Henry M. or H. M. Callahan appears on a roll of prisoners of war forwarded 30 May 1864 and received 10 June 1864 at Rock Island Barracks, Illinois from military prison, Louisville, Kentucky on orders dated 28 May 1864 Office of the Provost Marshall, General District of Kentucky. He was captured near Cassville, Georgia on 20 May 1864 by forces under the command of Major General Thomas, commanded the Department of the Cumberland; forwarded to Captain S. E. Jones, via Provost Marshall General of Louisville, dated 27 May 1864. He is listed on a muster roll as present for November/December 1863.

One of the records received from Washington states that H. M. Calahan (sp) Pvt., Co. D, 27th Reg't Ala. Inf. appears on a Roll of Prisoners of War at Rock Island Barracks, Ill., enlisted in U. S. Navy and transferred June 10, 1864. Roll dated Headquarters Rock Island Barracks, June 23, 1864. Where captured: Cassville, Ga. When captured May 20, 1864.

Pension document found in the possession of Larue Rhodes Carter at the County Trails Car Center in Grand Saline, Texas states that commencing on the 18th day of September 1890 Louisa E. Callahan, widow of Henry M. Callahan, who was a Landsman on the U.S.S. Phlox, in entitled to a pension under the provisions of the Act of June, 1890 at the rate of eight dollars per month, to continue during her widowhood unless she shall forfeit her right thereto. And she is entitled to two dollars per month additional for the following named child while living and under the age of sixteen years: Susan C., commencing September 18, 1890 until February 25, 1891.

This amount was increased to $12 per month 19 April 1908; to $25 per month 6 October 1917; to $30 per month 1 May 1920 and to $40 per month 4 June 1928, a tidy sum at that time. His widow evidently received this pension until her death 27 May 1939.

A history of the 27th Regiment, Alabama Infantry is contained in "Tattered Volunteers, The Twenty-seventh Alabama Infantry Regiment, C.S.A. (Northport: Heritage Press, 1965)

A roster listing the names in all the companies of this Regiment is available on the Internet at this URL: http://www.datasync.com/~jtaylor27th.htm

Henry M. Callahan will be found in Company D.

*******************

Excerpts from J. P. Cannon Diary Entries from "Bloody Banners and Barefoot Boys: A History of the 27th Regiment Alabama Infantry, CSA, by Noel Crowson and John V. Brogden (Shippenburg, PA: Burd Street Press, 1997)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1864: Near Cassville, Ga.

We left Adairsville last night at 10 o'clock and had a dreary, tiresome march all night arriving at Cassville at daylight and "slept on arms" till 9 a.m., then moved half a mile and formed a new line.

Our company was detailed as skirmishes, and we had a lively time the balance of the day, but being in the timber we all took shelter behind trees and a six hour battle resulted in very little loss to either side.

We were relieved early in the night and returned to the line-of-battle, but the pickets kept up a ceaseless firing as long as we remained awake.

General Johnston sent around a circular complimenting the troops upon their steadiness and faithfulness on the battlefield and on retreat. He said we have repulsed every assault, that we are weakening the enemy and strengthening.

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1864:

We had to skedaddle again last night, passing through Cartersville and across the Etowah River, marched all night till 12 o'clock today when we stopped and formed in line-of-battle. The Yankees followed closely and almost by the time we got ready they were in line, confronting us and the pickets commenced their same old pastime.

Since this campaign opened, all the cooking has been done in the rear by men detailed for that purpose, as we have had no time for cooking, having been in line-of-battle or on the retreat since the 12th of May. The usual picket fighting and sharp-shooting has been going on all day, but nothing of importance occurred. Two hundred Yankees crossed the river on a reconnoitering expedition, but were captured without a fight.

MONDAY, MAY 23, 1864: "Way down in Georgia"

We had a fair night's sleep and got up wondering what would be the program for the day. At 10 a.m. we commenced "advancing backward" again and moved in the direction of Marietta; had a hot dusty, and disagreeable march all day, stacked arms and camped in line-of-battle.

Rations are getting very scarce. We are getting about enough cornbread and bacon for one meal. This constitutes a day's ration. Lt. Chandler slipped out on a foraging expedition during the march, and came in at night with an arm full of cornbread, which we enjoyed very much in the absence of anything better. Jim says there is nothing to eat in the country and he is the best forager in the regiment. When he fails, no one else need try.

*****************

CASSVILLE

Cassville Confederate Cemetery - Grave sites o 299 unknown Confederate soldiers. Also the burial place of Brig. Gen William T. Wofford (1824-1884). I-75 Exit #127. Located approximately seven miles north of Cartersville, off US Hwy. 41, on Pine Log Road.