Taken from a Bedford Co., book on the Civil War, just thought those who have ancestors in this regiment would like to read this. Please send any responses to my email address ljs5593@aol.com. Lori Shaffer Samuel Layton enlisted into the Civil War with Co. A, 184th Regiment. Penna. Volunteers, this regiment was recruited in Bedford Co., Pa., and was mustered into the service of the United States for a term of 3 years, May 12, 1864. The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, where on the 14th of May, 1864 moved under the command of Major Charles Kleckner to join the Army of Potomoc, coming up with it as it was crossing the Pamunky Creek. It was engaged in skirmishing on the way to Cold Harbor, and on the second day of the battle led the brigade in two desperate assaults upon teh enemy's works, losing sixty- seven killed and one hundred and thirteen wounded, and leaving some of its dead on the enemy's entrenchment. For ten days the regiment remained upon the front line, heavy skirmishing being constantly kept up, It than moved with the corps, and crossing the James, assaulted the enemy's works on the 16th, repeating the assault on the two following days, and losing each very heavily. On the 22nd the assault was renewed and the brigade, after having charged and gained a position close upon the fortifications, was outflanked and a large number were taken as prisoners. Fifty-two killed and wounded, and one hundred and fifteen taken prisoners. Out of five hundred men who stood in the ranks on the banks of The Tolopotomy on the 29th of May, three hundred and fifty, including twelve officers, had been either killed, wounded, or taken as prisoners in a period of twenty-five days-a loss unprecented . Of the number taken prisoners on the 22nd, sixty -seven died at Andersonville. Samuel Layton was one the men who died at Andersonville Prison, Georgia. He died on August 18, 1864. Samuel is buried at grave no. 6053. This Company is mentioned in the movie "Andersonville", which is about the lives of the prisoners that were captured and sent to this camp, which was severely over crowded. Andersonville Prison had a "dead-line", crossing would surely mean death to pass. There was only a seven by five space for every man and even the dead-line itself was used as a support for some of the prisoners' tents, which were made of strips of cloth or canvas, old blankets, and even a ragged coat to keep off the fierce rays of the sun. Some of the shelters were partly underground, since the blanket was not large enough. There was a small stream that ran through the prison, some prisoners searched for roots with which to boil "coffee." Organized bands preyed upon the weak and wealthy, wealth implies the possession of a little money, a camp kettle, a blanket, or an overcoat, which led to displays of extreme greed. At Andersonville, there were prisoners who even kept restaurants and wood-yards. Many peddled articles of food or drink that they had managed to get out of the guards. The prisoners also tried to "tunnel" their way out of the prison, just to pass time even when it was discovered by the guards, which was true of the majority of such attempts to escape. The great difficulty of all prisons was the necessity of getting through the twenty-four hours without yielding to fatal despair. A prisoner was killed or died every 11 minutes at Andersonville. Rations were issued at Andersonville Prison, which was practically the only event in the prisoner's life, save for the temporary excitement of attempted escapes. There was seldom more than two meals served in any prison. There was even a passion for gambling in the prison. Prisoners staked their food, clothing, blankets, and most precious belongings. Some said that the excitement was a necessary stimulant, without which they might have died of monotony and despair. Burying the dead consisted of being hastily packed in carts and taken out to the burial ground by burial squads of prisoners who gladly volunteered, since it got them out into the fresh air. Trenches four feet deep were dug in order to bury the men, side by side and without coffins. The haste was necessary to protect the living from the pollution of the air by rapidly decomposing bodies under the hot Southern sun. At one point during Andersonville Prison there where less than 2300 effectives, guarding 32,000 prisoners. The order to shoot without hesitation was given for any prisoner crossing the "dead-line", since they outnumbered the guards so greatly. General J.H. Winder gave the order to open fire on the stockade should any approaching Federal forces from Sherman's army be within seven miles of the prison. The failure of negotiations for exchange of prisoners in 1864 was responsible for many of the prisoners deaths.