from the G. A. R. Sketch of Service by W. W. Holman, 1883,

I certify that the sketch of my war service as above written as I verily believe.

Was engaged in the battle at Balls Bluff and was wounded and taken prisoner. Was confined in Libby Prison from October 21st 1861 to Mar. 23rd 1862. Was released on parole and sent to Annapolis, Md. Battle of Balls Bluff, Sunday, October 22nd 1861.

We started from Poolsville, Md., marched 7 miles to Potomac River. We reached the river about 4 p.m. and were called out about 12 o'clock at night to cross the Potomac, there was an island about midway call Hanninousis Island, there were two flat bottom boats, one on each side of the island, these would hold 30 men at a time, in this way we crossed to the Virginia side, ascended the bluff and were ordered to scout towards Leesburg, met the enemy about 7 a.m. and fought until dark, retreated to the edge of the bluff.

The rebels charged on us, we surrendered. I was struck in the stomach by the butt of a gun. The rebels picked me up and marched me with the rest all night and the next day and night. We arrived at Manassas Junction. He we were loaded in freight cars which conveyed us to Richmond where wer were confined in Libby Prison. Two meals per day. hossmeat and bread sometimes beef, soup full of maggots, filth on the floors two and three inches deep and alive with vermin. If any of us would look out or pass a window the rebel guard would shoot us. I lay on my back for 2 months. The guard came in every morning to call the roll. If one did not stand up or be held up by hjis comrades when ordered to do so the guard would shoot them through the head. There were over 200 in our room. We had just room to sit up and lie down. I saw seven shot for looking our or passing the windows. There I saw seven men shot one day.. They were carried to the dead house and carted off each morning to the Yankee burying ground where they were put into a long trench and buried. There were some 20,000 Union soldiers buried there.

They offered to set any of us free if we would join their army. Took everything we had with us but our clothing. When I was there about 2 months they brought in some thirteen prisioners captured at Gerryandotte, Ohio while they were in church by Mosby's men. They lost all their clothing and of us who had on an underclothes took them off and gave it to cover them. We lived this life about six months when they let over 600 of us out on camp parole March 23, 1862. We went to Annapolis, Md. we were all given furloughs for 30 days. I came home and staid 4 months then went back to Annapolis where I was put on detached service until I was discharged.