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

Written Accounts

1895-06-13, National Tribune; refutation of the claim that prisoners at Belle Isle were "jolly fellows;" good details of the harsh treatment, and attempts to escape
1895-08-29, National Tribune; brief description of the author's prison experiences at Belle Isle, Pemberton, and Scott's prisons
1896-01-23, National Tribune; brief account of the theft of a blanket in Libby Prison in January, 1865
1897-08-01, Richmond Dispatch; letter to the editor by a guard at Libby Prison, commenting on what he saw in regards to food and supply. Mentions a “Second Libby” in which privates were kept
1899-05-04, National Tribune; continuation of Aubrey's account of life in Libby - further mention of T. P. Turner, and notes that he returned his hard-earned money to him upon release. Unique for its positive portrayal of Turner.
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
1900-09-16, National Tribune; Part one of Silas Crocker's serialized account of life in Libby - relates the stock story of money stealing by Dick Turner and mentions a sergeant beating a man who would not give up his ring.
1900-11-10, Richmond Dispatch; letter from former prisoner of war who knew Elizabeth Van Lew in 1861-62, inquiring as to her age when she died
1901-04-11, National Tribune; former prisoner at Belle Isle describes the cold winter of 1863-64 and mentions the rations coming to the island via barge from the north bank
1901-04-18, National Tribune; description of life in Pemberton Prison in 1865. Notes that Dick Turner was in charge there, and gives some examples of his cruelty

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