WAR DEPARTMENT
ADJUTANT GEERAL'S OFFICE
WASHINGTON
Leave of absence for thirty days is hereby granted the following officers, paroled prisoners of War, at the expiration of which they will report in person to the Commanding Officer of Camp Parole nearest the Department or Army in which their regiments may be serving: Captain Edmund Newsome [sp] 81st Illinois Volunteers
E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant general stamped signature
The following is research on-line and for information only. Not included:
The following is a description of the battle taken from a letter included in the 1880 memoir by Company B's Captain Edmund Newsome of his time in the 81st Illinois. Clement Phelps is mentioned near the end.
"To Mrs. Newsome.
Memphis, Tenn. June 15, 1864.
Dear Friend, — I write at your request to give you what, information I can. The battle of Guntown on the 10th of June, 1864, was disastrous to our troops. The expedition was completely defeated and demoralized, and retreated in disorder. The loss of the 81st was ten killed dead on the field, and quite a number wounded or missing, probably about one-third of the regiment. Capt. Newsome is among the missing from Co. "B," also Captains John Reese, Bartleson, David Young, Lt. Porter and Lt. Sam'l Brunn from other companies.
The Colonel of the regiment, when he found that he was about to be surrounded, ordered a retreat, and finding that he was out-numbered four to one, rather than surrender his men, told them to break their guns and throw them away, because they had no ammunition, and save themselves if they could, which they were all willing to do rather than surrender. Some rode on mules, some went through the woods and some along the road. Imagine the style of retreat, something like we had seen the enemy do at Champion Hill. There were some cavalry, but not enough to stop the enemy from coining, only a little while at a time. They led the retreat seventy-five miles before coming to the rail-road leading to Memphis, with scarcely anything to eat. Those who succeeded in reaching Memphis, traveled day and night.
This is the 15th of June, and the men keep coming in still. There are twelve men besides Capt. Newsome still out and missing from Co. "B." Among the missing are John Hinchcliff, William Blackwood, Elijah Stonum, Frank Tripp, Clement Phelps, William Holder, James McKenny and many others. The supposition is, that they are all prisoners.
Respectfully yours,
Hamilton Jenkins
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