The Sharp Brothers. (Photo Archive No. 104637)

James W. Sharp

James Sharp’s diary covers parts of the time between his enlistment and November 10, 1864, when he was returning to Lexington, KY, after a series of furloughs to participate in the presidential election. His entries describe the daily life, marches, searching for food, etc. He reports on November 24, 1863, that Jesse is back with the regiment after being captured in Kentucky May 18, 1863. He also reports on time spent in the hospital at Lexington in the spring of 1864, Jesse coming to visit, and receiving boxes from home. On August 16, 1864, he received a letter from his father that Jesse was missing, and no further mention of Jesse is made.

Jesse K. Sharp

Jesse Kilgore Sharp’s diary records many daily events—the weather, going to church, picking blackberries, letters to and from family and friends, his brother’s illness. On July 31, 1864, he reports surrendering and going to the Andersonville stockade. From then until the end of the diary on November 30 that year, he reports on moving around to various prison camps, food distribution, more prisoners coming in and more dying, and the continual rumor and hope that the prisoners were about to be exchanged and go home.