January 1864

Columbus T., age 22, P.O.W. in Ohio
January 5, 1864

Snow on the ground four or five inches deep. Rumors of exchange of prisoners. All still hoping and fearing. Read in Shakespeare “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” Constantly anxious for systematic study — want the necessary books — and more light. Crowded, cold and some one all the time in the light, or shoving against you.  

*(Worthy of Record: The Civil War and Reconstruction Diaries of Columbus Lafayette Turner, Ed. Kenrick N. Simpson, courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina.)

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Columbus T., age 22, P.O.W. in Ohio
January 6, 1864

More rumors of e[x]change. An ephemeral hope and joyful noise. Some are in doubt about being exchanged even if we leave here, thinking that they intend to take us to another prison, to retaliate as there papers say with bad treatment. A debate on the question — “Which has the greater influence on men the Love of Women, or the Love of Money,” took place at night.  

*(Worthy of Record: The Civil War and Reconstruction Diaries of Columbus Lafayette Turner, Ed. Kenrick N. Simpson, courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina.)