4/21/1862; Ladies’ Defence Association is building its gunboat opposite
Rocketts. Farrand in charge. Note from Maria Clopton on this. Tredegar
involved.
3/13/1862; Major John C. Porter Provost Marshal of the City, with Godwin
commanding eastern half and John C. Maynard the western half; Passport
office to 9th & Broad & Winder to house on 9th beside Mechanics’
Institute
3/3/1862; Account of arrests of J. M. Botts, Stearns & others. Confined in
“the new brick building on the extension of Fifteenth street, on the
right-hand side, beyond the auction house of Messrs. Dickinson & Hill”
(Castle Godwin)
2/25/1862; Wind storm: slate blown off steeple of Broad Street M. E. Church,
also adjacent scaffolding; 100 yards of Petersburg RR bridge track and
flooring blown into the river; 50 old pines at Howard’s Grove fall – smash
into half dozen houses formerly used by 57 VA; tin roof at Greanor’s Factory
(future Castle Thunder), 18th St., blown off.
1/8/1863; Carrington writes on the baking of
bread in Richmond hospitals, urges the construction of ovens. Gives great
details on the Chimborazo Bakery. Notes that GH1, GH4, Winder, Chimborazo
and the South Carolina hospital all have their own ovens. GH9 and GH13
mentioned.
7/7/1863; Carrington writes to the surgeon at
the Camp Lee hospital lecturing him about the operation of the hospital.
Gives good details on matrons’ responsibilities, and the role of a Chief
Surgeon.
5/28/1863; Sidney Smith Lee, commandant at
Drewry’s Bluff writes to enquire whether 3 Castle Thunder prisoners who
wrote to him might be released and allowed to enlist in the Navy. All three
were in prison for desertion.
8/12/1863; Isaac Carrington asks Lieut. Turner
at Libby for charges on Yankee prisoners who were sent to Castle Thunder
from there. One has been there since 9/25/1862 and was "Sent by Capt. Wirtz"
10/4/1863; Confederate Guard at Libby Prison is
imprisoned in Castle Thunder for "leaving his post without permission..&
trading with Yankee prisoners"
11/3/1863; J. R. Anderson
requests that one of his workers who is confined in Castle Thunder be
"returned to his employment." Apparently, this man attempted to desert to
the enemy
11/9/1863; letter from the acting surgeon in
charge of GH#13 suggesting means of alleviating the crowded conditions.
Recommends those wishing to take the oath of allegiance be released and that
those who are disabled be sent away. Also notes that too many patients are
compelled to sleep on the floor
11/29/1863; letter from surgeon at GH#13 giving
the details on the prisoners that I. Carrington asked about. Those who are
well are shipped to Salisbury
1/23/1864; Letter from Jno. L. Ligon, Clerk at
Castle Thunder, writing on behalf of a man whom Ligon was accosted by and
later shot. Ligon believes the man accosted him because the man thought that
Ligon was a Yankee deserter. Ligon appeals for his immediate discharge from
prison
1/30/1864; letter from the surgeon at the Small
Pox Hospital stating that a "large number" of prisoners of war there desire
to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy
2/20/1864; Surgeon at GH#9 writes on behalf of
a convalescent soldier from Castle Thunder who claims to be "guiltless of
any crime" and seeks a hearing in order to go home
1/13/1862; Capt. Gibbs promoted to Major & leaves for Salisbury. Lt.
Hairston, 19th Miss., to be his replacement. Prisons will be kept as a
prison depot.
1/29/1863; prisoners at Castle Thunder attempt to burn it down. Alexander is
successful in putting the fire out. Mentions prison opposite Castle Thunder.
5/24/1865; The guard-dog of Castle Thunder is in New York City now – a huge,
black, “Russian blood-hound.” Notes that G. W. Alexander formerly made money
off him by having him fight bears.
8/30/1906; Maj. L. P.
Williams’ account of the Libby Prison tunnel and escape. Gives details on
the construction of the tunnel. Williams succeeded in making his escape.
2/28/1907; description of
Col. Abel Streight’s escape through the Libby tunnel - notes he had some
difficulty getting out because he was a “large man” and that he was
initially helped by “Aunt Rhoda,” a local negro.
3/28/1907; details on the pontoon bridge at Richmond - notes its length, as
well as that the author of the article was on the bridge when General Lee
crossed it
3/11/1926; excellent article by Capt. A. G. Hamilton, detailing his personal
experience in the Libby Prison tunnel escape, notes escaping with Col. Rose,
and watching him be recaptured while still in Richmond [contrary to other
reports]. Gives a detailed account of his travel to Union lines at
Williamsburg.
4/28/1864; reprint from Richmond Enquirer – accidental shooting of an
officer at Libby Prison. Fellow prisoners request permission from Winder to
send his body home.
8/10/1867; description of Belle Isle as a prison camp – notes on the
cemetery, the origins of the prison (says that there was a debate about
whether to use Haxall’s Mill or Belle Isle), the current state of the island
(notes many gardens in the old camp area, and the Old Dominion Iron and Nail
Works is in full blast), and the view from the summit of the isle
11/23/1867; “Castle Thunder in Bellum Days;” gives an outstanding account of
Castle Thunder, prominent prisoners (including Mary Walker) and its’ staff
(including physical descriptions); mentions Oakwood Cemetery, Castle Godwin
6/27/1868; excellent article describing the beer gardens in town, with
lengthy description of the “Hermitage Trotting Park,” formerly Camp Lee.
Describes the current conditions and compares them with the wartime usages.
Elba Park mentioned.
4/22/1886; report that one of the three “tenements” comprising the former
Libby Prison has collapsed from “overburdened floors.” $10,000 worth of
damage.
2/23/1888; Chicago syndicate is coming to
Richmond to exercise the option to purchase Libby Prison. Notes that the
sentiment in Richmond is opposed to Libby’s removal.
2/26/1888; “Libby Prison Sold,” along with details of the sale and quotes
from Gray about the feeling of the Richmond people (positive). Mayor of
Richmond (W. H. Carrington) gives Gray the go-ahead.
9/21/1888; tangled web of sales of Libby Prison
described – a new syndicate is purchasing the thing “to let the Libby
building remain where it is now and throw it open as a public museum.”
11/28/1892; War relics will be exhibited in
Libby Prison when it is reconstructed in Chicago. Notes that Gunther wanted
to move Independence Hall too, but “the transfer was a physical
impossibility, even if Philadelphians would let it go.”
4/12/1899; Libby Prison War Museum has closed and demolition work will begin
soon to make way for the new Coliseum. Demolition “will be done so hastily
that it can never be again rebuilt.”
12/26/1902; letter describing the difference in temperament between Thomas
P. and Richard R. Turner and incident involving “Dick” Turner. Author is
probably Louis P. DiCesnola who was at Libby Prison in 1863-64.
11/6/1860; paragraph noting the upcoming
cavalry encampment and that a local citizen has donated a saddle to be won
by competition - some of the troops named
11/8/1860; cavalry encampment at Camp Lee commences today - notes on the
zeal of the soldiers and lists companies that have arrived. "The tents are
pitched on the plat of ground behind the Exhibition Hall."
11/9/1860; long and important article about Camp Lee - Col. Hardee has
reviewed the troops, and gives lists of officers from different companies.
First Regiment Virginia Volunteers will be there today.
11/10/1860; important description of review at Camp Lee; 1st VA Regiment
parades, list given of companies participating. Hardee takes the review
again.
11/12/1860; British account of the Prince of Wales’ trip to Richmond - notes
on the ill-taste of the "ruffianly" Richmond crowds, the Prince’s visit to
the state Capitol (important anecdote about the Houdon statue), St. Paul’s
Church, the fair grounds, Hollywood Cemetery, Governor’s Mansion, Ballard
House
11/12/1860; Lamentation that the remains of Gen. Henry Lee have not been
removed to Virginia - Camp Lee was named for him, and petition is circulated
among the cavalrymen to have Lee’s remains returned
10/31/1860; praises the establishment of Camp
Lee and the upcoming cavalry encampment - in this time of "ominous
clouds...none of us can tell how soon the services of the troops may be
needed."
11/3/1860; adv for the Main Street Hospital for
slaves, "near the corner of Main and 26th streets," gives prices and names
surgeons, F. W. Hancock and Peachy among them
7/22/1862; excellent description of Brady’s
Peninsula photographs on display in New York City; notes that one of Brady’s
photographers lost his photographic apparatus on the retreat to the James
12/10/1881; excellent article by Frank Moran
entitled “Libby’s Bright Side:” illustrates the humorous and lighter aspects
of life in Libby Prison. Mentions the “Libby Prison Minstrels” and the Libby
Prison Chronicle
5/18/1887; very good description of the
political circumstances surrounding prisoners of war during the war from one
of the Libby tunnel escapees. Gives only a few snippets of Libby details,
but includes an excellent letter from Libby requesting his family to hide
money in packages.
12/28/1887; brief article
describing the author’s capture and brief imprisonment in Libby Prison,
before and after a stay at Salisbury. Notes that when he arrived at Libby,
eh was the only one there.
11/26/1889; resolution offered by Richmond
School Board to tear down the White House of the Confederacy and replace it
with a new school. Speculation that it will follow Libby Prison to Chicago.
