, William Templin returned to Alabama and married Mary Jane Grumbles. William and Mary had eight children. William earned his family's living as a farmer. William Harrison Templin died on April 20, 1917. He is buried at Shiloh Baptist Church in Sardis, Alabama. His grave is marked with a Confederate tombstone bearing his name and "Jeff Davis Artillery, C.S.A."
Information provided by David F. Templin.
Terry, John Calhoun
Private Co. H. 23 Tenn Inf - Capt. M. M. Brien, Jr's, Co.
• Mustered in Camp Trousdale, Tennessee Aug 23, 1861 by G. H. Smith, Lt C.S.A. for a period of 10 months.
• Captured in front of Petersburg, VA , June 17, 1864
• Transferred to Elmira N.Y. from Point Lookout, Md. - July 27, 1864
• Point Lookout, Md., Register No. 1; page 443 - Elmira, N.Y., Register No. 1; page 115
• Transferred to James River for exchange Feb 13, 1865
• Took oath of Allegiance March 31, 1865
• Submitted by Bob Atnip
Terry, Thomas D.
Pvt 6th Ala Inf Co G.
Thomas was a single 24 year old Pilot who was born in Alabama and lived at Autaugaville Alabama. He enlisted for 1 year on 2 June 1861 at Corinth Mississippi. Elmira Arrived: ? Died 02/14/1865 Grave No. [2061]
Thomas, Philip Evan
Pvt Co. E 5th SC Cav
Georgetown Dist., SC. Enlisted at Santee, SC, 17 Mar 1862. Capt. at Drewry.s Bluff, VA, 16 May 1864. Sent to Elmira, NY, and DOD (typhoid fever), 1 Oct 1864. Buried in Woodlawn National Cemetery, Elmira, NY.
Information provided by Fred Knudsen.
Thompson, J.P.
Pvt 5th Va Inf Co G.
Died of disease at Elmira, N.Y., Sept. 19,1864. Buried Woodlawn Cemetery Grave No. 521.
Thompson, James A.
12th Al Inf Co G.
Born circa 1820/26, farmed in Tallapoosa County. He was with the 12th Alabama Infantry Rgt. in the war, and died as a POW at Elmira Prison Camp, NY. His father's name was Thomas P. Thompson.
Thompson, Thomas P.
13th Al Inf Co O.
Died as a POW at Elmira Prison Camp, NY. Possibly the father of James A. Thompson, but not confirmed.
Thomson, John White
John White Thomson was born March 2, 1843 near Lee Shoals on the Rocky River in Anderson County South Carolina. His Parents were Major James Thomson (SC Militia 2nd Battalion, 4rth Battalion War of 1812) and Mattie L. Norris daughter of Colonel Jesse Norris.
During the War of Southern Independence he took arms against oppression as his great- grandfather Matthew Thomson had rightfully done during the American Revolution. John's family suffered greatly as all southern families did during the war. Two of his brothers were killed: Cpl. James Allen Thomson Company C of the Palmetto Sharpshooters 1863 at Will's Valley near Chattanooga and William Matthew Thomson of the 7th South Carolina Cavalry Company G at Riddles Shop near Petersburg in 1864.
When John tried to enlist into the local Anderson company he was refused admission. The reason was due to his age 17 years and his small stature. Afterwards, he went and joined an Abbeville company at Sandy Springs July 20th 1861 under Colonel Orr (later U.S. delegate to Russia) called the First South Carolina Rifles.
He was continuously with Orr's Regiment until wounded at Gaine's Mill. Rejoining his regiment after convalescence he was captured at Falling Waters Md. August, 14 1863 following the Battle of Gettysburg. After twelve months of confinement at Point Lookout he was transferred to Elmira New York where he was held until the end of the war.
John was previously acquainted with Colonel Tom Oliver of Hoods Texas Division who had once lived near Abbeville and was in prison with John. The two shared a lifetime friendship following their confinement at Point Lookout and Elmira. Tom was superintendent of one of the cookhouses where John describes "they had very good food, but very little of it." Both men attended all Confederate Veterans reunions together following the war.
John's father was very concerned about his son who had written a letter needing money to buy food. Mr. Baylis Crayton who owned the largest store in Anderson arranged for a Yankee merchant Mr. Inglesby in New York to lend John $150. The family was forever indebted to these two gentlemen. After John's release he set out and succeeded to find and repay Mr. Ingelesby.
John described Elmira as twenty acres surrounded by a fifteen-foot high plank wall where the men were quartered in tents. He described a peculiar spectacle performed when word of Sherman arriving at Savannah reached the people of Elmira, "I recall very well the celebration the people of Elmira made when they learned of Sherman's arriving at Savannah. One amusement they entered into was to aim some of their cannon toward our prison yard. They fired several shots at us, and two of the prisoners were killed. I didn't see the balls hit inside the prison , but I was in position to see the fire from the cannons. A high board fence surrounded us, and I remember that some of the local people of Elmira built an observatory three stories high . They were charged admission to look over us."
Upon John's dismissal from the prison the officer in charge swindled him over his money owed to him, "when I was captured I had in my possession $15 in United States money. The Provost Marshall took this money. When I signed the parole the officer in charge told me to call on this Provost Marshall that I had left my money with. I called on him and asked for my $15. He gave me some bank notes issued by a local bank. I protested telling him that I had United States money when I was locked up and that I wanted United States money in return. He declared rather insolently, that the bank notes were equivalent to United States greenbacks and I left the station, carrying with me the bank notes. Soon after getting out on the street a native asked me to sell him my blanket. I told him I didn't want to sell it; that I might need it on the way home. I told him, however that I had something I wanted to exchange with him-my $15 in bank notes. He held up his hands, pushed me off, and said that the bank that had issued these had closed some time before. As luck would have it, the old provost marshal hadn't gotten far away, and I ran and grabbed hold of him, and demanded United States money for what he had given me. He saw he had been caught and without a word of protest he took United states money from his pocket and handed it over to me, taking back the worthless bank notes."
John lived to a ripe age of 82 years old and died June 12, 1924 at his home in Anderson South Carolina. His wife, son James and two daughters May and Louisa survived him.
He was remembered by Colonel Hemphill speaking in 1891 in the Abbeville medium as able to give a full account of each battle and the names of those that had lost their lives around him. It was even told, that while holding their position in battle they came upon the pitiful cries of a young Yankee soldier. John climbed the fence at the peril of his life to raise the head of the man and let him drink from his canteen.
John White Thomson was a man of good citizenship and loyal personality and who delighted in service to his community.
Information submitted by Larry Thomson.
Thompson, William Andrew
William Andrew Thompson was born in GA in 1828, and married in Appling County on March 3, 1851, to Judy Bennett; he was the father of seven children. He enlisted on August 1, 1862, at Waynesville, GA, in Captain Hopkin's Company A, 24th Battalion GA Cavalry. Was later transferred to Company G, 7th GA Cavalry. He was captured by the Yankees on June 11, 1864, at Trevillian Station, VA, and sent to Elmira Prison Camp, Elmira, New York, where he died on Sunday, November 20, 1864, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in grave # 944.
Thorp, James
2nd Reg. NC light Art. Co. G
Captured Jan.15,1865 at the battle of Fort Fisher. Was from Brunswick Co. NC near Wilmington. Name sometimes spelled Tharp, Thorpe, Tharpe. Released July 7,1865.
Information submitted by Mike.
Tucker, George Washington
One of the unfortunate victims of the Elmira Prison Camp in NY. He was born ca 1827 in Pike Co. AL to Hiram and Catherine Hendry Tucker. He was the 13th of 15 children. Mildred Margaret Bradley's, George's wife, pension application shows the couple marrying the 10th of Dec 1849, probably in Montgomery Co. where Mildred was born 24 Dec 1831. George died in the Elmira Prison camp the 9th of Dec 1864, leaving a grieving wife and 6 small children from the ages of 14 to 2 years old. He and his people were members of the Fairview Church of Christ in Upper Crenshaw Co. AL. His brother, Ira J. Tucker and wife, Priscilla A. Dendy Tucker, gave the land for the church and cemetery. George was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, NY and his wife was buried at the Fairview Church Cemetery. According to the Lowndes Court House by Mildred Brewer Russell, pg. 175, George was one of 2999 fatalities at the Elmira Prison Camp and was in the 1st Alabama Infantry, Co. F. Several men in the 1st Alabama Infantry died there.
Information provided by Wynnette Tucker Welch
Tunstall, Jerome B.V.
23rd N.C. Vol. Born May 16, 1843; died September 12, 1912. Resided in Granville County where he enlisted at age 18 , June 11, 1861 . Present or accounted for until wounded in his right hip and captured at Spotsylvania Court House , Virginia , May 9, 1864. Confined at various Federal hospitals until confined at Old Capital Prison . Washington , D. C , August 11, 1864. Transferred to Elmira August 28,1864. Released at Elmira on June 19, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance. Although he left a diary, little can be gained from it because it was written in pencil. He did remark about being starved. After the war he married Mary Molly Britton ,they had six children. He a tax collector, clerk of court, and constable for Granville County.
Information provided by James R. Tunstall.
Tyner, William
Pvt. 51st NC, Co. F
Born in Robeson County where he resided as a farmer prior to enlisting at age 39, March 10, 1862. Present or accounted for until November-December, 1862, when he was reported absent without leave. Returned to duty in January-February, 1863. Present or accounted for until captured at Cold Harbor, VA, June 1, 1864. Confined at Point Lookout, MD, June 11, 1864. Transferred to Elmira, NY, July 12, 1864. Died at Elmira on July 18, 1864 of a "contusion."