The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Friday, May 15, 2015

John Peter, Co. K, 88th Illinois-- Part 2: Prisoner at Andersonville

John Peter took part in the Battles of Stone River, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and both battles of Franklin (I only knew of one battle there in Tennessee).

In the second Battle of Franklin, he and 50 others were recovering lost Union cannons from the field and were returning when they blundered into Confederate lines and were taken prisoner.

They were marched to Corinth, Mississippi and then by train to Meridian where they were held for a month.  Then, they were sent to Andersonville where he came through in good condition.  He was paroled and sent to Vicksburg for exchange and arrived just when word reached there of Lee's surrender.

He then returned to Illinois.  Obviously he was very fortunate to have not been on the ill-fated SS Sultana which was carrying newly released Andersonville prisoners when the disaster took place.

--Old Secesh

No comments: