From the New York Times, 2/15/1888

A SOLDIER’S PROTEST.
LIBBY PRISON SHOULD BE KEPT FROM THE SPECULATORS.

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 14. – The Mayor of Richmond is in daily receipt of letters from all parts of the country in regard to the proposal to remove Libby Prison from here to Chicago. Among the letters received today was one from James Stewart of Pittsburg, late Captain of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-sixth New-York Volunteers, and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. The writer served with conspicuous distinction during the war. He was an inmate of old Libby, and just before the close of the war was selected by the Federal Government as its authorized agent to distribute provisions to the Federal prisoners here and elsewhere in the South. Capt. Stewart denounces in strong terms the scheme to carry the Libby to Chicago. Among other things he says: “It might serve to collect dimes and dollars as a ghastly circus exhibition to fill the pockets of sharp, unprincipled speculators – men that have conceived the selfish and despicable idea of violating the sanctity of the soldiers’ sufferings and to many the very spot of their deaths.”

Continuing, the writer says: “Now, the proposal to remove Libby Prison is a piece of disturbing impertinence, that no prisoner of war who was ever confined in it would for a moment have anything to do with. I trust the good people of Richmond will take measures so that the old prison will not be removed and used for the purpose of filling the pockets of the ghoulish company who planned the nefarious project. Rather, far rather, let it be consigned to the torch, or a torpedo placed under it, and hurl the whole structure into the James.”

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