Alfred Gude collection
Collection — Folder: S0556
Identifier: S0556
Scope and Contents
This typed paper of Alfred Gude’s Civil War experiences tells of the awful conditions as a Union prisoner, of his three attempted escapes, and his final successful escape from Confederate captivity.
After two years of hard fighting, Alfred was captured on May 3, 1863, near Rome, Georgia, by General Nathan Bedford Forrest and General Rody. As prisoners, the Union soldiers were sent to Atlanta, and then shipped to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. In Libby, they were closely guarded for a year, with only one successful escape attempt, that being the famous Rose-Hamilton tunnel. Alfred did not participate in this escape, because he was sick at the time.
Other prisons where Alfred was incarcerated were in Danville and Macon, Georgia, and then Charlestown, South Carolina. The Rebels claimed they had to move the 10,000 prisoners because of yellow fever, but really because the Union army was near. Therefore, the Confederates moved their prisoners to Columbia, South Carolina. Other places where he was taken were Athens and Augusta, Georgia, and near Chesterville, South Carolina.
Alfred made three attempts to escape before finally succeeding. During the final escape, Alfred traveled about 250 miles in North and South Carolina, and in East Tennessee, before meeting Union soldiers camped at the Chucky River, between North Carolina and Tennessee. Some of his own 51st Regiment was camped there. Alfred received a furlough after his long escape ordeal.
Other prisons where Alfred was incarcerated were in Danville and Macon, Georgia, and then Charlestown, South Carolina. The Rebels claimed they had to move the 10,000 prisoners because of yellow fever, but really because the Union army was near. Therefore, the Confederates moved their prisoners to Columbia, South Carolina. Other places where he was taken were Athens and Augusta, Georgia, and near Chesterville, South Carolina.
Alfred made three attempts to escape before finally succeeding. During the final escape, Alfred traveled about 250 miles in North and South Carolina, and in East Tennessee, before meeting Union soldiers camped at the Chucky River, between North Carolina and Tennessee. Some of his own 51st Regiment was camped there. Alfred received a furlough after his long escape ordeal.
Dates
- 1949
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Captain Alfred Gude was married to Jane Holmes, and was post-master of Bruceville, Indiana, at the time this story was written. Bruceville, in Knox County, is eight miles north of Vincennes. He was a commissioned officer of Company H, 51st Indiana Volunteer Regiment, and entered into service on December 14, 1861. Company H was made up of residents of and near Bruceville. Their commander was Colonel (later General) Abel Delon Streight.
In the 1880 federal census, Alfred was 43 years old, living with his wife Jane, age 44, in Bruceville, with their four children: Mollie (23), Hattie (19), Jessie (18) and Johnie (10).
Source:
Ancestry.com. 1880 United States Federal Census. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
In the 1880 federal census, Alfred was 43 years old, living with his wife Jane, age 44, in Bruceville, with their four children: Mollie (23), Hattie (19), Jessie (18) and Johnie (10).
Source:
Ancestry.com. 1880 United States Federal Census. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Harriet Mayfield Quinn.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2012/01 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield. EAD finding aid created 2012/01 by Nikki Stoddard Schofield.
- Title
- Alfred Gude collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
