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Author: judynativetexan
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Reminiscences of an Old Confederate, Anecdotes of Civil War by C.C. Castles, Palestine,
Texas Only Living Spy of Confederacy
Added by judynativetexan on 22 May 2008
Price, Fifty Cents,
May 1912
Orally told to Mary and Dasey Castle (daughters) He could not read or write.
I, Judy Campbell will make notes from the book.
Calvin Castles parents were the first settlers in South Carolina. Both parents reared in
the state until married. Full blooded huguenot French. More info. under father. In 1835
moved to Augusta, Ga and there Calvin's father started railroading.
Calvin went to school for 2 weeks.He got in trouble and ran from the teacher and for 2
weeks the mother sent him to school although he did not go into the school building. He
got on a train and arrived at Macon, Ga. where his father was working on a railroad.
3 years later, 1838, moved to Milligeville, Ga. In 1840 moved to the old home in Cob
county.GA. and remained there until after the Civil War.
"When I was eleven years old father let me go to an old Presbyterian preacher to
learn the shoe trade. I stayed with him for 3 years and then father sent me across the
water to Germany to commplete my trade. I was ther about 4 years and then returned and
went back at my trade.
1858 Family reunion with all my 26 brothers and sisters.
1861 five of us brothers enlisted in the southern army. 18th day of May 1861- joined under
General Stonewall Jackson. Took the oath of spy before him with 700 other boys. Only 150
took the oath. First battle fought at Manassas I lost one brother and olst another brother
at the Battle of the Wilderness. Jackson " He never sent me out on a dangerous
journey until he had taken me in his tent and knelt down putting his hand on my head and
ask God's protection on me. Calvin was in an orchard in disguise and Stonewall Jackson
came along and ask him his name and what he was doing. Calvin would not answer even when a
pistol was pointed at his face. Calvin finally slapped him gently on the face. Jackson
looked closely at him and "well if this isn't that little French kid."
Calvin was at the Battle of Stonebridge."They retreated into the city. The next day I
went into the city (all disguised) where the enemy was and afterward reported to the
General." Next are some dispatchs and repo!
rts on different battles. Information about Jackson being shot and died. "A few
days after the General's death, Col. Joe Wheeler mad an application for me and I was
transferred to Wheeler Cavalry as a spy. i remained in his command until the surrender.
Calvin was wounded at the Battle of Missionary Ridge. A shell busted and parto of it
sturck his canteen and cartridge box and his right side and crushed 5 of his ribs. He
continued to fight all day. After trying to get off his horse at the end of the day, that
is the last he remembered until morning. Calvin woke up in an old Baptist church with a
piece of paper pined on his breast. The paper said," Go to the hospital to die."
While I was laying there a French women came in selling butter, milk and gingerbread. She
talked to him in French. Her husband and her took him to their home to recover for 41
days. He was also in a battle at Peach-tree Hill.
He had a chance to visit his home. It was full of Yankees. Calvin and his friend stole
horses and the Yankees chased them to a burning bridge which they crossed. They fired 43
times each and killed 11 yankees and wounded 18. Booker Hill
Chattanooga- Calvin dress up in a lady's costume and went into Sheridan's camp. He
talked a man into getting a certain man out of a tent thinking that it was for the lady.
Calvin bound him hand and foot and found out all about Sherman's camp and then turned
him over to Wheeler.
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