Argetsinger Family Tree: Generation 11: Prisoner of War; Civil War Part 2

As previously stated Phillip and Ann had 9 children, the oldest of which was Henry (born in 1840). Henry first enlisted May 6, 1861 at Elmira, New York to serve two years. He was mustered in a private, Company F, 23rd NY Volunteers (Infantry) on May 16, 1861.

With big families its easy to get lost in the grand timeline of things. Henry, born in 1840, was actually a year older than Moses (brother of Phillip who's story was in the previous post) and both Philip and Moses enlisted in 1864, which is 3 years after Henry first enlisted. Ok now that I've straightened that all out, let's continue with the story.

A listing of the company's events from: The Union army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 -- records of the regiments in the Union army -- Encyclopedia of battles -- memoirs of commanders and soldiers. Madison, WI: Federal Pub. Co., 1908. volume II

"For two, weeks it was encamped at Meridian hill, but moved on July 23 to Fort Runyon and on Aug. 5, to Arlington heights, where it remained until Sept. 28. On Aug. 4, it was assigned to Hunter's brigade; on Oct. 15, to Wadsworth's brigade, McDowell's division, and in March, 1862, to the 2nd brigade, 3d division, 1st corps, Army of the Potomac. Its first encounters with the enemy were at Fall's Church, Ball's cross-roads, and Munson's hill, losing in these engagements 1 man killed and 7 wounded. On March 10, 1862, the regiment moved to Centerville, but returned after five days to Upton's hill, proceeded to Bristoe Station and Falmouth and undertook several expeditions with Falmouth as a base of operations. On June 26, 1862, the regiment was attached to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 3d corps, Army of Virginia, with which it shared in Gen. Pope's campaign, being in action at the Rappahannock, Sulphur Springs, Gainesville, and the second Bull Run. In September, the brigade and division became part of the 1st corps, Army of the Potomac, and fought at South mountain and Antietam, with a loss to the 23d; in the latter battle of 42 killed, wounded and missing. Until Oct. 20, the regiment encamped at Sharpsburg, Md., then moved toward Fredericksburg and was closely engaged in the battle there in December. Winter quarters were established at Belle Plain and on Jan. 9, the regiment was transferred to Patrick's provost guard brigade, with which it served until the expiration of its term, stationed at Acquia creek in April and May, 1863. On June 26 the command was mustered out at New York city, having lost 17 by death from wounds and 55 by death from all other causes."

23rd New York Infantry battles in Maryland
(circled in yellow)

23rd New York Infantry battles in Virginia
(circled in yellow)

From Roster of the 23rd New York Infantry

If your civil war knowledge is a little dusty from school you can brush up on the specifics of each battle here. I will mention that Antietam was Lee's first invasion into the north, it is said that Corps 1 (of which Henry was fighting with) saw the bloodiest fighting of the war with an encouter through a corn field that was head high and thick to capture Dunker Church. By the end of the battle the south had lost. There were 2,700 confederates dead, 9,024 wounded and 2,000 missing. The north had by no means been spared with 2,108 dead 9,549 wounded and 753 missing. The entire battle occurred in a span of 12 hours. Historians declare there to have never been a bloodier day in American history.

As stated above Henry Argetsinger mustered out of the 23rd New York Infantry on May 22, 1863. He turned right around and re-enlisted, this time with Company A, Reg. 1st NY Veteran Cavalry. Interestingly 3 other men also served with Henry in the 23rd prior to re-enlisting with the 1st: James Dunn (musician, mustered out), Clarkson Reasor (mustered out), and George C Smith (deserted from hospital at Frederick, Md.).

Circled in red is the period of time Henry served with the company

This regiment served in the above places, I have outlined the period he was with this company. Henry was appointed as a corporal on April 7, 1864. While in Piedmont, VA at the Battle of Piedmont, Henry was captured and taken as a prisoner of war June 5, 1864. He was sent to the prisoner of war camp at Andersonville, GA, also known as Camp Sumpter. This was one of the most notorious camps in the civil war for the terrible living conditions.

Andersonville Prison

The daily ration for the prisoners was the same as for the guards: one and one-fourth pound of corn meal and either one pound of beef or 1/3 pound of bacon. This sparse diet was only occasionally supplemented with beans, peas, rice, or molasses. There were 25 soldiers from the Reg 1 New York Volunteer Cavalry that were captured as prisoners of war (3 from Company A), of those captured 22 died from disease, never leaving Andersonville prison. The prison was open from February 1864 til May 1865.

Not to get too down or gloomy on me for there will be a happy ending for Henry (after all or else I wouldn't be here). According to military records Henry was paroled in Vicksburg, MS on April 21, 1865. I don't know how he traveled from Andersonville, GA to Vicksburg, MS; nor do I have information on how he got back to NY from Mississippi. There are some theories: in the fall of 1865 after the capture of Atlanta, the confederates moved all the prisoners who were well enough. These prisoners were sent to either Camp Lawson (Milen, GA) or Florence Stockade Prison (Florence, SC). Another theory involves Cahaba Prison (Cahaba, AL) which operated from June 1863 to March 1865. Here, Lt. Samuel Jones negotiated an exchanged of Union prisoners for Confederate ones. Although the prison was evacuated in March of 1865, the exchange took place in Vicksburg on April 21, 1865 (Henry's parole date). Another interesting detail is that a boat, originally departing from New Orleans on April 21, 1865, stopped in Vicksburg for repairs on April 27th. Upon leaving Vicksburg, there were 2,000 people on board with records stating "many union soldiers from Ohio or from prison camps", even though the boats legal capacity was 376 people. The ship sunk around Memphis, TN with only 741 people surviving. While I don't know for a fact that Henry was aboard this ship, it does make an interesting twist to the story. However he makes it back, we do know that he does go back to New York as he is mustered out in Elmira in September 1865.