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Camp Chase Chronicles 1862
January 1862
January 13, 1862:
Governor Tod was inaugurated, the ceremonies being held in the rotunda of the capital. The 46th OVI, from Camp Lyon, the 29th, 58th and 69th from Camp Chase, and two companies of United States Infantry under Col. Carrington, took part in the ceremonies. the troops assembled on state street, whence they marched to a large field south-east of the asylum for the insane, where they were reviewed by Governor Dennison and staff. (AL)
OR vol. 3. Page 192.
Office Commissary-General of Prisoners,
New York City, January 13, 1862
General L. Thomas,
Adjutant-General U.S. Army, Washington D. C.
General: There are several prisoners of war at Camp Chase, some of them quite advanced in years, whose friends in Virginia have presented petitions for their release on their taking the oath of allegiance, and if it is thought advisable to release any on those terms some of these men are good subjects for it. Generally they are civilians who have been taken upon some suspicious conduct of little consequence, but two of them are charged with having been a short time in some rebel organization though not so when captured. The petitions or other papers are authenticated by affidavits or signatures of officials.
If it is approved I will select a few, not over twelve, of the most favorable cases and direct them to be released.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. Hoffman, Lt. Col. 8th Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.
29th OVI; moved to Camp Chase in Dec. 1861 and in January 1862 moved to Cumberland Maryland
66th OVI, from Urbana, passed Columbus for Romney Va. on January 17, 1862.
67th OVI left Camp Chase on January 20, 1862 for Romney Va.
82nd OVI, from Kenton, passed Columbus on January 25,1861 for Grafton Va.
January 22, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 207.
Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, January 22, 1862.
Commanding Officer Camp Chase, Cincinnati, Ohio [sic Columbus]
Sir: It is understood there is an officer of Artillery taken in arms against the United States now held as a prisoner at Camp Chase. The General-in-Chief directs that he be sent to report to the Adjutant-General either on his own parole or under an escort as you may deem expedient preparatory to being released in exchange for First Lieut. W.E. Merril, Corps of Engineers, now held a prisoner by the Southern people.
I am, sir, &c.,
L. Thomas,
Adjutant-General
January 28, 1861:
OR vol. 3. Page 218.
Department of State, Washington, January 28, 1862.
Lieut. Col. W. Hoffman, US Army,
No. 30 Clinton Place, New York.
Colonel: Your letter of the 13th instant addressed to Brig. Gen. L. Thomas, Adjutant-General, asking permission to release a number of prisoners (names not given) at Camp Chase, Ohio, has been received. In reply I have to request you to transmit to this Department a list of the prisoners in whose behalf your application is made, with such evidence touching each case as you may be in possession of and a brief report of the facts and circumstances connected with the arrest of each prisoner.
I am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
William H. Seward.
Executive Department, Columbus, Ohio, January 28, 1862.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State.
Sir: I find myself embarrassed for want of knowledge and specific instructions as to the duties expected of me in relation to the political prisoners sent to Camp Chase in this state, and as I cannot find time to call in person upon you for instructions I have requested the bearer, my friend General George W. Morgan, to do so. General M[organ] commands my fullest confidence and is worthy of yours. He is fully posted as to the condition of the prison and will be able to give you all the information you may desire. After consultation with General Morgan please define and point out my several duties and I will most cheerfully perform the trust.
Your obedient servant,
David Tod.
February 1862
February 10, 1862:
58th O.V.I. ;873; left for Fort Donelson. Col. Val Bausenwein.
February 18, 1862:
46th O.V.I.; 975; organized at Worthington left Camp Chase for Kentucky Col. Thomas Worthington.
57th O.V.I.; 937; completed organization at Camp Chase February 10, 1861 left for Fort Donelson Col. William Mungen.
February 24, 1862:
Ohio State Journal, February 24, 1862
A large number of rebel prisoners taken at Bloomery Gap, in General Lander's Division, were brought to "Camp Chase Hotel" Friday night. The squad included one colonel, Robert J. Baldwin who was captured by General Lander himself in the assault upon the place; six captains, nine lieutenants, five first sergeants, six other sergeants, five corporals and nineteen privates. They were brought there in charge of Major Armstrong, of the Fifth Ohio. Nine prisoners captured near Fayetteville, Kentucky, by Col. Scammon, of the Twenty third Ohio, also arrived on Saturday last.
February 26, 1862:
The Prison at Camp Chase saw passing activity with prisoners coming and going until February 26, 1862 when it received 95 officers captured at Fort Donelson .Among them is said to have been a former member of the City Council named T.V.Hyde. These prisoners were under charge of Lt. Col. Stewart, of the Eight Illinois Infantry, and were all officers, ninety five in number. (AL page 116)
February 27, 1862:
Another installment of 104, also officers, was brought by Captain Fessenden's Company of United States Infantry. (AL page 116.)
OR vol. 3. Page 334.
Special Orders, No. 202.
Headquarters Ohio Militia,
Adjutant-General's Office,
Columbus, Ohio, February 27, 1862.
No persons will be permitted to enter the prison at Camp Chase except the Governor of the State, the adjutant-general, the quartermaster-general, the surgeon-general, the Governor's private secretary, officers on duty and such persons as may be specially authorized by the Governor.
By order of the Governor:
C.P.Buckingham
Adjutant-General of Ohio
February 28, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 337.
Office Commissary-General of Prisoners,
Columbus, Ohio, February 28, 1862.
Hon. David Tod, Governor of Ohio.
Sir: In virtue of my office of commissary-general of prisoners I am invested with the supervision of all prisoners of war, and by directions of the quartermaster-General of the Army I am required to provide for all their necessities. In the performance of these duties it will afford me much pleasure to consult with you in relation to those at Camp Chase and have the advantage of your advice, and I will be greatly indebted to you if in my absence you will give such directions to the commanding officers at the camp in relation to the prisoners as circumstances may from time to time render necessary.
To accommodate those so unexpectedly ordered here I have directed that the huts heretofore occupied by a regiment be inclosed by a suitable fence, so arranged as to give sufficient room for outhouses and at the least possible expense. I have made arrangements with Captain Myers, assistant quartermaster, for furnishing such clothing, bedding and cooking utensils as may be absolutely requisite. To avoid the great inconvenience attending the presence of visitors to the prisoners I request that none may be admitted but near relatives, and only on your written permission in the presence of the officer of the guard. Prisoners may be allowed to purchase through an authorized agent such articles including books and newspapers as they may wish, provided they are not inconsistent with their position. Arms and liquors of all kinds of course will be prohibited. They may also send and receive open letters which do not contain objectionable matter through the officer in charge. It would perhaps be best to authorize some reliable grocer in Columbus who would not put unreasonable prices on his goods to send an agent to the camp to receive orders from the prisoners and furnish what they require, under the inspection of the officer in charge.
Paroles to visit the city may be granted only in extreme cases, provided they are found to be attended with no inconvenience. Much embarrassment results from the frequent changes of the officers in charge of the prisoners, and I would respectfully urge that some suitable officer of the rank of major if possible be selected to remain permanently in charge. The duty is a very responsible one and the officer selected should be of tried integrity, ability and decision of character.
No funds have been placed at my disposal to meet the expenditures necessary in providing for support and safe-keeping of the prisoners just arrived, and I will be much obliged to you if you can order such payments as are urgent to be made by the State, to be refunded by the Quartermaster's Department. I will request the Quartermaster-General to place in Captain Myer's hands funds to meet these demands.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. Hoffman, Lieut. Col. 8th Reg, Commissary-General of Prisoners, [13. A2]
Columbus, Ohio, February 28, 1862.
General Meigs:
The prisoners at Camp Chase require small cooking stoves for officers which I will buy. Ranges will be put up for the men. The quartermaster can furnish rejected clothing and blankets.
W. Hoffman, Commissary-General of Prisoners.
March 1862
March 1, 1862:
720 arrived, increasing the number in Camp Chase to 1,200. These too, were in larger part officers, and all from Fort Donelson. Their uniforms were described as being of all styles and colors. (AL page 116)
March 2, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 344.
Special Orders, No. 212.
Headquarters Ohio Militia,
Adjutant-General's Office, Columbus, Ohio March 2, 1862.
Sir: The recent large addition of prisoners sent to prison at Camp Chase for safe-keeping renders it highly necessary that more definite and specific instructions be given you for your guidance in the premises. I do therefore order:
1. That all prisoners be required to give up to you all arms and weapons of every description, and that you cause all such arms to be marked and carefully preserved so that each may at the proper time be restored.
2. That you cause without delay a complete description roll of all the prisoners to be made, giving the name, age, residence, rank, regiment, company, where taken, when received in prison, a copy of which you will report to this department.
3. That you divide the prisoners into conveniently sized messes, separating as far as practicable the officers from the men.
4. That you cause to be regularly issued to each mess the same rations that are allowed to our private soldiers.
5. That you permit such persons as this department may designate to sell at suitable hours all such articles (save drinks of all kinds) as the prisoners may wish to purchase. A moderate amount of money may be given the prisoners by their friends for this purpose. Should money be offered them larger amounts in your opinion that [may] be necessary for this purpose, you may receive it in trust for the prisoners and issue it to them from time to time as required.
6. You will provide comfortable hospital quarters (and stores) in the prison where all the sick must be properly and kindly treated. It is supposed that ample surgical aid will be found among the prisoners; but if not you will notify this department, when the deficiency will be promptly remedied.
7. A strong guard will at all hours be maintained sufficient to preserve order and prevent escape.
8. Yourself and staff and such others as may from day to day be detailed for duty will alone be permitted to visit or hold intercourse with the prisoners, unless expressly permitted by this department.
9. The list of the prisoners may be examined at all reasonable hours and if a relation or friend desires to see a prisoner you may at your discretion give them an interview outside of the prison, but in the presence only of an officer or private who commands your fullest confidence. All letters to or from prisoners must be examined before delivery.
David Tod,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
March 3, 1862 :
Delaware Gazette:
[ Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette ]
Columbus, March 1.
This quiet and exemplary Capital was blessed with sensation this morning. It was announced last night that 800 rebel officers, taken prisoners at Fort Donelson, were en route from Indianapolis to Camp Chase, and it was generally supposed that before dawn they would reach their destination; but the cars were delayed, and the rebels were not delivered from them till our good people had taken breakfast and were prepared for a sensation. It then became known through town that the "flower" of Secesh forces, overcome at Donelson, were at the depot. Col. Granville Moody had marched an escort of about five hundred soldiers down High street, and the people gathered all along that highway between Broadway and the depot, waiting for the procession. About half past nine o'clock it came. It was Colonel Moody's first general exercise as a commander, and he appeared to enjoy it.
The prisoners marched in regular order, quadruple file, and presented a motley aspect. Their clothing was without uniformity; some brown, some gray, some blue in color, of varying texture, and by no means to be coveted by the Union soldiers on guard over them. A few of the rebels appeared downcast, but many made cheerful remarks to the persons that crowed near them, and all carried themselves with an independent air.
Most of these prisoners, in accordance with "generosity" of General Grant, carried their swords at heir sides; but, two or three disdaining the exercise, had their side arms borne by slaves accompanying them. Indignant remarks were made by many prominent citizens against the mistaken generosity which treats rebels as if they were honored belligerents, and when "contraband" were seen carrying their rebel master' swords, indignation was expressed in phrases more vigorous than exemplary.
I am informed that Governor Tod has declared that while these rebels are in Camp Chase, they shall be treated as rebel prisoners, not as unfortunate gentlemen, whose hard fate is to be deeply commiserated.
There are now about 1,250 rebel prisoners from Forts Henry and Donelson. These are officers and their slaves, chiefly from Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama regiments. Over fifty "contrabands" give variety to the camp life of the prisoners. Two or three officers who lost their slaves on the way from Donelson have appealed to the /united States Quartermaster for servants to cook for them, alleging that they must suffer seriously if the favor is not granted, because they have always have been served by slaves.
What right any "contrabands" have at Camp Chase, and what is their status, are perplexing questions. They cannot be confiscated, it is urged, because, in Ohio, they cannot be property, and must therefore be regarded simply as servants, and why should the Government allow these rebels servants!- These are questions which people, who are paying dearly to crush out vicious rebellion, ask with vigor.
Not only, however, are the rebel officers unhappy for want of servants, but they do not like their quarters. They complain bitterly about a variety of things, which Union soldiers in the same camp bear without a murmur, and so long as they are provided for as well as the Federal soldiers are, they should cultivate contentment.
Ohio's Military Prisons in the Civil War; Phillip R. Shriver and Donald J. Breen; ; Article; Ohio State University Press;1964, page 10.
It was evident that the exisiting facilities could not begin to hold the new arrivals. Prison No. 3, as large (three acres) as the first two combined, was errected near the center of the camp in the numbing cold of early March.
Huts formerly occupied by a regiment of recruits at camp served as a nucleus about which the rest of Prison No. 3 was built "at the least possible expense." When completed, the new prison unit consisted of four parallel rows of huts arranged in clusters of six and separated from the rest of the camp by a 12-foot board fence. Each hut was constructed of planks nailed onto light frames set directly on the ground, with an over-all dimension of 20 by 14 feet. Within each cluster the buildings were separated by a distance of approximately two and a half feet, while clusters were separated one from another by narrow dirt streets. Each hut was equipped with a stove for both cooking and heating, and with six bunks, each to accommodate the anticipated 1,100 captives who would fill Prison No. 3 to capacity, two sinks or open toilets were constructed, each consisting of holes five feet wide and ten feet long with a single rail placed over them lengthwise.
Col. Granville Moody. Methodist Minister
The Union officer in charge of Camp Chase during this time was Col. Granville Moody of the 74th OVI. From the same regiment Major Ballard was appointed to supervise the police of the camp, and Lt. William Armstrong was detailed as Post Adjutant. Sergeant Major Rodgers, of the 76th OVI, was appointed Sergeant Major of the Post. Col. Moody continued in command until June 25, when he was relieved at his own request and went to the field. AL page 118.
Later he would be known as the Fighting Parson, after his heroic acts at the battle of Stones River.
For further information on Granville Moody see;
From Granville Moody's Autobiography. A Life's Retrospect 1890.
From Granville Moody's Autobiography. Pages 191-194
The Preternatural
While I was commandant at Camp Chase, four miles west of Columbus, O., the following occurrence took place, inexplicable without providential action. A high officer in the general government appeared one afternoon at head-quarters, and spent a pleasant social hour. I had just received by express, in a nice round cheese-box twenty inches diameter, a fragrant and luscious loaf-cake, thickly covered over with frosting, and "E Pluribus Unum" in raised and ornamental letters across the center. It came from a lady in La Porte, Ind., the wife of the post-quartermaster of Camp Chase, between whom and myself an acquaintance had ripened into warmest friendship, and his wife had sent me this luxurious pound-cake. I gave General B.(uckingham?) the history of the cake, and said, "We will now pay our compliments to the kind benefactress, and try her fine cake;" and we were soon enjoying it, when suddenly an urgent impression came upon my mind in these words, "Go immediately to Prison No. 3; you are needed there." I asked the general to excuse me, saying: " I must go to prison No. 3. Please remain in the office; I will be back in fifteen minutes. Enjoy the cake. I feel that I must be there immediately."
I left, and hurried over the walk to the prison, entered the office, and went into the inner office, where a door-keeper is always on duty. "How are you Mr. D.; is all well here?" "Yes, sir all is well." At that moment a rap was heard on the side of the prison-door. The officer went to the door, and hailed, "Who comes there?" The answer was given, "John Z., a stationary-peddler, with a pass." The door was opened, and a fine-looking man, with manners far superior to those which belong to an ordinary stationary-peddler, appeared with a nice suit of entirely new clothes upon him, hair closely cropped, clean-shaved; a new basket on his arm filled with letter-paper, envelopes, stamps, pens, ink and red blotting-paper, stamped envelopes, a postal almanac, and regular outfit of a small peddling stationer.
I examined all these things hurriedly, and he remarked: "These things are salable to prisoners, you know;" and he trust forth a pass into prisons in Camp Chase, signed by David Tod, Governor of Ohio. I examined the pass and found, "If approved by Colonel Granville Moody, Commander of U. S. Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio." Said I: "Why was not this pass signed by Colonel Moody?" His reply was so hurried and confused that he betrayed himself. I said: "You are under arrest, sir." I called a guard, and marched him down to headquarters, where he was incarcerated in a ten by twelve lock-up. I sent the prison's head man, who called the roll of prisoners every morning and evening, to see and examine the man. He soon after came out smiling, and said: "Colonel, that man is General L., the worst man to have gotten out for all the country. It is well you arrested him as you did." My friend, whom I had left in charge of the cake, was delighted with my adventure and success, when he learned the rank of the officer whose escape came so near proving an accomplished fact. I went to the little lock-up, and addressed my prisoner, and remarked that Burns had said long before:
"For care and trouble set your mind,
Even when your end's attained;
For all your schemes may come to naught,
When every nerve is strained."
There is strategy in war, and I will have to keep you in this small prison till next Thursday, when I will go with you to Johnson's Island, near Sandusky, where you will have the benefit of lake air."
He expostulated in a gentlemanly way, and asked me to suppose a change of cases - myself in a Southern prison, making every effort for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. "Yes, yes," I said; "but there's many a slip between the cup and the lip; and I think it best for yourself, and for us, to keep you quiet till times change for the better for all parties in the premises." "Pray tell me, Colonel," he said, "how you happened to come into Prison No. 3 just at that instant of time?" I could have told him, but declined.
From Granville Moody's Autobiography. Page 218.
" At this time, nearly all the students in Ohio Wesleyan University, realizing the Nations need of all her sons on the battle line, left the college in Delaware, Ohio, and came to our camp and volunteered in the National service. Rev. Frederick Merrick, president of the university, came to me in Camp Chase to get my influence for their return to college. But I declined, stating it to be the bounden duty of every student to take his part in the struggle, and I advised him to volunteer as chaplain, and go to the battle-field with his patriotic students. He was a true patriot, but deemed it his duty to take care of the students officially.
March 6, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 356.
Office Commissary-General of Prisoners,
Indianapolis, IN, March 6, 1862.
Capt. J.A. Elkin, Assistant Quartermaster, U.S. Army.
Sir: Surg. H. Griffin, a prisoner of war, has reported to me on his parole to render his professional services to officers of the Confederate Army, prisoners of war, at this place. As those officers have been transferred to Camp Chase, Ohio, you will furnish transportation for him and a suitable guard to that point. Direct the officer in charge of the guard to report to Governor Tod at Columbus.
If Dr. Griffin is willing to give his parole to accompany an officer without a guard you will permit him to do so.
Other medical officers, prisoners of war, are expected to arrive today. They will be sent to Camp Chase with Dr. Griffin under the same orders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. Hoffman,
Lieut. Col. 8th Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.
OR vol. 3. Page 357.
Special Orders No. 230.
Headquarters Ohio Militia
Adjutant-General's Office,
Columbus, Ohio, March 6, 1862.
Maj. Alexander S. Ballard, of the Seventy-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, is hereby detailed as permanent superintendent of the prisoners of war at Camp Chase. It will be his duty to take charge of the police of the prisons; to see that the prisoners are supplied with the proper food, clothing, wood, cooking utensils and the means generally of making themselves comfortable; to see that the hospitals are kept in order; that proper nurses are supplied; that the sick are furnished with food suited to their condition, with beds and bedding and such other conveniences as they need, and will report promptly to the commanding officer of the camp any neglect of duty on the part of surgeons, stewards, guards and all other officers and persons employed about the prison.
He will see that the prisoners are mustered and the roll called daily; that all letters to and from the prisoners are duly examined and that no improper communications are permitted; will make arrangements for a suitable supervision of all trading done with the prisoners by authorized persons, so that no improper articles are sold or conveyed into the prison, and will afford every facility for the supplying them with such things as are proper at a reasonable price.
He will be present at all interviews that may take place between the prisoners and such persons as may be permitted to converse with them, and will see that all orders issued by proper authority in relation to the prison are strictly obeyed.
In order to carry out these instructions he will make requisition on the commanding officer of the camp for such non-commissioned officers and privates as he may need for permanent assistants, who shall be subject exclusively to his order.
All ordinary supplies needed for the prisons will be obtained on regular requisitions, and those of an extraordinary kind on requisition approved by the Governor.
He will report daily to the commanding officer of the camp; First, the number of prisoners received; second, the number discharged; third, the number present at roll-call; fourth, the condition of the prisons; fifth, the number of prisoners in the hospitals at roll-call; sixth, the condition of the hospitals; seventh, the quality of the provisions issued; eight, the efficiency of the guard; ninth, any reasonable complaints made by the prisoners; tenth, all other facts that may be important to make up a history of the administration of the prison.
By order of the commander in chief:
C.P. Buckingham, Adjutant-General.
March 7, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 359.
Office Commissary-General of Prisoners,
Chicago, Ill., March 7, 1862.
General M.C. Meigs,
Quartermaster-General U. S. Army, Washington D.C.
General: I deem it my duty to say that I do not think Doctor Bobbs, brigade surgeon, who is in charge of those military hospitals at Indianapolis, has the experience and energy which one holding so responsible a position should have. I have come to this conclusion from my own observations and from the opinions which gentlemen of standing in that city seem to hold of him. As a professional man he is doubtless very competent, but the practice of medicine in private life is a very different thing from taking charge of a large hospital with the control of other physicians. I would therefore respectfully suggest that he be assigned to some other duty and that his place be supplied by some surgeon whose qualifications are such as peculiarly to fit him for the office.
Just as I was leaving Indianapolis Doctor Griffin, surgeon in the Confederate Army, reported to me on his parole by which he was bound to give his professional services to the officers who were prisoners of war at Indianapolis. As the officers referred to had been transferred to Camp Chase I ordered him there on his parole if he chose to go on those terms. Shortly after, the adjutant-general of the State showed me an order of General Halleck's which he had just received assigning six medical officers of the C.S. Army to duty with their respective regiments; as but one of them belonged to the regiments at Camp Morton I directed that all but that one should go to Camp Chase. Judging from the manners of the gentlemen who reported to me I was satisfied that while serving in the hospitals not under the eye of military authority, particularly as the surgeon in charge has not the requisite energy of character, their influence could not but have a very bad effect however much they might benefit the sick, and I was glad the order gave me the latitude to send them to Camp Chase. They can be made very useful where the hospitals are under military control.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. Hoffman, Lieut. Col. 8th Infantry, Commissary General of Prisoners.
March 9, 1862:
Camp Chase, Columbus
Dearest Lucy
Yours of the first came to hand in due time, was opened and its contents eagerly devoured. I must honestly say Cinda that I have not received a letter for a long time that done one as much good to read as yours. The time it came to hand I was somewhat under the weather moping around not caring much whether school kept or not. It is hardly worth while to tell you the change it produced was perceptible to the eyes of all the boys, but so it was. You must excuse me Cinda for not answering sooner for my apologies are good. In the first place I thought I would delay writing a few days and see if something would not turn up in reference to our destination. I am sorry to tell you that nothing has occurred that looks encouraging to me. although our officers tell us we will be away from here in a couple of weeks. Our regiment has no more men than when we came up here. There arrived here yesterday evening four cavalry companies from Camp Dennison which were ordered here for to fill our regiment up, but they swear that they won't go as infantry. What will be done with them I cannot tell- time alone can tell. I only hope they will be forced to go with us as I am anxious to get away from here- and it is so with all the boys. I sometimes think we will never get out of the state. I am so afraid they will keep us here to guard prisoners which seems to me to be but very little honor. If we could get to kill one once in a while so as to keep up the war spirit it might do then. We have some twelve hundred prisoners here now, mostly all of them officers taken at Fort Donelson. Oh Cinda it makes my heart ache whenever I look at them. They are a sorry dejected looking set of fellows, no uniforms whatever and a good many of them very poorly clad. When I think that when a man took sides with the south through ignorance or was forced into it, that man I can pity and sympathize with and there is a great many of these here was brought in just that way.
Your wishes, dear Lucy, for me in your letter I most heartily say amen to. May the supreme power ruling above grant each and every one of them - and may he grant (if it is his will that I shall ever return Home again) that I may be as good, if not a far better man than I now am, and dear Lucy, in your secret communions with God, pray for me - and for all of us, for you know not the evil that besets us on all sides. Oh but the cursing and swearing and gambling that I have heard and witnessed this Sabbath day. It is enough to disgust anyone that has a spark of respect and humanity left them. Oh, that this war may soon end for if it long continues one half of the boys will turn out to be no earthly account after the war, but a curse to the country.
I just said above, the boys were all well, I meant all but one. I have a patient that I am sitting up with tonight - it is Al Williamson from Colerain (Bevis) he has been sick something over a week with the sore throat - he is very bad at present. I am afraid he will never get well. I volunteered my service to take care of him while sick, poor boy. I wish he was home, he would be better cared for there than here. I shall do all I can for him though....
J.A. Compton, 69th OVI
March 16, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 381.
Executive Department, Columbus, Ohio,
March 16, 1862.
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
Dear Sir: You will be glad to know that our prison discipline works well. The prisoners, about 1,300 in number, mostly officers, make but little complaint as to their treatment. The sick list is diminishing in number and we have but few deaths. Our accommodations are ample for about 1,500. There are many boys and very aged men who should be discharged, and I hope ere this to have received some instructions from you on that subject. Large quantities of clothing, stores and money are daily arriving for the prisoners from their friends in Tennessee and Kentucky. The clothing and stores are distributed at the discretion of the donors and the money at my discretion.
Respectfully, yours,
David Tod, Governor.
OR vol. 3. Page 382.
Executive Department, Columbus, Ohio,
March 16, 1862.
Col. W. Hoffman, Sandusky, Ohio.
Herewith I send you a copy of letter this day written Secretary Stanton. I would be glad to be advised as to the continuance of this prison here. When shall I have the pleasure of seeing you?
very truly, yours,
David Tod, Governor
March 17, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 383.
Office Commissary-General of Prisoners,
Sandusky, Ohio, March 17, 1862.
Hon. David Tod, Governor of Ohio.
Sir: Your favor of yesterday is just received but not the copy of a letter to Secretary Stanton which you intended should accompany it. To save time I have telegraphed to you to this effect.
I do not think there is any prospect of the removal of prisoners from Camp Chase. Some of them may be sent here in a few days but their places will be filled very soon. If there are other camps to which they might be sent they will probably be occupied by other prisoners. My engagements in this section will prevent my having the pleasure of visiting Columbus for some time, but if there is any special call for my presence I can come down at any time.
Very truly, your obedient servant,
W. Hoffman,
Lieut. Col. 8th Infantry, Commissary General of Prisoners.
OR vol. 3. Page 385.
Office Commissary-General of Prisoners,
Sandusky, Ohio, March 17, 1862.
Capt. Myers,
Assistant Quartermaster, U. S. Army, Columbus, Ohio.
Captain: It is probable General Halleck will order some of the prisoners from Camp Chase to this depot. They can come through on the Sandusky, Dayton and Cincinnati road without change of cars and the agent tells me he will bring them for less than any other road. He will also agree to land them here by 3 o'clock in the afternoon, which is an important consideration, and I hope you can arrange it so as to take this route. When orders are received please give me notice by telegraph and the number in order that arrangements may be made to cross them to the island.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. Hoffman,
Lieut. Col. 8th Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.
March 22, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 400.
War Department, Washington , March 22, 1862
Joseph H. Geiger, Esq.,
Special Mail Agent, Columbus, Ohio.
Sir: The Secretary of War directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 11th instant inquiring whether the letters received at the post-office for prisoners on parole at Columbus, Ohio, are delivered to them without examination by the commanding officer at Camp Chase. In reply the Secretary instructs me to inform you that on reference of your letter to the Adjutant-General he reports that "all letters to and from prisoners in confinement are subject to examination, and it seems a proper precaution that the same restrictions should be put on paroled prisoners," and that this report has been approved.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P.H. Watson, Assistant Secretary of War.
March 30, 1862:
From Granville Moody's Autobiography. Page 222-223
Camp Chase, March 30, 1862.
Some three weeks since, I was present at an interview between Colonel Moody, commandant at this post, and one of the prisoners released on parole. During the conversation the inquiry was made, whether there would be any distinction drawn between the Negroes and the other prisoners. Colonel Moody replied that they were all alike prisoners of war, and would be so considered by him; that the same influence that would procure admittance to visit the white occupants of the prison, would also be necessary to hold communication with the black. I have also, both before and since the period referred to, heard Colonel Moody, in answer to similar inquiries, make substantially the same reply.
James Rodgers, Post Sergeant Major.
Camp Chase, March 30, 1862.
Some three weeks ago I removed some sick from the prisons, and had them placed in a temporary hospital under guard. The orders I received from Colonel Moody were to detail such colored men as might be needed for cooks, nurses, or to attend to any services needed for the health and comfort of the prisoners. Several times I have been told, "That boy belongs to me; I need him to wait on me;" but in opposition to all their remonstrances, my details were always carried out; and they were given to understand that their claim to property in man was not recognized here by Colonel Moody, the commander of the post.
E. W. Steele
Assistant-Surgeon, 74th Regiment
Camp Chase, March 30, 1862.
Some three weeks since, Colonel G. Moody, commandant of this post, issued to me authority to employ any or all of the colored men, as prisoners of this camp, as nurses or attendants in any of the hospitals, or in any service connected with the sanitary duties of the prisoners of this camp; and on presenting a proposition from Mr. Hayes (major) to hire a man at his expense, in order that he might retain the services of his own, said proposition was promptly pronounced inadmissible and illegitimate, by the commanding colonel.
George W. Maris, Post Surgeon, Camp Chase.
Note: This begins a series of complaints which were made to the War department about the freedom of Confederates in the city of Columbus. Read the articles from newspapers which are filed in the O. R. on April 26, 1862, for more insight on how these rumors started. PAC.
OR vol. 3. Page 410
War Department, Washington, March 30, 1862.
His Excellency David Tod, Governor of Ohio:
I have delayed giving instructions in regard to the prisoners of war at Camp Chase until the views of Governor Johnson could be had. Considerable difference of opinion exists in relation to the subject. The rebels have violated an agreement for exchange made with General Wool. In the meantime there is much complaint of the license permitted the rebel officers at Camp Chase. General Halleck has been directed to correct the evil. By general regulation the commander of the department has charge of prisoners.
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
War Department, Washington, March 30, 1862.
Major-General Halleck, Saint Louis:
Frequent complaints are made to the President and this department of the license permitted to the rebel officers who are prisoners at Camp Chase. They are permitted to visit Columbus and indulge without restraint in treasonous railings against the Government. The officer in command should be admonished and removed and some one else placed in command.
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
Indianapolis, March 30, 1862.
Hon. E. M. Stanton:
We are greatly annoyed by the laxity prevailing at Columbus, Ohio, in guarding rebels. Visitors avowedly disloyal are admitted. Many are out on parole with side-arms, talking secesh on the streets and in bar-rooms to the great detriment of our cause. We ask that it be stopped.
Laz. Noble, Adjutant-General of Indiana.
Indianapolis, March 30, 1862.
Hon. E. M. Stanton:
The rigid rules excluding visitors from Camp Morton and hospitals of rebel prisoners has had an excellent effect. Have had no trouble. If adopted in other localities particularly at Columbus the interests of Government will be advanced.
Jas. A. Elkin, Assistant-Quartermaster.
March 31, 1862:
From Granville Moody's Autobiography. Page 219, 220,223
Views on Slavery
The following extracts, the first relating to the contrabands at Camp Chase, will give the readers my views on the great question of human bondage. They are clipped from the papers of the period, and are inserted in this place because of the interest which has always attached to the subject:
No small measure of indignation was aroused in the public mind, in relation to the status of the "colored population" held in confinement at Camp Chase. The committee of the Senate, in their report upon the subject, propounded the inquiry, "Why are those Negroes there at all?" And the question was certainly a most appropriate one. It turned out, upon investigation, however, that they were placed there as prisoners of war - a position as dignified as that enjoyed by their masters. It was shown that the Negroes were taken as participants in the rebel cause, some with arms in their hands against our loyal troops, and against our flag, others aiding their rebel masters in camp duty. This being the case, they were sent by General Halleck to Camp Chase in the same category as their masters were; namely, as prisoners of war taken in battle. General Halleck made no distinction in complexion; but from "snowy white to sooty," consigned all thus captured to the military prison. The commandant of the post, Colonel Moody, received them, not as servants of the white men whom they accompanied, but as persons consigned to his military charge in the capacity of prisoners, by virtue of the orders of his chief-in-command. When placed together in the camp prison, the haughty Secesh, too shiftless to wait upon themselves, incontinently fell back upon their usual assumption of odium cum dignitate, requiring the Negroes to serve them. This it had been their custom to do, several of them having been, indeed, the slaves of some of these officers.
But to this position of affairs Colonel Moody gave no assent. To show this, we need but refer to his orders concerning them; for, when finding need of an additional force in his hospital for washing, nursing, and caring for the sick generally, he respected the convenience of these prison gentry so little as to issue an order to his post surgeon to detail from the prison all the Negro men he might need for that purpose. This he did, because of their being experienced in such personal service, and without the smallest regard to, or even a thought of, their being under any claim to service upon the insolent Secesh of the prison.
Camp Chase, March 31, 1862
Since my connection with the prisoners confined at Camp Chase, I have never recognized, either directly or indirectly, the right of property in man; all prisoners have been held on equal footing, regardless of color. Colonel Moody has never, to my knowledge, recognized the right of one man to hold another as his slave. Governor Tod ordered me to detail any of the blacks that I chose to attend to any hospital duty, pertaining to their own sick; and, to my certain knowledge, Colonel Moody has peremptorily refused to give Colonel Hanson, a prisoner sent from here to Fort Warren, the privilege of taking his Negroes with him, as either servants or slaves; and has constantly and positively ignored the relation at this post.
A. S. Ballard,
Major 74th Regiment, and Superintendent of Prison.
I consider the above statement a perfectly true one.
Alex. Von Schrader,
Lieutenant-Colonel, 74th Regiment.
OR vol. 3. Page 413.
War Department, Washington, March 31, 1862.
Laz. Noble, Adjutant-General, Indianapolis:
Immediately upon learning the abuse at Camp Chase vigorous orders were issued to correct the evil. An inspector-general has been sent from this Department to enforce them. The discipline of your camp is highly approved.
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
Columbus, Ohio, March 31, 1862.
Hon. E. M. Stanton:
There is no just cause for complaint of treatment of rebel prisoners at Camp Chase. The commander, Colonel Moody, is a strong anti-slavery Republican; does his duty faithfully and discreetly.
David Tod, Governor of Ohio.
Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, March 31, 1862.
Major R. Jones,
Assistant Inspector-General, Washington, D.C.
Major: It has been represented to the Department that the prisoners of war at Columbus, Ohio, are left without control to go where they please, wear their side-arms and communicate without restraint with whomsoever they desire. The Secretary of War directs that you proceed without delay to Columbus and make a minute examination of this matter and an inspection of whatever relates to the condition of the prisoners of war in that vicinity. You will also cause the said prisoners to be put under proper guard, deprived of their side-arms and prevent from having any communication with other persons. All letters to and from them must be subjected to rigid scrutiny by an officer appointed for the purpose by the commanding officer of the station, and such as are found improper in tenor will be submitted to the Secretary of War.
You will give instructions to the above effect to the commanding officer under whose charge the prisoners are, and should they be relieved from their command they will be careful to turn over these orders to their successors. The Secretary also directs that you ascertain the extent of the liberty given the prisoners and by whom and under whose authority it was given, and report to him.
I am, &c.,
L. Thomas, Adjutant-General.
March 31, 1862:
A Mr. Trigg, appointed by Andrew Johnson, Military Governor of Tennessee, to visit the captive Confederates in Camp Chase, performed his mission. AL page 116.
April 1862
April 3, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 420.
Columbus, Ohio, April 3, 1862.
Major-General Halleck:
Your telegram has been handed me by commanding officer at Camp Chase. The complaints are entirely unfounded. No prisoners are permitted to come to Columbus except those expressly paroled by you to remain here, and a few sick to save their lives; returned to camp as soon as well. An agent from Secretary of War left here to-day entirely satisfied.
C. P. Buckingham, Adjutant-General.
Columbus, Ohio, April 3, 1862.
His Excellency David Tod,
Governor of Ohio, Columbus.
Sir: The Secretary of War having assigned to me the duty of ascertaining the truth of certain statements alleging in substance a laxity of discipline among the prisoners of war at this place and vicinity, with directions to correct the abuses complained of, and finding that the prisoners are under your charge and that by rules and regulations established for their government that the instructions of the Secretary in regard to them have thereby been anticipated in nearly every particular, there only remains for me to communicate his orders on one or two points. These points relate to the liberty extended to some of the prisoners who are on parole and to letters to and from them which are found to be improper in their tenor. The instructions of the Secretary requiring all letters of this nature to be submitted to him and all prisoners at liberty to be confined I respectfully request that you will cause the latter to be sent to the prison at Camp Chase and the former forwarded in accordance with these instructions. If the prisoners are removed from under your charge please transfer these instructions as well as those orders already established for their government to the officer in command.
I remain, Governor, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. Jones, Assistant Inspector-General, U. S. Army.
Executive Department, Columbus, Ohio, April 3, 1862.
Maj. R. Jones, Assistant Inspector-General U.S. Army:
Your communications of this date in relation to the government of the prisoners at Camp Chase is before me. As requested all letters to or from prisoners which I may consider improper to be delivered shall be forwarded to the Secretary of War. As to the request that I cause all prisoners now on parole to this city to be sent to the prison at Camp Chase you have herewith a list of all prisoners now on parole showing by whom paroled and for what cause, and as I presume that the Secretary of War was ignorant of the state of matters I will take the responsibility of waiting until I shall hear further from him after you have made your report to him before I act in the matter.
Respectfully, yours,
David Tod
Governor
April 4, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 424.
Headquarters Department of the Mississippi,
Saint Louis, MO., April 4, 1862.
Col. George Thom, Aid-de-Camp, &c., Saint Louis.
Colonel: You will proceed to Columbus, Ohio, and remove all field and staff officers (except medical officers) prisoners of war to Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, and deliver them to the commanding officer at that place. The quartermaster's department will supply you with funds to pay all expenses. Having performed this duty you will return to these headquarters at this place. You are authorized to call on the commanding officer at Columbus, Ohio, for a provost-guard such as you may deem necessary.
Respectfully yours, &c.,
H. W. Halleck,
Major-General
Headquarters, Camp Chase, Ohio, April 4, 1862.
General L. Thomas.
Dear Sir: You will confer a great favor by furnishing us a copy of the report of Major Jones, giving the result of his mission to Camp Chase. Executed April 2, 1862.
Very respectfully,
G. Moody,
Colonel, Commanding Post.
Camp Chase, Ohio, April 4, 1862.
Major-General Halleck.
Dear Sir: The undersigned C. S. surgeons held as prisoners of war at this place respectfully be leave to address you. There are great battles expected soon to occur in the South. There is much sickness among the troops of both armies in every portion of the country. It was for the relief of suffering humanity which led to our capture. It has been our mission through life; we feel it should be so now. We are in idleness here as the post surgeons give the prisoners their personal attention. We respectfully ask that you allow us to return to our troops under a flag of truce, feeling confident our Government will do likewise, as it has done on several occasions. We ask this not only for the amelioration of our condition as prisoners of war, for as such we have no right to complain of the treatment we have received at your hands, but we ask it in behalf of the cause of suffering humanity, feeling confident you will on that account give the subject your consideration.
Very respectfully,
Jo. E. Dixon, C.H. Edwards, H. D. Wheatley, J. J. Dement, L. Lindsay, R. S. Napier, W. B. Mills, M. L. Neely, W. J. Rodgers, W. V. Turner, P. F. Gould, T. W. Nichols, J. D. Johnson, AJ. Gupton.
April 6, 1862:
Camp Chase,
Dearest Lucy,
I did no think when last I wrote to you that the heading of my next letter would be from Camp Chase but alas how often is man doomed to be disappointed for often have we thought the day for our removal was at hand but as oft been disappointed. I find that our present trade of life is something similar to castle building in the air. We build up our hopes only to be blasted, Oh! when will the time come when we will be removed to the field of battle where we can meet the common enemies of our country and show them that in no respect are they capable of contending with the hosts of freedom. Oh that the time may soon come I imagine that I hear you say, courage Give do not despair. Well if it is courage to stay here and guard prisoners I have but little. It is a shame to keep a regiment of as fine able bodied men as the (sixty ninth) 69 out of the field. Our regiment is vow full and I think I can say without my hopes are not quite all gone. Our major and some of our other officers were offering to bet yesterday that we would leave here inside of 14 days that it may be so is my sincere wish but our officers have fooled us often in that respect that we have lost all confidence in them gladly if not till then will I hail the 14 day if it only brings the command Cook Rations for Tennessee and pack the ware for immediate marching - with joy will the boys hail the command.
Oh Cinda I must tell you what a great time we had last night or this morning rather it happened between the hours of two and three o'clock. Every one here feels the vast responsibilities that rests upon the commandant of this post upon him alone would rest the charge if the prisoners here were to break guard or prison here and escape. Therefore as the minds of the officers have been excited to suspicion that they intend to try their escape sometime soon, they have warned the men that on retiring to their couches to put everything where they could put their hands on them so as we could get out in a moments warning. Well as I said above, between the hours of two and three o'clock one of the guards shot at one of the prisoners as he was approaching the high wall, the report of which caused the long call to be beaten when the cry was raised that they were attempting their escape. Well every company was out and in ranks in two minutes after the alarm was given. Subject to orders the regiment formed and marched double quick to the prison, being the first regiment there. The Prison was surrounded and upon examination everything was found to be quiet. When we returned to our parade ground and was complimented by our officers for our promptness in coming out to the call. It seems almost incredulous to tell but in four minutes after the alarm was given the prison was surrounded. This is the second time we have been called out since we have been here. Oh Cinda you have no idea of the noise and racket that is made on such occasions, guards shooting, drums beating officers giving commands etc.. It seemed as though the whole Christendom was let loose.
Cinda I am sorry to tell you that I have never met with your cousin that is here from the fact that we are not allowed to go inside of the prison and when on duty we are not allowed to talk to them, therefore I have not had the honor of meeting him, but if I ever should I will remember you to him. I care but very little about talking to them they are so saucy and impudent. I often think if ever I am taken prisoner and used with such kindness as these are here whether I would be so ungrateful as these are. There are about half of these here that should be allowed to take the oath and return home and the other half ought to be hung.
Sunday evening April 6
I sit down this evening to finish your letter which I commenced this morning. This has been a very busy afternoon here. Our regiment had church for the first time since we have been here and a very good sermon we had too delivered by Old father Moody Col. of the 74th, He spoke very nice and urged upon us the importance of making our peace with God and I for one felt the force of his speech but it is hard for a person to live the life of anything but the ungodly here. One hears so much profanity Oh that the time may soon come when this war may cease for it will be the ruination of the generality of the young men. This afternoon the 74th regiment paid their last respects to one of their fellow soldiers in the way of escorting him off the ground I did not learn the cause of his death. On last Sabbath afternoon they sent two home which came to their death by eating apples which they had bought of the prisoners which they had poisoned the most inhuman trick they could be guilty of. This evening one of the boys of our regiment, while standing guard run his bayonet into one of the boys of the 74th who attempted to cross his beat. The bayonet entered his left side and went, I understand, clear through him. The doctor says he won't live two hours. It seems hard for a person to kill one of his fellow soldiers who is engaged in the same cause that he is but it was his orders and the orders of all guards to allow no one to cross their beats and they are expected to strictly carry them out. The officers gave him credit for all he done.
I sent invitation to the chaplain this evening to come and hold prayer meeting with us some evening. He has sent back word that he would visit us tomorrow evening.
Monday Morning,
I understand this morning that the fellow is dead that was hurt last evening.
John A. Compton.
Note: Notes from John Avery Compton, 69th OVI to Ms. Lucinda Hunter of Cincinnati. J.A. Compton was killed 14 May, 1864 at the battle of Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Ga. This 2 weeks after he had married Ms. Hunter. As on telegram reads:
"He did not speak after he was shot; he fell forward holding to the colors." Capt. Beed. July 10, 1864.
This letter was copied by Mrs. Compton (Hunter) on July 25, 1926. The originals have been distroyed. Sent in by Doug Schneider, Dayton, Ohio 45458.
April 7, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 430.
Headquarters Mountain Department,
Wheeling, Va., April 7, 1862.
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
Sir: I have the honor to report that on the 4th day of April I ordered the arrest of a man calling himself Alfred Beckley and representing that he has been a brigadier-general in the Confederate service and bearing arms against the Union. It is represented that he has recently returned to his home in Weston, VA., with determination to remain there quietly and not again to join his command in the Confederate Army. He has been arrested and I will cause him to be committed to the military prison at Camp Chase, there to remain in custody to await the orders of the War Department. I have to add that there is a strong feeling of opposition among the citizens of Western Virginia to the return among them of men like this man Beckley who left their homes to join in this rebellion. They represent that their presence is attended with mischievous consequences to the peace of the neighborhood, and that the most of them engage as soon as they return in forming guerrilla parties to destroy and otherwise injure the property of Union men and murder and likewise inflict injury upon their persons. I find this feeling far more widespread and serious than I was led to suppose it was when I took command of this department.
I have taken these steps at the instance and with the sanction of the Governor who gave me much of the information on which I have acted. I have also directed to be arrested and committed to Camp Chase Robert W. Clarkson, J. W. D. Clarkson and Alex. T. Laidly, who have refused to take the oath of allegiance and who are seeking to get through our lines into the enemy's lines.
Awaiting your orders, I am, respectfully,
J. C. Fremont,
Major-General, Commanding.
April 8, 1862:
..thirty Confederate officers were sent from Columbus to Fort Warren. AL page 116.
From Granville Moody's Autobiography. A Life's Retrospect 1890. Page 220-221
Again, when Colonel Moody received an order from the War Department to forward some fifty of these Secesh officers to Fort Warren, under the guard of a United States officer sent for that purpose, he made out the list in conformity with the order, and issued the necessary marching orders. And, behold, when these Fort Warren gentry came forth from their prison, Colonel Moody was surprised to find a number of Negroes marching in the rear of their white fellow-prisoners of the Secesh persuasion, and each Negro carrying trunk, valise, carpet-sack, etc., for these toploftical masters, who seemed to be quite unaware that they were not in Secessia. But Colonel Moody speedily dispelled their delusion on this subject. The line was at a halt, and, in a voice of sternest tone, he demanded: "What are those Negro men in the line for?" He was insolently told by the Secesh that the Negroes were their servants, and were to carry their baggage. "No, sir," shouted Colonel Moody. "We recognize no such relations here, nor in this country. You have no such claim to them, nor to their service." Then, turning to the Negroes, he ordered them at once to lay down the baggage, and clear out of the line. The Negroes hesitated, looking alternately at him and at Secesh, as if studying which to obey. Seeing their hesitation, Colonel Moody shouted, in tones that left no doubt as to which had better be obeyed, "Throw down that baggage, and clear the line, every one of you!" and at the same time ordered an officer and a squad of soldiers to see his order executed, and march the Negroes back to prison. This was promptly done, and the Secesh were allowed the high privilege of getting their trunks and other traps to the railroad station in such manner as best they could. Also, when the Negroes were detailed to hospital service, a Secesh, Colonel Hanson, offered to furnish the money for an officer to hire a man for such service, so that his man, "Jim," might be left for waiting on himself; but this Colonel Moody absolutely refused.
OR vol. 3. Page 433.
Columbus, Ohio, April 8, 1862.
General Halleck:
Twenty-six field and staff officers, prisoners of war, left this morning for Fort Warren. It is very important that at least 200 more of the most dangerous should be transferred to Johnson's Island or elsewhere. Please let us know what we may expect.
David Tod,
Governor of Ohio
Saint Louis, April 8, 1862.
Governor Tod, Columbus, Ohio:
Transfer such of the prisoners of war as you may deem proper to Johnson's Island and make provision for guarding them. I shall not be able after to-morrow morning to communicate with you for several days.
H. W. Halleck,
Major-General
Ohio Weekly State Journal April 8, 1862:
THE CAMP CHASE IMBROGLIO- IT'S FINALE
It has been heretofore announced that in consequence of the alleged maladministration of prison affairs at Camp Chase the War Department had sent a military officer as a special agent to visit the camp, and investigate the whole matter appertaining thereunto.
We yesterday had the pleasure of an interview with the officer Major Jones Inspector of the Regular Army, who had just returned from his inspection of Camp Chase, including its prison and all its surroundings.
Major Jones stated in conversation in our presence, that after a most thorough inspection of the whole "institution" he found everything in the most proper and substantial conditions. He conversed fully with the rebel prisoners, white and blacks, and assured us that, instead of anything there to be complained of, he regarded the military prison in as proper and good a condition, in all particulars, as any in the United States.
April 13, 1862:
..a special train brought 230 officers captured at Island Number 10. They were Alabamians, Tennesseans and Mississippians. Since they had been in the Confederate service about five months they had received no pay, not even "shinplasters."AL page 116.
April 16, 1862:
A lieutenant of the Fortieth Ohio Infantry brought in a few officers of Humphrey Marshall's "band of guerillas" AL page 116.
April 18, 1862:
During the week ended April 18, one hundred captives were received at Camp Chase and 190 were transferred from thence to Johnson's Island. Seventeen prisoners taken at Pittsburgh Landing arriving about the same time. Complaint was made of local demonstrations of sympathy towards them. The freedom given to the paroled Confederates in the city was also, at this time, a subject of severe criticisms. AL page 116.
April 19, 1862:
From Granville Moody's Autobiography. A Life's Retrospect 1890.
Adjutant-General's Office
Columbus, Ohio, April 19, 1862.
Special Order, No. 357.
Colonel Granville Moody, of the 74th Regiment, O.V.I., is hereby detached from his regiment, retaining his rank and relation to the regiment, and will retaining his rank and relation to the regiment, and will remain in command of Camp Chase and the prisons at that post. He may detail from his regiment the following named persons to assist him in the discharge of the duties assigned him; viz, etc.
David Tod Governor.
The State of Ohio, Executive, Department,
Columbus, Ohio, April 19, 1862.
Dear Colonel,
The earnest personal and written appeals which you have made to accompany your regiment to the field embarrass me greatly, The strong personal attachment existing between yourself and the men under your command, the expectation and desire of the relatives and immediate friends of your gallant troops, and the extreme pertinacity with which you demand it as right, added to the peculiar fitness for the command, all tend strongly to induce me to yield to your request. But when I remember that we have at Camp Chase nearly fifteen hundred prisoners (and the number is daily increasing), most of whom are commissioned officers, with but a slight and temporary prison, and with but a few fragments of undrilled and untried troops to guard them, I am compelled to deny your request.
You have now brought the responsible and delicate duty of safely keeping, and humanely, treating these prisoners to a perfect system, which, without your personal presence, may be placed in jeopardy.
In addition to my own convictions upon this subject, I learn, from a dispatch just received from General Buckingham, now at Washington City, that it is the wish of Secretary Stanton that you remain in command at Camp Chase.
For these reasons I feel impelled to issue the inclosed order, detaching you from your regiment, and directing that you send it to the field under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Von Scrader. When in my power, consistent with duty, to permit you to join your regiment in the field, it will afford me infinite pleasure to do so.
Very respectfully yours,
David Tod, Governor.
April 20, 1862:
74th O.V.I.; 970; left for Nashville Tenn. Col. Granville Moody; Note: he did not leave with the regiment.
OR vol. 3. Page 465.
Office Commissary-General of Prisoners,
Sandusky, April 20, 1862.
Hon. David Tod, Governor of Ohio.
Dear Sir: I am directed by the War Department to cause all the officers prisoners of war at Camp Chase to be removed to the depot at Sandusky, and I have the honor to request that you will give the necessary instructions to have the transfer made in parties of about 200 at a time. The depot will accommodate in addition to those now there from 800 to 1,000.
I am also authorized by the War Department to call on you for another company for the depot guard, and as it is required immediately I would suggest that a company from one of the incomplete regiments of Ohio volunteers be assigned to this service. If this is not practicable I will be obliged to you if you will detach a company for temporary duty at the depot till one company can be organized for the purpose. The company may be divided into two parts and each under a responsible officer accompany as guards a detachment of prisoners. It should be furnished with tents as the quarters for it are not yet complete and for a week or two it will have to remain in camp.
Please cause rolls to be furnished to me of all prisoners of war sent from Camp Chase to the depot, showing the state, rank, regiment and company of each man and when and where captured, as required by paragraph IX, Army Regulations, published in general orders from the War Department of April 2, 1862.
Further accommodations for officers are being erected at the depot, but in the meantime quarters for those recently captured may be required and I will direct that they be sent to Camp Chase to occupy those now being vacated.
I desire also to be furnished with rolls of the same character of all prisoners of war who have heretofore been in confinement at Camp Chase, showing what disposition has been made of them; if released by whose authority.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. Hoffman,
Lieut. Col. 8th Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.
April 21, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 468.
Office Commissary-General of Prisoners,
Columbus, Ohio, April 21, 1862.
Capt. John H. Dickerson,
Assistant Quartermaster, U. S. Army, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Captain: By authority of the Quartermaster-General certain expenditures have been made here for the recruits and wants of the prisoners of war at Camp Chase for which funds have been furnished by the State with the understanding that the amount would be refunded by the quartermaster's department, and I have to request that you will pay all accounts growing out of the matter presented by Governor Tod.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. Hoffman
Lieut. Col. 8th Infantry, Commissary- General of Prisoners.
April 23, 1862:
61st O.V.I.; 876; organized
April 26, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Pages 498-500.
Zanesville, Ohio. April 26, 1862.
[To the President of the United States.]
Honorable and Dear Sir: I address you though a stranger because I feel so deep an interest in our country. Having sons in the Third and Thirteenth Ohio Regiments I feel that I have some interest in the great work which is now going forward, but the subject which prompts me to address you is growing evil. I allude to the peculiar annoyance which is experienced almost every day in our capital. You will see by a column from the Cincinnati Commercial what a wide feeling has been awakened upon the subject of the rebel prisoners. Those officers who have lifted up their hands against the Government and shed the blood of our sons walk the streets bold and defiant, record their names at our hotels as C. S. Army and are encouraged in these impudent airs by some of Ohio's degenerate sons, and even women seem to hold out to them the idea that a reaction is taking place in the minds of the North by which means the South will soon receive their rights. Now I am told that the matter has become too much almost to be endured, and unless something be done to relieve the excited feelings I fear that an outbreak of outraged feelings may lead to the most serious consequences.
I am informed that our Legislature would pass an order for our Executive to take the matter in hand, but they and we suppose that all these matters are in the hands of the General Government. Although a stranger and perhaps one who should not have presumed to address you, still I could no longer rest at ease. To have our sons toil in the Army and be subjected to trials and the most severe deprivations, and then to have these rebel officers actually at their ease in our streets speaking treason openly and boldly is almost too much for human endurance, and to have them where the sympathizers with the South shall make dinners and parties for them while our soldiers are treated like beasts when they are taken prisoners is too much. I speak for many when I beseech you to abate the evil. Hardly a man in our streets but alludes to it. Not a paper in our whole region but is out upon it. We do hope something may be done. Let the prisoners be kept in Camp Chase and not allowed to go beyond its lines. Let rebel sympathizers be kept from them unless sharers of their confinement and we shall be satisfied. We are willing to give what we possess for our Government; our property and our sons, yea ourselves, but do I beseech you protect us from the insults of these rebel prisoners.
I am, with respect, yours, &c.,
N. A. Reed,
Pastor of the Market Street Baptist Church.
P.S. - No complaints so far as I know are made against Colonel Moody in his care of the camp, but the difficulty is with those who are on parole in our streets over whom the colonel has it is understood no control. [N.A.R.]
[ inclosed newspaper extracts.]
No.1
The rebel prisoners who have their quarters at Camp Chase have been guilty of the gravest crimes recognized by law and known to society, or it is a great wrong to deprive them in any degree of their personal liberty. In the judgment of the loyal people of the nation they are criminals. They have been taken with arms in their hands fighting to overthrow our republican form of government. The precious blood of the young men who have fallen in this war fighting under the star-spangled banner has been shed by them and others like them. All over the land are homes made desolate by them. They should be treated with humanity, as we treat convicts in the penitentiary and vagrants in our watch-houses. But the fact is they appear to be received at Columbus with distinguished consideration. They are permitted to visit the town and swell about the hotels, where they write themselves down as of the C. S. Army. They prowl about the bar rooms, drink the mean whisky for which Columbus is famous and condescend to make acquaintance among the poor white trash of the North who fawn upon them. They order new Confederate uniforms and talk treason publicly, as rampantly as if in Richmond. Foolish women, crack-brained on the subject of the South are permitted to minister to them, not to wait on the sick or to "comfort afflicted," but to encourage them to persevere and "whip the Yanks." They are told that the war was brought on by the Abolitionists and that there is a reaction which will soon place the Government in the attitude of a suppliant at the feet of the rebellion. The women who burst into tears at the idea of having married a Yankee and those who feel distressed and humiliated because they were born in the free North and raised among white folks instead of in the South, where they might have become naturally aristocratic by intimate association with niggers - these sympathizers with the she-devils who insult our soldiers in the South, when our bayonets protect them from their own slaves, are allowed to pet and fondle the dilapidated Secesh who have been bagged without dying very much in the last ditch and sent North for safekeeping. There are not many of these female Copperheads, but the breed is not extinct, and they are naturally found crawling about the prisons, where the aristocracy of niggerdom can be seen in the enjoyment of the rights they have acquired by secession. It seems to be a mixed question as to who has authority at Columbus over the prisoners, but there can be no doubt that whoever has is negligent of duty or blind to the atrocities which amaze and exasperate the loyal people of Ohio. Governor Tod says in his able and eloquent letter to Colonel Moody declining to accede to the colonel's passionate entreaties to be permitted to lead his regiment in the field:
You have now brought the responsible and delicate duty of safely keeping and humanely treating these prisoners to a perfect system, which without your personal presence may be placed in jeopardy.
If Col. Moody's "perfect system" of humanely treating these prisoners" includes the indulgences of which we have spoken the sooner the colonel and his system depart together the better. If the colonel is in any degree the responsible party we hope he will remember that an awakening to a realizing sense, contrition for sins, probation, confession of faith and works mete for repentance are required to convert a Secessionist into an honest man and a citizen fit for decent people to associate with.
No.2.
Columbus Turned Over To Secesh
We do not know how it happens nor by whose order it comes to pass but it is nevertheless a fact that our city is turned over to "secesh" to such a degree as to make our streets and hotels more resemble Richmond than a loyal city of the Northwest. A stranger happening in at our hotels in view of the swarms of rebel uniforms and the fierce utterance of rebel oaths and treats might fancy himself set down at the capital of Jeff. Davis' dominions instead of at the capital of Ohio. Why such a number of men who have just come redhanded from butchery of our friends and kindred and who are still "breathing forth threatenings and slaughter" against us and our Government should be indulged with the privilege of swaggering and gasconading through our streets and in our public resorts we cannot comprehend. We know that our whole community feel the constant insults to which as loyal people they are subjected by these flaunting popinjays in rebel uniforms with burning indignation against the authorities, whoever they are, that give them license to preach treason in our midst under the protection of a parole. The matter has become a positive nuisance, and if not abated by the proper authorities the people will ere long take the business of its abatement into their own hands. When that time comes Secesh or any other man stand from under.
April 28, 1862:
The Story of Mrs. (Judge) Allen G. Thurman
Judge Allen G. Thurman was born in Lynchburg Virginia on November 13, 1813. His parents moved to Chillicothe,Ohio in 1819. He studied law and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1835 and practiced his profession until elected Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio in 1851. From 1854 to 1856 he was Chief Justice . Little is mentioned about Judge Thurman during the years of the War of the Rebellion. This hard core Democrat who lived in Columbus was wise to stay low in his profile during this period. His wife who we will now here about must have also been from the south and not scared to hide the fact.
From Granville Moody's Autobiography. Page 210.
I give in this connection an incident illustrative of muscular Christianity at Camp Chase. During the year 1862 I was in command of the camp, having under my supervision six thousand rebel prisoners, composed of generals, colonels, majors, captains, and privates. There was a large space of the camp set apart for rebels, surrounded with a stockade twelve feet high, and sufficiently under guard to control their Southern feelings.
One beautiful afternoon a splendid carriage, drawn by a magnificent pair of prancing horses, driven by a servant in livery, was seen to enter the camp and approach the rebel stockade. In a few moments the gates were thrown open, and the carriage was about to enter, when the movement attracted my attention, and I immediately ordered a halt, and demanded by what authority those gates were opened. "By my authority," said a rich dressed lady within the carriage. "And who gave you your authority?" "Governor Tod." "Please let me see it," said I. The pass read: "Permit the bearer to enter Camp Chase and visit prisoners, provided it meets with the approbation of the commanding officer." I read the pass, and said: "Governor Tod has no authority whatever to pass you into this camp, because it is a national, and not a State camp. It is true that we respect the authority of Governor Tod, and treat his requests with due courtesy; but he says to admit you if it meets my approbation, and why was not this request sent to head-quarters?" "Because I did not see fit to send it to you," was the reply. "Then," said I to the coachman, "drive out. You will not be permitted to remain." He moved slowly, and pretended he could not turn round, when I ordered the men to drop their guns, and take hold of the bits of the horses and back the carriage out - which was speedily done.
"I will report you to Governor Tod," said the voice of the lady; "for you are not fit for the position you occupy; and I will see that you are removed and properly punished for insulting a lady." I found out that Mrs. Judge T. had, for a month, been visiting rebel prisoners and supplying them with the choicest of luxuries, and on this occasion her carriage was filled with supplies to bless the hearts of those with whom she was in sympathy. I said to her; "Madam, you not only came here, and by your supposed authority risked the escape of all these prisoners, who are but ill guarded with the small force now in camp, but you have been providing rebels with aid and sympathy, when there are one hundred and fifty sick and dying soldiers in our own hospital who would gladly receive those delicacies in your carriage, and would rise up and call you name blessed." The only reply was; "You are no gentleman, and I will report your conduct;" and, with the speed of the wind, the coachman hurried her away to the capital, maddened with rage. As soon as she left I demanded: "Who ordered these gates to be opened?" The officer in charge replied that he did. I demanded the surrender of his sword, and sent him under charges to head-quarters.
In a very short time a courier arrived in haste from Governor Tod to me, asking me to come at once to the city - to which request I immediately gave heed. I found Governor Tod and General Buckingham, adjutant-general of Ohio, awaiting my coming, and we immediately retired to a private room in the capitol to hold a council of war. The door was closed, and Governor Tod said to me: "We sent for you because there is trouble. Mrs. Judge T. has brought an account of a terrible insult you gave her in commanding her to leave Camp Chase this afternoon; and her husband is very, very angry, and swears that he will shoot you on sight. Now let us hear from you the facts just as they occurred, as we have only heard the statement of Judge T." I,with precision and accuracy, gave every detail, even to the particulars of the conversation, and spoke of my urging her to give her delicacies to the sick in the hospital, with such earnestness that, during the recital of the plea, Governor Tod shed tears. After hearing my statement, he said with emphasis: "Colonel Moody, you were exactly right, and I do not see how you could have done otherwise." General Buckingham said: "If Colonel Moody had done otherwise, I should have reported him as derelict in duty, and insisted on his removal." "But," continued the governor, "T. is exceedingly wroth, and swears that no street or sidewalk is large enough to hold you both, and that he will kill you at sight." I showed him my brace of six-shooters, and said: "Governor Tod, I keep these for dogs, and these are dog-days."
The next morning, early, I went into the city and met a friend, who took me into his carriage. He said: "Colonel Moody, the whole city is in commotion and whirl of excitement at your reported treatment of Mrs. T. yesterday, and the report says that Judge T. is determined to kill you; while the Democrats are white with pent-up wrath." I had never seen Judge T. and while this conversation was going on the friend pointed him out to me. I immediately took the lines out of the hands of my friend and drove into the presence of Judge T., who was reading letters in front of the post-office. I stood before him, and looked him in the eye. As he saw me he turned white, then red in a moment, so perturbed was his flow of thought; and, excusing himself to some friends, he immediately started to the State-house, whither I followed him at once, and showed myself willing to be shot at by the man who had shaken the city of Columbus by his treats of dire vengeance. Three times he escaped my eye as I followed after him, and that is all the effort he has ever made to kill me from that day to this.
WK: page 157:
Camp Chase, April 28, 1862.
My Dear Parents: I wrote you the other day; but as Mrs. Moon has kindly offered to take letters from prisoners to Virginia, I have taken the opportunity, hoping you may hear from me again. I have written you so often, and not hearing from you, that it is almost enough to discourage one from writing; but, according to the old adage, "no news is good news." I will hope for the best. Mrs. Moon is a native of Virginia, and has a permit to visit there; on what business, I cannot say. There are some ladies here that are very kind to us. Mrs. Moon, wife of a preacher, and Mrs. Thurman have visited the hospital that contains our sick and given comfort to our prisoners.... Letter from J. Henney. [note : this is one of the 42 letters that were never delivered but found in the state library in 1906.]
page 175..
Miss. Virginia Moon, as sister to Mrs. Charlotte Moon Clark (mentioned above), supplied the following information which was given by Mrs. Clarks son, the Rev. Frank Pinckney Clark. Speaking of his father, Judge James Clark... In politics he was a friend of Judge Thurman and Messrs. Vallandigham and Voorhees and others, and took an active part in the campaign of Stephen Douglas....
After the fall of Fort Donelson my mother heard that one of her brothers was at Camp Chase. She at once went to Columbus and Governor Tod gave her permission to go through the Camp to find her brother, although there was no record of his being there. He was not there; but she found many friends and acquaintances who were in the prison camp. At once my mother began a crusade to make these prisoners as comfortable as possible; even succeeded in getting Governor Tod to parole some of them in the city of Columbus, where they were able to secure comfortable quarters. In this connection, I have been told of a reception given the paroled prisoners at Judge Thurman's house, and that when the Judge got home he found his house full of men in Confederate uniforms, with only one bluecoated gentleman present, an officer named Hunter, who had been exceedingly kind to the prisoners and was very popular with them.
May 1862
May 23, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 576.
War Department, Washington, May 23, 1862.
Connolly F. Trigg, Commissioner, & c.,
Sir: In reply to your note of the 6th instant to the Secretary of War desiring to know his decision in reference to the release of certain prisoners of war from Tennessee now confined in Camp Chase, in Ohio, I am directed to say that no prisoners can be released for the present. The result of the expected battle on the line of operations of Major-General Halleck must be ascertained before any decided policy can be adopted.
By order of Secretary of War:
C. P. Buckingham,
Brigadier-General and Assistant Adjutant-General.
OR vol. 3. Page 576.
Major-General Halleck:
Please advise me what has been done toward effecting the exchange of Col. Joel A. Battle. General Grant by whom he was captured had special charge of the matter.
David Tod, Governor of Ohio.
[Indorsement]
General Beauregard has refused to exchange officers unless all are exchanged. H.W. Halleck.
May 27, 1862:
61st O.V.I. ;876; left for Western Virginia. Col Newton Schleich.
June 1862
The 85th OVI. was organized in the State of Ohio, at large, in May and June 1862, to serve three months, and was retained at Camp Chase, Ohio to aid in guarding the large number of Rebel prisoners in confinement at that place. It was mustered out September 23 and 27, 1862, by reason of expiration of term of service.
June 4 - September 27, 1862:
Rambling Recollections an Autobiography by A. D. Rockwell, 1920. CHAPTER XVIII pages 112-118.
Ohio Roster: 85th OVI, Company B. : Rockwell, Alphonso D., Private, age 22; Mustered in on June 4, 1862, 3mos. Mustered out with company on Sept. 27, 1862.
Among the pictures that I prize for their old and dear associations is one of the men of Company B, Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This company was composed entirely of students and officered by the professors of the old college at Hudson, Ohio, but now located at Cleveland as Adelbert College. Several of my friends from Milan were undergraduates of the college and members of the company. It had been thoroughly drilled and was ready for immediate service. About this time, the spring of 1862, there was pressing need of troops at the front, and without hesitation this well-equipped company of students, through their professor-officers, tendered their services to the government. The offer was promptly accepted and the company was attached as Company B, to the Eighty-fifth Ohio, a newly recruited regiment, and sent to Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, thus relieving veteran troops for service at the front.
I was asked to join and needed no urging. In company with my friend Edward Stuart, now Judge Stuart, of Akron, Ohio. I started without delay from Cleveland to meet the men. The captain of the company was a young professor of mathematics named Young, later better known as Charles Young, astronomical professor at Princeton for many years and deservedly distinguished for his scientific attainments. He was a genial fellow of about twenty-eight years of age, but sometimes rather touchy and irritable. I attribute this to the fact that he was rather out his element as a commander of troops. He had more of the student and professor in him than the soldier, and was easily put out when things went wrong. How it ever happened I do not remember, but I was detailed to help him with some records or accounts for a time. Things went wrong, got mixed, so it were. Captain Young fumed and was angry, and put the entire blame upon myself, and although it so happened that he alone was in fault, I had to bear the burden of his displeasure. I am well aware that in clerical affairs, and especially where exact arithmetical details are required, my family will be inclined to smile when I assert that the fault could lie elsewhere than with myself. Yet in this case it did. With all my carelessness and blundering I seem to remember that on most, if not all, occasions when I have been put upon my mettle and when there was an imperative duty, however uncongenial, I compelled myself to perform the task with a fair degree of acceptability.
Arriving at Columbus we marched to Camp Chase about three miles from the city, and began our duties as guardians of the prison. There were about five thousand Confederate prisoners, mostly officers. They were surrounded by the usual stockade of posts, about twenty feet in height, with a walk for the sentinels near the top, running around the whole enclosure. For four months we guarded these prisoners, and although we saw no active dangerous service, yet the constant drilling, the exposure to excessive heat, and the long night watches made the affair not altogether a holiday excursion. We were housed by companies, six barracks to a company, and eighteen men to a barrack. There were six bunks to a barrack and therefore three men to a bunk. The camp was infested with rats, many of them of enormous size. They were everywhere, and disgusting as it is to relate, I myself saw apart of a rat pumped up from one of the wells which furnished us drinking water. Diarrhoea was of course the prevalent disease, although typhoid fever was very common. Many were sick, and in the short space of four months three of our number, hale and hearty young fellows when they came, died of diseases easily preventable in these days. The rats would scurry in through the wide open door at night, and we could hear them moving about. One night I came in late, thoroughly tired from guard duty. I disrobed quickly, climbed into my berth, and was soon sound asleep. Some noise awakened me, and I saw a big rat sitting upright in an open aperture at my feet, meant for a window, but I was so tired that I made no move. The thought occurred to me, "if you will stay where you are, old rat, I won't trouble you." I went to sleep again, but was soon awakened by something moving about my head. Quick as a flash I threw up my hand and grasped the vile creature by the body, intending to throw him through the window or on the floor. In some way he wriggled from my grasp and landed on my bare legs and I can even now recall the sensation I experienced. I seized him again about the middle and this time succeeded in tossing him to the floor where he landed with a dull thump but scampered hurriedly away.
As compared with the other companies of the regiment, our company was excellently drilled. On one occasion I remember, General Lew Wallace, afterwards the famous author of "Ben Hur," reviewed the regiment and witnessed the drill of our company. His comment was, "those fellows drill like the devil" a double-edged compliment, some might say, but we knew that it was meant to be a real compliment. In the light of his later serious religious writing, it is perhaps difficult to understand that at that time his use of profanity was very general.
When on guard duty, which consisted of two hours on and four hours off, night and day, for twenty-four hours, we became more or less interested in watching the doings of that great mass of five thousand Confederate prisoners. We were not, of course, allowed to converse with them, but at early dawn especially I was greatly interested to see them emerge from their fairly comfortable quarters and scatter over the ground, some preparing breakfast, others skylarking, and still others taking their brisk morning constitutional. Among the latter I particularly observed one man. He was tall and strikingly handsome. He was smoothly shaven, wore a wide sombrero, a very long cloak, and carried a cane which he whirled round and round as he walked with rapid stride. I saw him almost every morning for many a day when I was on duty, but suddenly he vanished. For more than a score of years after the close of the war, whenever I thought of Camp Chase I thought of this man. I wondered who he was, whatever became of him, what his history. Indeed, of all the five thousand prisoners there, his was the only distinct personally save one that left any impression on my mind. It was, I think, sometime in the early eighties that I was called to treat a John George, by his physician, a certain Dr. Theohilus Steele. He lived in his own fine apartment on Thirty-first Street, and on one occasion asked me to stay and dine, Dr. Steele, an old Confederate soldier, being also one of the number. In the course of the conversation I remarked, "Mr. George, I believe you formerly lived in Lexington, Kentucky. It so happens that I had a college classmate by the name of - Tom Morgan, a younger brother of the famous General Morgan, and I wonder if you knew him." George replied, "Why, of course I did, and before the war his brother, the General, and I were partners in the lumber business down there." I then told them that Tom Morgan had been a prisoner at Camp Chase, that scarcely a year before we had sat in the same classroom and on the same bench. "I too was a prisoner there," said George, "and so too was Dr. Steele here." "Yes," said Steele, "and afterwards I was the last man that kissed poor Tom when he was killed in an engagement." George hastened to say that he was not a prisoner of war in the ordinary sense, but was only a political prisoner. He further remarked that through the influence of the celebrated Cassius M. Clay he was finally pardoned, but there happened to be another John George in the prison, a little shoemaker, and through some mistake he was released instead, and only after great difficulty and delay was his own release secured. The thing especially interesting in the affair to me was this: When Mr. George told me that he too had been a prisoner at Camp Chase, my mind immediately reverted to that exceedingly handsome man who had for a quarter of a century been to me a living personality, and as I glanced at George, my host, sitting at the head of the table, I told my story as I have already recounted it. They listened with interest, especially Dr. Steele, and when I had finished he said, "and did he carry a big cane, which he recklessly flourished about in every direction?" As I assented, the doctor replied, "George is your man." It was indeed he, older but no less handsome than he had been years before. When finally Tom Morgan left the prison with many others to go to Vicksburg for exchange, our company being the escort, I had an occasional opportunity to speak to him. As before told, he was subsequently killed in battle, as was also his brother, the famous General. The whole affair seemed most unusual and remarkable in its coincidences. To think that the only man in that great crowd of five thousand prisoners who left any impression on my mind, and of whom I often thought, should after an interval of twenty-five years become my patient.
How events interweave and connect themselves with other events! When at Camp Chase, my old friend and college-mate, Percy Browne, had ridden over to the camp from Columbus and called upon me. Before coming to Kenyon he had been a bookkeeper in a large brokerage house in New York, where my cousin William Comstock was a junior partner. Mr. George happened to tell me that after his release he went to New York and made three thousand dollars in speculation through the house of William Dart & Co. I remarked that my cousin, a Mr. Comstock, was connected with the firm. "Why," he replied, "it was Comstock who paid me the money, and when he asked how I wanted it, I said in gold." George then went abroad and told me that he returned with a good deal more money than he took. "Where did you get it?" I inquired. "At Baden Baden," was his brief response. It was at Mr. George's that I made the acquaintance of Major General Crittenden, one of the sons of the celebrated statesman of the time of Webster and Clay, and the sponsor of the Crittenden Compromise. The Crittendens were Kentuckians, and their case illustrated one of the many sad family divisions of the South during the Civil War, some fighting on the side of the North, others on the side of the South as in the case of this family. The Crittenden in question was a Corps Commander in the Union Army, but was, I believe, not very successful.
While we were stationed at Camp Chase there were several rumors of outbreaks among the prisoners and attempts to escape, and the regiment was more than once silently called out at night to surround the stockade enclosing the Confederates ; but there was never any general push for freedom, and I doubt whether it was ever seriously considered. However many hardships they subsequently endured and it is idle to say ; there was no suffering during the cold winters of a northern clime. I am able to assert confidently that at Camp Chase, during the summer we were there, the Confederate prisoners were well fed, well housed, and able to keep perfectly clean, as water in abundance was to be had for the getting or the asking. The barracks were the same as those for our own men, and the food too. There was no dead line at first, although I believe it was afterwards established.
A ludicrous incident occurred one night when a number of prisoners escaped, all of whom were subsequently captured; and the funny side I did not know until many years after when I met in New York the Mr. George to whom I have alluded. It seems that he was in this strike for freedom. About a dozen were in the secret. There being no dead line, a Texan secreted himself in a big box, open at one end, and Confederates carried it to the stockade, for the ostensible purpose of playing cards on it. Those directly interested, and with supplies in their pockets, gathered about the box while two of them mounted it and began the game. Meanwhile, the one inside with the requisite tools proceeded to saw a hole through the stockade. When finished, the signal was given from within the box, and the escape began. George, as I have said, was a big fellow, and when his turn came he could not get through. Those behind were impatient and told George to get out of the way and if he was too big, to give the others a chance ; so he had the chagrin of seeing the smaller men slide through and away. Now it happened that the guard-on duty was very young, very green, and very stupid. So amazed was he to see his prisoners thus escaping that, instead of shooting, he kept repeating, "You shouldn't do that, should you?" All in all, it was just as well that George was too big, since every man was recaptured.
The Grand Rounds is a ceremony that takes place at midnight. It is quite an important occasion. The officer of the day, accompanied by others, makes the round of the guards to see that everything is all right. The "relief" is quite another function. There are four of them, the first, second, third, and fourth reliefs. Every soldier when on guard knows what his relief is, and eagerly awaits it. On one occasion a new recruit was on guard. He knew that his relief was the third and was on the lookout for it. He saw the Grand Rounds approaching, but in his mind he had no thought of anything but the third relief, which meant his bunk and sleep. His duty was to cry out, "Halt, who goes there ? " The answer would be "The Grand Rounds." Then the guard would say "Advance one and give the countersign." So great was his disappointment, however, that he either forgot or disdained the correct formula, and replied "To h-l with the Grand Rounds. I thought it was the third relief."
The three months for which we had enlisted passed away, and none too quickly, but for some reason of necessity the government held us another month before giving us our discharge.
ROCKWELL, ALPHONSO DAVID (May 18, 1840 - Apr. 12, 1933), pioneer in electro-therapeutics, was born in New Canaan, Conn., the son of David S. and Betty (Comstock) Rockwell. He was educated at the New Canaan Seminary conducted by his father and at Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio. His father had purchased a farm near Milan, Ohio, and here he returned after graduation to teach a rural school and begin the study of medicine with a local practitioner. In the spring of I862 he served a three months' enlistment in the 85th Ohio Infantry, guarding Confederate prisoners at Camp Chase at Columbus. He spent a year in the medical department of the University of Michigan and a second at the Bellevue Hospital Medical School in New York where he received his medical degree in I864. He immediately took the examination for the army medical service, was appointed an assistant surgeon, and was assigned to the 6th Ohio Cavalry in Gregg's division of Sheridan's cavalry corps. Joining his regiment at Warrenton, Va., he participated in the campaign which began at the Wilderness and ended with the investment of Richmond, and was with Sheridan's cavalry when it blocked the Confederate retreat at Appomattox. In the meantime he had been promoted to the office of surgeon with the grade of major. Discharged with his regiment in August 1865, he settled in New York City for practice.
In 1866 Rockwell became associated with George M. Beard [q.v.] in the investigation of the therapeutic applications of electricity, an association which later developed into a business partnership. At this time electricity was not used to any extent by physicians in the United States, and very little elsewhere. They issued a series of articles in the Medical Record (1866--67, 1867-68), published in book form in 1867 under the title, The Use of Electricity, which created wide interest. In these articles emphasis was placed upon general electrization with its constitutional tonic effects. In 1871 he published with Beard their larger work; A Practical Treatise on the Medical and Surgical Uses of Electricity, which went through eleven editions and was introduced into German by a translation by Professor Vater of the University of Prague. In this exhaustive work they described and illustrated in detail the modus operandi of general electrization which they had been the first to give systematic investigation, and directed attention to the growing importance of "central galvanization," especially galvanization of the sympathetic system. Numerous carefully prepared case reports gave added value to the book. Individually or in collaboration with Beard, Rockwell produced a flow of articles for the literature of neurology and electro-therapeutics. Their association was terminated in 1876 by an estrangement, which was later healed. In 1884 Rockwell edited a volume on Sexual Neurasthenia from the posthumous manuscript of Beard and in 1888 he brought out a second edition of Beard's Practical Treatise on Nervous Exhaustion. He edited an American edition of Sir William Atkin's Complete Handbook of Treatment (1887) and wrote the chapter on electro-therapeutics for H.A. Hare's System of Practical Therapeutics (1891). In 1920 he published Rambling Recollections: An Autobiography. He was appointed professor of electro-therapeutics at New York Postgraduate Medical School in 1886, holding the position for four years. Owing to his admitted limitations as a a public speaker, he was extremely modest concerning his success as an instructor. He was neurologist and electro-therapeutist to the Flushing Hospital and served on the medical staffs of the Women's Hospital and Demilt Dispensary in New York. He was a member and one-time president of the American Electro-Therapeutic Association.
When the New York state law was enacted changing the method of legal execution from hanging to the electric chair, Rockwell was chosen by the commissioner of prisons as one of the committee of three to advise the state as to the best method of carrying out the provisions of the law. Not only did he advise upon the apparatus and its application, but he gave testimony for the state in defense of the new law and was a witness of some of the earliest electro-executions in the state. He retired from active professional work some years before his death, He was married on Oct. 7, 1868, in New York, to Susannah Landon of that city. It is to be said of Rockwell and his associate, Beard, that they wrested electro-therapeutics from the grasp of charlatanry, gave it respectability, and placed it upon a scientific basis.
June 6, 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 653.
Headquarters Department of the Mississippi,
Corinth, Miss., June 6, 1862.
Commanding Officer, Camp Chase, Ohio.
Sir: You will parole a captain of General Price's army who wishes to exchange and send him to Corinth, Miss., to report to headquarters Department of the Mississippi to be exchanged for Captain Rabb, Second Indiana Artillery, taken prisoner at Weston, Mo., and paroled by Colonel Lewis, C. S. Army, or Missouri State Guard.
By order of Major-General Halleck:
J. C. Kelton
Assistant Adjutant-General
June 7, 1862:
A unique flag raising took place at the camp. The pole for the flag, elevated in two sections, rose to a height of 150 feet. The ceremony was opened with prayer by Bishop Bedell, after which the flag was drawn up by Hon. William Dennison and addresses were delivered by Governor Tod, ex-governor Dennison, Col Moody, N.A. Gray and Samuel Galloway. Colonel Moody, in the course of his remarks, proposed the following, which was ratified with enthusiastic shouts:
"In the name of God,
And Governor Tod,
We'll follow our flag to Dixie."
June 10 1862:
OR vol. 3. Page 670.
Columbus, Ohio, June 10, 1861
Hon. E.M. Stanton:
Many of the better class of prisoners prefer being paroled to being exchanged or otherwise discharged, for the simple reason that as long as they are on parole they are not liable to military duty again. Would it not be policy in the Government to gratify them in this wish?
David Tod, Governor of Ohio.
also...
Washington June 10, 1862
Governor Tod, Columbus, Ohio:
The question in relation to prisoners is now under consideration. If they are paroled great complaint is made by the friends of our prisoners in the South. No trust can be placed in their parole. I think it is cheaper to keep them where they are than send them back as recruits, for the rebel Government will release them by law from their parole and force all into the ranks who do not go voluntarily, so that we shall only have to fight and take them again.
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
From Granville Moody's Autobiography. A Life's Retrospect 1890. Page 363.
[Ohio State Journal] June 10, 1862.
Colonel Granville Moody, ever prompt and ready for any emergency, is increasing in his energies in comfortably providing for the wants of the soldier. The troops are clothed, armed, and equipped, according to law, as fast as they arrive at camp. Saturday last was a day long to be remembered at Camp Chase. On that occasion a long flag-staff was raised, one hundred and five feet high, and from the top floated that standard sheet, the Stars and Stripes, of huge proportions, forty-two feet long and twenty-seven feet wide, which was elevated to its position by the hands of Governor Brough [sic should be Tod] and Ex-Governor Dennison, amidst the shouts of thousands.
After the speaking, Colonel Moody, of the Seventy-fourth, mounted on his fine black charger, marched the battalions out to the parade-ground, and there drilled them through two-thirds of Hardee, like one perfectly familiar with all the military tactics, to the great credit of himself and soldiery. The colonel has greatly improved himself in military knowledge since he came to this post, and might now be considered almost a finished soldier in the military art.
On Sunday Colonel Moody preached to some two thousand attentive soldiers from this text; "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." There are some fears that we are to lose the services of Colonel Moody, which have been so serviceable at this post. There seems to be loud and ernest call from his regiment for his presence there, and, from the signs of the times, I should not be surprised to hear at any time that the colonel is under marching orders. This would be good news for Colonel Moody, as he has ever been anxious to join his regiment.
June 11, 1862:
84th O.V.I. ; 1021; (three months) left for Cumberland Md., Col. William Lawrence
June 12, 1862:
87th O.V.I.;1024; three months service left for Baltimore Md. Col. Henry B. Banning.
June 13, 1862:
OR vol. 4. Page 17.
Louisville, June 13, 1862
Hon. E.M.Stanton, Secretary of War:
The release of prisoners sent from Kentucky to Camp Chase will injure us very much in Kentucky. They return emboldened and to assassinate the men who arrested them. It will endanger us in Kentucky.
J.T. Boyle, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
June 16, 1862:
86th O.V.I. 977; organized on June 11, 1862 for six months service left for Clarksburg, West VA. Col. Wilson C. Lemert
June 22, 1862:
OR vol. 4 Page 53
Wheeling, June 22, 1862
Major-General Fremont:
Spriggs and Triplett are at Camp Chase to await trial.
Jos. Darr, Jr. Major and Provost-Marshall.
June 24, 1862:
From Granville Moody's Autobiography. A Life's Retrospect 1890. Page 340-1
Headquarters Ohio Militia
Adjutant-Generals Office,
Columbus, Ohio June 24, 1862
General Order No. r2.
At his own request, Colonel Granville Moody, of the Seventy-fourth Regiment, O.V.I., is hereby relieved from the command of Camp Chase, on and after twelve o'clock M., of the 25th instant, and ordered to join his regiment.
He will turn over his present command at the time above-mentioned to Colonel Charles W. B. Allison, of the 85th Regiment, O.V.I., and on or before the second day of July next, set out to join his regiment for duty in the field. By order,
Charles W. Hill, Adjutant-General of Ohio.
The State of Ohio, Executive Department,
Columbus, June 24, 1862.
Colonel Granville Moody, 74th Regiment O. V. I.:
My Dear Sir,
The time has at last arrived, when I can respond favorably to your repeated requests to be permitted to join your regiment. Inclosed I send you an order to that effect.
For the faithful, energetic, and vigilant manner in which you have discharged the various delicate and responsible duties incident to the command of Camp Chase, you have my most profound thanks. You are now about to proceed to a new field of duty, and let me assure you that you carry with you my most sincere wishes for equal success in the discharge of your new responsibilities.
I can hardly expect to meet you again until after the unholy rebellion is put down; and whether that meeting be in heaven or on earth, may we each be able to claim for himself, before the all seeing eye of the God of battles, that he has faithfully done his duty.
It is a sweet reflection to me to know, that in the varied official intercourse, our personal relations have ever been kind and confiding.
With my kind regards to Mrs. Moody and your daughter, I am,
Very truly yours,
David Tod Governor
Charles William Brandon Allison.
born December 1820 in Middleton Pa. . His father William Allison died in 1830 leaving the widow and ten year old son impoverished. They drove a buggy across the the Alleghenies to Wooster, Ohio, to live with her married sisters who had emigrated there. By daytime work and nightime study, young C.W.B. Allison was able to gain admittance to the bar in Columbus at the age of nineteen. He settled in Marysville, Union County, Ohio and entered practice with the county prosecuting attorney, the Honorable Augustus Hall. In 1844 Hall left with his family and young Allison succeeded to the office of prosecuting attoney and entered practice with the locally famous Otway Curry. He married Susanna Sophronia Lee in 1844. They had one daughter Julia who was born in 1846. In 1848 Sophronia Allison died. C.W.B. Allison moved to Bellefontaine where he went into partnership with the Hon. Benjamin Stanton, a second cousin of Edwin Stanton. Mr. Stanton had been a member of the lower house of the state legislature and a state senator (1841). In 1850 , he was elected to Congress where he served four terms before he was chosen lieutenant governor of Ohio in 1862. Mr. Allison married his daughter Mary Stanton in 1851.
The Commanding Officer in 1862 was Colonel C.W.B. Allison age 41, 85th O.V.I. (who took Col. Moody's position) Allison enlisted June 1, 1862 as a private in Co. D, 85th OVI. He was promoted to Colonel on June 10, 1862; mustered out with regiment Sept. 23, 1862. and was preceded by Major Peter Zinn from his regiment.
July 1862
July 15, 1862:
The Ohio Weekly State Journal
ATTEMPTED ESCAPE OF REBEL PRISONERS-SPRINGING MINES.
It ingenuity of the rebel prisoners confined at Camp Chase has been tested in a variety of ways in order that they might again see the outer world. The latest plan hit upon by them was to dig out. It was discovered recently that two mines had been made, commencing underneath one of their quarters and running to with in a few feet of the outside fence surrounding the prison. Had they been successful in mining to the outside they would there met an obstacle to overcome in the person of the ground guards, whose attention they could scarcely have escaped.
also...
PAROLED PRISONERS- Yesterday fifty men belonging to the 5th Michigan Battery, arrived at Camp Chase. They were taken prisoners by the Rebels at the battle of Shiloh; and afterward being carried to Macon Georgia, were released on parole because the chivalry didn't have supplies to spare to feed them on.
July, 1862:
Prison Report
Number of Prisoners,
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 1,430
Joined During Month: 296
Total: 1,726
Transferred to other Stations: 47
Delivery or Exchange: 0
Died: 7
Escaped: 0
Released: 8
Total Loss: 1,100
Sick: 62
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 550
August 1862
August, 1862:
Prison Report
Number of Prisoners,
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 1,669
Joined During Month: 292
Total: 1,961
Transferred to other Stations: 0
Delivery or Exchange: 1,096
Died: 4
Escaped: 0
Released: 0
Total Loss: 1,100
Sick: 22
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 605
August 20, 1862:
45th O.V.I. organized on August 19, 1862 left for Kentucky. Col. Benjamin P. Runkle.
September 1862
Prison Report
Number of Prisoners,
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 861
Joined During Month: 506
Total: 1,367
Transferred to other Stations: 421
Delivery or Exchange: 193
Died: 5
Escaped: 0
Released: 40
Total Loss: 666
Sick: 29
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 699
September 6, 1862:
Ohio State Journal (AL page 113)
During the first five days of September 1862 an advance of Kirby Smith's Confederate army northward through Kentucky with evident intent to attack Cincinnati, which had been left in a defenseless state, caused a tremendous sensation through Ohio. At the call of the Governor, minute men, uniquely named Squirrel Hunters, rushed instantly to the defense of the imperilled metropolis, and by their promptness and vim quickly thwarted the enemy's scheme of invasion, The Ohio State Journal of Sept. 6 thus referred to this outpouring:
The oldest inhabitant on the face of this wide planet, not even excepting the Wandering Jew, has ever seen anything like the present pouring forth of brave and patriotic men for the defense of their homes... The word went forth that Ohio was menaced, that her Queen City was threatened; and immediately from farm and forge, from shop and study, from office and factory, there came forth a swarm that no man could number and no rebel army withstand. They came with their own tried and trusty guns. They stood not upon the order of their going, but went at once. They clutched the rife that hung upon the buckhorns in the kitchen; they snatched up the venerable musket that had long stood neglected in the corner, they seized the doublebarreled shotgun with which they sported for small game, all bringing their own ammunition, and poured out en masse upon the railroad lines, along which every station was crowded with eager patriots begging to be carried forward towards the rebel invaders. Yesterday morning, from Columbus north along Cleveland road, more than a thousand men were found awaiting the arrival of trains to carry them towards Kentucky... But the trains could not receive them. They were already crowded with other such and no more could be taken. As they passed our depot the air was rent with huzzas and spiritstirring songs that went up from a thousand loyal hearts.
September 23, 1862:
85th OVI mustered out.
September 24, 1862:
1st Battalion Governor's Guards later to be the 88th OVI
Ohio in the War Vol. II page 492-493.
This regiment was organized in the later part of July, 1862, its nucleus being four companies, called the "First Battalion Governor's Guards, Ohio Volunteer Infantry." It was mustered into service of the United States by Capt. A.E. Drake, United States Army,. 27, 1862, and was at once placed on duty at Camp Chase, near Columbus, then filled with Rebel prisoners. The duty here was very arduous. The prisoners were confined in three different tenements, and it required the whole strength of the regiment to fill the details. In a few months the service became exceedingly monotonous to both officers and men, and all were clamorous for orders to the field.
While acting as Governor's Guards on duty at Camp Chase, under the Command of Major Peter Zinn, the Kirby Smith raid was made on Cincinnati. Major Zinn asked and obtained leave of Governor Tod to take his battalion to the field. Arriving at Cincinnati the command was marched across the Ohio River on the pontoon bridge, and stationed within supporting distance of Fort Mitchel and other fortifications erected in the rear of Covington and Newport. In this position the battalion performed all the duties of troops in presence of the enemy, and, although not called upon to engage in the deadly conflict, the officers and men were constantly on the alert, and prepared for an instant "call to arms". The battalion received not only the thanks of Governor Tod, but those of the commanding officer in the front of Cincinnati, General Horatio G. Wright, USA.
[more later on the forming of the Regiment.]
October 1862
October, 1862
Prison Report
Number of Prisoners,
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 701
Joined During Month: 350
Total: 1,051
Transferred to other Stations: 38
Delivery or Exchange: 196
Died: 6
Escaped: 0
Released: 0
Total Loss: 240
Sick: 37
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 738
November 1862
November, 1862:
Prison Report
Number of Prisoners,
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 811
Joined During Month: 232
Total: 1,043
Transferred to other Stations: 0
Delivery or Exchange: 0
Died: 6
Escaped: 0
Released: 595
Total Loss: 601
Sick: 30
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 603
Early November 1862:
Lt. W.H. Herbert speaks of his experience as a Confederate Prisoner: From The Story of Camp Chase W. H. Knauss 1906. page 267-269
We remained in Wheeling prison several days, leaving there one evening, the first part of November, under a guard of seven for Camp Chase, Ohio. On reaching Newark a gentleman coming into the car took a seat just in front of me. On the way to Columbus we fell into conversation, when I told him I was a Confederate prisoner. He was surprised and wanted to know how many there were of us. I gave him the number - twelve prisoners and seven guards. Then he said: "When we get to Columbus I would like to do something for you boys. If we find a restaurant open, I'll set up supper for the party." I referred him to the officer in charge, who, upon being informed that the guard was to be included in the supper, gave his consent.
We landed in Columbus about 11:30 at night, marched up High St, looking for a restaurant . Luckily we found one on the corner of High St, opposite the Statehouse, that was still open. It was in the basement, entrance down steps on the street leading out to Camp Chase. Here we had a supper fit for the gods. Our host, who proved himself a royal entertainer, was then deputy sheriff of Franklin County.
There was a bar in connection with the restaurant, and while supper was being prepared "John Barleycorn" flowed freely to those who wished to imbibe. We all seemed that way inclined, some more so than others. Several Union officers who had been captured and released on parole came in, and when they found we were Confederate prisoners they were exceedingly kind. They requested the proprietor to give us the best of everything the house had to offer.
About that time General McClellan had been relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac and General Burnside appointed to the place. These officers were strong McClellan men, and were loud in their opposition to the change.
After we all had our supper we took one farewell drink "from the same canteen" before starting on the tramp to Camp Chase. The most of the party were groggy and wabbled along as best they could. As we emerged from the west end of the covered bridge we found that one of the prisoners and one of the guards were past locomotion; they were simply paralyzed.
The officer in charge had them carried to the roadside at the end of the bridge wall and left them lying there, the balance taking up the line of tramp to the prison, which was reached in due time. ** When the roll of prisoners was called and one found missing, the officer said he was left by the roadside, too sick to travel, and that he had left a guard with him.
As day was breaking we marched through the gate to our quarters in Prison 2, Mess No. 12. About nine o'clock the same morning a cart came driving in with our absent brother. What became of the guard, I never learned. A Major Zinn was then in command of the prison.
The prison was a long barracks built of rough boards, one story high, running lengthwise of the inclosure, divided off into apartments, each containing twelve bunks, six on a side, three men, to the bunk, thirty-six comprising the mess.
A high board fence surrounded the inclosure, at top of which was a walk, used by the guard, and at intervals were small shelters used in inclement weather. The roll of the prisoners was called every morning and evening by the officer from the top of this fence, and all letters were distributed from there also. One of the sad incidents that occurred was the killing of a citizen-prisoner from Kentucky and the wounding of a citizen-prisoner from Virginia by the guard one night after taps had sounded. In each mess was a small cook stove, which sat in the middle of the floor with mouth toward the door. When taps were sounded the guard would call: "Lights out!" On this occasion the light kept flickering from the stove mouth, which could be seen through the cracks between the boards. He called out again, "Lights Out!" then he fired his gun into the mess where he saw the light, killing one man and wounding the another.
One of the funny incidents that occurred while I was there was that a woman was permitted to come inside to do washing for the prisoners. She would have her tubs just inside the dead line near the fence. Some soldiers were fond of their toddy, and generally got it by hook or crook; so they worked on the tender sympathies of this washerwoman, and she would bring in a bottle now and then concealed under her dress, and when the opportunity offered they got it. One morning she came in with a quart in one of those old-style flat glass bottles, with General Jackson's head on one side and an ear of corn on the other. The bottle was not quite full. She began her washing. The guard on duty kept close watch, so that the party for whom the whiskey was intended could not get it at once. She kept on rubbing the clothes. The motion agitated the whiskey, creating a gas in the bottle, and there was an explosion like unto the report of a mountain Howitzer. The guard turned out, and, when the cause of the explosion was solved, the old lady was escorted through the gate to the outside. She never returned while I was there. After this occurrence the sutler would furnish spirits on the sly, labeled "Butter", at two dollars the quart.
About two hundred of us left Camp Chase the latter part of November, 1862, with three day's rations, via Dayton and Cincinnati, for Cairo ,Ill.
December 1862
December, 1862:
Prison Report
Number of Prisoners,
Last Day of Proceeding Month: 442
Joined During Month: 314
Total: 756
Transferred to other Stations: 0
Delivery or Exchange: 460
Died: 3
Escaped: 0
Released: 0
Total Loss: 463
Sick: 49
Citizens or Political Prisoners: 28
December 25, 1862:
The Democratic Standard (Delaware, Ohio) p 3, column 3.
Gone Up --
Camp Delaware is numbered among the things that were. On Monday last, a squad of soldiers belonging to the Governor's Guards, at Camp Chase came up and tore down the barracks remaining in Camp Delaware, preparatory to taking them to Camp Chase, where they are to be put up as quarters for horses. The deed is done. Our people allowed it to be removed without an effort made for its retention.
End of 1862
Forward to Camp Chase Chronicles, 1863
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