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My g-grandfather, JAMES KNOX POLK LYTLE, was
born in Bedford County, Tennessee, on Feb 25,
1838. The second son of ABEL LYTLE and MILLY
ANN HALE.
At the time of this writing Milly Ann is a
widow struggling to maintain the family farm
in the war ravaged South. Her husband was
murdered in 1841 leaving her with three small
boys and expecting another. She raised those
four boys to young manhood but by now two of
them have died, one suffers some kind of
affliction and one is a prisoner of the North.
James joined the Confederate Army at Rover,
Bedford County, Tn., on July 13, 1861. He
served with the 23rd TN Infantry, Co F, until
December 14, 1863, when he and his very good
friend, P. M. Stegall, were captured near
Bean Station in east Tenn. James expected to
return home as an exchanged prisoner but it never
happened. While he was at Ft Delaware 600 officers
from that place were selected to be sent to Morris
Island and placed under fire of their own guns.
James was one of those selected.
This resulted in his remaining a prisoner of the North and
being confined at various prisons until June 12, 1865, when he took
the “oath” and was released to go home.
Conditions were grim during his time in prison and the health
of the prisoners was generally very bad but James chose to accept
his plight and blame no one for his miserable circumstance. He
spent his time reading, writing in his diary and writing letters
to family and friends at home.
The following piece was written by this thoughtful young man.
March 10th/1864 Campchase Ohio The Sun arose this Morning from beyond the Eastern horizon Sending forth its gentle Rays against these Barracks, gradually evaporating the dewdrops which Stole Softly near, and hovering around Me while reposing in the precious Slumbers of Night on my quiet Bunk.Now I stand in a few Paces of my Room while Nature Seems to be webing itself around my Heart the refreshing breeze stealing softly by while my ear caught the Lovely Notes of a mocking Bird being the first that I had heard from one of those gay creatures in Several Months the effects were some what impressive though but a bird from a single frown from the master hawk terror would take place of Mirth. Though the great value of its freedom the great Sphere above for its flight the immese forest for its home the Lovely orchard decorated with the Sweetest of Natures flowers through which he could hop and Skip from Bough to Bough with all the liberties of freedom beneath a Smiling Sun. And when the Scenes of the day is past he only had to choose the choiceest Bush for his Nights rest quite different with myself the forest is denied me the cheering words and fond Smiles of my Mother are denied me. the Orchyard its beauties Sweet flowers and delicious fruits are denied me my Person is confined in the narrow Limits of this Prison.
Though the Mind Like the Bird has no limits it During my Slumbers Scales the Parapet takes its flight with Lightning Speed to the Family of its origin where it enjoys friendly weelcomes from a noble Mother and with electric Speed flies back and contemplates the greatness of god by J. P. Lytle~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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