Private Ely R. Dials
Eli R. Dials was born on November 11th, 1842 and died on September 26th, 1912 in Riddle. He married Syntha Dickerson on March 11th, 1869 in Kentucky. He enlisted into the 39th Kentucky on September 26th, 1862 and was assigned to Company A. He was captured by the enemy on December 4th, 1862 at Wireman's Shoals and was forced to march to Seven Mile Ford in Virginia causing his rheumatism and nervous debility. An 1887 statement said he was in Libby Prison in 1863 getting pneumonia and fever but he did not recall his doctor in Libby. He mentions marching over 200 miles that also contributing to his debility. Eli was sent to City Point in April 3rd, 1863 after his stay in Libby. Might have been sent to City Point for parole because of his illness, the Conf. not being able to help him any, though this is not confirmed. He was in Camp Parole, Md. from April 4th,1863 to May 1, 1863 and at Camp Chase Ohio by May 1863. Present with regiment on May and June 1863. In May - June 1864 report was listed on detached service in Lexington, Ky. Present from then on until muster out at Louisville on Sept. 15, 1865. Last info comes from compiled service records. Compiled Service Record mentions him captured in Pike Co., Ky. Also absent captured from Dec. 1862 until May 1863.
Information extracted from records on file at the National Archives and provided courtesy of Charles T. Harrell