Civil War Soldiers - William J. Martindale & Charles E. Curtis, April 1865

 Oxford Times, April 5, 1865

Death of a Soldier:  Wm. J. Martindale who went from this place into the service and was a member of the 5th N.Y. Heavy Artillery, died in prison at Salisbury, N.C. on the 12th of January last.  George Gardner a member of the same regiment and who was a prisoner with Mr. Martindale, reported to his family here the shocking details of his death and brought some small keepsakes found upon his person.  Mr. Gardner reports that Mr. Martindale died of starvation in the open prison yard.

Oxford Times, April 12, 1865

In Salisbury Prison, N.C., Feb. 8, Mr. Charles E. Curtis, of Co. B 90th N.Y., late of McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], aged 34 years.  Feeling it his solemn duty to respond in person to his country's call for help in her hour of sternest trial, with a brave heart and holy purpose, went forth in Sept. 1864, to join the noble Sheridan.  But not long did he follow the promptings of his patriot heart.  Meeting the enemy at the battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19th, he fell captive into their hands.  He was taken to Libby Prison for a few days, then removed to Salisbury, where, after more than three months of utmost suffering, such as rebel ingenuity only can devise, kindly death came and set the prisoner free.  During this time, his loved wife and children in their pleasant home were constantly before his mind, from whom he had heard nothing since he left, and who he desired so much to see.  His Bible was his constant and well tried friend; his solace and comforter, whose teachings he loved and precepts obeyed. Through his illness his sufferings were made much more endurable by the self sacrificing exertions of his brother-in-law, Jacob Gibson, who gave him every possible care--even sacrificing his own liberty for over three long months--that he might cheer by his presence and soften his dying pillow. To him the friends of the deceased will ever owe a debt of gratitude and they sincerely pray that the angel that seems waiting to bear him over the river of death, may stay its wayward flight, and leave the brave soldier a little longer with his friends.