Prisoners of War
Information on Prisoners of War in Richmond, VA during the Civil War

Written Accounts

1866-03, The Cosmopolite, “Reminiscences of A Southern Hospital. By Its Matron.” Part 3
1866, DeForest (81st NY), Random Sketches...; 1866 memoir describing conditions in the early Richmond prisons, Libby and Belle Isle
1866, The Lost Cause, A New Southern History of the War...; by Edward A. Pollard; this excerpt reprints the southern Congress' response to the prisoner issue, written in 1865. Describes Libby Prison, General Hospital #21, and Belle Isle
1867-08-10, Southern Opinion; description of Belle Isle as a prison camp – notes on the cemetery, the origins of the prison,the current state of the island
1869-04-03, Boston Traveller; long and detailed account of a visit to Richmond. Particular emphasis on Belle Isle, Libby Prison, Castle Thunder and the Cold Harbor battlefield.
1870, Thomas Bean Letter; excerpt of reminiscence of Belle Isle prisoner from 1864. Excellent details on intake of prisoners and layout of Belle Isle.
1880-12-02, Weekly Kansas Chief (Troy, Kan.); Libby Prison sold at auction to James T. Gray for $6,725. Gives a very good history of the prison and its postwar history. Castle Godwin and Lumpkins’ Alley mentioned, along with dimensions of Libby’s rooms.
1881-12-10, Philadelphia Weekly Times; excellent article by Frank Moran entitled “Libby’s Bright Side:” illustrates the humorous and lighter aspects of life in Libby Prison. Mentions the “Libby Prison Minstrels” and the Libby Prison Chronicle
1883-08-23, National Tribune; letter praising E. L. Van Lew’s wartime activities – author was in prison with Ely, and recalls the death of a Union prisoner in her home.
1883-09-13, National Tribune; description of prison life at Castle Thunder and "Royster House" (GH#20)

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