Entertainment
Information about entertainment in Richmond, VA during the Civil War.

Written Accounts

1888-05-04, Richmond Dispatch; Richmond Blues and the Washington Grays of Philadelphia are picnicking opposite Drewry’s Bluff at “Warwick Park”
1889-08-15, National Tribune; part one of a two-part memoir by Capt. J. W. Chamberlain, 123rd Ohio, describing at length his imprisonment in Libby Prison
1889-12-19, National Tribune; account of the 4th of July celebration in Libby during 1863 by Louis Beaudry, the former editor of the "Libby Chronicle"
1891-02-22, New York Times; part three of serialized account of life in Libby. Notes on various ways prisoners attempted to escape, the Confederate preachers who came there
1891-03-08, New York Times; part five of serialized account of life in Libby. Gives a description of the lighter side of Libby life: mentions the "Libby Minstrels" and their performances as well as mock trials that took place in prison. Notes the shooting
1891-06-03, Wisconsin MOLLUS, Vol. I, Milwaukee, 1891, pp. 394-409; By Bvt. Brig. Gen. Harrison C. Hobart, entitled: "Libby Prison - The Escape." Describes Life in Libby Prison from 9/30/1863 until his escape on Feb. 9th, 1864
1891-12-29, National Tribune; Excellent set of letters from Libby Prison, recounting treatment and life in prison. Mentions purchasing one of the Rees images from the prison guards, and sending it North.
1892-05-01, New York Times; detailed description of the Christmas Eve, 1863 entertainment in Libby Prison and information about the collection in which it was found.
1899-08-17, National Tribune; “A Union Man in Richmond;” part five of serial account. Describes the scene in Richmond in early to mid-1863. Mentions hedonistic activity at the Exchange, Ballard and Spotswood hotels; prostitution and gambling flourishing
1900-08-16, National Tribune; Part Two of Silas Crocker’s serialized account of life in captivity in Richmond - relates the story of his stay on Belle Isle with good details on the prison’s geography. Very fair account, though bitter

Page 10 of 12

Go to top