5th Iowa Cavalry
Civil War diary of Lawson "Lot" H. Carley

Lawson H. Carley was born on February 26,

1840 in Clay, Onondaga Co., New York. His

parents were Thomas Alonzo Carley who was born on May 12, 1812 in Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York and Samantha Clark who was born on April 3, 1817 in Hannibal, Oswego Co., New York. Thomas died on November 18, 1881 in Pottowatomie Co., Kansas and was preceded in death by Samantha on December 9, 1861 in Jamestown, Wisconsin. "Lot" married Margaret Anne Daigh on February 18, 1864 in Fairplay, Wisconsin. Their certificate of matrimony lists both of them as being from Jamestown, Wisconsin. "Lot" died on July 15, l885 in North Auburn, Nebraska.  Margaret died April 26, 1925 in Wamego, Kansas and was buried in North Auburn, Nebraska.

At one point "Lot's" occupation was listed as "plasterer." Little is known about his military career at this time. It is known that as a 1st. Sergeant, he was appointed and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company  E of the 5th Iowa Cavalry on February 3, 1863. He was captured at Rockville, Alabama on July 31, 1864 and arrived at Andersonville Prison in Georgia on August 5, 1864. On September 7, 1864 he was transferred to another camp in Georgia from which he escaped on November 19, 1864 with a group of sick and wounded that were being exchanged. He and the other prisoners departed Savannah, Georgia by ship on November 23, 1864 and arrived at Annapolis, Maryland on November 26, 1864.

"Lot" and Margaret had three children: Eva May, born August 14, 1865 in grant Co., Wisconsin; Charles Leroy, born March 13, 1871 in Louisville, Kansas; and Harry D. born Januar4y 25, 1873

in Louisville, Kansas. Eva May died on May 4, l953 in Wichita, Kansas. Charles LeRoy died on September 15, 1935 in Pladd, Missouri and Harry D. died on June 21, 1925 in St. Louis, Mo. 

Following is the transcription of the Civil War diary of Lawson "Lot" H. Carley as prepared by Paul Gill in the late 1950s.
__________________________________________________________
At the beginning of the Diary there is a roll, or list of names-these men are believed to have been in the same Company "E", 5th Iowa, Cavalry, on 20 Sept. 1863, at Crawfish Springs, (?). Certain names are "X"ed-possibly men who died, or perhaps were missing in action. (An asterisk represents his "X".)

Co. E, 5th Iowa Cavalry

Sept 20th' 63 Crawfish Springs

The diary begins on Saturday, 30 July 1864:

SATURDAY 30 JULY 1864: David caught and killedd unjustly near ____,
Alabama-was shot through the head about 3 PM.

SUNDAY 31 JULY 1864: I was captured 4 mi. north of Rockville, Alabama about
sundown, by 7 armed men. Was marched back to Thorntons (?) and held over
night.

MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 1864: Walked to (?) had our lunch at Liberty Mill eat
dinner with Capt J T Baggin of the 87th Confederates.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1864: Dicksonson & Soner came into the jale this
afternoon. We left on the cars at 4 PM, got to West Point at dark. Was
locked in jale.(Illegible) was there.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3,1864: Got in the cars at 7 o'clock. Travelled all day,
stayed at Columbus in the cars all night.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1864: Andrew Yuler (?) killed about 10 A.M. Shot in
the head. Lived about 7 (?) minutes after he received the shot. Cars
started at ll AM. Arrived at Fort Naly (?) at 4 PM.


FRIDAY, 5 AUGUST 1864: Layed in the cars all night. Train started at 2 PM.
Arrived at Andersonville & was logged in Prison at sundown in 6 Detachm, 2
mess.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1864: Found Whited, Tibbetts (?) & W Mason. Slept on
the ground last night, without tent or blanket. Dickinson and Soner came
in today.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 1864: Found Caligan and Lipincott (?). Slept on the
ground last night as the night before. Our rations are cornbread & fresh
beef, salt & beans.

MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 1864: There is considerable talk about an exchange to
commence on the 15th (Illegible). rote to my wife.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1864: Wrote to J W Cunytt (?) at (?) Nashville.
-Next entry was on-

SUNDAY, 14 AUGUST 1864: Reported that officers are xchanged.

MONDAY, 15 AUGUST 1864: No signs of our exchange yet. here is 14 of our 15
cy hear (?).

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1864: I have slept for three nights in the new barracks
on the ground.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1864: I feel very weak - can carcely put one foot
before the other. There is talk of an exchange going on.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1864: Feel very well, but have notmuch rength.Poor
Hanover lays close by dieing. e speaks of his wife, child & Father. We can
no ssist him.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1864: The weather continues fine. blazing hot sun
comes down on the thousands that ave no shelter. Many die of that cause
daily and any of starvation.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1864: Moved into the bks & bunkedwith fish (?) 103
died in Hospital. 6 prisoners came in, reported that Kilpatrick hit the RR
Between Miss (?) Griffin; Sherman & Grant still at Wash.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 1864: Weather cool; quite rainy for he last 24 hours.
Men are dieing at the rate of 125 er day.

MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1864: But - few prisoners come in today. There has not
been an average of 5 per day for he last 5 days.


TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1864: Weather hot. Not anything nusual occurred today.
Prisoners that come in from Kilpatrick say no exchange likely
(Illegible)..

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1864: Prisoners that come in say hat there is a
prospect of a speedy exchange (Illegible).

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1864: Washed my shirt & drawers & took a bath this
morning. Am in good spirits. Have hopes of getting out of this this fall.
Played Whist ith (?) Nelson.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1864: Nothing occurred of note.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1864: Rained hard last night. eather quite warm.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 28. 1864: Was captured 4 weeks ago to- ay. Am still in
hopes of getting exchanged this fall. Took a bath.

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 1864: Do not feel very well today. eel more dispondent
than I have at any time since I have been a prisoner. Weather cool.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1864: Weather quite warm. Roll all at 10 o'clock.
Have a touch of the blues.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1864: Have not got over the blues et. More than two
thousand prisoners have died this month.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1864: Am in good spirits today. ave hopes for an
exchange soon. There is 108 of our egt. in the camp today.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1864: Last night was quite cool. rainard has a severe
attack of the Ague today.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1864: Nights are quite cool. Reports are in camp
that Grant (?) has fought a heavy battle at Twin Oaks (?) & taken 20,000
prisoners, & Sherman has cut Hoods army to pieces.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1864: The morning is pleasant. rainard has a light
attack of Ague.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1864: It is cold and fogy this morning. Prisoners
that came in from Sherman report (?) ours & that our forces occupy
Jonesborough.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1864: Weather this morning is leasant. Our camp
feels joyful (several words illigeble). Washed my shirt this morning. 18
De-tachments get orders to leave this 12 PM.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1864: Three Detachments left this AM at 7
o'clock Two left at 2 PM. 7 Detachments with ours left at 12 PM. Got
on the cars between 60 & 70 men in a car. Rec'd a chunk of cornbred & bacon
for two days.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1864: Arrived at Macon at 8 AM & layed over till 4
PM. We were not allowed to get off from the cars. Many refugees have
their furniture on the cars(Illegible) Sherman's men.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1864: Savannah, Ga. Arrived here at 8 AM and were put
into a stockade about 100 yds square. It contains 9800 prisoners. We drew
soap, vinegar, salt, Meal rice & bacon.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1864: I have got (?) qtrs with Brainard Haummer (?)
& Sergt Downs of 20th Ohio. For cooking our vctls we drew one tin bucket &
one skillet for each 25 men.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1864: The nights are cold and the days very hot. We
have one blanket for 5 of us. The citizens of this place appears to be
enclined towards (men) (now) (?).

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1864: Five tunnels were dug last night but it was so
light we could not make our escape. Three of them were discovered this
morning.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1864: They worked on the tunnel last night. We hope
to get away the first dark night. The Rebs are digging a large ditch
outside the stock-ade to prevent tunneling. I believe we will fool them
yet.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1864: The morning paper says that Mead and Sherman
have agreed to exchange their prisoners. The detachments were reorganized.
Did not mark on the (Illegible) last month.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER15, 1864: The Rebs are building another stockade
adjoining this. I was put into 5th detachment 2nd Mess. Reported that our
fldt (?) is moving up the river.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1864: There was considerable excitement in town last
night. From what we hear the Rebs are expecting an attack. No further
prospect of exchange.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1864: Morning cloudy. Had a bath & washed my
shirt. Moved into the new stockade. Our rations were stopped because a
(Illegible) was (Illegible).

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1864: Yesterday, papers stated that Sherman has made
a special exchange of our prisoners. to be sent forward from Macon. Last
evening, weather cloudy and raining.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1864: Had Sick Call for the first time since we came
here. Haines got medicin for the Ague & Diarreah.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1864: Some fellows stole the slop bls last night and
our rations were stopped this morning til they were found. The theifs are
carrying wood under gaurd.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1864: Mollasses & Lard was issued today in lieu of
12 rations of fresh beef. Haines (Hammer) has not had the Ague today. Had
a heavy rain today (Illegible).

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1864: This is the first day without rain since the
17th. Heavy cannon ws heard all day down the river. Same rations today as
yester-day. I am cook today - dumplins for dinner.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1864: The carpenters finished moveing in the Deadline
20 feet. Morning cloudy.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1864: Some of the prisoners that was sent to
Sherman's lines for exchange that were rejected came in today. Weather
clear.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1864: Last night was very cold. Some more of
Sherman's rejected men came in. A Commi-ttee got up a set of resolutions
to send to Lincoln.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1864: A set of resolutions to be taken through to our
president by a chosen delegation was read and unanamously adopted.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1864: The delegation was se-lected. One from each
Detachment Chas Edwards was one of the 12 Pbradly goes as chairman.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1864: Reported that a special exchange of the
Savanah prisoners is to be efected at the (Illegible) about 700 of the
Andersonville pri-soners came in this evening.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1864: Quite a heavy shower of rain. Last night.
Morning pleasant. 900 prisoners come in from Andersonville this evening.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1864: We were issued two days
rations yesterday and today we are short. Reported that 1000 will leave
here within a week. Perhaps to Millen (?).

SATURDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1864: Drawed two days rations about 10 AM. There is a
report in campo that Richmond is in our possession & that Lee is in full
retreat. (Illegible) Lynchburg.

SUNDAY, 2, OCTOBER 1864: Every thing is very quiet in camp. We havent
heard any church bells as usual, neither any cars to be heard til 4 AM.
Richmond reported ours.

MONDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1864: The first that I saw this morning as I rise up in
bed was Tibbets looking like a skeleton. He came in with 500 from
Andersonville last night at 10 o'clock. Didn't draw ratins till

TUESDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1864: Dreamed (that I shook hands with May & Em & Mrs.
Daich (?) last night. The firs two dead men were taken out of the stockade
this morning.

WEDNESDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1864: 6 dead men were taken out this morning. 2 PM the
naval prisoners are preparing to leave.

THURSDAY, 6 OCTOBER 1864: Prisoners (sailors) left last night at 12
o'clock. A report is now circulating that (Illegible) going to exchange
5000 of his (? exchange 5000 of his (?) us (?) patrons (? immediately.

FRIDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1864: A report in circulation that the alyens in town are
trying to have us paroled or exchanged, ecaust it is difficult for them to
feed us.

SUNDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1864: Last night was a very cold night. 9 men were found
dead in camp this morning. The day is chilly.

MONDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1864: Had another cold night last night. 6 men were
found dead this morning. Detachment 1,2,3 & 4 are to leave at 4PM. 1000
sick to be exchanged is in the papers.

TUESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 1864: We marched out of the stockade last night at 4
PM. Got on the cars at 6 this AM. Arrived at Minnen and marched into the
stock-dmD ade (?) at dark. 4 Detachments in all 1200 men 20 were here
before.

WEDNESDAY, 12, 1864: Miller, Georgia. The stockade is new and contains 25
ocrs (possibly officers)(?). Spent the greater part of the day getting wood
& logs. Men are arriving from Savanah. The yellow fever got among the
prisoners at Savannah. Hood is in the rear of Sherman.

THURSDAY, 13 OCTOBER 1864: Was up the greater part of the night splitting
shaks (modern shingle) to build with. We are divided in thousands, 1 oven
2 kittles and two wells to the division.

FRIDAY, 14 OCTOBER 1864; Got an axe and our Mess was out til 10 PM getting
building tember last night. Thomas at Chatanooga. Sherman at Atlanta.
Hood between them.

SATURDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1864: Great news in the papers of the North. Lincoln
has assured the people that the prisoners should be released before cold
weather. Tibbets is with me.

SUNDAY, 16 OCTOBER 1864: Got the axe & worked hard all day. Tibbets cooked
dinner for us.

MONDAY, 17 OCTOBER 1864: Worked til 12 o'clock last night splitting shakes.
Partly built our house today have a good appetite.

TUESDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1864; Got a spade and covered our house with dirt.
Johnson came in from Macon today. H is well.

WEDNESDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1864: I made a bargen with the guard to trade him my
boots for his shoes & two plugs of tobacco.

THURSDAY, 20 OCTOBER 1864: Went into the stockade and made a trade with the
guard last night. Traded one plug of tobacco for a vest for Tibbets.

FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER 1864: Tibbets feels some better. The Rebs turned us out
of our qtrs & searched the Loyd (?) got on a stump and commenced to speak.
The guarad was about to shoot him down.

SATURDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1864: Rebel papers say the old Curlet (?) of exchange
is resumed. 1000 prisoners from Georgia to be exchanged immediately.
Savannah to be the point of exchange.

SUNDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1864: Had quite a heavy frost this morning. The first
of the season. Our house is comfortable.

MONDAY, 24 OCTOBER 1864: Tibbets is with us. He is very weak. Rebs are
assertaining if the mens time out and if they have familys & if they are
foreigners.

TUESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 1864: Tibbets has not changed much since yesterday. I
washed him all over to day.

WEDNESDAY, 26 OCTOBER 1864: Tibbets is getting very weak can not hardly
help himself. He has the diahrrea and Brainard is making him some tea of
Blackberrys to warm him.

THURSDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1864: Tibbets is much worse. Last night he
couldnt get out in time for a pass o (?). He has to be helped to the sink
to day. 20 shoemakers went outside to work. 13 men took the oath of
allegiance and joined the 1st Georgia Rangers.

FRIDAY, 28 OCTOBER 1864: Tibbets is getting very weak. Had a special roll
call, and all foreigners whose term of service had expired were invited to
join the Confederate Army. About 500 took the oath.

SATURDAY, 29 OCTOBER 1864: Tibbets feels very stupid is in a kind of sleep
all the time. Has no more command of himself than a child. Appears better
this evening.

SUNDAY, 30 OCTOBER 1864: Tibbets was speachless at 4 o'clock this morning.
He dies at daylight. About 6 o'clock rumers of an exchange are afloat
through camp. Camp will be cleaned out in 6 days.

MONDAY, 31 OCTOBER 1864: I hear that the Charleston prisoners are expected
here in a few days.

TUESDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 1864: About 1500 of the Andersonville prisoners arrived
here this morning. Saw the new moon directly in my front this evening.

WEDNESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1864: Commenced raining about 4 o'clock this morning
& quit at 2 this PM. Between 6 & 700 prisoners arrived from Ar-naby
(Ca-naby) (?) this morning. All the 17th Iowa xxx are with them.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1864: Rained all day. Brainard went out to work on
prison hospital. He is on parole.

FRIDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 1864: Cleared up last night and is quite cold this
morning. Raining some this evening.

SATURDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 1864: Morning cold and frosty. Very pleasant during
the day. About 50 latly captured prisoners came in this morning.

SUNDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 1864: Cold and frosty. Brainard came in on a pass of an
hour. One of the new prisoners Sergt Hale of the 12th Ill, came in to
bunk with me.
MONDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 1864: Great news of the exchange in the pappers to
commence next week at the rate of 1000 daily. Are going to have an
election tomorrow.

TUESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1864: Pols opened at 8 AM and closed at 9 PM. 8622
voted. Lincoln received a majority of 969.

WEDNESDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 1864: Exchange news very exci-ting. Reported that 10
bad sick and wounded Rebs are to arive here today. Last rumor falce.

THURSDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 1864: Raining in the morning.Chillynorth wind
blowing all day. Think I will go out to work next month if not exchanged.

FRIDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 1864: Rained a little this morn-ing. Fine weather
later in the day. Rebs recruited about 200 men from the prisoners.
Reported that Lin-coln is elected.

MONDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 1864: From the 29th of February last, to the present
date, there have dies of Federal prisoners at Camp Sumter 12464.

THURSDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 1864: Took a parole and went utsidethe stockade as
carpenter to work on prison hospitals.

FRIDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 1864: Went into woods, cut down 6trees and squared them
& by 10 (?) ft. long. Car loads of sick and wounded prisoners left to
Savannah.

SATURDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 1864: Worked till noon then blacked my face
(Illegible) put my blanket out and flanked the guards. Got in with sick
and wounded. (Illegible).

SUNDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 1864: Arrived in Savahhah at daylight. Got on the boat
at 4 PM. Was on board of our transport eating pork, hard tack & trinking,
coffey. The stars and stripes floating over a happy set of men.

MONDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1864: Raining all day. We are ex-pected (?) expecting
(?) the transport at the mouth of the Savahah river and the batch of about
100 Yanks arrived & were received on the transport.

TUESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 1864: Washed all over & got a new suit of clothes of
the sanitary commission(Illegible).

WEDNESDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 1864: At 1 PM the good ship M(?) Bassit hove anchor
and steamed out on an ocean all Vermillon (?) are ride meare (?) home-ward
bound forAnnapolis M.D.

THURSDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 1864: The weather is fine and has the appearance of
continuing so during the trip.

FRIDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 1864: Weather still continues fair. A cooling (?) seas
around Capr Hateras, somemen are sea sick.

SATURDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 1864: Annapolis, MD. Passed byFt. Monroe and into the
Chesapeak Bay at 9 o'clock this A.M. Arrived here at dusk. Was detailed
as nurse in the Hospital immediately upon my arrival.

SUNDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 1864; Had turkey for dinner & supper. Some of the
patients were to Baltimore. Ihave been appointed Ward Master.

MONDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 1864: Got a pass and Brainard and me went out to Parole
camp.

TUESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 1864; Some few men sent to theirregts to day. Since
have been hear I have written to May Capt (Illegible) and Mrs. Tibbets.

WEDNESDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 1864; Scrubbed out the Ward this morning and had my
hair cut.

END

    Note: This sword and other items hangs on my living room wall. The
cane was made by Lott from a Diamond Willow, which he had to use. In the frame hold a piece of wood from Andersonville Prison. Also the tousles from his uniform. The GAR marker is one of the ones on his grave. There is a copy of the time plate picture of him also in the frame.

The other frame is a actual notice of the GAR serve held for him. Also, the
GAR Post at North Auburn, NE was named after him, three years after he
past away. Carley Post 173 N.Auburn NE

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