During the Civil War, fathers, brothers, and friends from local communities often joined the service together. Alfred and Hiram Hammer were no different, enlisting on September 24, 1861, into Company B of the 9th U.S. Kentucky Infantry. Alfred and Hiram fought in many battles throughout 1862, including Shiloh, Corinth, and Perryville. At Chickamauga on September 19th, 1863, Alfred was wounded and the two brothers were captured together.

Hiram and Alfred were sent first to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. Then, in December 1863, both were transferred to Danville, Virginia. Conditions in the warehouse prisons of Danville were extremely poor, and after only three months, Hiram died. There is no grave for Alfred at Danville National Cemetery, which could mean that he is interred in one of the 143 unknowns buried there.

Whether Alfred was transported to Andersonville before or after Hiram died is unknown, but he arrived at the prison without his brother. After spending several months in Confederate prisons, Alfred did not survive long at Andersonville. He died from chronic diarrhea on June 15, 1864, and is buried in Section K, Grave #1990.

By: Teri Surber, Park Ranger