Wounded in the battles of Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, Captain David Ferguson Buckner never intended to remain on furlough convalescing at home in Tensas Parish, Louisiana. Having barely recovered from a shot through his face, which left his jaw shattered and the tip end of his tongue severed, David and another soldier attempted to rejoin his regiment in Virginia. Crossing the Mississippi River on a stormy December night, the two men were no match for the turbulent waters. As they clung to the side of their boat, they were eventually rescued by a federal steamer and sent to prison in Washington City (D. C.) – paraphrased from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana, Goodspeed Publishing, 1892, p. 325–326.
The 1864 letter, penned by my great grandfather’s brother to their sister, Elizabeth “Betti” Buckner, is preserved in the LSU Special Collections Library in Baton Rouge.
Point Lookout, MD
October 29th, 1864
My dear Sister,
I left Fort Delaware three weeks ago for exchange, but with 16 others of our party, have been detained at this point awaiting further orders. My mind has been very much troubled at this state of suspense and anxiety for I have been in constant dread that something might turn up to prevent my getting through. The [surgeon?] General [illegible] has assured me this evening that we are only awaiting transportation and will in all probability go on to Savannah Ga. tomorrow or next day. If I do not get off I will write again in a few days. As you have probably heard that only the sick and wounded are now being exchanged you will [illegible] feel some anxiety about my health. but I assure you that I am only suffering from my fractured jaw, the cold and exposure causing at times a great deal of pain. In consequence of it I shall not be able to go into camp this winter even if exchanged but will remain in a [illegible] as far south as possible. I cannot hope to see you all this winter as there is no probability of a cessation of hostilities. but if the opportunity offers will try and get to Tensas. I have not heard of William or Louis since you [illegible] but suppose they are doing well as I have seen no accounts of any movements in that section of country. I do not know how you can write to me unless you have some way of conveying letters by Flag of France to our lines. My regiment will always be about Richmond and the officers will know my whereabouts so that when you write you can direct to the Regiment. I left Ralston, Ogden, Peter Baker, [Anighi?] and Lambert at Fort Delaware. If you see their friends you can tell them I left them well. Ogden’s wife is still in the neighborhood and visited him occasionally but I see no prospect yet of his getting away. Andrew Routh and [illegible name] are also at the Fort I believe though I have not been able to see them. As far as I have been able to ascertain exchange of prisoners has been resumed so that all the men of my company [illegible] in prison may possibly get back to their command this winter. The poor boys are having a rough time of it. When you write let me know exactly how you are all are getting along and how you live. Keep up your spirits and hope for the best for I assure you things will all turn out right. Love to all –
Your Aff Brother
D F Buckner
David Buckner returned to Tensas Parish, Louisiana after the war, bruised and battered. He never married. After his death in 1869 at the age of 36, he was buried in the Natchez City Cemetery in the Buckner Family plot.
