Diary+of+Lafayette+Rogan+(1863-1865),+Civil+War+Prisoner

Original Author: Jenna Bounds, ENG348 FL09 Revision: Lafayette Rogan began his diary with a subject that was undoubtedly on the minds of all prisoners much of the time, the bitter cold. In entries dated January 1-3 of 1864, Rogan recalls the freezing deaths of some of the prisoners in the camp. He also mentions the fact that prisoners had been able to receive gifts from the outside, donations from sympathizers who wanted to give “articles for the sick and needy Rebs.” However, Rogan also expresses frustration about the fact that the Express Co. (a railway company, apparently) had refused to carry any more gifts for the prisoners into the camp. That was also January of ’64. In February, Rogan expresses concern about the spread of smallpox throughout the camp. He described its occurrence as “increasing alarmingly fast”. In his entries for that month, Rogan often expressed the sentiments of many prisoners of war; he was often plagued by loneliness, boredom and sadness. He often wrote of how much he missed his home and his family. This particular entry expresses those sentiments well: “Today has been devoid of interest. Home, home, sweet home – country and country’s cause with the loved ones from whom I am separated have filled my thoughts today. When shall I see dear wife and boy and behold my country free and independent and at peace?” Rogan’s diary seemed much more political than Minnich’s diary. Rogan often wrote about his issues with this war, and with the Yankees. From an entry on April 24th, 1864, he expresses his frustrations explicitly: “The Stars and Stripes for the first was unfurled at these headquarters – I have not the slightest objection to its waving over a free north, but I have serious objections to its waving over a subjugated south.” His diary has hundreds of references to the possibility of exchange, rumors about that flew through the camp on a regular basis (but Rogan wasn’t one of the ones lucky enough to actually be exchanged). Rumors were also a common problem in regards to the happens of the war. Rogan repeatedly reported in his diary things that he had heard about Confederate victories or Northern victories, but could never be confident in these reports because he was unsure if the reports he heard were the full truth. Because of this, Rogan and the other prisoners weren’t ever quite sure how the war was progressing, as far as who was winning and who was losing. Like Minnich, Rogan also mentioned in his diary the problems that prisoners sometimes encountered with the authorities in the camp. In a diary entry from June of ’64, Rogan explained that there were a few men in the camp killed (unnecessarily, from Rogan’s perspective) by a sentry. It is unclear whether or not this was a guard from the Graybeards like Minnich referred to, or some other officer. Regardless, problems between prison guards and authorities and the prisoners seemed to be a relatively common occurrence, with varying outcomes. Rogan didn’t talk much of escape in his diary, but on August 27 of ’64, he noted one particular escape that was apparently pulled off quite well; “A Reb dresses in Yankee uniform and effects his escape by boldly walking out of the prison gate.” The following month, Rogan wrote that he was becoming thoroughly disgusted by the Yankees and their behavior. In his opinion at that time, the Yankees had lost all “care for humanity”, assumedly because of their treatment of the prisoners. He also talks with anger about prisoners (whom he labeled as “traitors”) who would promise to enlist in the service of the North, most likely to be released from prison. Clearly this was no option for Rogan, as he was obviously upset by that decision made by fellow prisoners. Rogan’s diary wraps up in December of ’64 with his hopes about a possible exchange. He was apparently in communication with a judge from Keokuk, Iowa who had written to president Lincoln about Rogan’s parole. There was another judge in Iowa who had a son in a Confederate prison at that time, and Rogan was hoping that an exchange might be able to take place for him and that Northern soldier. I am unsure of whether or not Rogan was ever exchanged out of the Arsenal Prison. Rogan. File Folder “Diary of Lafayette Rogan, 1863-1865; Civil War Prisoner at Rock Island Prison”, Rock Island Arsenal Museum. Accessed 04 December 2009. Print.
 * Diary of Lafayette Rogan (1863-1865), Civil War Prisoner at Rock Island Prison **
 * Works Cited **