You have solved the mystery of J. Loyall Barker. Because of you, we now know who he was, where he was from, and what he did during the war.
Unfortunately, although he wrote three pages in the notebook, he made no mention of the prison ordeal. The notebook belonged to my great grandfather, Capt. Samuel j. Johnson, Co. K, 25th Tennessee Infantry, who was captured May 16, 1864. Capt. Johnson wrote nothing at all in his notebook, other than the title page. Most of the Immortal 600 officers who did write notes made general references to their ordeal, calling their captors cruel, unrelenting and merciless. A few mentioned the cornmeal and pickles diet, but little else. They were anticipating being exchanged, so much was said about their being re-involved in warfare and best wishes for their future lives.

We are transcribing the notes and working on compiling them with other information about these men and their ordeal for future publication. Copies will be given to prison organizations and other groups seeking to remember and honor the Immortal 600.

We are indebted to you for your help. Thank you, Hugh.

Mark Barker