“The Record of Misery“

Question

Hi Wikitreers,

We have Cpl. Patrick J. Kelly of the 106th New York Regt. Co. B. a brave and courageous veteran who was captured at the Battle of Cold Harbor only to endure the misery as a P.O.W. in a CSA Prison. He wrote a journal in pencil which is detailed in the The daily journal., December 28, 1864, Page 2, Image 2. 

I’m curious if his journal diary is still intact in a museum or available for read elsewhere?

Any help in connecting him or improving upon his profile is appreciated

Let’s get these veterans connected!

Thank you 

Answer 1

The New York, U.S., Town Clerks' Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War, ca. 1861-1865, at ancestry.com has a listed for him:

Patrick James Kelly - residence of Lisbon, NY - born September, 1836 in Ireland - Corporal - 106th Infantry. - Co. B - enlisted July, 1862 - mustered Aug 27, 1862 as Private - enlisted for 3 years - enlisted at Camp Wheeler - white - married - parents Michael and Ann McDonald - farmer - "In the Battle of Fairmount Va. Died from exposure and hunger in what is known as the Bull Pen 1864."

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/37946:1964?tid=&pid=&queryId=f0f0776544dd959e91e23808a197cc2c&_phsrc=daq3596&_phstart=successSource

The "Bull Pen" of course refers to enclosed part of Andersonville.  I just thought that the description was fascinating.

Comments

This seems to be the family in the 1850 Census:

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC1F-G75

P.S. The last reference that I could find to the dairy said it was in the possession of the widow.

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That diary is like Gold for U.S. Civil War enthusiasts the newspaper might of salvaged his words in the end. I believe he had at least one daughter not sure if she had children and his legacy lived on but his words are immortalized and his friend in the war and widow have all the reason.

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Oh this bit of info is fascinating. Born in Ireland! The “Bull Pen” I’ll have to read more about! Thank you what a find!

Edit: typos fixed. He described it as a “Prisoners Pen” …”worse than a hog pen”

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He was in Libby Prison a few days then went to Danville then Anderson per his writings that part can’t be found in military records. Still researching…

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Here is the conclusion: https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=tdj18641229-01.1.2&e=------186-en-20-tdj-1--txt-txIN-The+Daily+Journal----1864-----

"He bought his freedom and was going home." Last words of PJ Kelly.

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Oh wow didn’t see this part! Thank you! 

Answer 2

I added a research note. It was a pension card showing consolidation of the files after she remarried.

Also added the Andersonville record.

Comments

Thank you 

Answer 3

CPL Patrick J Kelly (unknown-1864) - Find a Grave Memorial

Patrick Kelly (Civil War) - Wikipedia

File:The soldier in our Civil War - a pictorial history of the conflict, 1861-1865, illustrating the valor of the soldier as displayed on the battle-field, from sketches drawn by Forbes, Waud, Taylor, (14763029035).jpg - Wikipedia