Hi, Ashley and Marty,

Ashley we are cousins...my husband is James Norman Porterfield...son of Harold Don Porterfield, son of John Duff Jr and Captain John Duff Sr. We also have a transcript of James' Diary. I did further research and the Union Camp records at Cahawba, AL show James Henry spent time there and was traded out (down by Selma, AL... it is a terrific Ghost town now) and when the war was over he was in Andersonville Prison Camp in GA. It was there he left his diary, it was recovered and returned to him. I find him fascinating for being the only 1 of 6 brothers to fight for the Union ... to survive. I, personally, am a survivor of the Grandfather paradox. Three of my GG Grandfathers were killed fighting for the CSA...all 3 left home with 2 small babies all 1 female and 1 male and I descend from all 3 of the males...the 4th was born in 1857, the baby of the family.

I have visited both of these prison camps and even spent 5 years going to school and wondering around in the Memphis area. My Jim's Dad, Don Porterfield spent many years after his retirement from NASA compiling Porterfield genealogy related to James Henry. He seemed obsessed with Frank Marion Porterfield whom he believe realigned with the North. Personally, I believe the family took advantage of the Federal burial program so as to have his body respectfully interred. There is also an Aunt Mattie that my father in law was interested in or maybe there were two? He believed there was a Porterfield Mattie and could not discern whether it was Matilda Ward Porterfield wife of Harvey D Porterfield and lived near Camp Douglas, IL. Interesting is my GGG grandfather Chandler died at Camp Douglass and was buried in a mass Grave there. My GG Grandfather Billings shot at Shiloh.... and my GGG Grandfather Saffels is buried at Vicksburg... You wonder if our relatives met. I would love any information you have on any of the Porterfield's and I will share as well! I have a copy of the Porterfield genealogy book also.

Thank you for the information, hope I incited some questions,
Pam Robinson Porterfield
Birmingham, AL