2/11/1891; part two of serialized
account of life in Libby. Important description of the layout of the prison,
and notes that the western armies and the Army of the Potomac segregated
themselves within the prison. Gives great details of some of the prisoners
there, including Neal Dow, Sawyer and Flynn.
2/22/1891; part three of serialized
account of life in Libby. Notes on various ways prisoners attempted to
escape, the Confederate preachers who came there, the fact that prisoners
could see the men at Pemberton, but could not communicate with them, and
some of the chess matches that took place in prison.
3/1/1891; part four of serialized
account of life in Libby. Notes that 1864 began poorly - the Confederates
cut off supplies from the North in order to compel the US Government to
resume exchanges; author went to Belle Isle to help distribute last batch of
supplies; mentions Castle Thunder; he was glad to be in Libby rather than
Belle Isle - notes on the "dog-slaying incident" and confirms it. Further
notes the presence of negroes on Belle Isle and their negative treatment by
their fellow prisoners. Describes Gen. J. H. Morgan's visit to Libby and
begins description of the Libby tunnel and says he was one of the diggers.
3/8/1891; part five of serialized
account of life in Libby. Gives a description of the lighter side of Libby
life: mentions the "Libby Minstrels" and their performances as well as mock
trials that took place in prison. Notes the shooting of two prisoners by the
guard (one of whom died, named Forsyth) and the Ross and Latouche would
change their money at the rate of 15 or 20 to one. Also describes prison
sutlers and a raid upon them as well as the depth of hunger within the
prison.
3/15/1891; part six of serialized
account of life in Libby. Description of the digging and escape through the
Libby tunnel; notes that he was one of the ones who raised the cry of
"guards!" to get the crowd to thin out. Further relates his overland journey
towards the Chickhominy and encountering rebel earthworks on the outskirts
of Richmond, unmanned and with the bombproofs open.
4/27/1899; "Doc" Aubrey's account of
imprisonment in Libby - just a boy at the time, he was captured trying to
sell newspapers to the army. T. P. Turner took interest in him, put his
money in the safe in his office, and tells him to get the money on his
return. Very positive portrayal - nothing sensational.
5/4/1899; continuation of Aubrey's
account of life in Libby - further mention of T. P. Turner, and notes that
he returned his hard-earned money to him upon release. Unique for its
positive portrayal of Turner.
8/9/1900; Part one of Silas
Crocker's serialized account of life in Libby - relates the stock story of
money stealing by Dick Turner and mentions a sergeant beating a man who
would not give up his ring.
10/23/1902; Capt. Beecham's good,
but very bitter, account of life on Belle Isle after Gettysburg. Includes a
copy of an article from Jackson Warner, Commissary in Richmond denying that
prisoners were starved: he says that they were as well fed as Confederate
soldiers. Of course the author disagrees with him. Author was on Belle Isle
for 15 days.
1/29/1903; takes up account of Belle
Isle where Beecham left off (NT 10/23/1902); describes the moving of
prisoners to Andersonville and the trick that the Confederates played to get
the prisoners to get off the island.
4/30/1903; soldier corroborates
account of breaking open the doors of Libby upon the evacuation of Richmond;
also relates his imprisonment in Libby and Belle Isle; relates the cruelty
of the doctor on Belle Isle, and the kindness of another doctor who took him
to a hospital in Richmond. Mentions having witnessed the bread riot, but
cannot be telling the truth, because he was captured in 1864
8/13/1903; description of Belle Isle
in 1862; described badly, but notes that "that prison had not yet become
noted for atrocities that distinguished it later," and there were 3,000 to
4,000 prisoners there at the time
9/3/1903; description of life on
Belle Isle after Gettysburg. Describes Bossieux stealing money from the
prisoners, and mentions being in charge of a bathing detail in the river -
only 40 were supposed to go out at a time, but the author let out many more.
Also mentions that he was later put on commissary detail, going by boat to
Richmond to get the rations
12/31/1903; author asks some leading
questions: Why was the cook house on Belle Isle below the sinks? Where are
the Germans [emphasis] who ate the Lieutenant's Dog? Also notes that he took
the paw of the dog out of prison.
4/7/1904; brief description of the
author's captivity in Libby, and the state of finances in Richmond - author
relates that he was able to exchange $10 for $100 CSA and buy goods with it.
Also notes that the guards occasionally allowed this practice through the
windows.
5/17/1864; while men are manning the
defenses, Howard's Grove, Jackson, Winder, and the Receiving Hospital
(Seabrook's) need ladies or servants to serve as nurses
6/4/1864; city was awakened by the
sounds of the Battle of Cold Harbor yesterday; gives general description of
the battle; estimates at least 10,000 Union casualties and very slight
Confederate casualties
8/4/1868; notes on a post-war
meeting with Dr. A. Y. P. Garnett; Garnett says many "officers of high rank"
tried to get him to talk to Pres. Davis on their behalf because he had "the
President's ear." Garnett also says that Davis was very slow at making
decisions. Describes Garnett as "a good-natured, gentlemanly, garrulous man,
barely above mediocrity, if not below it" and notes that his patients at
Robertson got little of his attention - he was too powerful to be removed,
however.
4/11/1901; former prisoner at Belle
Isle describes the cold winter of 1863-64 and mentions the rations coming to
the island via barge from the north bank
10/30/1902; letter describes the
fire in Richmond threatening Libby Prison and Castle Thunder, and the author
broke open the door to let prisoners out.
4/16/1903; further information on
the "battle of the gate" at Belle Isle - the red-headed Sergeant was named
Hite, and a deserter from the Union army. Describes his various acts of
cruelty, including his use of a wooden horse for punishment. Mentions not
being fed on New Year's Day, 1864, as well as the scarcity of coffins during
this period. Asks if anyone remembers the killing of the Lt.'s dog.
1/7/1904; former prisoner at
Pemberton and Belle Isle says that Belle Isle was worse than Andersonville,
and that dead prisoners would be frozen stiff to the ground
5/19/1904; brief letter describing
imprisonment in Pemberton Prison and Belle Isle from late 1862 to early
1864. Mentions a one-eyed guard named Sgt. Marks who clubbed prisoners, and
Lieut. Bossieux being in charge of Belle Isle.
8/11/1904; letter of a Gettysburg
prisoner who spent six weeks in Belle Isle. Mentions a soldier taking the
oath of allegiance to the CSA, and that a large party escaped on Aug. 12,
along with several guards from the 42nd NC. Also mentions prisoners working
for the rebels, who paid them with extra rations.
3/8/1906; I. N. Johnson, one of the
Libby tunnelers, is looking for the addresses of several of the others in
the tunnel party, and gives a partial list.
