REMINISCENCES OF A BOY CAUGHT UP IN THE CIVIL WAR

The following excerpt is taken from “Remincences Of The War Between The States By A Boy In The Far South At Home And In The Confederate Militia,” by Joshua Frier, (my 3x great Uncle). The original manuscript is housed in the Florida State Archives.

In this particular segment of his journal, Joshua recounts the story of his brother Samuel’s desertion from the military, and his subsequent murder by the Confederate Army. 

It might be noted that my 3x great Grandfather Ryan Frier’s family (Joshua’s and Samuel’s father) were pro-union, but living in the south, and for purposes of their own self-preservation, they felt compelled to take part in hostilities against the federal government. Joshua notes here that the murder of his brother embittered the family even more against the southern cause which they felt compelled to support, and they continued to hope that a quick end would be in the offing.

(Errors in spelling and punctuation have been left intact. Too many men and women of this era were illiterate. Joshua, at least, had significant literary skills, and for the time his reading and writing abilities were more exceptional than most).

“… but there seemed no relief except by substitute and the price of this commodity was so high untill it was a luxury only for the rich. Ultimately it was decided the onely thing that could be done under the circumstances was for him (my ggg uncle Samuel) and a nephew who was allso of proper age to enlist which they reluctantly did in the 8^th Fla. Infantry. Shortly afterwards that organization was ordered to Virgina. Our nephew went and shortly after yielded up his life at Antitem. The idea of going so far away from home preyed upon my brother’s Samuele (this name was marked out in the original) mind untill he deserted; he remained concealed in different portion of the State for a bout a year.

When a house that him and two other men resting under a like charge was in, was surrounded, and without being asked to surrender; a rifle ball was sent through his heart by a creature that claimed to be a confederate Soldier. This occured on the 17 day of Oct. 1863 in Irwin county Georgia, and but a few miles from the spot where Jefferson Davis was captured. I remember when the last-named event took place some of the family remarked that if seemed the hand of Providence was in it, that the nominal head of a government should be captured allmost on the spot where the same Government had willfuly murdered one of our family less than two years before. The other two men, George Paulk, and Lenord Slaughter was captured and sent to the front where they died before the surrender.

After brother Samuel (again marked out) was killed the reader may naturaly supose thay our family loyalty was not what it even was before. Yet hampered by a strong central Government, that seemed disposed to act in such a promt, and vigorous maner, self presevation demanded that no outward show, or demonstration would be wise. So we went along in the even tenor of our way; bearing as it seemed an unusualy heavy part of the burden that the war laid on every ones shoulders…”