Lafayette Washington Alexander (b. July 04, 1836, d. September 10, 1883)
Lafayette Washington Alexander (son of James Borden Alexander and Candace Dean) was born July 04, 1836 in Elbert Co, Georgia, and died September 10, 1883 in Winnsboro, Texas. He married Nancy Catherine Guinn on December 25, 1858.
Notes for Lafayette Washington Alexander:
Lafayette Washington Alexander born on July 4, 1836, was named for two Revolutionary War soldiler heros - Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) and George Washington (1732-1799). In light of that, it seems a little ironic that on May 15, 1862, in Dalton, Georgia he would be mustered in to serve for the Confederate army against the Union.
His civil war military records list him as L. W. Alexander, age 26, a private in Company E of the 12th Georgia Cavalry (Orginally the 4th Georgia Cavalry) Avery's Squadron of the Georgia Dragoons.(Dragoon was a mounted infantry man who uses the horse for transportation to the battlefield, but who dismounts to fight. Although a cavalryman theoretically fights from the saddle, the cavalry of the American Civil War was used as mounted infantry witha few rare exceptions. ref. The Civil War Dictionary by Mark M. Boatner III)
(There was the Georgia Cavalry of 11 companies designated also as the 4th Georgia Cavalry under the command of Colonel Isaac W. Avery. That regiment is often referred to as Avery's 4th Georgia Cavalry and used Avery's 23rd Georgia Cavalry Battalion as its ncleus. Prior to this Avery was n command of the "Mountain Dragoons". Toward the end of the war, January 1865, it was reorganized into the 12th Georgia Cavalry.)
L. W. was enrolled by Lt. Colonel William L. Cook for the term of the war and was paid $180.00 for the use of his horse. They were stationed at Dalton, Georgia for July & August of 1862.
In September of 1863, after the battle of Chickamauga, the Union troops under Rosecrans were stationed in Chattanooga. They were in desperate need of supplies and ammunition. There was only one route available. The Federal troops were forced to take a poor road, 60 twisting miles, leading northeast up the valley of theSequatchie River to Anderson's Crossroads. They could then turn southeast -- following a steep, winding, rocky trail that was scarcely more than a footpath -- over the heights of Walden't Ridge and then down to the north bank of the Tennessee River opposite Chattanooga. From there the wagonscould moved across the river and into the town over a pontoon bridge. Mules struggled to pulled supply wagons up the Sequatchie Valley through stretches of belly-deep mud. On the steep mountain trail as many as 16 animals had to be harnessed to each wagon, with a soldier bearing a whip assigned to each mule and more soldiers put to work pushing. Overworked animals weakened until they coud barely drag their loads into Chattanooga. Many animals died en route and carcasses littered the trail all the way.
On Oct. 1, 1863, (with bad weather, changing from a cloudy day to a heavy rain by night) Major General Joseph Wheeler led 5,000 cavalarymen (The soldiers were miserable. Rations were cooked by a special detail ten miles in the rear and were sent to the soldiers every three day. Generally the tree days rations were eaten all at one meal and then the soldiers had to starve the other town days. They were sick, hallowed-eyed, heart-broken and nearly naked.) under Brigadier Generals Martin and Wharton across the Tennessee River west of Chattanooga and then north into the Sequatchie Valley. Under heavy fire the men forded the river. leaving their dead and wonded in the water, intent on storming the Federal position. On the west bank they charged Crook's 4th Ohio.
The next day (Friday, Oct. 2, 1863) early in the morning, they encountered the advance guard of the infantry escort to an enormous wagon train loaded with supplies for the union army of Rosecran in Chattanooga. Parts of two regiments were ordered to charge the escourt but they were repulsed and came back in disorder. The Alabama 4th Cavalry then rode forward and attacked and devastated an 800 wagon Federal caravan at Anderson's Crossroads, burning more than 300 of the vehicles and shooting or sabering the mules (since it was impossible, because of the trail conditions, to escape with the livestock). Smoke from the burning train was visible for many miles and soon the explosions of fixed ammunition sounded along the valley road.
It was during the first charge on the supply train escourt that L. W. Alexander was captured (Oct. 2, 1863)
From recollections of other prisoners I surmise that he was taken to Chattanooga then to Bridgeport, Alabama via steamboat. From Bridgeport he was shipped by boxcar to Nashville to the Tennessee Peniteniary where he might have spent the night in the court yard surrounded by a strong guard (the penitentiary full of convicts and civil prisoners).
The next morning he would have started to the Louisville & Nashville depot. L. W. was sent to the U. S. Military Prison in Louisville, KY. He arrived there Oct. 21, 1963.
The following if from a report of inspection of camp and field hospital Louisville, Ky on Oct. 24, 1863 by A. M. Clark, surgeon and acting medical inspector of prisoners of war.
This prison is merely a receiving depot, the prisoners are constantly changing and unless sick or under sentence being rarely retained more than 24 hours.
Designation of camp -- U. S. Military Prison Commander of camp -- Capt. C. B. Pratt, 25th Michigan Volunteers Command strength -- 300 soldiers prisoners -- average 500 Location -- corner of Broadway and Tenth street, Louisville, KY Water source and supply -- from river by city waterworks, abundant Water quality and effects -- good Fuel -- wook and coal Soil -- clay, muddy Drainage -- very good Topography -- on outskirts of city, level, raised three feet above that of the street Police of camp -- excellent; entire camp thoroughly policed daily under supervision of commanding officer Discipline in camp -- more strict than usual Duties in camp -- prisoners required to maintain police Tents or huts, postiton -- barracks north and east side of square Tents or huts, quality -- one story in good repair Tents or huts, ventilation -- very well ventilated by shutters under eaves Tents or huts, sufficiency -- for about 1,000 prisoners Tents or huts, heating -- by stoves Sink construction -- faulty; not properly drained, new ones are in porcess of constructon Sinks, position -- northeast corner of square, new ones are in center of square Sinks, management -- kept clean but not properly disinfected Cooking in camp -- by contrabands paid from prison fund, very well done Inspection of food -- daily Portable ovens -- bread good, furneished by commissary Vegetables -- in sufficinet quantity Cleaniness of men and clothing -- enforced, by far the best dondition I have yet seen. Laundry and washing facilities -- good Quality and quantity of clothing -- obtained from contributions by rebel sympathizers, restricted to underclothing and rebel uniform Blankets and bedding -- sufficient in in excellent condition Condition of men -- comfortable Hospital buildings -- two barracks on south and west side of square. Hospita ldiet andcooking -- U. S. general hospital diet table, cooking by contrabands, daily inspected by surgeon in charge. Hospital capacity -- 80, 40 each barracks. Number sick -- average 35, federal 10, rebel 25, Federal and rebels not kept in separate wards. Medical supplies and surgical instruments -- in good condition and well kept. Hospital records -- carefully kept Sate of hospital fund -- $86 as of Sept. 30, 1863 Nursing - by detail from guard and convalescent prisoners. Interments. -- by contract Diseases prevalent -- malarial pneumonia Recoveries from diseases -- very ready Mortality from diseases -- average, 1 to 1.5 percent
L. W. was forwarded Oct. 25, 1863 to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana. He may have crossed the Ohio river to Jeffersonville from there he would have been shipped to Indianapolis, arriving in the early hours of the morning. From the depot he was taken to Camp Morton, about two miles from the city.
In the winter they had little to keep out the cold but their bankets, hundreds became ill and died. In December the rations were reduced to eight ounces of bread and one-quarter of a pound of beef per day - blue beef at that. It had never been embalmed. The prisoners comolained of thereduced rations and were informed that it was being done in a spirit of retaliaton because the Federal prisoners at Andersonville and Libby Prisons were starving to death.
The following is from an inspection report by A. M. Clark, acting medical inspector of prisoners of war, Oct. 22, 1863 (just a few days before L. W. arrived) Command and strength -- prisoners; rebel officers - 7, soldiers - 2,325; cililians - 30 Location of camp -- 1 mile and a half north of Indiananpolis, Ind. Water source - supplied by pumps from wells, five in number Water supply - sufficinet Water quailty -- good, slightly alkaline Fuel -- wood and coal Soil -- clay and sand, muddy Drainage - bad from want of attention; ditches anddrains choked with rubbish Topography -- some trees, deep ditch - formerly bed of a creek - running through middle of camp Police of camp - very bad. Discipline in camp -- las barracks in dilapidated conditon, only ventilated from dilapidation heating - stoves in a few of the barracks, Sinks -- exceedingly faulty, two excavations aobut 20 feet long, five feet wide, two feet deep, entirely open sink condition -- very foul The central ditch is general receptacle for refuse of all kinds. Cooking in camp -- by prisoners over camp fires. no ovens Bread supplied by commissary Vegetables -- potatoes only Cleanliness of men -- foul, bathing and laundry facitities entirely insufficient. Blankets and bedding -- insufficient both in hospital and camp. Condition of men -- in barracks -- exceeding foul; in hospital -- miserable Hospital buildings -- two, one dilapidated and unfit for use the other in good conditon but much overcrowded Hospital tents -- six, distitute of stoves or other meansof heating Hospital descipline -- none to speak of
In a report to the Commanding officer of Camp Morton, Dec. 17, 1863... I have just received a telegram from Captain Elkin, informing me that the prisoners in the hospital at Camp Morton are in want of drawers, socks and shirts... there is no good reason what at any time there shoud be any deficiency of necessarty articles. Col. W. Hoffman, Commanding General of Prisoners
From a prison memoir of Pvt. John A. Wyeth, a young Alabama cavalryman who was at Camp Morton -- The men, a great number of whom had never been in a cold climate, suffered becasue the mecury was near zero. (New Years day 1864 the thermometer dropped to 28 degrees below zero) A number froze to death and many more perished from disease broght on by exposure added to ther condition of emaciation from lack of food. Eighteen bodies were carried into the death house one morning after an entensely cold night. Durning the very cold spells it was our habit to sleep in larger groups or squads so that by combing blankets and body heat the cold could be better combated. Another proctice was, just at sundown, when we were forced to go to bed, to dip the top blanket in water, wring it out fairly dry, so that, being thus made more impermeable it would retain the warmth generated by the body. Lots were drawn for positions and woe to the ufortunate end men, wh, although captains of the squad for the night, paid dearly for their honor in having to shiver through the weary hours. The squad or file of men slept spoon fashion. No one was allowed to rest flat on his vack for this took up too much room for the width of the blankets. At intervals through these intensely cold ights prisoners could be heard the order of the end men. "Boys spoon" and as if on parade they would flop over upon the other side to the gratification of one end man and the disgust of the other, whose back was oncemore turned on a cold world.
Prisoners who came from southern states inside the Federal lines were allowed to receive money and clothing from their friend and families at home. The money was held at headquarters, and small piecces of pasteoard marked ten, twenty-five and fifty cents were issued in liew of the cash. These were good with the camp sutler and circulated amoung the prisoners. In addition "nigger-foot" tobacco, cut into samll "chaws" were the only currency had.
In March of 1864 several soldiers escaped from Camp Morton. The following is from a report made by A. A. Stevens , Colonel, Command Camp Morton -- Report of the escape of 18 prisoners from this camp... Two of the number escaped by scaling the fence about the 3rd of the month, the tunnel reported not having been completed until the night of the 10th. The 16 remaing prisoners escaped, part of them early on the night of the 10th and the remainder about daybreak on the morning of the 11th. Two of whom were recaptured. The tunnel had been opened beneath a bunk in the east eand of Barrack G, and escaped the observations of the inspecting officer, the prisoners having concealed it by replancing and nailing down the boards immedately over it each day. The outlet of the tunnel was under the guard wald and conceled form the sentinel by the walk. The tunnel in questionwas aobut 11 feet in length, and from information since received was several weeks in construction. T he dirt being carefully conveyed in buckets mixrd with ashes from the stoves and the sweeping form the floors of the quarters.
There were various ways of punishing prisoners at Camp Morton, some were "bucked & gagged", others tied up by their thumbs and some forced to ride "Morgan's Mule". The "Mule" stood back of the guard house out in the open so that all could see and take warningl Two heavy posts were planted in the ground about ten feet apart and twelve feet high, then a heavy piece of oak lumber eight inches wide and four inches thick was bolted to the top of each upright post. This plank sat edgeways, the top being smartly bevelled and very sharp, making the mule a very uncomfortable animal to sit on. There were no saddle, no stirrups, no bridle, just a plain barebacked ride. Men mounted by means of a ladder and when they were located the ladder was removed and placed against a tree nearby, out of reach of the rider. L. W. was transfered to Fort Deleware on March 19, 1864 he arrived there on March 22, 1864.
Fort Delaware was the Andersonville of the North-- the most dreaded of Northern Prisons. Located on an island in the Delaware River, much of it was below water, which was held back by dykes, and the flimsy barracks in which the men lived were cold and damp. Unlike most prisons, Ft. Delaware housed both officers and privates.
More About Lafayette Washington Alexander and Nancy Catherine Guinn: Marriage: December 25, 1858
Children of Lafayette Washington Alexander and Nancy Catherine Guinn are:
Lafayette Washington Alexander (b. July 04, 1836, d. September 10, 1883)
Notes for Lafayette Washington Alexander: