Isley's in the Civil War North Carolina

NAME, AGE, RESIDENCE LOCATION, ENLISTMENT DATE, SYNOPSIS if available AUSTIN ISLEY - 35 - Alamance - 7/15/1862                                                                Malachi > Malachi II > Christian > Austin 1st Regiment, Company E, North Carolina Infantry                                                           Enlisted in Wake County. Captured at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia, on May 12, 1864. He was imprisoned at Point Lookout, Maryland, transferred to Elmira Prison, New York, transferred to James River, Virginia, and finally transferred to Fort McHenry, Maryland. H. BENJAMIN ISLEY - 33 - Alamance - 7/15/1862                                                   Malachi > Philip > Martin > Levi > H. Benjamin 1st Regiment, Company E, North Carolina Infantry                                                           Resided in Alamance County and enlisted in Wake County at age 33 on July 15, 1862. Present and accounted for until killed in action at Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864. DENNIS ISLEY - 36 - Rockingham - 2/27/1862                                                            Malachi > George > William > Dennis                                                                            45th Regiment, Company E, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Enlisted in Rockingham County. I do not have a synopsis; however, information indicates he was a prisoner. DILLARD MILTON ISLEY - 32 - Alamance - 10/8/1862                                        Malachi > Philip > Martin > Simpson > Dillard Milton 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Resided in Alamance County where he enlisted at age 32, October 8, 1862, for the war. Mustered in as Private. Reported present on surviving Company muster rolls through April 1864. Reported absent wounded in May-October 1864. Place and date wounded not reported. Returned to duty in November-December 1864. Promoted to Corporal in January-February 1865. Reported present through February 1865. Captured at Fort Stedman, Virginia, March 25, 1865. Confined at Point Lookout, Maryland, March 27, 1865. Released at Point Lookout on June 14, 1865, after taking the Oath of Allegiance. EDWIN ISLEY - 23 - Alamance - 5/8/1862                                                                   Malachi > Philip > Martin > Simpson > Edwin 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Resided in Alamance County where he enlisted at age 23, May 8, 1862, for the war. Reported present on surviving company muster rolls through February 1863. Wounded at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1-3, 1863. Returned to duty in November-December 1863. Reported present through February 1865. Surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865. ELIAS ISLEY - 22 - Alamance - 3/8/1862                                                                     Malachi > Philip > Jacob > Joel A. > Elias 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Born in Alamance County where he resided as a farmer prior to enlisting in Alamance County at age 22, March 8, 1862. Mustered in as Private. Reported present on surviving company muster rolls through October 1863. Promoted to Corporal in November-December 1863. Company muster rolls dated May-August 1864 indicated that he was a prisoner of war; however, records of the Federal Provost Marshal do not substantiate that report. Company muster roll dated September-October 1864 indicates that he died of wounds. Place and date wounded and place and date of death not reported. GEORGE W. ISLEY - 23 - Guilford - 3/15/1862                                                         Malachi > George > Henry > George W. 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Enrolled for active service in Alamance County by Captain Albright, March 15, 1862. George was a farmer, born in Guilford County, age of 23, and had a height of 5 feet 4 inches. Mustered into service April 30, 1862 at Camp Mangum for a period of 3 years. Not dated: Roll of Prisoners of War at the hospitals in and about Gettysburg, PA; captured July 1, 2, and 3, 1863. Where captured: Gettysburg, PA. Remarks: Transferred to Pro. Mar. July 18, '63.  Not Dated:  Appears on a Register of sick and wounded Confederates in the hospitals in and about Gettysburg, PA after the battle of July 1,2, and 3, 1863. Complaint:  R.S. Thigh. Sent to Gen. Hosp. July 18, 1863.  Not Dated:  List of Rebel, Sick and Wounded Prisoners of War received at De Camp General Hospital, Davids Island, New York Harbor, July 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 1863. Where captured: Gettysburg.  When captured: 1 to 4 July.  Not Dated:  Name appears as a signature to a Roll of Prisoners of War paroled at De Camp General Hospital, Davids Island, New York Harbor. Where captured:  Gettysburg. When captured: July 5, 1863.  May 15, 1864: Appears on a Register of Receiving and Wayside Hospital, or General Hospital No. 9, Richmond, Virginia. Disposition: wander.  Date: May 16, 1864.  June 9, 1864:  Appears on a Register of Pettigrew General Hospital No 13, Raleigh, NC.  Brigade: Grimes.  Complaint: "Can't read  Admitted:  June 9, 1864.  December 20, 1864:  Clothing issued at Pettigrew General Hospital No. 13, Raleigh, NC.  December 24, 1864:  Clothing issued December 24, 1864 and delivered Dec 31, 1864 at Pettigrew General Hospital No. 13, Raleigh, NC. GEORGE W. ISLEY - 22 - Alamance - 3/5/1862                                                         Malachi > Philip > Martin > Simpson > George W. 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Born in Guilford County and resided in Alamance County where he was by occupation a blacksmith prior to enlisting in Alamance County at age 22, March 5, 1862. Reported present or accounted for on surviving company muster rolls through August 1864. Wounded at Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864. Reported present through February 1865. Captured near Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, 1865. Confined at Point Lookout, Maryland, April 4, 1865. Released at Point Lookout on June 14, 1865, after taking the Oath of Allegiance. JORDAN ISLEY - 18 - Alamance - 3/20/1863                                                              Malachi > Philip > Martin > Daniel > Jordan 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Enlisted March 20, 1863 at age 18. Captured at New Market, Virginia on September 24, 1864. After his capture, he was moved to Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now WVA), arriving October 4, 1864. He was immediately transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland. Shortly after his arrival at Point Lookout, Jordan "volunteered" to enter Federal service. He became a "Galvanized Yankee" on October 14, 1864. He enlisted in Company E., 4th US Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The War ended April 1865; however, Jordan was still in the "Yankee" army. May-June 1865:  Deserted Steamer Mars, Mo. river, May 13, 1865. Due US $9.84 for Camp and Garrison Equipage.  July 6, 1865:  Ft. Sully, Gain from desertion.  June and August 1865:  Present in arrest awaiting trial for desertion. Due US $9.84 for C.C. & G Equipage.  Sept and Oct 1865:  Present. Due US for C.C. and G. Equipage $9.84. Released from confinement and returned to duty per S.O. No. 69 dated Hd Ioc bw Ind Exp Camp No. 53 Fort Sully D.F. Sept 13/65.  Nov and Dec 1865: Present  June 18, 1866:  Muster-out Roll, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. JULIAN ISLEY - 23 - Alamance - 10/8/1862                                                                Malachi > Philip > Jacob > Molly > Julian and Malachi > Malachi II > Henry > Julian 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry PRESLEY ISLEY - 28 - Rockingham - 2/27/1862                                                         Malachi > George > William > Presley 45th Regiment, Company E, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Enlisted in Rockingham County. I do not have a synopsis; however, information obtained indicates he was a prisoner. ZEBEDEE ISLEY - 30 - Rockingham - 2/27/1862                                                         Malachi > George > William > Zebedee 45th Regiment, Company E, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Enlisted in Rockingham County. SOLOMON WELLS - 35 - 10/8/1862                                                                         Husband of Elizabeth Isley of Henry of Malachi II of Malachi and of Molly of Jacob of Philip of Malachi 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry ANDREW J. ALBRIGHT - 27 - Alamance - 4/30/1862                                             Malachi > Philip > Martin > Winnie 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Succeeded George M. Albright as Company Commander. Wounded at Fisher's Hill in 1864. Information also indicates that he was a prisoner. Promoted to Capt. JOSEPH A. ALBRIGHT - 25 - Alamance - 3/26/1864                                               Malachi > Philip > Martin > Winnie 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Enlisted in Alamance County on March 26, 1864 for the war. Hospitalized in Charlottesville, Virginia, August 1, 1864, with acute diarrhoea. Furloughed for thirty days on August 25, 1864. Returned to duty prior to October 19, 1864, when he was killed at Cedar Creek, Virginia. JEREMIAH BOGGS - 37 - Alamance - 3/8/1862                                                        Husband of Emily Isley of Jacob of Philip of Malachi 53rd Regiment, Company F, North Carolina Infantry                                                         Born in Alamance County where he resided as a farmer prior to enlisting in Alamance County at age 37, March 8, 1862. Reported present in October 1862-February 1863. Deserted on April 28, 1863. Dropped from the rolls of the Company in September-October 1863. Returned to duty in September-October 1864 and was reported absent, wounded. Place and date wounded not reported. Returned to duty on unspecified date. Wounded in the left big toe and captured at Fort Stedman, Virginia, March 25, 1865. Hospitalized at Washington, D. C. March 28, 1865. Transferred to Old Capitol Prison, Washington, April 17, 1865. Transferred to Elmira, New York May 11, 1865. Released at Elmira on June 7, 1865 after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

North Carolina seceded from the Union on May 20, 1861, the last southern state to do so.

53rd Regiment, North Carolina Infantry - 53rd Infantry Regiment completed its organization in April 1862, at Camp Mangum, near Raleigh, North Carolina. The men were recruited in the following counties: Guilford, Mecklenburg, Chatham, Surry, Alamance, Stokes, Union, and Wilkes. It served in the Department of North Carolina, then was assigned to General Daniel's and Grimes' Brigade, Arm of Northern Virginia. The 53rd fought in many conflicts from Gettysburg to Cold Harbor, participated in all the battles in the Shenandoah Valley, and was active in the Appomattox Campaign. It lost thirty-six percent of the 322 engaged at Gettysburg, had 1 wounded at Bristoe and 2 killed at Mine Run. The unit surrendered 6 officers and 81 men. Its commanders were Colonels James T. Morehead and William A. Owens, and Majors James J. Iredell and John W. Rierson.

45th Regiment, North Carolina Infantry -  45th Infantry Regiment was organized at Camp Mangum, near Raleigh, North Carolina, in April 1862, with men from Rockingham, Caswell, Guilford, and Forsyth counties. It served under the command of Generals Daniel and Grimes. After fighting at Malvern Cliff in Virginia, it returned to North Caroina and was stationed in the Kinston-New Bern area. During the spring of 1863 the unit moved north and took an active part in the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Gettysburg to Cold Harbor . It continued the fight with Early in the Shenandoah Valley and ended the war at Appomattox . It reported 2 killed and 14 wounded at Malvern Cliff, lost about forty percent of the 570 engaged at Gettysburg, and sustained 2 casualties at Bristoe and 6 at Mine Run . The unit surrendered with 7 officers and 88 men. 1st Regiment, North Carolina Infantry - 1st Infantry Regiment State Troops was organized at the race track near Warrenton, North Carolina, during the spring of 1861. Its members were recruited in the counties of Chowan, Wilkes, New Hanover, Orange, Lincoln, Hertford, Northampton, Washington, Martin, Wake, and Halifax. In July it was mustered into Confederate service with more than 1,500 officers and men and ordered to Virginia. The regiment was brigaded under General Ripley, Colston, Steuart, and Cox. It participated in the campaigns of the army from the Seven Days' Battles to Cold Harbor, was with Early in the Shenandoah Valley, and shared in the Appomattox operations. This unit reported 142 casualties at Mechanicsville, 75 at Malvern Hill, 160 at South Mountain and Sharpsburg, and 15 at Fredericksburg. It lost 34 killed and 83 wounded at Chancellorsville and forty percent of the 377 at Gettysburg. It surrendered 10 officers and 61 men in April, 1865. The field officers were Colonels Hamilton A. Brown, John A. McDowell, and Montfort S. Stokes; Lieutenant Colonels Jarrett N. Harrell and Matthew W. Ransom; and Majors James S. Hines, L.C. Latham, and Tristim L. Skinner.

Point Lookout A federal prison camp for Confederates was built on Point Lookout, Maryland, at the extreme tip of St. Mary's County, on the barren peninsula where the Potomac River joins Chesapeake Bay. The camp was convenient to the battlefields in the East and therefore became the largest Union prison. The camp was established after the Battle of Gettysburg to incarcerate Confederate prisoners. The camp was in operation two years, July, 1863-June, 1865. The prison consisted of "two enclosures of flat sand, one about thirty and the other about ten acres, each surrounded by a fence fifteen feet high, without tree or shrub. The camp was only about 5' above sea level.

Because of the topography, drainage was poor, and the area was subject to extreme heat in the summer and cold in the winter. This exacerbated the problems created by inadequate food, clothing, fuel, housing, and medical care. As a result, approximately 3,000 prisoners died there over 22 months. It is estimated that a total of 52,264 (WOR) prisoners, both military and civilian, were held prisoner there. Although it was designed for 10,000 prisoners, during most of its existence it held 12,600 to 20,000 inmates. G.W. Jones, a private of Co. H, 24th Virginia Cavalry, described his ominous entrance into the prison amidst "a pile of coffins for dead rebels," hearing the lid close shut on his own soon thereafter when he learned that the system of prisoner exchanges had been suspended for the duration of the war. Jones described the camp as laid out into a series of streets and trenches, intended to aid in drainage, and surrounded by a fourteen foot parapet wall. Prisoners, who lived sixteen or more to a tent, were subjected to habitually short rations and limited fire wood in winter, and when the coffee ration was suspended for federal prisoners at Andersonville, the Point Lookout prisoner lost theirs as well. The worst the prisoners suffered, however, may have been inflicted by the physical conditions. The flat topography, sandy soil, and an elevation barely above high tide led to poor drainage, and the area was subjected to every imaginable extreme of weather, from blazing heat to bone-chilling cold. Polluted water exacerbated the problems of inadequate food, clothing, fuel, housing, and medical care, and as a result, approximately 4,000 prisoners died there over 22 months.

Elmira Prison Camp The most notorious camp of the North was located in Elmira, New York where one of the four camps that made up the western New York Union Army rendezvous was refitted for use as a prisoner of war camp. Originally known as Camp Rathbun and designated as Camp No. 3, this camp during the course of its existence from the summer of 1864 until the end of the war housed

approximately 12, 000 Confederate enlisted men. Of this number approximately 3,000 died. The camp was located facing West Water Street between Hoffman and Guinnip Avenue. The rear of the camp was almost to the banks of the Chemung River. Confederate prisoners of war were transported mostly from the prison at Point Lookout, Maryland by rail to Elmira. Some groups came from Old Capitol Prison in Washington and some from as far away as Louisiana. For the most part their physical condition on arrival was poor, and their numbers soon overwhelmed the facilities at the camp. During the summer and fall months the weather was mild, however 900 prisoners were not housed in barracks until the first week in January. The coming winter would prove to be one of the harshest seen in Elmira with severe freezing temperatures and a heavy snowfall. Until they were moved into barracks the prisoners were housed three in a tent. The tents were erected on the parade ground in front of the previously existing Union army barracks. The tent’s floor was dirt and each tent had a stove for heating purposes. The prison records show that prisoners typically died from Typhoid Fever, Chronic Diarrhea and Pneumonia. What the records do not show is that the cause of death was often partly due to malnutrition. It is evident that military officials, many with a strong hatred of the South, from Secretary Stanton on down had some part in preventing adequate supplies of food being furnished to the prisoners. There can be no other explanation because this prison was located in a fertile rich agricultural part of New York State where food shortages just did not exist. The same was true for the medical treatment of the prisoners. While some of the local military officials protested the lack of supplies, there was not enough to provide proper medical care. The most tragic sight was that of the small pox hospital which mainly consisted of several remote tents where the sick were moved and literally forgotten. It was not uncommon to see a stiff frozen body lying outside a tent waiting to be loaded on the buckboard for transportation to the cemetery. Beginning in February of 1865 prisoners who swore an allegiance to the Union were classified for release. Subsequently groups of approximately 500 were each given a food ration, money and or transportation vouchers and placed on a train for City Point, Virginia. City Point was the major Union army supply depot in northern Virginia and from there each prisoner was provided assistance to his home destination. However, due to the fact that the war was still ongoing and the overall condition of transportation in the South was poor it is very conceivable that these men had a difficult time reaching home. Those soldiers who survived were released in groups at the end of the war and provided the same assistance for returning to their homes in the South. Approximately 140 were released to the regional army hospital in Elmira where they were treated until they were fit to travel. Unfortunately seventeen of them never recovered. By the end of 1865, the camp was fully closed, all buildings torn down or moved to nearby locations. Today a few buildings remain near the site of the camp.

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