George Washington Joines in the Civil War

George W. Joines & family

Pvt. G. W. Join es 53r d Ten n essee In fantry, C.S.A

“He has suffered many deaths, but he has borne it all with a Christian fortitude that becometh the Saints of God.”

– Pulaski Citizen, upon his death in 1908

The Joines Family of Giles County, Tenn.

By Claudia Kay Johnson

George Washington Joines, 3/18, 1822, - 2/21/1908, Giles Co., TN; buried –Joines Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. Married ca. 1843, Giles County, TN Elizabeth Keltner, b. 3/4/1826 – d. 11/11/1886, Giles Co., TN; buried –Joines Cemetery, Giles Co., TN) Their children were: Julia Ann Joines, 1/2/1845 - 2/22/1924, married Robert James Carvell, 1/2/1845-7/11/1924, on 9/18/1865; both were born, married and died in Giles Co., TN.; buried – Carvell Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. Mary Catherine Joines, b. 9/7/1846 Giles Co, TN; d. 12/28/1919, Travis Co., TX; married William Porter Thurman, b. 7/19/1846, Giles Co., TN – d. 2/19/1931 Travis Co., TX, on 10/1/1868, Giles Co., TN; buried – Manor Cemetery, Travis Co., TX. Emmanuel Thomas Joines, b. 8/19/1848 Giles Co., TN - 9/13/1925, Jackson Co., TX, married on 7/27/1870, Giles Co., TN, to Henrietta Thurman, b. 4/1/1851, Giles Co., TN - 8/27/34, d. Harris Co., TX; buried – Palacios Cemetery, Matagorda Co., TX. General Andrew Joines, b. 1/11/1850, died before 1860, Giles Co., TN.; buried –Joines Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. Nelly Pernina Joines, b. 5/5/1851, Giles Co., TN – supposedly 7/11/1902 Giles Co., TN, married 1/27/1869, Giles Co., TN, to James K. Polk Hewitt, b. ca. 1845, TN –????. (I cannot find anything about these people that I can PROVE after 1880 Census) Cynthia Joines, 5/11/1853, - 4/17/1927, married William Lafayette Owen, 7/16/1845 – 5/22/1921, on Dec. 26, 1871; both were born, married and died in Giles Co., TN. Buried – Lynnwood Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. Nancy A. Joines, b. 12/5/1855, Giles Co., TN – d. 8/27/1912, Grimes Co., TX; buried – Lake Grove Cemetery, Grimes Co., TX. #1 Married on 10/17/1870 to Rueben C. Duncan, b. 3/27/1851, Giles Co., TN – 4/5/1878 Giles Co., TN. #2 Married on 4/24/1881 to John Daniel Henson, b. 4/1861 in AL – d. after 1930 in TX. Rufus Joines, 10/15/1857- 1859 Giles Co., TN; buried – Joines Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. William Lee Joines, b. 3/8/1859, Giles Co., TN – d. 7/2/1934, Hungerford, Wharton Co., TX; buried – Wharton Cemetery, Wharton Co., TX. #1 married 7/14/1881 Nancy Malinda Ada, 11/10/1862-12/27/1896, Giles Co., TN. #2 married 7/28/1906 Mattie Alice Goates, 2/28/1891-2/7/28/1919, Giles Co., TN) Georgia Ella Forrest Joines, 3/23/1864 - 9/4/1928, married on 7/4/1880, Robert H. Shrader, 2/26/1859 – 7/25/1942; both were born, married and died in Giles Co., TN. Buried – Lynnwood Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. Infant of George and Elizabeth, born and died 1875; buried – Joines Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. After Elizabeth died, George Washington Joines was married on 3/10/1890, to Nancy P. Hewitt, 5/24/1831-8/5/1899; buried –Joines Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. NO CHILDREN Parents of George W. Joines (Burial Unknown, could be Joines Cemetery ) Thomas Joines, b. ca. 1785-died before 9/4/1865, (date of will probate) Giles Co., TN Julia Ann (unknown) b. ca. 1800 in North Carolina-died before 2/16/1871, (date of estate sale) Giles Co., TN

This information has been compiled over the last decade by Claudia Kay Johnson, a descendant of G.W. Joines through two daughters, Cynthia Joines Owen and Julia Ann Joines Carvell. I created a similar, smaller version of this document several years ago, which has found its way to the internet in a draft form. I have corrected many mistakes, and I now believe this document to be correct. I will expand it with verified submitted information. Please discard the original document I provided. This information in this form is not for sale or reproduction without my permission.

My official version is published online at www.issuu.com/claudiajohnsonhistory. Contact me at dejavu159@gmail.com.

Copyright 2015, Claudia Johnson, all rights reserved.

Thomas Joines and Julie Ann of Giles County, Tenn.

In the 1850 Census, Thomas, 65, is listed as having $800 worth of real estate. By 1860 Thomas had real estate valued at $2,000 and $500 in personal property. He states in both Census records he was born in Maryland.

Thomas' will is dated Jan. 23, 1865. It was proven in September 1865.

A Thomas Joines served as a drummer in Benton’s 2nd Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers, in the War of 1812. If this is so, he would have relocated from Maryland, possibly by way of N. C., in time to serve in Tennessee.

Some researchers have attributed a War of 1812 record for a Thomas Jones of Maryland to Thomas Joines of Tennessee. Multiple records exist for proving that a Thomas Joines spent his service as a Tennessee Volunteer. These records are in Roll Box 112, M602.

Julie Ann Joines, wife of Thomas, answered census

records for 1850 and 1860 that she was born in 1800. In the 1870 Census she stated that both her parents were foreign born and that she was born in North Carolina.

However, she reported having been born in N.C. in the 1850 Census but in Pennsylvania in the 1860 Census.

Just before her death in 1870, the Census entry indicates she was born around 1793. If that is true, she gave birth to her last child, Denitha Ann, at age 46-48, which seems unlikely. This daughter married M.A. Beal.

In the 1900 Census Denitha, who was living with her husband and sons, Thomas and Benjamin, in Lauderdale County, Ala., stated that her father was born in Maryland and her mother in N. C. In addition to George W. Joines, whose life is explored extensively in this book, Thomas and Julie Ann 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Giles Co., Tenn. also had a daughter named Amanda Adelaide (Nov. 6, 1833-1908), who married Henry Warren Lucy (Jan. 27, 1832 - Aug. 26, 1921) in Aug. 19, 1858, in Giles County, Tenn. Julia in 1870 had real estate valued at $660, but she resided in the home of Amanda and Henry Lucy. In the 1880 and 1900 Census, Amanda answered that her father was born in Maryland and her mother in N. C.

Thomas Joines’s purchase of 40 acres of land for $165 on Bradshaw Creek 1823 was a portion of a 5,000-acre tract granted to Martin Armstrong by the state of North Carolina by grant No 29. This Nov. 22, 1823, purchase was registered in Deed Book G, p. 226, Giles Co., Tenn., May 23, 1827.

1830 U.S. Federal Census, Giles Co., Tenn.

1840 U.S. Federal Census, Giles Co., Tenn.

This document is about a land deal between Thomas Joines and David Roper regarding property on Big Creek and was registered in Giles County Oct. 22, 1845.

Thomas Joines’ Giles County, Tenn., Land Survey, 1847 Thomas Joines Grist Mill was at the corner of what is now Tennessee Highways 166 and 245 just north of Campbellsville, Giles County, Tenn.

Aug. 24, 1872, Pulaski Citizen, advertised the sale of Thomas Joines’ property and mill. M. E. Alexander lived on the property and operated the mill later.

Thomas Joines’ Giles County, Tenn., Land Survey, 1854

1850 U.S. Federal Census, Giles Co., Tenn.

This is a description of the 14th District provided by the 1850 Census taker, John McGrew

The 7th District

Located in south west Middle Tennessee. The “...district beginning on the southern boundary of the State on the Congressional Reservation Line; thence north with the same, to a point equi-distant from said southern boundary line, to a point due east from the town of Columbia on said line, and from that point thus ascertained a due west course to the Tennessee River; thence up said river to the beginning: which shall be called the Seventh District. And the surveyor’s office shall be kept at Pulaski, in the County of Giles... ”

The 8th District

Located in south west Middle Tennessee. The “...district shall consist of that tract of country, lying south and west of the Congressional Reservation Line, and north of the Seventh District, and east of the Tennessee River; which shall be called the Eighth District, and the surveyor’s office therefore shall be kept at Columbia in the County of Maury.” The north boundary of this district is, for the most part, the Military Line,

Entry for 25 acres of land on behalf of Thomas Joines, Sept. 27, 1850, Giles County, on the waters of Big Creek.

Entry for “4 acres and 87 poles” acres of land on behalf of Thomas Joines, March. 11, 1856, Giles County, in the 14th Civil District, range 1, section 2 of former surveyor’s district 8.

Will of Thomas Joines

Thomas Joines’ Will Probated

1870 U.S. Federal Census, Giles Co., Tenn.

Julie Ann Joins shows up in The Henry and Amanda Lucy household since her husband has died. This age of 77 is incorrect. Other Census consistently show her birth year to be 1800. She died the following year.

Estate settlement sale of Julia Joines, widow of Thomas Joines

The PULASKI CITIZEN dated March 21, 1871, noted that Julia Ann Joines, “Died last week of pneumonia, Julia Joins, a very good and pious old lady.” Obviously, her estate sale was before this, so news must have traveled slowly between Minnow Branch and Pulaski.

Indicates what was bought by son George W. at the sale. Note that Julia Ann lived with the H. W. Lucy family (daughter Amanda) before her death. As in most estate sales of simple folk, her feather beds brought the most money. D.L. Joines, who may have been her son or nephew, was also a Confederate Veteran and later moved to Texas. M. A. Beal was married to Thomas’ and Julia’s daughter, Deminta or Denethia Ann.

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George W. Joines, above, was born March 18, 1822, and died Feb. 21, 1908, in Giles County. His date of death has been misprinted in numerous sources, but the PULASKI CITIZEN published Feb. 27, 1908, indicated the correct date in two separate articles.

George W. was the son of Thomas Joines, who was born ca. 1785 and married Julia Ann (last name unknown).

George W. first married to Elizabeth Keltner, above, (March 4, 1826 – Nov. 11, 1886) daughter of Emmanuel Keltner and Nelly Pernina Musgraves (or Musgrove) Keltner. Both her parents were born ca. 1785. The great-grandson of German immigrant Michael Keltner, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1733, Emmanuel and his father, Henry Keltner Jr., moved from Virginia, where the Keltners had been since the mid-1700s, to Giles County around 1810.

In the 1860 census George W. Joines is listed as a farmer with personal property valued at $250. The census states that all members of his household were born in Tennessee. It lists his age as 35 and his wife’s as 30, which does not correspond with other information the family has. However, census-takers were known to make mistakes.

In the 1870 Giles County, Tenn., Census George W. is listed as a farmer and stonemason with $1,540 in real estate and $1,370 of personal property. He and Elizabeth still resided in Giles during the 1880 Census. In 1900 the widowed George W. lives in the home of his granddaughter, Nellie, and her husband J.B. Carvell along with their children Reedie and Robert.

1860 U.S. Federal Census, Giles Co., Tenn.

In 1860 G. W. Joines owned no real estate and had $250 in personal property.

Marriages of Joines Children – all Giles County, Tenn.

George W. Joines !

Joines must have been pronounced “Jines” for many decades. As late as the 1990s a great grandson of G.W. still said it that way.

After Elizabeth died George married Nancy P. Hewitt on March 10, 1890. Born May 24, 1831, she was the daughter of K & D Hewitt. She died Aug. 5, 1899.

Emmanuel Joines visits from Texas

PULASKI CITIZEN, Aug. 24, 1871, G.W. Joins appointed guardian of Wm. Pillow’s orphans. In 1878 his family made the news in a more dramatic manner, a stabbing on his property.

Fatally Stabbed

It is our painful duty to announce the death of Reuben Duncan by the hand of Walk Thurman on Wed., May 15, 1878, at the house of Geo. W. Joins, about half way between Campbellsville and Lynnville. Our Campbellsville correspondent, J.J. Zuccarello, gives a full statement of the unfortunate affair to which we refer. (CITIZEN editor)

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- May 23, 1878, Pulaski Citizen

Stabbing At Minnow Branch

Pulaski Citizen Report by J.J. Zuccarello Again, yes, again, it becomes our painful duty to chronicle the twice-told story of the last ten months. A quarrel, a contest, a death. On the evening of the 15th, about 8 or 9 o’clock, Reuben Duncan received a stab from the handle of R.W. (Riley Walker) Thurman, which resulted in death at 5 o’clock next morning. It was about 3 or 3 1/2 miles from here in the horse lot of George Joins. It seems that they had been engaged in a game of cards previous to the time of the affray, probably on Saturday night before, and had had some misunderstanding. It was first brought about in this manner: the young Pettys (neighbor boys) went over to Joins after their mules, which had gotten out. They came in contact with young Joins and young Petty accosted him about something. They were getting into a difficulty, and when the old man Joins went to the lot to stop it, young Thurman was out there.

Duncan (who was the son-in-law of Joins) George’s daughter Nancy Joines was sitting in the hall of Joins’ house, and (Duncan) Henson Died in Texas, 1912 hearing the quarrel at the lot, he got up Mrs. Nancy Henson passed away Aug. 27, 1912, in Grimes and remarked that he (Duncan) would go out there and knock County, Mesia [sic], Texas. She died after several weeks of illness. Mrs. Henson was born in Tenn., Dec. 5, 1855. She Thurman’s brains out with a rail. He went out there against the was a devout Christian having joined the Cumberland entreaty of his mother-in-law, and when he got there struck Presbyterian Church early in life. Her Christian deeds were Thurman twice before knocking him down. He then jumped on many; always ready to extend a helping hand to the weak and suffering. She was the mother of twelve children. Her him and was beating him when Thurman stabbed him twice, first husband and nine children survive her. Her many relatives just under the point of the shoulder blade, then in the chest just at and friends will mourn her absence and in that home where she dwelt so long her place can ne'er be filled - an industrious the point of the breast where they were connected to the God-fearing and loving wife and mother. She lived her life breastbone, cutting the fifth rib into. They were then separated and as she bore her last illness - patient and trusting. May the hearts that were made sad by her death be lighter by the Duncan carried to the house, where he died as above stated. thought of her Christian life here, which has won her a crown Duncan weighed about 160 pounds, Thurman 120. Duncan’s knife of glory and peace in that Great City of light beyond the skies. was in his hand half open when he was taken off Thurman.

Duncan leaves a wife and four children to mourn his loss.

A Friend.

Thurman was unmarried. Thurman has left the country, yet public sentiment is in his favor. He was working at the carpenter’s trade and at the time was working on Joins’ house. He told Mrs. Joins that he was very sorry for what he had done, and when he left he went to the door and asked how Duncan was. He is about 19 years old. Nevertheless, a disturbed mind and a sad heart will be his constant companion. Once more we are lead to exclaim, “How long, O how long will the evil one be permitted to commit his ravages upon our community? When shall the work of reformation begin with earnestness and zeal in the hearts of men? In conclusion we will say, may He whose ways are past finding out but says that all things shall work together for good to them that love God, sanctify this sad dispensation to the good of the families and to the good of all.” - May 23, 1878, Pulaski Citizen NOTE: In the 1870 Census I have found all the parties involved and identified Thurman and Petty homes on the 1878 D.G. Beers map of Giles County in the vicinity described in the CITIZEN. However, I cannot find the Joines property, though from this account G.W. Joins still owned the property listed in what would have been the 13th District at the time of the census. Thurman came back, married a neighbor and lived in the community until his death in 1938 at age 80. In the 1880 census Nancy, 24, and her five children were listed in the home of George W. and Elizabeth. In 1881 Reuben C. Duncan’s widow, Nancy Joins Duncan, married John D. Henson. The census lists the next-door neighbors as being the Hensons, with an 18-year-old son, John. Sometime between May 1894 and June 1895, the Hensons along with the Duncan and Henson children moved to Texas.

George Washington and Elizabeth Keltner Joines had 11 children

Julia Ann Joines, 1/2/1845 - 2/22/1924, married Robert James Carvell, 1/2/1845-7/11/1924, on 9/18/1865; both were born, married and died in Giles Co., TN.; buried – Carvell Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. Their son, Robert A. Carvell, (11/25/76-7/9/1960) married Cora Lee Ball (2/23/81-7/2/1956). They were the parents of Dewey, RA, CL, Tonnie, Grady, Annie, Vera, Dana and Sadie Carvell.

Infant of George and Elizabeth, born and ! died 1875

Cynthia Joines, 5/11/1853, - 4/17/1927, married William Lafayette Owen, 7/16/1845 – 5/22/1921, on Dec. 26, 1871; both were born, married and died in Giles Co., TN. Buried – Lynnwood Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. Their children were Milton Aaron, Pizzaro Washington, Cove Lafayette, Thomas Edition, Hettie Ann and Solon Ozro.

Mary Catherine Joines, b. 9/7/1846 Giles Co, TN; d. 12/28/1919, Travis Co., TX; married William Porter Thurman, b. 7/19/1846, Giles Co., TN – d.

2/19/1931 Travis Co., TX, on 10/1/1868, Giles Co., TN; buried – Manor Cemetery, Travis Co., TX.

Nelly Pernina Joines, b. 5/5/1851, Giles Co., TN – supposedly 7/11/1902 Giles Co., TN, married 1/27/1869, Giles Co., TN, to James K. Polk Hewitt, ca. 1845-??.

I am looking for information about this couple after 1900, the last census in which I could find them.

Readie Thurman, William Porter Thurman and Mary Catherine (Joines) Thurman. credit: Carol Sue Gibbs

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Georgia Ella Forrest Joines, 3/23/1865 - 9/4/1928, married on 7/4/1880, Robert H. Shrader, 2/26/1859 – 7/25/1942; both were born, married and died in Giles Co., TN. Buried – Lynnwood Cemetery, Giles Co., TN.

Nancy A. Joines, b. 12/5/1855, Giles Co., TN – d. 8/27/1912, Grimes Co., TX; buried – Lake Grove Cemetery, Grimes Co., TX. #1 Married on 10/17/1870 to Rueben C. Duncan, b. 3/27/1851, Giles Co., TN – 4/5/1878 Giles Co., TN. #2 Married on 4/24/1881 to John Daniel Henson, b. 4/1861 in AL – d. after 1930 in TX.

General Andrew Joines, b. 1/11/1850, died before 1860, Giles Co., TN.; buried –Joines Cemetery, Giles Co., TN. Rufus Joines, 10/15/1857- 1859 Giles Co., TN; buried – Joines Cemetery, Giles Co., TN.

Emmanuel Thomas Joines

William Lee Joines

Emmanuel Thomas Joines, b. 8/19/1848 Giles Co., TN - 9/13/1925, Jackson Co., TX, married on 7/27/1870, Giles Co., TN, to Henrietta Thurman, b. 4/1/1851, Giles Co., TN - 8/27/34, d. Harris Co., TX; buried – Palacios Cemetery, Matagorda Co., TX.

William Lee Joines, b.

3/8/1859, Giles Co., TN – d. 7/2/1934, Hungerford, Wharton Co., TX; buried – Wharton Cemetery, Wharton Co., TX. #1 married 7/14/1881 Nancy Malinda Ada, 11/10/1862-12/27/1896, Giles Co., TN. #2 married 7/28/1906 Mattie Alice Goates, 2/28/1891-2/7/28/1919, Giles Co., TN)

Emmanuel Thomas Joines

Texas Joines men working in hay field

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Pvt. George Joines, CSA


The 53rd Tennessee Infantry, Confederate States of America officially organized at Fort Donelson, Tenn., on Jan. 7, 1862, and was composed primarily of men from Giles and Marshall Counties, Tenn.

Many of the Marshall County men came from

the area around Cornersville, which was still part of Giles County in 1862. Giles Countian Alfred Harris Abernathy was elected Colonel of the Regiment. The men who composed the nine companies of the regiment had begun forming in December 1861 and had assembled at Camp Weakley near Nashville.

Nine companies were mustered into Confederate service at Fort Donelson. George’s name first appears on a muster roll for Dec. 9, 1861, as one of Capt.

Milton E. Alexander’s Co. Tennessee Volunteers. He served in Company K as a private.

The 53rd Tennessee had been almost decimated by measles and had less than 300 men fit for duty when they became part of the original garrison of Fort Donelson in January 1862.

The mission of Fort Donelson was to watch over the Cumberland River and stop any Union gunboats or troops that might be trying to reach Nashville. The original garrison was small but was soon increased to approximately 15,000 as Confederate troops poured in from Tennessee and Kentucky.

Union General Grant attacked the fort with 27,000 men and six gunboats on Feb 14. The 53rd Tennessee was part of Heiman's Brigade, along with the 10th Tennessee, the 48th Tennessee, and the 27th Alabama Infantry regiments. Heiman's Brigade took part in some of the heaviest of the fighting. After several days fighting the fort was surrendered on Feb 16, 1862, and the men of the 53rd Tennessee were part of more than 11,000 Confederate soldiers captured.

Joines, his brother or cousin, Daniel Logan Joines, and his wife’s brother, Elisha Keltner, were captured at Fort Donelson on Feb 16, 1862. G.W. and D.L were listed as prisoners of war at Camp Morton, Ind., in June 1862. Elisha died of pneumonia and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Ind. He was 21.

Pvt. G.W. Joines’ service records from show his capture at the Battle of Donelson, imprisonment at Camp Morton and exchange at Vicksburg.

CAMP MORTON NEAR INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (Woodcut Illustrations from Harper's Weekly, 9/13/1862, p. 588)

The 36-acre prison camp had been established as state fairgrounds. In 1861 it was converted to a military training camp and named for Indiana governor Oliver Morton. In 1862 the facilities were used to house Confederate prisoners of war. Approximately 4,000 prisoners arrived in February of that year. Among them was George W. Joines.

On Aug. 23, 1862, after both Union and Confederate parties agreed to a prisoner exchange, 1,280 prisoners left Indianapolis among a crowd of spectators. Other prisoners left in groups over the next six days until the only prisoners that remained were prisoners whose names did not appear on any rolls or sick prisoners and their nurses. George was one of the 596 prisoners listed on the Camp Morton roll, Aug. 28, 1862, to be exchanged at Vicksburg, Miss., (pictured on the following page in woodcut) Sept. 10, 1862. The sick were later discharged during the first week of September.

By this time, Camp Morton was emptied of all Confederate prisoners and an immediate “renovation and purification� was begun by companies from the Fifth Calvary. CSA Major N.G. Waters was agent for the prisoner exchange. Prisoners were declared exchanged at Aikens Landing, Va., Nov. 10, 1862. Colonel Alfred H. Abernathy resigned and William H. Wilkes succeeded him as Colonel of the regiment.

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The prisoner exchange at Vicksburg that included George W. Joines is depicted in this period woodcut.

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Realizing that control of the Mississippi River was a key military objective of the Union, the Confederacy in August 1862 had its forces erect earthworks at Port Hudson. Port Hudson, Miss., was the site of the longest siege in American history, lasting 48 days, when 7,500 Confederates resisted some 40,000 Union soldiers for almost two months during 1863.

In 1863, Union Major General Nathaniel P. Banks moved against Port Hudson. (this picture was made during the conflict).

Three Union divisions came down the !

Red River to assail Port Hudson from the north, while two others advanced from Baton Rouge and New Orleans to strike from the east and south. By May 22, 1863, some 30,000 Union soldiers had isolated 7,500 Confederates behind 4 1â „2 miles of earthen fortifications. But George was already at home.

The following letter was sent to Mrs. Elizabeth Joines, Campbellsville, Tennessee, from her husband G. W. Joines. The 1870 census states that neither of them could write, and Elizabeth could not read, so Joines must have had a fellow soldier write the letter while in camp during the Civil War and sent it in the care of James Sands (a neighbor). The letter was printed in the PULASKI CITIZEN in 1953 and was in the possession of Mrs. A. H. Carpenter, a granddaughter.

Port Hudson, La.

February 3, 1863

My Dear Wife, I avail myself of the present opportunity to write you a few lines, to inform you that I am well at this time, hoping this may find you all in the enjoyment of health. I have no news of importance to write at present. The health of the company is tolerable good, except several of the boys are complaining a little, but nothing serious the matter. Tom and William Wall are both well. I will give the reason why I did not write. I was at a hospital and confined there and was not allowed to write from there, not even to camps, on account of smallpox. I have gotten well enough to be back in camp, and I am making from one dollar and a half to three dollars a day.

You wanted to know if I needed any clothing. I need one pair of pants, one pair of underwear, and one pair of socks. If you have the chance to send them between now and the first of March, do so. I have the promise of getting off between the first and the middle of March. I don't know whether I will get off or not. I hope so. A few words to the children. I want you all to be good children and obey your mother and all the commands that are left for you to obey. I hope the time is not far off, when I will meet with you, if not, I hope to meet you in a better world. Betty, I want you to hug and kiss Billy for me. Nothing more at present only requesting you to write every chance you get.

So, I remain your most affectionate till death.

G. W. Joines

Pvt. G.W. Joines’ 2nd Capture and Imprisonment, 1863-1865

Imprisonment

George W. was discharged March 21, 1863, and was paid on March 28, 1863. He apparently was able to go home to be reunited with his family. Family tradition has it that a relative told Yankee forces under the command of Maj. Gen. Thomas where he was hiding when they went through the area, which was under occupation most of the war.

He was recaptured Nov. 30, 1863, and was listed as a prisoner of war, Department of the Cumberland. He arrived at the Military Prison in Louisville, Ky., on Dec. 11, 1863, and was immediately discharged to Rock Island, Ill.

The Rock Island roll on which George W. appears was dated Jan 1, 1864. While he was there the Secretary of War ordered prisoner rations cut in response to conditions Union soldiers faced in the infamous prisoner of war camp at Andersonville, Ga. From June 1, 1864, until June 1865, the inmates of Rock Island were subjected to starvation and all its attendant horrors. Below are actual photos of Rock Island.

Confederate prisoners taking the oath

Confederate prisoners at roll call

Confederate prisoners making trinkets from clam shells This is an excerpt from a private letter, dated Dec. 27, 1864, not written by Joines but showing the condition of the place where he was on that date.

The condition and suffering of the Rebel prisoners at Rock Island is a source of agony to every heart not absolutely dead to the feelings of common humanity and the scantiest Christian mercy. There are from six to eight thousand confined here. Many have taken "the oath" - any oath to save themselves from actual starvation. (pictured here) These released prisoners, though liberated at different intervals of time, all tell the same story.

The allowance to each man has been one small loaf of bread (it takes three to make a pound), and a piece of meat two inches square per day. This was the rations! Lately it has been reduced. Think of it reduced! All the released ones say that no man can live on the rations given, and that there are men that would do anything to get enough to eat!

Such is the wretched, ravenous condition of these poor starving creatures, that several dogs which have come to the barracks with teams have fallen victims to their hunger, and they are trapping rats and mice for food, actually to save life. Many of them are nearly naked, bare-footed, bare-headed, and without bed-clothes; exposed to ceaseless torture from the chill and pitiless winds of the upper Mississippi. Thus, naked and hungry, and in prison, enduring a wretchedness which no tongue can describe, no language tell, they suffer from day to day - each day their number growing less by death -death, their only comforter - their only merciful visitor!

G.W. Joines, Prisoner of War, Confederate Army Camp Morton, Indiana G.W. Joines was sent to Vicksburg for prisoner exchange Sept.

11, 1862.

Also listed is his cousin (possibly brother), Daniel Logan.

Rock Island, Ill., accounts April 18, 1865 G.W. Joines

At Rock Island the provost marshal took possession of all boxes and packages addressed to prisoners until August 1864, and with the exception of some pilfering, usually reached the owner.

But after that date, the prisoners were not permitted to receive anything sent by friends or relatives. On Feb. 22, 1865, three Confederate officers arrived and George W. was confined at Rock Island for the remainder of the distributed clothing to the war and signed the Oath of Allegiance May 21, 1865, with his prisoners, but the worst part mark X. He was physically described as having a light complexion, of the winter had then been endured, for want of that auburn hair, blue eyes and was 5 feet, 8 1/2 inches, age 46. covering the jailers had taken away.

During its two years in operation, Rock Island housed more than 12,400 Confederates.

Following the war, the government retained ownership of Arsenal Island and used it for various functions. George W. was released on May 21, 1865. The building pictured below would have been new when George W. was imprisoned at Rock Island.

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Type to enter text

George died a respected man in the Minnow Branch community on Feb. 21, 1908.

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This was a small note in the Pulaski Citizen, separate from the obituary.

The year was 1908.

Joines/Shrader Cemetery near Minnow Branch, C a m p b e l l s v i l l e , Te n n .

George and both his wives are buried there, as are other family members, including a infant belonging to Cynthia and William Lafayette Owen, his daughter and son-in-law.

Pulaski Citizen, February 1908

Your Notes Her e

1878 D.G. Beers map of Giles County

Area where Joines Family lived

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