My g-grandfather, JAMES KNOX POLK LYTLE, was born in Bedford County, Tennessee, on Feb 25, 1838. The second son of ABEL and MILLY ANN (HALE) LYTLE.

At the time of this writing Milly Ann is a widow struggling to maintain the family farm in the war ravaged South. Her husband had been murdered in 1841 leaving her with four small boys. She raised those 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, as I will henceforth call the author of this piece, joined the Confederate Army at Rover, Bedford County, Tn., on July 13, 1861. He served with the 23rd Tenn Infantry, Co C, until December 14, 1863, when he and his very good friend, P. M. Stegall, were captured near Bean Station, Tn. Although James expected to be returned home as an exchanged prisoner it was not to be. While at Ft Delaware he was among 600 officers who were selected to be sent to Morris Island and placed under fire of their own Confederate guns. 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 home to his family and friends. The following is a piece written by this thoughtful young man.

Campchase, Ohio, March 10th/1864

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