1864 Diary of Allen David Frankenberry, U. S. Signal Corps

The following diary was written by Allen David Frankenberry (1841-1878), the son of Samuel Lewis Frankenberry (1819-1899) and Elizabeth Dilliner (1819-1904) of Springhill township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. A biographical sketch from the History of Fayette county informs us that he attended the common schools of Springhill till he was 20 years old when he went to Waynesburg College in Greene county. He remained at college till August 20, 1862 when he enlisted as a volunteer in Co. K, 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He was engaged in the battles of Antietam, Stones River, and in May, 1863, was made an orderly at Gen. Rosecrans headquarters where he remained until 14 October 1863.

He was disabled in September of that year while carrying a dispatch from Bridgeport, Alabama, by way of Trenton, Georgia, to Gen. Stanley, near Rome, Georgia. The journey in the intense heat brought on a disability from which he never entirely recovered. Upon the successful delivery of this message depended the evacuation of Chattanooga—an almost impregnable position—by Bragg. His service was rendered on the 19th day of September 1863; was so disabled, as to have to be sent to the hospital, where he remained until April, 1864, when he was transfered to the Signal Corps of the US Army and was detailed to the 14th Army Corps at Ringgold, Ga. He participated in all of the engagements of Sherman’s army till the Battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, Septemver 1, 1864, when he was ordered to Kenesaw Mountain and was present when the famous, “Hold the Fort,” was sent from Sherman to General Corse at Allatoona. Mr. Frankenberry still has in his possession the signal flag by means of which this message was sent, and holds it as an invaluable relic of the war. He was mustered out of the service on 30 June 1865, and returned to Pennsylvania where he engaged in the lumbering business in 1867, in which he is still ebgaged at Point Marion in the firm of Keyser & Frankenberry. He was married in 1869 to Miss Carrie E. Conn.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Memorandum Book of Allen D. Frankenberry, Signal Corps, U. S. A. Chattanooga, Tenn.

Should this book ever be lost, or should the owner ever fall in defense of the “Starry Flag,” the finder of this will please send it to my Father or Mother at their address, — Morris X [Cross] Roads, Fayette County, Penna. My parents names are Samuel and Eliza Frankenberry and they will be glad to have any news of me should I fall or should anything happen to me. — A. D. Frankenberry

I am under Capt. Case and Lt. Hollopeter, Headquarters of the 14th Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland, Ringgold, Georgia. April 15, 1864

I am with Lt. Hollopeter, Chief of Signals, Headquarters, Dept. of the Cumberland, December 1st 1864

March 7th 1864. Early this morning I was prepared for my journey. I bade farewell to my dear friends, jissed dear mother and fond sisters, shook hands with father and brothers, and mounting my horse rode away. It may be never to return. God only knows.

I left home this time in better cheer than I did before. I had a very pleasant trip too Uniontown and at 1.20 p.m., took the train for Connellsville. A quick passage through a beautiful country brought us to C. Changed cars, saw Benj. F. All well. Keep on for Pittsburgh, passing down the Yonghiegheny River to its mouth, then down the banks of the Monongahela to Pittsburgh. We had some gay boys on the train and plenty of ladies. I met Dr. Robinson on the cars. He is a real gentleman. Pass by the old battlefield where Braddock fell and Washington fought so well. Honored spot. Lovely place. At dark arrived in Pittsburgh. Put up at the Mansion House. Out over the city. But why that booming cannon? Why rush the populace? Why the shouts of gladness? Lt. Gen. U. S. Grant is in the city. I saw the noble hero and heard him say when asked to make a speech that he was “too young.”

At about 11 o’clock I did not feel very well. My cough was very severe and a strange soreness in my breast. Did not get to sleep any at all.

[March] 8th. Left Pittsburgh on the 1.40 a.m. train for Crestline. Slept a little on the cars. At Alliance [Ohio] at daylight. Do not feel very well. The dampness and cloudy, foggy weather sets rough on me. [At] Massion, veterans of the 76th Ohio Veteran Volunteers got aboard. Young, noble-looking boys. Wooster—the oldest town in Ohio, M ansfield, Crestline. Change cars for Columbus &c. Crestline is a beautiful city and is well located. Move on to Columbus, passing over very beautiful country.

In the cars near me were several members of the Legislature of Ohio. Pass Columbus for Cincinnati. Xenia. Veterans getting aboard. Charleston. Here the noys got out, went to a liqour shop, rolled out a barrel of ale and took all they wanted. Went to a tin shop, took coffee boilers, tins, &c., and carried off all they could. Well, they had a high old time on the cars after that. Such noise I never heard from any set of boys. I was heartily sick of it and glad when we arrived at Cincinnati. I went to the Spencer House. Tried to find a Military Hospital but failed and as I was sick and tired, I lay down but did not sleep much. My cough was very severe and affected me seriously. My right lung appears to be badly affected and is very painful.

[March] 9th. Rest very little last night but paid 78 cents for a bed. Had no appetite to eat anything. Went to the Medical Director and asked him if I was not able to travel to send me to an hospital. He said I was not fit to travel and sent me to Seminary Hospital.

*Cincinnati, Ohio, as it appeared from Covington, Kentucky, in 1862.*

SEMINARY HOSPITAL IN COVINGTON, KENTUCKY

Just as I left I had a chill and felt very sick. Cross the Ohio on a steam ferry boat and after hard work, reach the hospital. Was soon in Ward 6. The doctor pronounced my disease Intermittent Fever and Pneumonia. Gave me quinine and cough syrup. I was very sick and eat nothing today.

[March] 10th. Do not feel much better today. Fever very high. Lung very sore and painful when I cough or move. Eat nothing.

[March] 11th. Am feeling no better. Am tired and very sore. Still quinine, [and more] quinine. Oh how I loath the mean stuff, yet how am I to help it? Three ladies came in to see us this afternoon.

[March] 12th. Am feeling better this day than I have this week. Was up a few moments and then had a vomit. Wrote a letter to my sisters and to Miss C[onn] of H.

[March] 13th Sunday. Inspection as usual. This looks like old last winter times. How different this Sabbath to what the last was to me. Then I was with my best friends in my happy home. Now in this miserable place. I hope I will soon get away from here. How different I spent last night and last night a week [ago]. Then I was as happy as I could be. Now sick. I wrote three letters to my friends this afternoon.

[March] 14th. Still gaining strength slowly. Up nearly all day. Snowing today and looking quite like winter again. I am slowly gaining strength.

[March] 15th. Cold today. I’m still feeling better—all but my lung. It is very sore and painful. Writing letters.

[March] 16th. Walked out of the house today for the first time. Very cool weather and this prison life does not agree with me, This place is more of a prison than any place I have been in yet. I am sick of it and wish I could get away to Nashville. Obtained a book from the Chaplain to wile away the weary hours of pain.

[March] 17th. Still feeling much better, the soreness leaving my lung and I am beginning to have some life again. Still very cool. Cannot get out to buy apples or anything of the kind.

[March] 18th. I am still gaining very fast. Appetite good and everything working well. My right lung is not quite well but is feeling much better. This afternoon the sun shines out beautifully and clear. How I wish this was not such a prison of a place. How I would enjoy myself. But the “powers that be” have otherwise decreed. Wrote a letter to my sisters.

[March] 19th. Rather cool today. Yet the sun shines out clearly and beautiful and removes a part of the gloom otherwise present. I am still gaining and but little soreness remains in my lung. But some days past I was vaccinated in the arm and now that is quite painful and getting very sore. I have but little enjoyment in this place. Sometimes we are cheered by the presence of ladies yet hteir visits are like any—“few and far between.” Some came to my bedside last week and said, “Well my good fellow, you are trying to be sick.” I thanked her and told her I was not trying to be sick as I could be sick without much effort and that I wanted to be getting away from this place. I wanted to go down “front” and do my duty. One asked if I did not want to go North to go home. I told her I had just been at home and had now a desire to see the front again.

Today has been cleaning up day and we now look very clean and nice. I am sure this building does not wear the same gay appearances it did when it was the temporary home of the fair daughters of Kentucky. Oh that these old venerable walls could talk that they might tell of the times passed within their enclosure. I’ll bet they could tell us some good ones. Had a dinner of bread, meat, bean soup, and cabbage. Gay, was it not!

[March] 20th. Sabbath day. Clear, cool, yet beautiful. How manly the church bells ring in the clear still air, calling the people to worship the true and living God. Am still feeling better yet my arm is very sore. Wrote a letter to Will G. Conn. I am beginning to get fat and looking well. I am glad and hope I shall soon leave here. Late this afternoon two good ladies came int the ward and with them I had a very pleasant shot. They were real true Union ladies, well educated and refined. How much good it does me to have an opportunity to converse with a lady. How much it appears like the sweet enjoyments of home.

[March] 21st. Today I will try and get out of this prison so I applied for a pass and at 1 p.m. obtained one. Then I felt free and happy once more. I went with a light, free step to the Ohio River and was soon crossed over on the steam ferry boat to Cincinnati. Cincinnati was alive with ladies and full of pedestrians. Fifth Street was completely jammed with the bounty of Cincinnati and I enjoyed my walk finely. I went into “Field’s Photo Gallery” and had fifteen pictures taken for eighty-five cents. They were all small but very good. I also had a negative taken at “Cowan’s Gallery.” Bought a haversack for $1.75 and well pleased with my trip, came back to prison life again.

*The Signal Corps jacket usually had 11 small eagle buttons and 3 buttons on each cuff. Crossed flags insignia on arm.*

I do not think the people of Cincinnati ever saw a Signal Corps flag before as all admired the flags I wore on my arms. I often heard the remark, “What a beautiful uniform! How well that young soldier looks! Can you tell what those flags on his arms mean? How beautiful they look!” Many asked and were quite surprised to know I was a member of the renowned Signal Corps. I came back gay and happy as a young lark.

I never yet wrote a description of the worn and present messmates with whom I have been spending prison life in this place. we havea good room on the third floor of the Seminary Building, about 45 feet long and 12 wide. 15 feet of one end is partitioned off for a washing and bathing room. Here we have warm and cold water all the time handy. In the other room are six beds, each occupied so I have six messmates. In the north end, looking towards the city, is a large window. On the east side is a door leading to the stairway. In the south end is the wash room, connected by a door. On the west side a door leading into Ward 5. Also a good old-fashioned fireplace with a small grate around which we in this cold weather delight to gather, to talk of home and those we love so well. Here often the young ladies who once attended this institution gathered and we often talk of them and imagine how they passed the time. But why need we think of them! Altogether we have fun times and plenty of fun. While I was low, my meals were sent up to me and that still continues so that now, as I have an awful appetite, I eat about seven meals each day. No wonder I am getting fat.

[March] 22nd. Am feeling quite well today. The sun comes out in full glory this morning. How beautiful the King of Day sun. How I love his bright rays and sweet loveliness. I had a good dinner today on fresh fish but I had to pay for it as I bought the fish and had them cooked. While here I have read “Napoleon adn his Marshalls.” I found it quite interesting. I live to read of Murat and his splendid cavalry charges.

[March] 23rd. The day has been warmer and much more pleasant the past few weeks. I was up on the top of the building this afternoon from which I had a glorious view of Covington, Newport, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio. Oh, it was a grand sight to see these three cities spread out at my feet. I shall never forget it. The tall spires of the churches of Cincinnati were in grandeur before me. Tis time the smoke of foundries &c. filled the air, yet through the gloom we could penetrate and see the beautiful hills beyond the city, the Ohio River, Licking River, and many other objects of much interest. Found some splendid turnips and foraged for a mess of them.

[March] 24th. No letters from home yet. I have been more than two weeks and have not received a letter yet. “But there’s a good time coming” and that gives me hope. I took a bath last night and rested well afterwards and feel well today. I have an enormous appetite. Can eat anything adn plenty of it. Bought half gallon of milk for ten cents this morning. Very pleasant out of doors today. I wish I was not in prison. I would feel “gay and happy.”

What shall I write in my diary this evening? Really I do not know. I have been in Ward 6 all day reading the telegraphic dispatches so that Lt. Gen. Grant is not going to have any news of the Potomac Army but has work for it to do. We all think he is a “hunky boy” and the prospect for an early move is`everywhere entertained. Then, “How are you, General Lee?” Hope Grant will have a good old time and plenty of “hard tack.”

The boys of the ward are all reading. Some lounging on the settee. We have just had a good supper of bread, tea and butter and I feel like foraging for some turnips. Write a “wanted [correspondence]” note to the C[incinnati] C[ommercial] today. I hope I will have plenty of answers when I get to the front. “How are you handsome vet of the Signal Corps, USA.” Hope I’ll not feel like one forsaken, forsaken, forsaken—nary me!

[March] 25th. Snowing this morning but it might as well rain as the snow all melts as fastas it falls. But it’s no use talking, folks will put on airs. So let ’em. I was “badly mad” this morning because the newspaper carrier did not bring my [Cincinnati] Commercial. I will thank him if he dowes not walk up to the road. Surely a dull day, very dreary and giving us no pleasure.

[March] 26th. The dullness slowly wears away. The “King of Day” comes out in full glory. I obtained a pass and was now in Cincinnati and what a crowd thronged the streets. Ladies by the score are passing along. Beauty, loveliness, and sweetness wre all abroad in their glory. I saw some of the prettiest ladies today I ever saw. They really were handsome but I know not how good they are. Hope they are as pretty in their character and disposition as they are in looks. I had another lots of “Gems” taken today. They were finished by a beautiful young lady who was gay and happy.

I met an “Anderson” today—the only person I have seen I knew since I left Uniontown. Ryan [?] was in the best of health. He is in the Veteran reserve Corps and is a clerk. Left a “wanted” note at the [Cincinnati] Commercial and had to pay one dollar for its insertion. I hope I will have plenty of fun from its effect on the beauty of the West. Gay boy I will be thus “Hunky boy.”

Having seen the city with its beauty and pleasures, and having been fully complimented for the gay uniform I rore and the “Signal flags” attracting the usual attention, I left the city well pleased with my visit. I came back in the best of spirits and wish I could only get out every day. I would be much pleased but I hope I will get away in a few days.

[March] 27th. This is Easter Sunday but we do not have the eggs. I surely would if I was at home. We have a glorious, beautiful day. The glorious King of health, light, and life, mounts the heavens in full glory. The air is balmy and invigorating. But hark! What sounds reach my ears! Tis the many church bells pealing forth their sweet music, ringing over the entire three cities. How glorious, how sweet, how cheering the cheering sounds come to my ears! O, is not the music grand? How I feel its effects and how it calls our minds away from the things of this life to the noble things of heaven, love, and God. O how we are carried to the home of saints free from the cares of this transitory life. Yes, these we may [ ] free from sin, death and sorrow.

After inspection we met and partook oof the Lord’s Supper. O that we may not soon forget its obligations and duties.

This afternoon I was again up on the top of the house. The smoke wasall cleared away, the air is light and clean, and the cities lay in all their beauty before me. This was the best view of any city I ever had. It was magnificent. It was sublime. It was grand. Here lay three cities at my feet! All was hushed, still, and very quiet. I enjoyed the scene very much and came down well pleased with what I had seen.

Commenced to write to Carrie but was interrupted by the entrance of the same lady that visited us last Sunday. She was very kind, full of gentleness and talk. Such ladies may accomplish much good and will ever be well remembered by the good soldiers for the act of kindness. Finished my letter to Carrie and sent her a “Gem[type].” Am happy.

[March] 28th. My name was taken this morning to go to the front. I am not at all sorry as I am very glad to get away from here. Still the place has become very pleasant and I have found many noble boys here, the cities are full of life, joy, happiness, and beauty, many happy associations cluster around this place, and I shall ever remember the kind attentions I have received. I shall not forget Sergt. I. Horsey was was always gay and in the best of humor. “Sarg” is a “hunky boy.”

In the afternoon, quite a gale commenced and continued all evening. Just as we were going to bed, we commenced a joke on one of the boys and I laughed till I was almost dead. We had [illegible—faded ink].

[March] 29th. Just after breakfast I got marching orders and wassoon ready for the “advance,” but have to wait until after dinner. I am sorry to leave this place and yet I wish to see the glory of the front. I have ben absent so long and O what joy it will be to meet my friends once more. I am sure I will be gay with them yet. We will talk of those whose spirits have gone from the tented fields of glory to share the rewards of the good and noble. Many have fallen! We will weep for them as we weep for those whom we love, for those who are noble, good and brave.

LYTLE BARRACKS, CINCINNATI

Just after dinner I bid goodbye to my room mates and with a light step, left Seminary Hospital. Went down to the post commandant, Capt. Murphy, and from there to Cincinnati. Took the street cars on 4th Street for the “Lytle Barracks.” Down 4th, then up to and down 5th to the end, then down to the end of 6th to the barracks. As i walked in, a burst of welcome met me. “Fresh fish!!” came from all sides. I soon knew what kind of boys I had for company. About 200 men were here from as many different regiments. I did not know one man. I saw how I was caught. Noise, filth, stench, curses loud and deep mingled together in a strange confusion. I looked out of a window and a musket was leveled at my head and I was ordered by a “condemned Yank” to keep inside.