Former Civil War POW 4th Iowa Infantry Accused Of Being A Deserter Wants To Rejoin Regiment Good content letter from a former POW who is now accused of being a deserter. Written by Josiah Combs of the 4th Iowa Infantry, from Benton Barracks, St. Louis, August 29, 1863, 2pps., 7 ¾" x 9 ", fine, reads: "Adjudant Gen. Barker, Dear Sir, I take the liberty of addressing you these few lines to you hoping you may be able to point out some way for me to proceed. I was captured on the Yazoo river north bank last winter, taken to Vicksburg kept there 5 weeks, sent from there to Jackson, Miss for six weeks. Altogether 75 days in the most loathsome prisons. Sent to New Orleans in March where we were reported to the federal Authorities remaining there six weeks. We were sent to New York by water from there here where I arrived on I have not absent one day without leave since reporting in the federal lines. I wrote for my descriptive roll but have received no answers. I have been informed that I am marked as a deserter. I have been one year without pay of any kind and I do think that something should for....God knows I have been punished enough. Over one hundred dollars, my watch, clothes, and every (thing) I had I lost while a prisoner, in proof of which I refer you to Col. Fletch Commanding Brigade where my reg. is at big black (river). Chap (chaplain) Needham of 13th Ill. Inf. both fellow prisoners with me. i am willing to serve my enlistment and faithfully. I am no deserter do help me god and I dot not wish the stigma on me....Hoping sir you will do me the favor of replying to this note"....Combs signs the letter, and states he has enclosed an old descriptive roll, and asks for its return.

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