Copyright 1998, Scott McKay
Prisoner of War
Camp Chase
Feb. 7, 1863
My Dear Wisie I am a prisoner of war at this place in tolerable health and good spirits. That portion of our army to which I was attached was captured at Arkansas Post after a severe battle on the 11th day of January last. The particulars of this battle it would be impractical to give at this time for reasons which are obvious. Let it suffice to say that I believe the officers and men of my company who were in this engagement and myself did our duty, and though the missiles of death fell fast around us and in our midst, Providence brought us through the battle unhurt. All the prisoners, officers and men were brought together on steamboats to St. Louis, Mo. There the officers and men were separated from the men and brought to this place by railroad. What disposition was made of the men I know not. There are rumors among us that they were sent to Chicago (Camp Douglas) Illinois. Thomas had been sick after capture but was in tolerable health when we parted. George Ehrenfort, I suppose must have escaped, as he was not with us in the battle [Ed: Pvt. George Ehrenfort of Co. A, 10th Texas Infantry, indeed escaped capture during the battle of Arkansas Post].
Robert Morrison of Grimes Prairie died on the 20th of January on the steamboat [Ed: Pvt. Robert Morrison of Co. A, 10th Texas Infantry, died of disease aboard the steamer "Nebraska" on January 21, 1863] and was buried in Cairo.
I parted with Drew Kennard at St. Louis. He was not in good health [Ed: Pvt. David S. Kennard of Co. C, 10th Texas Infantry, arrived at Camp Douglas Prison on January 29, 1863; dying of disease just four days later]. Lt's Scott and Post [Ed: 2Lt. Samuel L. Scott & 2Lt. Wiley G. Post, both of Co. A, 10th Texas Infantry] are here, the former well, the later complaining a little.
The snow is five to ten inches deep. I must close. Love to mother and to all our kin. Remember me in much kindness to all the servants. May God bless you and our dear children and be of good cheer. I know not when disposition will be made of us prisoners.
Your loving husband
John R Kennard
P.S. I had just received your letter of Dec 9, 62 and had
commenced answering it when ordered to the battlefield. Give yourself no anxiety
about me. I have plenty to eat and am sheltered from the weather.
[Collection of Kennard Descendant, Marcus Mallard of
Navasota, Grimes County, Texas]
Notes
Capt. Jonathan R. Kennard - Age 35 upon election to Capt. Commanding Co. A, 10th Texas Infantry, at Ft. Hebert, Virginia Point, Galveston, Texas, on October 21, 1861. Capt. Kennard was admitted with "Diarrhea" to the General Hospital at Galveston, Texas, on October 22, 1861, returning to duty the next day. Capt. Kennard was assigned to serve on a Court Martial detail at Houston, Harris County, Texas, from February 17 to March 22, 1862. Kennard took temporary command of the Regiment in August 1862.
Capt. Kennard was captured at Arkansas Post, Arkansas, on January 11, 1863, arriving at Camp Chase Prison, Columbus, Ohio, on January 30th. He was paroled from prison for exchange, to Ft. Delaware; and was exchanged at City Point, Virginia, on April 29, 1863. According to his parole certificate, Capt. Kennard stood 6' tall with blue eyes, dark hair and a dark complexion.
Capt. Kennard temporary commanded the 6th, 10th & 15th Consolidated Regiment, in the heat of battle at Missionary Ridge, a.k.a. Tunnel Hill, Tennessee, on November 25, 1863, due to the wounding of Col. Roger Q. Mills. Kennard was promoted to Maj. at "Camp Near Dalton" on March 16, 1864.
Mary A. H. Gay included in her 1901 book, Life In Dixie During the War, a letter that her brother, 3Lt. Thomas J. Stokes of Co. I, 10th Texas Infantry, wrote her, regarding the battle at Pickett's Mill, Georgia, on May 27, 1864: "The fighting of our men, to those who admire warfare, was magnificent. You could see a pleasant smile playing upon the countenance of many of the men as they would cry out to the Yankees, 'Come on, we are demoralized! "One little incident right here, so characteristic of the man. Major Kennard (of him I have told you often, lately promoted), was, as usual, encouraging the men by his battle-cry of, 'Put your trust in God, men, for He is with us,' but concluding to talk to the Yankees awhile, sang out to. them, 'Come in we are demoralized,' when the Major was pretty severely wounded in the head, though not seriously; raising himself up, he said "Boys, I told them a lie, and I believe that is the reason I got shot."
Maj. Kennard took a 60 Day Leave of Absence on November 4, 1864, then resigned his Commission on November 28th of that year, due to "Extensive paralysis of the Anus, Thighs, Organs of Generation &c."
Jonathan R. Kennard died of natural causes some time after the war, and was buried in Grimes County, Texas.
Copyright 1998, Scott McKay