Tobacco Factories
Information about Tobacco Factories during the Civil War

Written Accounts

1879-08-26, Richmond Dispatch; Castle Thunder and adjoining building burn down spectacularly. Important and lengthy description of the fire. United States Hotel mentioned
1879-08-27, further details on the burning of Castle Thunder. No lives lost, extensive account of insurance of various buildings
1879-09-03, Shenandoah Herald (Woodstock, Va.); Castle Thunder buildings burn down
1880-11-23, Bristol (Va. & Tenn.) News; details on the sale of Libby Prison – sold for $6,725 to a “young tobacconist.” Notes that a part of the wall has been carried away by tourists
1883-04-01, Richmond Dispatch; incredibly detailed recollections of the evacuation of Richmond – gives reliable chronology of events of the fire and occupation
1884-04-13, Richmond Dispatch; account of the evacuation fire of Richmond, including extract from Gen. Ewell’s report – also notes that Gen. Anderson may have told Ewell about how the Tredegar Iron Works were spared. Ewell blames the spread of the fire on
1885, Southern Historical Society Papers Vol. 13, p. 247; Ewell, Richard S. "Evacuation of Richmond: Report of General R. S. Ewell." Letter from Ewell to Robert E. Lee, December 20, 1865. Notes on VMI cadets being some of the last soldiers in Richmond.
1890-04-03, Richmond Dispatch; excellent description, including valuable testimony of Isaac Carrington, of the evacuation fire of Richmond. Notes that Libby had been emptied the day before
1891-01-01, National Tribune; excellent description of Crew and Pemberton Prisons and account of a "sugar raid"
1894-01-25, National Tribune; description of how the Confederates "tricked" Yankees into moving from Pemberton Prison to Belle Isle

Page 4 of 6

Go to top