Island History - Civil War Era
POW Autograph Books

Autograph books were kept by many of the prisoners during their stay on Johnson’s Island. The C. H. Walker book, shown below, contains the names of some of the first prisoners to come to the island in early 1862. Many of these men were exchanged in September of 1862. For the prisoners, autograph books were a great way to collect the names and home towns of those with whom they had served in battle, as well as those whom they met on Johnson’s Island. The autograph book below was even used after the Civil War, perhaps at a reunion of Confederate Veterans. It is amazing that it survived the war and was in a condition that additional signatures could be added.

The first autograph books were merely plain writing or journal books. Later, in 1863, a more formal book was used with the word “Autographs” written in gold on the cover. Most likely, these were purchased from the prison sutler that had a store inside the stockade. Frequently, the first few pages were devoted to a sketch of the prison or an impressive title page with “Autographs Confederate Officers on Johnson’s Island” written in fancy calligraphy. Many of the books were signed by the 25 Generals imprisoned on the island at various times. Some of the Generals even signed more than once in the same book.

Autograph book of Capt. C. H. Walker 1862 Click image to see larger image.	Autograph book of Capt J. W. Frazer 1864. Captain Frazer was the brother of General J. W. Frazer captured at Cumberland Gap. Click image to see larger image.

Autograph Book of Captain C. H. Walker
Copyright Feb. 12, 2005

Page 1

Capt C. H. Walker
          Johnsons Island
          August 21st 62
3rd Regt-Tenn Volunteers
Enlisted May 18th 1861
Taken prisoner at the surrender
Of Fort Donaldson Feby 16th 1862
          Imprisoned at Camp Chase
March 1st, removed to this
Island Apr 10th

David S. Martin 3rd Leiut Co H 3rd Tenn Reg
Fort Donelson Feby 16th 1862

E. W. Hearns... 3rd Lieut Co. G.3rd Tenn Reg
Captured at Ft Donelson. Feb 16th 1862
Address Connorsville

Page 2

1st. Lt C. N. Stockell
          Drill Instructor 53rd Regt Tenn Vol
Enlisted in the 1st Tenn in April
1861 & Transferred to the 53rd in December
of the same year
Was surrendered at Ft Donelson
16th of February, 1862
          Residence “Nashville, Tenn”

J. G. Hamilton 2nd. Lt. 4th Miss Regt
Surrendered at Ft Donelson,
          Residence, Durant, Missi.

          J. R. Stevens
2nd First Capt (I)4th Miss
vol captured at Fort
Donelson Feb 16th 62
Residence Calhoun
Co Miss

Page 3

E.G.L. Bridges 1st Lt
3rd Regt of Tennessee Voluns
Mustered into service May
the 21st/61. Captured at
Fort Donelson the 16th of
February 1862.
Address Connorsville
Giles Co Tenn

W. Singleton Duncan
2nd Lt. 1st Regt. 3rd Division
(Clarks) “Missouri State Guard”
Captured Dec. 25th 1862
Residence, Fulton, Missouri

James Simmons Capt. 3rd Div.
Missouri State Guard Captured in Sa–
Line County Mo. Dec. 7, 1861. St. Joseph Mo.

Page 4

P. Faillerton Millard 2nd Lieut. Co. C 2nd
Regt. 5th Div. Missouri State Guard, Captured
At Kirksville, Mo. Nov.28th 1861
Address Birkettsville, Fredericks, Co. Md

F. A. Rogers Capt Co C 2nd Regt Inft
6th Division Missouri State Guard
Captured at Milford Johnson County Mo.
Decm 19th 1861
Residence Vermont???? Cooper Co Mo

L. R. Townsend 2nd Leiut Co E
4th Regiment Miss Vols Captured
at Fort Donelson Feby 16th 1862
Residence Winona. Mississippi

J. T. Caldwell Capt M. S. G.
          Captured Jany 8th 1862 at the Battle of
Silver- Creek. Residence Monticello Mo.

Page 5

Wm. Clarkson
          Capt Sixth Missouri V. I.
Captured near Sedalia Mo. Dec 21st 1861
Born in Faquier County Va. Residence Columbia Mo.

WH Inge
          Capt Missouri Vol
          Captured at Warsaw Benton Co
          Feb 16 1862

          J. B. Austin
1st Lieut Co. D 49 Reg Tenn
Volunt Captured at Fort
Donaldson Feby the 16th 1862
Post Office Charlott Tenn Dickerson

D. H. McIntyre: Capt: 2nd Mo.
Captured Fulton Callaway Co. Mo
          Address Fulton or Mexico Mo.

Page 6

Jno. G. Provines Capt Missouri V. I.
Captured Dec 25 at Fulton Mo.
Address, Fulton, Mo.

W. Dimsby Watts
Lt Artillery Ordinance
1st Tennessee Fort Henry
          Nashville Tenn

Wm. C. Winston Lieut Company “C”
Teen Artillery Corps
          NashvilleTenn

G. R. G. Jones          Lieut C. S. A.
Fort Henry                    Nashville

John M Laughtim
          Capt & Q M 10th Tenn Regt
                    Nashville
Ft Henry          Ten

Page 7

Jessi Taylor Capt Artillery C S Army
Captured at Fort Henry Feby 6th 1862

          F. C. Barber, Capt. Co. “K”. 3rd Regiment Tennessee Provisional
Army. Captured captured at Fort Donelson. Feb 16th 1862.
                              Elkton. Giles Co. Tenn.

W. N. Aymett 3rd Leut Co C
5th Reg of Tennsee Voluns capt
ured at Fort garion???? 16th of Feb 1862

E. H. F. Gordon Capt Co B 3rd Regt Tenn Vol
Surrendered at Fort Donaldson Feb 16th
          186 dress Pulaski Tennessee

D G Alexander 2nd Leiut Co (D)
3rd Regt tenn Vol surrendered
at Fort Donilson Feb 16 1862
address Camp Gellsoville

Page 8

Hugh L. Ray. Capt of Company I. 27th. Regt Alabama vol.
Captured at Fort Donelson Feb 16th 1862. – Address
Rodgersville. Laudendale County Alabama.

William Sweeny 1st Lieut Co G Tenth
Tenn Vols captured at Fort Donelson Feb
The 16th 1862 Residence Nashville Ten

A. G. Berrie 1st Lieut Co “H”, 10th Ten
(Residence) Pullan Mills
          Amherst County – Va.
Taken Prisoner at Fort Donelson Feb 16th 1862

S. W. Averritt Lieut C. S. N.
Floating Battery “New Orleans”
Island No. 10 April 8th 1862.
Address Halifax Co. Hs. Va.

Page 9

Sam M. Thompson. Capt Co H 10 Tenn Vols
Fort Donelson Feb 16th 1862
          Florence Lauderdale Co Alabama

John W. Kazan 2nd Lieut. Co H
10th Tenn Residence Nashville

J. H. Reaches capt co G. 49th
Regt Tenn Vol
Address Clarkville Tenn

J A Hayden Capt Engrs Prov Corps CSA
Captured at Fort Henry Feb 6th 1862
          Residence Nashville Tenn

E B Thompson Capt Company C 27 Ala Vol
Captured at Fort Donelson Feb 16th 1862
          Flornen ???? Lauderdel Co Alabam

Page 10

D. D. Philips Lieut
Nelson Art Captured at Island 10
April 7th 1862 Tennessee Vol Residence
Near Nashville Tennessee

Kruryt – Jone. Capt Va 2 M
          “Tilghman’s Brigade”
Res           Fort Henry, Feby11th /62
          Paducah, Ky......

H W Salmon Capt Co F 1st
Regt Cavalry MS.G.
Res
          Versailles Mo.

W. P. McClure
1st Cav for Inv. a. Missourian
Captured at Lexington Mo
          Dec 18th/1862

Page 11

Ford P. Heller ...... CSA.–
          Leiut Co B 1st Reg Tenn Arty...
                    Tilghman’s Brigade
Res                     Fort Henry – Feb 6/62
          Rupellville Ky

L C Banks 32 Reg Tenn Voln
Capt Fort Donalson
Address          Franklin W......
                              Tenn

J.O. Campbell Quarter Master Seargent
32nd tenn RegT Vol. Infantry
Address          Franklin
                              Tenn

W. R. Culbertson Lieut Porters Tenn
Battery. Captured at Fort Donelson Feby 16/62
Residence
          Nashville
                    Tenn

Page 12

J H Morton Capt Co H 32nd Reg
Tennes. Vol Captured at Ft Donelson
Feb 16th 1862 Residence
          Franklin Tennessee

P F McCane 2nd Leiutenet Co,H, 32nd Reg
Tennessee Vol Captured at Ft Donelson
February 16th 1862. Residence Bethesda
          Tennessee

L. S. Bond first Lieutenant
forrest Cavalry Captured at fort
Donelson feb the 16th 1862 Residence
          Spring hill Tenn

John W. Morton JR.
1st .....Porter’s Tenn Artillery
          Residence
                    Nashville
                    Tennes

Page 13

John H Handy, Capt Co I 10th Tenn
Captured at Fort Donelson, Feb 16th 1862
          Residence
                    Franklin Tenn

T. Landers Leite, Porters Battery
Captured at Fort Donelson
Feb. 16th, 1862.
          Residence, Memphis,
                    Tennessee

Thomas Gibson
          1st Lt Co b 10th Tenn
Ft Donelson,          Nashville Tenn

Jas T Kirkman. 2Lt Co B. 10th Tenn
Ft Donelson.          Nashville Tenn

Robert Andrews
          1st Lieut 27th Ala Regt
          Florence Ala

Page 14

Leslie Ellis
Capt 10th Tenn Volunteers
          Nashville, Tenn.
“Donelson”

W H Jayner Capt Co B 18th Tenn
Regt Surrendered at Donelson
          Goodletsville Tenn

W. P. Oneal Capt. Co, I,
32nd Regt Tenn Vols
               Belfast
Address          Tenn

S. C. Bowen 2 Lieut. Co (B) 8 Tenn.
Regt Surrendered at Fort Donelson
          Address Goodlettsville Tenn

Page 15

John M Winstead Capt
Comp , G, 32nd Regt Tenn Vol
          Ft Donaldson... Pulaski
                    Tenn

Sid. H. Lowe, Capt. Co. (E).
          18th TENN. Inft.
Born in Wilson Co. Tenn. Sept. 17th, 1839
Entered the Service May 29th. 1861
          “Ft Donelson”
          Address          Ashland City,
Johnson’s Island,                    Tenn.
Aug 25th 1862

Page 16

Poem by Wm. P. Clarkain

Page 17

Jno. H Davis, 2nd. Lieut.
Co. (K) 18th Tenn. Regt. Vol.
Ft Donelson Feb 16th, 1862.
Address ...... LaGuardo, Wilson Co, Tenness

Franklin S. Ezell Commissary Sergt
Of the 32nd Regiment of the Tennessee Surrender at Fort Donelson Feby 16th
1862. Address Millville Tennessee Vols

Joel A. Battel Cal
20th Regt Tenn Vol
          Nashville Tenn

Frank H. Lytle 1st Lieut Co (C) 18th Regmt Tenn. Vol.
          Murfreesboro
                    Tennessee

Page 18

BLANK

Page 19

Nat Gooch Lt Co “C” 18th Regt T Vol
          Residence Tenysner???? Ten

M. R. Butler          Capt Co “C”
18th Tenn Regt Captured Ft Donelson.
Residence Murfreesboro Tennn

I. G. Randolph. 2nd Leiut Co (C)
18th Regt Ten Vol Captured at
Donelson, February 16th 1862
          P.O. Murfreesboro Tenn

J. H. George Capt Co.(D) 41st Regt Tennessee
Vols Commanded by Col R Fangreharson ????
Surrendered at Ft Donelson Feb 16th 1862
          Address Fayetteville Tennessee

Joseph Young 2nd Lieut Co A 32nd Reg Tenn
Vol Captured Fort Donelson Feb 16th 1862
Address Connorsville Giles County Tenn

Page 20

W. P. H. George First Lt of Company E.
32 Regiment of Tennessee volentiers
Captured at Fort Donelson Feb 16th 1862
Address c Millivill Teincoln County

E. W. Holt Capt Co K 5th Tenn Regt P. A.
Captured near Corinth Miss May 28th 1862.
          Address Bunker Hill TEnn

William R. Collins 3 Liutenana
Company A an 32 Regiment
Tenn volunteers Captured at
fort donelson the 16th of February 1862
fort ofes???? Connersville????

Page 21

Willis Worley Captain of Company
A 32nd Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers.
Captured at Fort Donelson February
16th 1862. Address Bradshaw
Giles County Tennessee

James R Finery Capt Co G 32nd Regt
Of Tennessee vol Surrendered at
Fort Donelson Feb the 16 1862
Address Millvill Tennessee

H. G. St. John Capt. Co. D 18th Regt
          Tenn Vol. Captured at Fort Donelson
Tenn. Feb 16th 1862. ...... Still in prison
At Johnson’s Island August 23rd 1862

Jno A Allen Capt Co B 46th Regt. Tenn
Captured at Island 10 April 8th 1862
Residence Henry Co Tenn ...... Paris P.o.

Page 22

L. W. Talbott Lt “Forrest Rangers”
Forrest’s Regt Cavalry: Taken at Donelson
Address, Bardstown, Ky. Where I can beat
you a game of chess if you ever come “bobbing
around there”

R. G Lane Jr 2nd Leut Co D. Forest
Cavalry, Captured at Donaldson
Residence Clarksville Texas.

J. T. Magee 2nd Lt Co (G) 4th Regt
Miss Vols Captured at Fort Donelson
Tenn. Febry 16th 1862 Residence Durant????
Colmas County Miss. Loctn if
you ever visit on Miss. I will be pleased
to see you at my home

Page 23

J. O. Lock (3) Lt Co (D) 5 Regt Tenn
Vol Surrendered T Fort Donelson
Feb 16th 162 residence Campbellsville
Tenn call and see me`

Jos. J. Gee
          Carrolton Missi
Capt Co N 4th Regt Miss. Vols
          Ft Donelson Tenn

Robert T. Cooper Capt Co (H) 3rd Tenn
Regt. Captured at Fort Donelson 16th Feby/62
Address Newburgh Lewis Co. Tennessee.
I have been intimately acquainted for 15
Months. (he being The Sen, Capt in my Division) tenth????
The owner of this book. & I have always
appreciated him highly, having every opportunity to know him.
          Give me a call. I am an old Democrat

Page 24

Calvin J. Clark Capt Co A 3rd Regt
Tenn Vol. Surrendered at Donelson Feb.
16th 1862. Residence Pulaski Tennessee.
Having left a happy home, wife & children
& sseribled???? Life & fortune for your country. I hope
the time is not far distant, almost at
hand, when those who know you best will
show their appreciation of the sacrifice you
have made. & that country for which
you risked so much. Grow proud for
having sent for her-son to do her bat-
tles

T E Moss Sergt Major 2nd Ky Regt
Capt. at Donelson Feby 16th 1862
Residence Paducah Kentucky

          M L Miller Lt Col of
11th Arks Regt Vol CSA surrendered
at Island No 10 April 8th 1862
Residence
          Benton Saline Co
                    Arks

Page 25

T. M. Smith Col of
11th Arks Reg Vol C.S.A.
Surrendered at Island 10 Tenn
April 8th/62’ Residence
Benton Saline City Arks.

Thomas D Deuvenport Capt Co D
32 Tennessee Regiment Captured at Donelson
          Home Lawren ceburg Tennessee

Benj F Matthews Captain Company I.
3rd Tennessee Regiment
Residence Lawrenceburg Tennessee

Thomas S. Porter 1st Lieut 9 Battalion
Tennessee Cavalry Surrendered at
Fort Donelson Feby 16th 1862
          Address Columbia Tenn.

Page 26

John N. Morton Jr
1st Lt. Porters Tenn. Battery
          Residence
                    Nashville
                              Tenn.

D.H. Hannah 1st Lieut Co D 3rd Regt Ten
Volenteirs Captured at Ft. Donaldson
Address Campbellsville Tenn

W. T. Mitchell 3rd Lieut
Co (B) 3rd regt Tennessee Vol
Captured Fort Donandson
Fifth Ap. 1862
Address Lyonsville Tennessee

John R White Capt Co I 53 Tenne
Regt Captured Donelson Feb 16 1862
          Address Lyonsville Tennessee

Page 27

BLANK

Page 28

J.K.P. Blackburn Co F. 8th Texas
                    Cavalry
          Sweet Home Tavaca Co Tex.

JMac Thurman Co K 53 Tenn
          Campbellsville Tenn

R. M. Bugg Co. H 23rd Texas Cavalry
San Marcos Hays Co Texas

J. H. Williamson Co. D 3rd Tenn
          Campbellsville
                    Tenn

R. A. Fasten Co. F. 1st Texas Regulars.
          Hickory Plains Ark

Page 29

C. E. Yates Enlisted the Spring
          Of 1861 in Co. B. 2nd Bat
          tallion of Tenn Cavalry

J W Lamar. Enlisted in co E
3rd Tenn Inf the 11th day of May
1861.

J R Briggs Co E 11 Ten Cavialy
          Lyonsville Ten

M. L. Danielson Co D 9th cav
          Lawrenceburg Tenn

Capt A. B. Gordon Co E 11th Tenn
Cav          Connorsville Tenn

J. C. Johnson, Co. E. 11th Tenn.
          Lyonsville Tennes.

THE FOLLOWING AUTOGRAPHS WERE SIGNED
AFTER THE CIVIL WAR WAS ENDED, PERHAPS AT A REUNION.

Page 30

Lt M Mahon Co G.
3rd Regiment Tenn
Enlisted May 18th 1861
And surrendered at
Greensboro North Caro
Lina April 29th 1865
In all the battles of
the Regt but two
Chicamauga & Mis –
Sionery Ridge
Enlisted at Connorsville
          Giles Co Tenn

J.N. M. (Doc) Farmer Co H.
          1st Tenn Cavalry
D B Garrett Co B, 8th Tenn
C C Shimatry, Engineer 3rd Reg Tenn Inf
Henri Blakemore 8th Tenn Regt
C. C. London Co K 3rd Tenn Inft
S.S. Cross Co E 3rd Tenn Inft

Page 31

D M Dougherty Co B 2nd
          Reg Tenn
G W Pullen Co E 3rd Tenn Inft
L Stewart G 48 Tenn Inft
S D Dabney E 11th Tenn Cal
SH McMillion Co G 3rd Tenn Infty
L. M. Shields Co (I) 53 Tenn
Marcus B. Torrey Co B 6st Tenn
Thomas, O’Brien Co G 1st Tenn
H G Dillery Co E 11 Tenn Cav
S.O. Perry Co. E. 1st Tenn Cavl
J.P. English, Co. G 3rd Tenn Inft

Geo. S. Palio???? Co. F. 1st Tenn Cavalry
G. W. Gibson Co. E. 3rd Tenn Inft
J. H. Burrow ???? Co E. 27th Ala. Inft.
J J Wilson Bailw..... Miss Regt
HM. McClure Co. D 53 Tenn Inft

Page 32

W T Wilsford Company D Heatons
RJ Anderson Co E 11th Cav.
J.G. Fathan Co. H 1st Tenn
T G Calvert Co H 1st Tenn
J. C. Burton Co (G) 4 KY

J W Knox Co B. 3rd
Regt Tenn vol Enlisted
at Lyonville Tenn
May 18th 1861 and
Surrendered at Greens
boro North Carolina
April 26th 1865

Joe Goldman Co B 3rd reg
          Tenn vol

Page 33

C. S. Williamson
                    Company G.
          11th Tenn. Cavalry
                    Forrest Division
L. M. Calvert Co. B. 3rd Tenn

J. M. Fay Co B. 8th Tenn

W H Yancy Co B 3 Tennessee

O S Smith Co. H first Tennessee

Notes:

1. Spelling, grammar and abbreviations are as in autograph Book;
2. An italicized font was used for all names to indicate hand writing;
3. Names and words that were not confirmed on other listings are followed by ????; and
4. Where letters could not be deciphered, they are marked with a series of periods (ex: ..........), where more periods indicate more undeciphered letters.

The autograph books herein are not to be reproduced or copied in any way without the written
permission of The Johnson’s Island Preservation Society.