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James Andis, son of Abraham and Mary A (___) Andis, served in the Civil
War. He first fought for the Confederacy in Co. A of Carter's 1st
Tennessee Cavalry. This regiment was created in November 1862 from what
was left of the 3rd (Brazelton's) Tennessee Cavalry Battalion, organized
with six companies in 1861. James most likely served with Co. D or E which
were organized August 8, 1861 at Knoxville, with men from Union and Knox
Counties, but the records no longer exist.
During James's service, Brazelton's was active in the Cumberland and Big
Creek Gap. Once reorganized, Carter's Cavalry participated in Wheeler's
Raid October 2, 1863, and skirmished near Murfreesboro. They also
participated in operations in Kentucky, and a severe fight near Kingsport,
TN.
James was captured at Knox Co, TN, October 28, 1863. He was transported to
Camp Nelson, Kentucky, and then sent on to Camp Chase, Ohio, arriving on
November 14, 1863.
After a short stint at Camp Chase, he was transferred to Rock Island
Barracks on January 22, 1864. The Rock Island prison was "perhaps one of
the most notorious of all Federal installations. Located on a wind swept
island in Lake Michigan, the cold weather must have been unbearable for
people from the South. This facility had an 80% death rate recorded for
one year alone." (Watson)
Confederate soldiers were offered the option of parole if they would
enlist in the Union Volunteer Army and go west. Soldiers who took on
Lincoln's offer became known as "Galvanized Yankees". James enlisted at
Rock Island, Illinois on 13 Oct 1864, and served as a Corporal for the
Union in Co H; 2nd Regiment, U.S. Infantry at Little Arkansas Station in
Kansas. James mustered out November 7, 1865 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.
It is interesting to note that James was active in the GAR in Skagit
County, Washington and has "Co. H, 2 U.S. Inf" on his gravestone. His
Confederate service was noted in his obituary as well as his Union
service. James was listed as having dark eyes, dark hair, dark
complexion, and was 5'6" tall.
Sources:
Crute, Joseph H. Jr. Units of the Confederate Army. Derwent Books,
Midlothian, VA 1987.
Watson, LaVerne Hughes. "Conditions in United States
hospitals for Confederate prisoners of War". United Daughters of the
Confederacy, Vol. LIV #6 June-July 1991.
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