Life in Southern Prisons From the Diary of Corporal Charles Smedley, of Company G, 90th Regiment Penn'a Volunteers, Commencing a Few Days Before the "Battle of the Wilderness", In Which He Was Taken Prisoner ... Also, a Short Description of the March to and Battle of Gettysburg, Together with a Biographical Sketch of the Author

"Life in Southern Prisons" by Charles Smedley is a firsthand account of a Civil War soldier's harrowing experiences. It's based on the wartime diary of Corporal Charles Smedley from the 90th Pennsylvania Volunteers, chronicling his capture just before the Battle of the Wilderness and his subsequent imprisonment, especially at the notorious Andersonville prison in Georgia. The story paints a vivid and grim picture of a prisoner's life, filled with daily struggles for survival, devastating health conditions, and the emotional and physical tolls of war. Readers witness his life as the story begins, with military routines and battles that lead to his capture, later seeing his journey through prisoner camps. Told through personal reflections and accounts, the narrative emphasizes the strength and will required to face such unimaginable horrors.