Alton Military Post and Prison
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
THE ALTON MILITARY POST AND PRISON (ALSO CALLED "BLUFF CASTLE" OR "CAMP DU BOIS")
SEE ALSO - THE ILLINOIS STATE PRISON AT ALTON | CIVIL WAR NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS
NEW - THE LIFE OF COLONEL EBENEZER MAGOFFIN, AND HIS ESCAPE FROM THE ALTON PRISON
During the Civil War, as the number of captured Confederate
prisoners of war increased, it was decided to use former State
Penitentiary at Alton (which closed in 1860) for a military post
and prison. Beginning in 1861, captured Confederate prisoners,
deserters, and war criminals were housed in the prison,
including a small number of women. In 1863, a smallpox epidemic
spread throughout the prison. Some were housed in the prison
hospital, while others were taken to a makeshift hospital
located on Sunflower Island, directly across from Alton. The
island was later called “Smallpox Island.” In May 1862, the
prison hospital was moved into a three-story building at the
corner of Broadway and Alby Streets. This was used until a new
hospital within the prison walls was constructed in July 1864.
Those who died at the military prison in Alton were buried
at the cemetery on Rozier Street in North Alton. Those prisoners
confined to the hospital on Smallpox Island were buried there on
the island. This island no longer exists, as it was flooded when
the Alton dam was constructed in 1926.
At the end of the
Civil War (1865) the prison was closed permanently. Those
remaining prisoners were sent to St. Louis or released. The
prison was then dismantled, except for a small portion of a
wall, which was relocated in 1970 near William Street in
downtown Alton. This wall still stands, and is now a historical
site. Some of the stones from the prison were ground up and used
in paving projects in East St. Louis.
COMMANDERS AT THE
MILITARY POST AND PRISON DURING THE CIVIL WAR:
[Source: Alton
Telegraph, July 2, 1976]
Colonel Cook, 7th Illinois Volunteer
Infantry (April 25, 1861 – July 3, 1861)
Colonel Sidney
Burbank, 13th U. S. Infantry (Feb. 9, 1862 - June 25, 1862)
Major F. F. Flint, 16th U.S. Infantry (to Sept. 5, 1862)
Colonel Jesse Hildebrand, 77th Ohio Volunteers, (to Apr. 18,
1863) (died from pneumonia at the prison)
Colonel William B. Mason, 77th Ohio Volunteers, (to
July 30, 1863)
Colonel George Kincaid, 37th Iowa Volunteers
(to Jan. 14, 1864)
Colonel William Wier, 10th Kansas
Volunteers (to Apr. 26, 1864)
Brigadier General J. T.
Copeland, U.S. Volunteers, (to Dec. 28, 1864)
Colonel Ray
Stone, 149th Pennsylvania Volunteers (to March 1865)
Colonel
John H. Kahn, 144th Ill. Volunteers (to July 1865)
ARTICLES REGARDING THE MILITARY POST AND CONFEDERATE PRISON AT ALTON:
NURSE AT THE PRISON - 1861
Source: Historical Genealogy of
the Woodsons and Their Connections, by Henry Morton Woodson,
1915
Thomas Hart Benton Woodson, born February 19, 1840 in
Ralls county, Missouri. During the early part of the Civil War
(abt. 1861) he served for six months as nurse in the hospital at
Alton, Illinois, caring for the sick and wounded soldiers. In
1862 to went to Dubuque County, Iowa.
7TH ILLINOIS REGIMENT QUARTERS AT ALTON PRISON
Source:
History of the 7th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, April
25, 1861 to July 9, 1865, by D. Leib Ambrose, 1868
At this
time the firm steps of Illinois patriot men were heard keeping
step to the music of the Union. In every direction her stalwart
sons were seen marching towards the Capital. The loyal pulse
never beat so central and quickening as at this period. After
the organization of the regiment on the twenty seventh, they are
marched from Camp Yates to the armory, where they receive their
arms - the Harper's Ferry altered musket - after which the
regiment marches to the depot and embarks for Alton, Illinois
where the regiment arrives at 4 p.m. [abt. April 25, 1861] and
are quartered in the old State Penitentiary. With men who were
eager for war, whose hopes of martial glory ran so high, to be
quartered in the old criminal home grated harshly, and they did
not enter those dark recesses with much gusto. During our stay
here, the regiment was every day marched out on the city commons
by Colonel Cook, and there exercised in the manual of arms and
the battalion evolutions until they attained a proficiency
surpassed by none in the service. On the nineteenth of May,
private Harvey of Company A died the first death in the
regiment. The first soldier in the first regiment to offer his
life for the flag and freedom. On the second of June private
Dunsmore of the same company falls into a soldier's grave. May
the loyal people ever remember these first sacrifices so
willingly offered in the morning of the rebellion. On the third
of July [1861] the regiment embarked on board the steamer "City
of Alton" for Cairo, Illinois. Passing down the river the
steamer is hailed and brought to at the St Louis Arsenal and
after the necessary inspection proceeds on her way.
7TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY QUARTERED AT ALTON PRISON
Source:
Alton Telegraph, May 10 & 17, 1861
The Regiment [7th Illinois
Volunteer Infantry] quartered in Alton appear to be contended
and happy. They come out daily as Companies, and drill amid the
green grass and leaf-covered forests in the vicinity of the
city, and decorate themselves with wild flowers with which the
woods abound. To see them in their innocent recreations and
their love for the romantic and beautiful, one would never be
led to think they were preparing to shed blood. They have
conducted themselves with great propriety since they have been
here, and have the good wishes and kindly sympathies of the
entire community. Last Friday morning they hoisted a large and
beautiful flag over their camp, amid the shouts and hurrahs of
thousands. Afterward Colonel Cook and others made some patriotic
and pertinent remarks, which were received with deafening
applause. Then the Star Spangled Banner and other patriotic airs
were sung by the Volunteers, with a will and emphasis which
showed that their song came from the depths of their hearts.
Friends from abroad having relatives here may rest assured
that the people of Alton will spare no pains to make the
soldiers comfortable and happy during their sojourn among us.
Some of our ladies’ hearts are so large and full of patriotism
that they are talking of getting up a great picnic for the
entire Regiment so that the Volunteers can have a chance to meet
our citizens and receive evidences of their kindness. We cannot
say now whether they will be able to succeed in their
contemplated enterprise. But simply speak of it is an evidence
of the esteem and respect they entertain for the brave soldiers
sojourning for the time being among us.
The men in this
encampment are diligently engaged in drilling preparatory to
active service, whenever they may be ordered. They are a
fine-looking lot of men, and we have not yet heard of a single
case of disorderly conduct among them since they have been in
our city. Some of them complain of their quarters, but we think
that it is caused more from the fact that they are inside the
Penitentiary walls than from any inconveniences which they
suffer. It is not supposed at this time, however, that they will
be permitted to remain much long with us, especially if their
service should be needed in Missouri, but at present we do not
think that will be the case.
Many of our citizens have
enough milk to spare, and we learn that it is in great demand at
Camp Dubois. Would it not be convenient and agreeable to those
who are so abundantly supplied with milk to send it into the
Camp for the benefit of the brave Volunteers who stand in so
much need of it? We have also been told that some milk shylocks
have been taking it there and selling it at 10 cents per quart,
while they supply their regular customers at 6 cents. It is
shameful thus to extort upon men who have left their all to
protect our Government and perhaps our lives and property from
destruction, simply because they are in a situation that they
cannot help themselves.
NOTES:
The 7th Illinois
Infantry was mustered at Cairo, Illinois, on April 25, 1861,
under Colonel John Cook. On April 27, they marched from Camp
Yates to the armory, where they received their arms – the
Harper’s Ferry altered musket. The regiment then marched to the
depot and took the train to Alton, arriving at 4 p.m. They
quartered in the former State Penitentiary. The men were eager
for war, with hopes of glory, and to be quartered in the old
criminal home grated harshly. Every day the regiment was marched
out onto the city commons by Colonel Cook, and exercised in the
manual of arms and the battalion evolutions, until they attained
a proficiency surpassed by none in the service. On May 19,
Private Harvey of Company A died – the first death in the
regiment. On June 2, Private Dunsmore of the same Company died.
On June 3, the regiment left Alton on board the steamer “City of
Alton,” for Cairo, Illinois. They were inspected at the St.
Louis Arsenal, and then proceeded on their way. They saw service
at the Battle of Fort Donelson, the Battle of Shiloh, the Battle
of Allatoona, the March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign.
The regiment mustered out of service on July 9, 1865.
CAMP DUBOIS [ALTON MILITARY POST] VOLUNTEERS GIVEN FEAST
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 31, 1861
A volunteer in Camp
Dubois, writing to the Illinois State Democrat, of the 14th
instant, speaks as follows:
“The ladies of Alton, and bless
them, have shown the same sympathy toward us here as the true
women of the North are everywhere showing, and in a substantial
manner yesterday afternoon the monotony of our camp life was
cheered by the presence of a bevy of bright faces, and we
afterwards ascertained that the owners of them had come laden
with delicacies for the sick and good substantial eatables for
the well. It is no uncommon assurance either, during our marches
through the city, for us to have bouquets thrown to us by
ladies, all lending to show their sympathy with our cause and
their devotion to the principles for which we, like our
Revolutionary fathers, are prepared and determined to pledge our
lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honors.”
Last
Saturday evening a delegation of ladies and gentlemen came to
Camp Dubois from Logan County, loaded down with cakes, pies, and
a great variety of good things donated by the ladies,
principally of Lincoln to the volunteers from that county now in
this city. On Sabbath at one o’clock, Captain Holden’s and
Captain Estabrook’s Companies, both in that county, surrounded
the table, spread in the quarters of the former, and laden with
every imaginable luxury calculated to tempt the appetite and
gratify the taste of the veriest epicure in the land, from the
county thus supplied. Previous to making an attack on these good
things by the soldiers, Lieutenant Colonel Wyatt made a few
brief and pertinent remarks, acknowledging the goodness of God
in preserving and prospering our national for so many years, and
in granting as such a bountiful supply of the necessities and
even the luxuries of life. He then alluded in most touching
terms to the kindness and sympathy which prompted the good
ladies of Logan County to furnish such an ample repast for those
then present. After which the order was given to step forward
and help themselves, which was responded to with great
enthusiasm. It does not often fall on the lot of the fair sex to
be so universally thanked and blessed as those good ladies were
by the volunteers during the time they were partaking of this
feast. Many of the soldiers spoke of their kindness with
heartfelt emotion. While they gave evidence that they were
soldiers by the strict order and decorum by which they were
governed during this performance, and by the determined and
loyal feeling manifested during Colonel Wyatt’s patriotic
address, yet in their heartfelt gratitude and strong affection
for those who had thus remembered them, they showed that they
were also citizens, husbands, fathers, and sons. We have no
doubt but this act of kindness will be cherished and remembered
gratefully as long as these noble and brave men are permitted to
live. Nay, it will not perish with time. Kind deeds, prompted by
right motives, never die. Everything passed off at the dinner
table very pleasantly, and the soldiers retired with perfect
order, blessing the good ladies of Logan County for their kind
attentions and sympathy. We return our thanks to Captains Holden
and Estabrook for their kind invitation to be present on this
pleasant occasion, and also to the good ladies for making such a
glorious feast as we were permitted to enjoy with the patriotic
men of that long to be remembered county. We hope that the
unholy rebellion against law and right, which caused these men
to leave their social circles and cherished homes, may soon be
subdued, and that they may be permitted to return to the embrace
of the ladies, who so kindly remembered them in their seclusion
from society.
DESERTERS CAPTURED AND PLACED IN ALTON MILITARY PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 1, 1861
Our citizens were
somewhat astonished this morning to find our levee in possession
of a detachment of troops from Camp Butler, who had come down
during the night. They had planted a cannon on the levee, and
thus established a blockade. Their purpose was to intercept and
stop some troops who, becoming dissatisfied with matters in
their camp somewhere in the northern part of the state, had
started off for Missouri, via the Illinois River. One or two
boats were stopped in the morning, but no runaways being found,
they were allowed to proceed. At about half past ten, however,
the looked-for boat appeared having in tow a barge loaded with
soldiers. She was greeted with two blank cartridges, to which no
attention was paid. A ball was then fired, which struck the bow
of the barge, damaging it somewhat. This being rather too close
work, she routed to and the entire party of military passengers
were taken prisoners. The officers in command were required to
deliver up their swords and after some delay, both officers and
men were marched under guard into the old Penitentiary, where at
the time of writing this, they remain.
MISSOURI REBEL PRISONERS ARE WELCOME IN ALTON
Source:
Alton Telegraph, December 27, 1861
Our neighbor of the Alton
Democrat is of opinion that the 1,303 Missouri rebel prisoners,
or any of them, should not be brought to Alton; that they would
be a nuisance to our people, &c. If a nuisance to us, they are
so elsewhere, and our people will not expect, not do they desire
to escape, all the responsibilities or trials of this war. Their
subsistence would certainly be a help to the city. Guarding men,
etc., would give employment to some of our citizens, no doubt.
Their being here, incidentally, would add somewhat to the trade
of the city, necessarily. We can see no objection, whatever, to
the Alton Penitentiary being used in this manner, provided the
army officers deem such a course most conductive to the
interests of the Union cause.
PRISONERS TO BE BROUGHT TO ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph,
January 17, 1862
We were informed this morning that it was
noticed that the prisoners now confined in McDowell’s College in
St. Louis are to be brought to Alton, and enclosed in the old
Penitentiary. The great many of our citizens appear to apprehend
the most fearful consequences to result from this act. They
contend that the people of Missouri will be so enraged that they
will close the river and fire the town, and commit other
depredations upon the property of the citizens. There is much
talk of calling a public meeting to protest against their being
brought. One thing is evident, that they either ought not to be
moved here, or, if they are, the government should garrison the
place with a sufficient number of soldiers to protect the city
against outrages from the other side of the river.
PENITENTIARY CONVERTED TO MILITARY PRISON
Source: Liberty
Weekly Tribune, January 31, 1862
The old Illinois
Penitentiary buildings at Alton will be converted into a
military prison, General Halleck having notified parties at
Alton to have the buildings prepared for the reception of the
1,200 prisoners lately captured by Gen. Pope's command.
PRISON WORK NOT YET COMPLETED
Source: Alton Telegraph,
February 7, 1862
We learn that the workmen employed in
fitting up the prison for the reception of our Missouri
neighbors from McDowell’s College have not yet completed their
work. When finished, the buildings and yard will furnish them
very comfortable quarters. In fact, they will be much better
provided for than the great mass of our own soldiers. We do not
complain of this, however, for there is nothing to be gained by
treating prisoners of war with inhumanity, but on the contrary,
there is much to be gained by assuring those of the rebels who
fall into our hands that the government is not motivated by
revenge, but aims solely at reestablishing the legitimate
authority of the laws over the entire country, and thus convince
them that they have labored under a delusion in supposing that
the North wished to oppose or injure them beyond accomplishing
this end. Accommodations are being made for 1,640.
J. C. MAUILL TO FURNISH RATIONS FOR PRISONERS
Source:
Alton Telegraph, February 7, 1862
We learn that Mr. J. C.
Mauill, who received the contract for furnishing rations for the
Secesh prisoners, is in town, and has orders to furnish 100,000
rations on his contract until April first. Sufficient for 1,500
men for 66 days. Mauill has rented the store formerly occupied
by Messrs. Nelson and Hayner on Short Street, and is there
collecting stores, which we understand are to be purchased in
this city, as far as practicable. We also learn that the
physician was here yesterday to inspect the quarters in the
prison, and that the prisoners are expected here tomorrow.
REMOVAL OF 650 PRISONERS TO ALTON
Source: Liberty Weekly
Tribune, February 14, 1862
The prisoners of war, who have
been confined in McDowell's College [St. Louis] for some time
past, were yesterday removed to the Penitentiary buildings at
Alton. The prisoners numbered about six hundred and fifty, and
they were escorted to Alton by two companies of the Second Iowa
Regiment. The boat was at the landing foot of Chestnut Street,
at an early hour yesterday morning, but it was half past 12
o'clock, p.m., before the prisoners made their appearance on the
wharf. They came down Chestnut Street well-guarded, and passed
aboard the boat in good order. The "City of Alton" [steamer]
started for Alton with the prisoners, at about 2 1/2 o'clock.
The removal of the prisoners caused a great deal of excitement
in the neighborhood of their former prison, and also on the
wharf large numbers of our citizens flocked around them during
their march from the college to the boat, but there was no
disorder in the proceeding. They were doubtless safely landed at
Alton, and are now in their new quarters.
PRISON INMATES - EIGHT BRIDGE BURNERS
Source: Watertown,
New York Daily Times, February 20, 1862
Gen. Halleck has
issued an order that in consideration of the recent victories
won by the Federal forces, and the rapidly increasing loyalty of
the citizens of Missouri, the sentence of the eight bridge
burners condemned to death are provisionally mitigated to close
confinement in the military prison at Alton. If, however, rebel
spies again destroy the railroads and telegraph lines, and thus
render it necessary to make severe examples, the original
sentences against these men will be carried into execution. No
further assessments will be levied or collected from anyone who
will now take the prescribed oath of allegiance. Boards of
commissioners will be appointed to examine the cases of
prisoners of war who apply to take the oath of allegiance. On
their recommendation, orders will be issued for their release.
SOUTHERN PRISONERS EN ROUTE TO ALTON
Written by A Soldier
During an Expedition to Fort Donelson; at Mound City, Illinois
Source: Indianapolis Daily Journal, February 25, 1862
The
incidents connected with our trip thus far are few. When we
arrived here yesterday, two large boatloads of prisoners had
just landed. And such a sight! Poor, pitiful, penniless,
miserable, wretched beings! There was no uniform. Their bodies
were protected by light covering - their shoulders by white and
carpet blanket - with all kinds of hats. They were the poor
whites of the South, of whom not one in twenty-five could write
his name nor spell a syllable. They acknowledged their delusion
and regret their step. This is universal. The number of
prisoners amount to some 15,000. Those above mentioned were en
route for Alton prison. Two more boats full were landed just as
we were returning from Mound City. I conversed with many of
them. They say that the 6th Alabama was completely cut to
pieces, and that the 25th Indiana, who made their charge,
mounted the redoubt and gave three cheers for 25th Indiana,
fighting like tigers. They were at first repulsed, but rallied
and fought with fury. The 52d Indiana - I speak only of
regiments I have heard of thus far - at first quailed under the
fire, but were rallied and fought like veterans. The 11th
Indiana Zouaves we know nothing of as yet, only that one is
killed and two wounded.
YOUNG SOLDIER ASSAULTED IN ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph,
February 28, 1862
Last evening, we noticed a young and
gentlemanly Private, belonging to one of the companies now
stationed in the penitentiary, strolling along Third Street,
looking as happy as a king, having a few hours freedom from
duty, and trying to make the most of it by enjoying himself “all
over.” As he passed the bookstore, he was assaulted by a crowd
of young ragamuffins, who, finding that he took no notice of
their insulting language, commenced pelting him with dirt and
stones. The young soldier came to “about face,” and we expected
to see him give some of them a good, sound thrashing, which they
certainly, richly deserved. He did not, however, use any
violence, but merely past on them a look of benevolent
compassion, as much as to say, “Poor children, it is a pity you
have no parents to teach you manners, and learn you to have
respect for those who are older than yourselves,” and hurried on
to get beyond the reach of their insults. This was surely a
commendable spirit by the young gentleman, but in supposing they
had no parents, he was mistaken, for they were the sons of some
of our wealthiest and must respectable of citizens.
Such
an act is a disgrace to our city, much more to the parents of
these children. It always wounds our feelings to see anyone
abused and insulted in this city to one who does battle, and if
need be, die for us, that we may hand down to our children, in
all its purity, the government which our fathers bought with
their blood, and dying, gave to us, coupled with the mandate to
love, cherish and protect it.
FIRST DEATHS IN ALTON MILITARY PRISON
Source: Liberty
Weekly Tribune, February 28, 1862
Two of the prisoners
confined in the military prison died on Sunday. Their names are
T. J. Stevens, of Knox county, Missouri, and Joseph Paschall, of
Palmyra, Missouri. There two are the only ones that have died
since the prisoners have been here, we believe. The health of
the prisoners is very good - only forty-three being in hospital.
The physician in charge of the hospital, this morning, gave
orders for a general wash and cleansing of the prison, and after
this is done, he hopes the sick list will be greatly diminished.
GENERAL
EDWIN PRICE BROUGHT TO ALTON AS PRISONER OF WAR
[Son of Major
General Sterling Price]
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 28,
1862
Brigadier General Edwin Price, a son of Major General
Sterling Price, with Cols. Dorsey and Cross, and Captain Ingo,
all of Major General Price’s staff, arrived in this city this
morning, as prisoners of war. We understand that Price is out on
parole, and we suppose that is the case with the rest of his
company, for these secesh [Rebel] gentlemen seem to have but
very little sympathy with, or for, their deluded supporters, but
just so soon as they can, gain their own liberty, they avail
themselves of it, without any reference to the feelings or
condition of their men. There is, however, some noble exceptions
to the general practice in this respect. Some of the officers
stay by their men, and refuse parole, and all other advantages
which their position affords them, and remain with their men and
share with them in all their humiliation and hardships. These
men are deserving of respect, and show that they have some
humanity and feeling left, notwithstanding the great crime of
which they are guilty.
Steamboats filled with prisoners
taken at Fort Donelson arrived at our wharf yesterday afternoon
and evening, bringing in all about 4,100 of these poor
creatures. Two trains left last evening with as many as they
could carry, for Chicago, but there is still a large number of
them here awaiting transports. They will probable leave this
afternoon or evening. We have not been among them much, but have
been informed that they are generally cheerful and in good
spirits.
We had a chance yesterday of getting a sight of
Brig. General Edwin Price – a celebrity – not, however, on
account of anything that he had accomplished himself, but simply
from the fact of his being the son of that arch-hypocrite and
dangerous disturber of the peace, General Sterling Price, who
has caused this Union more trouble and annoyance than all the
other commanders in the Rebel army. The young man is a
fine-looking specimen of southern chivalry, well uniformed. He
puts us very much in mind of the young slave-holding,
fox-hunting, cardplaying and brandy-drinking aristocracy that we
used to see in the South in our early days. He is evidently of
that class of southerners who would not know what to do if
slavery was abolished. Too proud to dig, afraid to steal, and
ashamed to beg, and not sufficiently well informed to make a
living in any other way.
NOTES:
Brigadier General
Edwin Williamson Price was the eldest son of General Sterling
Price, of the Confederate Army. Edwin was captured by Union
forces in 1862, and with the help of Confederate President
Jefferson Davis, he was exchanged for a Union General. Edwin
rejoined his father, who was then in Mississippi, but soon
returned to Missouri. He later obtained a pardon from President
Lincoln. Edwin Price publicly renounced the confederacy with
conviction. Father and son reconciled at the war’s end, with the
elder Price passing his land holdings to Edwin to avoid
confiscation by the Federal authorities.
COLONEL EBENEZER “BEN” MAGOFFIN, WOOD AND OTHER PRIONERS
BROUGHT TO ALTON
[Note: Magoffin was the brother of the
governor of Kentucky.]
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 28,
1862
Magoffin, Wood, and several other prisoners, which had
been confined in the military prison in St. Louis, and who were
suspected of ____ that building on Monday last, were brought, as
we understand, to this city onboard the Alton packet, ironed,
and were placed in the prison in this city for safe keeping.
They will not be likely to find their new rooms very
comfortable.
PRISONERS RELEASED – SOME STAY IN ALTON
Source: Alton
Telegraph, February 28, 1862
Quite a number of the poor,
deluded prisoners who have been confined here for some time were
released yesterday, and were wandering through the city,
apparently without means of getting away. Some of them were
inquiring for houses, and manifested a disposition to stay in
the place. To this we urge no objection, provided their officers
are removed where they cannot incite them to mischief again. But
we fear it would not be safe, to have both classes of these men
at large in our city at one time.
ALTON PRISONERS RELEASED
From the St. Louis Democrat
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 7, 1862
We find the following
interesting particulars in reference to the release of prisoners
in Alton, in the St. Louis Democrat of this morning. The remarks
of the editor about the feelings of these poor men, corresponds
substantially with what we have frequently heard since they have
been confined here:
“It has been ascertained that of the
persons confined in the Alton Penitentiary, no less a number
than 618 were desirous of taking the oath. It has been
ascertained also, that the …. [unreadable] conviction of the
wrongfulness of the cause in which the men had been engaged,
although no doubt some of the cases are attributable solely to a
longing for liberty, that of which they would have deprived
others.
The entire number of 618 were recently examined
by a board of commissioners, consisting of Assistant Provost
Marshal General Fletcher, Captain C. Ewing, and Lieut. John
Ford, of the Thirteenth Regiment, U. S. Regulars, who on maters
deliberation, decided to release four hundred and ninety-nine.
Two hundred and eighty-three have been liberated, and either
today or tomorrow two hundred and sixteen will be released. Many
others are petitioning to be released on oath and bond. The Fort
Henry prisoners are eager to take the oath, and declare
seriously, and doubtlessly, truthfully, that they were forced to
take a part in the war on the side of the Rebels. It was
interesting to observe the eagerness manifested by the prisoners
to be released, there being quite a contest among them as to who
should be first to leave the prison walls. Our attention has
been directed to the fact that the prisoners on being discharged
have no means, and it is remarked that ‘it is hard to turn the
poor fellows out without a cent to pay their way, not even
enough to pay for their ferriage across the river.’ We acquiesce
in the remark, but no remedy occurs to us. We are further
informed, on irrefutable authority, that they are unanimous in
denouncing the men by whom they were induced to join in the
Rebellion. This applies to those made prisoners in this state,
as well as the others.”
MORE CAVALRY ARRIVES IN ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph,
March 14, 1862
Another battalion of Colonel Barrett’s Cavalry
came down on the train last night, and will be conveyed by boat
today, to join their companions, who left here yesterday.
DEATH IN THE ALTON PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph, April
25, 1862
On yesterday morning, D. W. Keown, formerly a
sheriff in one of the counties in Missouri, and lately a
prisoner in the penitentiary, rose as well as usual, but
afterwards threw himself on his bed beside his comrade. The
attention of his bedfellow was soon arrested by his unnatural
breathing. When he got up, he heard Mr. Keown breathing his last
breath. The cause of this sudden death is unknown.
A son
of Dr. Roberts of Rockport, Montgomery County, Missouri also
died in the prison yesterday. His disease was erysipelas.
PRISON INMATE - EBENEZER 'BEN' MAGOFFIN
Source: Albany,
New York Evening Journal, March 26, 1862
Ebenezer Magoffin,
of Missouri, a brother of Gov. Magoffin, of Kentucky, and
formerly an officer in the Rebel army, taken prisoner some
months ago, released on parole, which he violated, and
subsequently recaptured, has been tried by court martial for
"violation of parole," and for "killing in violation of the
ethics of war," found guilty and sentenced to be shot. Gen.
Halleck has approved the sentence, and it will be carried into
effect at a time and place hereafter to be designated. In the
meantime, the prisoner will be confined in a cell of the
Military Prison at Alton.
SOLDIER DROWNS IN MISSISSIPPI
Source: Alton Telegraph, May
9, 1862
Justice Middleton was called upon yesterday to hold
an inquest for a body found in the river below Alton. The jury
decided that the deceased came to his death by drowning in the
Mississippi. There was found on the body a military overcoat,
blue pants and undercoat. There was found on his person a small
silver watch and four dollars and fourteen cents in money; also,
a note of hand drawn to favor of A. M. Beese, but the name of
the _____ had been torn off. His haversack was marked Company I,
Michigan Regiment. It will be remembered that some two weeks
since, we noticed the fact that one of the soldiers of the 14th
Regiment of Michigan Volunteers, when they were just on the
point of leaving this port, onboard the steamer David Tatum, one
of the men fell overboard and was drowned. The individual upon
whom the inquest was held yesterday is evidently the one who was
drowned at that time.
CAPTAIN EMIL ADAM REJOINS UNIT
Source: Alton Telegraph,
May 23, 1862
Captain Emil Adam, of the Alton J___ Company,
left this morning to join his company in Tennessee. He was
wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and has been home since that
event. He is now entirely recovered, and ready to give Secesh
another taste of the valor of his company, when occasion may
require.
MILITARY PRISON RELIC
Source: The Daily Standard,
Syracuse, New York, March 31, 1862
Mr. Alfred Wilkinson, who
has recently returned from a southwestern tour, as far as St.
Louis, has in his possession a pipe made by one of the rebel
prisoners at Alton, Illinois, which is a rare specimen of
ingenuity and skill, as well as persevering industry. The
material of the pipe is cotton stone, a soft stone found in the
south, easily worked, and susceptible of a fine polish. The bowl
of the pipe is square, and is beautifully carved. One of the
sides presents the new rebel flag, and the other the Palmetto
tree, with the cotton plant and rattle, snake, appropriate
emblems of the rebellion. The front bears the coat-of-arms of
Missouri, with the usual scrolls and mottoes. It is understood
that the work was executed with a pen-knife, by a young man who
had no experience in carving, and regarding it in that light the
work Is a marvel of taste and skill.
PRISON INMATE - COLONEL JENNISON
Source: The Syracuse, New
York Daily Standard, April 21, 1862
Col. Jennison, late of
the 7th Kansas regiment, has been arrested by the military
authorities and sent to Alton, Illinois. The cause of his arrest
is said to be insubordination and exciting mutiny. Lieut, Hoyt,
of the same regiment, is also under arrest.
PRISON PLACED UNDER SUPERVISION OF WESTERN SANITARY
COMMISSION - 1862
Source: William Greenleaf Eliot, Minister,
Educator, Philanthropist, by Charlotte Chauncy, 1904
In May
1862, by order of Major General Schofield, the military prisons
were placed under the supervision of the Western Sanitary
Commission, and Dr. Eliot and Mr. Yeatman acted as a committee
on the Gratiot Street prison. Dr. Pollak and Rev. Dr. Schuyler,
associate members of the Commission, were appointed a committee
to visit the Alton prison, and found that it answered all
requirements of sanitation and comfort. It was large, airy,
situated in a healthy location, and the buildings were isolated,
with considerable ground around them. It was filled to only half
its capacity. The food was good in quality and abundant in
quantity, and the prisoners were well provided for in every
respect. A Catholic priest acted as chaplain, and the
Confederate dead were buried with exactly the same care as the
Union soldiers.
Source: Proceedings of the Mississippi
Valley Historical Association, 1908-1909
"The Western
Sanitary Commission also turned its attention to the conditions
of the military hospitals and prisons in St. Louis, and after
experiencing a good deal of opposition on the part of the
authorities succeeded in introducing into the prison wards
substantially their own regulations. They also spent much care
and time in alleviating the distress of the Confederates
imprisoned at Alton Illinois. Mr. Yeatman always insisted that
the Confederate soldiers and wounded should always be treated
exactly as were the Union troops."
Source: The Western
Sanitary Commission, A Sketch of its Origin, History, Labors for
the Sick and Wounded of the Western Armies, and Aid Given to
Freedmen and Union Refugees, With Incidents of Hospital Life,
Published for the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair; R. P.
Studley & Co., 1864; page 88; (Not in Copyright)
"In
November, 1862, the hospital of Gratiot Street Prison, in
McDowell's College, used exclusively for prisoners of war, was
found to be much crowded, .... and the crowded condition both of
the prison and the hospital was obviated by sending a
considerable number to the large military prison at Alton,
Illinois. The Commission has extended its inspections to the
military prison at Alton, Illinois, and furnished supplies, to
most urgent cases of need, on the requisition of the surgeon in
charge. This prison is the same formerly occupied as the
Illinois State Penitentiary, which was removed to Joliet, just
before the breaking out of the war. It has a large area of
ground, 420 by 323 feet, enclosed by a high stone wall, with the
prison buildings inside, is in a healthy location, within a few
rods of the Mississippi river, on the east side, has good water,
excellent drainage, a free circulation of pure air, and could
not be better adapted to the purposes for which it is used. A
committee from the Western Sanitary Commission visited it in
December 1862, and in a published report of the visit, said, 'We
found the hospital to be a good, brick structure, 104 by 35
feet, well ventilated, but insufficiently warmed. It contains
sixty-three patients. Many of the sick were needing proper
under-clothing. Most of the buildings in the enclosure stand
isolated, with considerable ground between them, so that in a
moral and sanitary point of view, they are very favorably
situated. The prisoners are furnished abundantly with good,
wholesome food, and they appear to be entirely satisfied with
the kind treatment of officers and attendants. The clothes of
the prisoners are washed outside the walls, by laundresses, paid
out of the prison funds. There is also a washing apparatus on
the ground, with a plentiful supply of hot water, and soap,
which is freely resorted to by the inmates.'
There were
then 700 prisoners confined in this prison, with accommodations
for 1,300. Since then, it has frequently contained over one
thousand. During a recent visit of the Secretary of the
Commission, he found the hospital in an excellent condition, in
charge of Surgeon T. A. Worrell, U.S.V., Dr. Hez. Williams, A.
A. Surgeon, with beds for three hundred patients; the floors
clean, and the arrangements similar to the military hospitals
for our own troops. There were 120 sick prisoners out of 1,000,
then in prison. The four female nurses in attendance were
Sisters of Charity. A chaplain is also allowed the prison, Rev.
Father Vehay, of the Catholic church. A supply of sanitary
stores has been recently sent to the Surgeon in charge, on his
requisition. The smallpox patients are treated in tents, on the
island, just opposite Alton. There were recently but few cases
of this disease.
Those who die in this prison are buried
in a ground about two miles out of the city, set apart
especially for that purpose. They are furnished with a coffin,
the same as the Union soldier, and are in all respects decently
interred. Head boards, with the initials of their names, are
placed at each grave, so that there can be no difficulty
identifying the spot.
The statistics of the prison and
hospital were recently requested, for the purpose of giving a
more complete statement for this work, but were refused by Brig.
Gen. Copeland, commanding the post. It is believed that the
facts would show that this prison and its hospital have been
conducted in a manner creditable to the humanity of the United
States Government, and would convey, by contrast, a terrible
rebuke to the inhumanity with which our soldiers have been
starved and treated in the prisons of the South.
FEAR OF SPREAD OF SMALLPOX FROM ALTON - 1862
Source:
Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War
of the Rebellion, 1910
Letter from Fort Pillow, Tenn., May
20, 1862
Captain: On yesterday evening, while temporarily
absent from my headquarters, the second in command, Colonel A.
Jackson, Jr., through inadvertence or carelessness, received at
this post 202 Confederate prisoners of war, just from an
infected prison at Alton, Illinois, with two cases of smallpox
among them, in exchange for the same number of United States
prisoners, turned over to your authorities some time ago, free
from infection. While I do not presume that you are in any way
responsible for so barbarous an act as sending released
prisoners to communicate to my command the loathsome and
infectious disease of smallpox, I demand that your Government
disown the act by receiving these prisoners back into its lines
and caring for them until every symptom of the infection has
disappeared from their midst. I am, Captain, with high respect,
your obedient servant, John B. Villepigue, Brigadier-General,
Commanding
Off Fort Pillow, May 21, 1862
General: Your
letter of the 20th instant has been received. I have not a
sufficient knowledge of the circumstances of the case, as, for
example, the condition of the building at Alton, Illinois, in
which the prisoners referred to have been confined, the health
of the prisoners at the period of their release, or the possible
change of health they may have undergone on their way to this
place, to render it worthwhile for me to enter into the details
of the subject. In order, however, to remove any grounds of
complaint, and to make a suitable provision for an unexpected
emergency, I propose that a temporary neutral hospital be
established for the benefit of the prisoners suffering from
smallpox. The place for this hospital may be determined by
Captain Dove, the bearer of this letter, acting for me, and such
officer as you may designate on your part. I am, general, very
respectfully, your obedient servant, C. H. Davis, Flag-Officer,
Comdg. U. S. Naval Forces.
MILITARY HOSPITAL MOVED TO CORNER OF BROADWAY & ALBY
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 23, 1862
The hospital of the
12th Regular Infantry was, yesterday, removed to the building
lately occupied by the remnant of the 2nd Missouri, corner of
Second [Broadway] and Alby Streets. Dr. Hardy informs us that
there are only sixteen patients in the hospital, and no cases of
a serious nature among them. [Note: this building was three
stories, as seen in the May 30, 1862 article below.]
CAPTAIN JONES RECOVING FROM INJURY
Source: Alton
Telegraph, May 23, 1862
We learn that Caption Jones of
Company F, 32d Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, from Upper Alton,
who was seriously wounded at the battle of Shiloh, is so far
recovered as to be able to be out again. He has taken a visit
north to recruit his health, and will soon rejoin his company
which is now before Corinth.
SOLDIER JUMPS OUT THIRD STORY WINDOW OF MILITARY HOSPITAL
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 30, 1862
We understand that on
yesterday, a sick soldier in the military hospital in this city,
in a state of mental derangement, jumped out of the third story
of the building, and was so seriously injured that he died
during the night. We have not learned his name or former place
of residence.
SOLDIER DROWNS IN MISSISSIPPI
Source: Alton Telegraph, May
30, 1862
The body of Patrick Conway, member of Company F,
12th Regular U. S. Army, who was drowned last week while bathing
in the river, was yesterday discovered floating in the slough
below Shield’s Branch. Esquire Middletown, being notified of the
find, summoned a jury, and held an inquest on the body. Verdict
as above. The deceased was a native of Ireland, aged twenty-one
years.
PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED FROM ALTON
Source: Alton
Telegraph, May 30, 1862
By order of the Provost Marshal
General, the following named prisoners of war have been released
from the military prison at Alton, upon their parole of honor to
report promptly to that official in Alton, in order to take the
oath of allegiance, give bond for future loyal deportment, and
receive their final discharge: Abram Wilson, Joseph Diggs,
Calvin R. Miller, and Robert E. Miller, of Clinton County,
Missouri; T. T. Moody of Howell County, Missouri; Isaac T. Head
of Hay County, Missouri; A. R. Tayinall, Lowy W. Davis, and John
T. Jo___ of Clay County, Missouri; and William H. Thomas of
Barry County, Missouri.
DEATH AMONG THE PRISONERS
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 30,
1862
We have been furnished by Dr. I. E. Hardy, Post Surgeon,
with the following complete list of prisoners who have died
since the opening of the military prison in Alton:
1.
T. J. Stephens, private, Knox County, Missouri, February 16th,
1862; pneumonia.
2. Joseph Pascal, citizen, Marion
County, Missouri, February 16th; pneumonia.
3. S.
Chambers, private, Cooper County, Missouri, February 25th;
anemia.
4. C. C. Jones, private, Stewart County,
Tennessee, February 27th; pneumonia.
5. C. C. Brooks,
private, Landerdale County Alabama, February 27th, pneumonia.
6. H. T. Stone, private, 13th Arkansas Infantry, February
25th, pneumonia.
7. S. H. Jenkins, teamster, Cooper
County, Missouri, February 28th, pneumonia.
8. O.
Hoath, unknown, Marsh 1st, ?.
9. Robert Irwin, unknown,
March 1st, pneumonia.
10. Jonathan Haynes, private,
Hamp___ County, Arkansas, March 7th.
11. Samuel G.
Casey, private, 27th Alabama Volunteers, March 7th, pneumonia.
12. Jesse M. Boris, private, 27th Alabama Volunteers,
March 7th, pneumonia.
13. James Richmond, private,
Texas County, Missouri, March ?, pneumonia.
14. Isaac
Goral, private, Carroll County, Missouri, March 8th, pneumonia.
15. Giles Reiser, private, Saline County, Missouri, March
9th, pneumonia.
16. A. J. Campbell, Captain, Pulaski
County, Missouri, March ?, pneumonia.
17. Charles
Hawkins, private, Marion County, Missouri, March 13th, rubecia.
18. James Campbell, private, 1st Tennessee Artillery,
March 13th, pneumonia.
19. W. H. Horton, private, 19th
Regular Tennessee Volunteers, March 14th, pneumonia.
20.
James Flannigan, March 16, pneumonia.
21. Robert M.
Flemming, private, 3d Battalion Alabama Volunteers, March 24th,
pneumonia.
22. John P. Radman, private, Polk County,
Missouri, March 25th, ?
23. James Pided, Chief, 1st
Regiment, Cherokee mounted Rifles, March 30th, Intermittent
fever.
24. William D. Carter, private, 27th Regular
Alabama Volunteers, March 31st, pneumonia.
25. Temple
D. Richardson, private, Ray County, Missouri, April 3d, chronic
diarrhea.
26. John G. Olaney, private, Texas County,
Missouri, April 3d, Rubella.
27. Berg. F. SLmith, citizen,
Dent County, Missouri, April 7th, typhoid fever.
28. William
B. Powell, private, McNair’s Arkansas Regiment, April 7th,
typhoid fever.
29. ____ Henry, private, Dent County,
Missouri, April 10th, diarrhea.
30. Joshua A. Garner,
citizen, Wright County, Missouri, April 10th, pneumonia.
31. Elijah D. Shanklin, citizen, Morgan County, Missouri, April
12th, ?
32. James M. Bohannan, private, 14th Regular Arkansas
Volunteers, April 13th, remittent fever.
33. George W. Goil,
citizen, Henry County, Missouri, April 13th, meningitis.
34. Martin V. Cornell, citizen, Henry County, Missouri, April 13th,
meningitis.
35. William H. Gunter, private, 5th Regular
Arkansas Volunteers, April 14th, ?
36. _____ McK___, unknown,
April 15th, pneumonia.
37. Robert P. Russell, private,
Tennessee, April 15th, remittent fever.
38. John C. Watson,
citizen, Johnson County, Arkansas, April 15th, erysipelas.
39. R. P. Sinoras(?), private, Green County, Missouri, April
16th, ?
40. John Towberry, private, Washington County,
Missouri, April 16th, pneumonia.
41. Jasper Carter, private,
Crawford County, Arkansas, April 17th, remittent fever.
42. James McDaniel, private, Phelps County, Missouri, April 18th,
typhoid fever.
43. William J. Padgott, private, Howard
County, Missouri, April 18th, rubella.
44. Thomas A. Brown,
private, Cass County, Missouri, April 18th, remittent fever.
45. William Reckman, citizen, Lawrence County, Missouri, April
18th, erysipelas.
46. C. D. Jorden, private, Prairie County,
Arkansas, April 19th, pneumonia.
47. B. W. Keown, citizen,
Bouion County, Missouri, April 20th, unknown in quarter died.
48. William C. Daily, private, Davis County, Texas, April 20th,
remittent fever.
49. J. W. Roberts, citizen, Boone County,
Missouri, April 20th, debility.
50. James M. Brown, Captain,
Dent County, Missouri, April 22d, remittent fever.
51. Levi
Wallace, private, Tennessee Regulars, April 22d, ?
52. James
Frazior, citizen, Washington County, Arkansas, April 23d,
typhoid fever.
53. Robert Midour, private, Washington County,
Arkansas, April 26th, erysipelas.
54. L. W. Doochiffon(?),
private, Clark County, Arkansas, April 26th, erysipelas.
55. James Dawson, private, Benton County, Missouri, April 26th,
pneumonia.
56. John Thompson, citizen, Boone County,
Missouri, April 28th, rheumatism.
57. James K. P. Jones,
private, Dent County, Missouri, April 28th, v____.
58. John
H. Story, private, Pope County, Arkansas, April 28th, pneumonia.
59. Franklin Woody, private, Morgan County, Missouri, April
28th, erysipelas.
60. ______ Harrison, private, Washington
County, Arkansas, April 20th, typhoid fever.
61. Benjamin
Macon, citizen, Washington County, Arkansas, April 20th, typhoid
fever.
62. Mayberry Hendricks, private, Green County,
Missouri, April 29th, diarrhea.
63. William Duster, private,
Red River County, Texas, April 30th, deb____.
64. Anselter
Haynir, private, Saline County, Missouri, May 1st, typhoid
fever.
65. Joel Cardin, private, Denton County, Arkansas, May
2d, pneumonia.
66. Henry G. L. Capp, citizen, Miss County,
Missouri, May 2d, pneumonia.
67. _____ McAllister, private,
Montgomery County, Arkansas, May 3d, pneumonia.
68. George W.
Sloakim, citizen, Berry County, Missouri, May 2d, varicia.
69. S. M. Logan, private, Green County, Missouri, May 4th,
pneumonia.
70. George W. Carter, private, Arkansas, May 5th,
typhoid pneumonia.
71. W. J. Gregory, private, 3d Regular La.
Volunteers, May 5th, typhoid pneumonia.
72. Elant Vincent,
private, Newton County, Missouri, May 6th, verjoin(?).
73. Samuel Watson, citizen, Bates County, Missouri, May 6th,
erysipelas.
74. Sylvester Brown, private, Marion County,
Arkansas, May 8th, astrolgin(?)
75. John W. Holdman, citizen,
Caldwell County, Kentucky, May 8th, varipia.
76. Robert L.
DeMoss, citizen, Saline County, Missouri, May 8th, pneumonia.
77. William W. Dodson, private, Searey County, Arkansas, May
9th, pneumonia.
78. B. L. _____, private, Tipton County,
Tennessee, May 12th, typhoid fever.
79. J. R. Harris,
private, Benton County, Arkansas, May 12th, ?
80. John
Barker, citizen, St. Clair County, Missouri, May 13th, ?
81. Louis Tritely(?), private, St. Charles County, Missouri, May
15th, ?
82. Thomas Serogham, citizen, Bates County, Missouri,
May 16th, diarrhea.
83. Edward Way, citizen, Benton County,
Arkansas, May 16th, erysipelas.
84. W. R. C Smith, private,
Shannon County, Missouri, May 22d, remittent fever.
85. Thomas L. Jones, private, 1st Tennessee Artillery, March 29th, ?
YOUNG PRISONER DIES
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 30, 1862
Among the prisoners taken at Pea Ridge was Thomas H. Brown, a
youth only 21 years of age. He was brought to the prison at
Alton and put in confinement. On Friday, April 18th, he died. He
was attended by his father, who took his remains to his home in
Missouri, where they were interred in the family burial ground.
PRISONERS RELEASED
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 30, 1862
The following named prisoners, upon taking the oath and giving
funds, were released from the military prison in Alton: Elijah
Phears, Amos B. Ayros, Marion P. Aldren, Lewis M. Price, William
B. Bridgwater, John R. Ringbell, Francis M. Brocky, Benjamin F.
Bomiorent.
THE CASE OF JOSEPH M. P. NOLAN
Held at the
Military Prison in Alton from June 1862 – August 1863
Source:
History & Digest of the International Arbitration to which the
U. S. Has Been a Party, by John Bassett Moore, 1898, page 3302
Joseph M. P. Nolan, No. 272, was arrested by the military
provost-marshal at Saint Louis, Missouri, in October 1861, on
the charge of disloyalty to the United States, and of having
written a letter to an alleged enemy of the United States in
Canada, giving information as to military movements. He was
detained in prison at Saint Louis till June 1862, then
transferred to the military prison at Alton, Illinois, and there
detained till August 1863, when he was finally discharged. His
release was offered him in December 1861, and on one or two
other occasions, on his giving his parole to do no act
unfriendly to the United States. This parole he refused to give.
Great and unnecessary hardships in connection with his
confinement were alleged on the part of the claimant, and the
proof conclusively showed that the prison in which he was
confined at Alton was wholly unfit in its appointments and
sanitary condition for the confinement of prisoners, especially
for the large number there confined; and that at times the
treatment of the prisoners, including the claimant, was harsh
and cruel. An award was made in favor of the claimant for
$8,600; all the commission joining. I am advised that the
majority of the commission, at least, held the original arrest
of the claimant and his reasonable detention justified; but that
his long confinement and improper treatment during it were not
justified.
In the case of Mary Nolan, No. 273, the
claimant alleged that she was arrested at Saint Louis by a
detective in the employ of the United States authorities in
September 1864; taken before the provost-marshal at Saint Louis,
and committed by him to the Chestnut street prison, where she
was detained for an entire day; and that she was there subjected
to improper treatment. She claimed damages $10,000. The evidence
in her case showed that she was brought before the
provost-marshal, apparently upon a subpoena, to testify in a
case before him; that she refused to testify, and defied and
insulted the officer, who committed her to the city prison,
where she was detained for nine or ten hours. Her allegations of
improper treatment were not sustained. The commission
unanimously disallowed her claim.
APPREHENSION OF SMALLPOX DANGER
Source: Alton Telegraph,
June 6, 1862
To the Editor of the Telegraph:
As some
apprehension of danger of infection from smallpox seems to exist
in the neighborhood of the military hospital in Alton, please
publish the enclosed, in order to allay the same.
Your Obedient Servant, W. C. Quigley, Chal’s Committee on Health
Dr. W. C. Quigley, Sir – In reply to your note relative to
retaining smallpox in the city military hospital, I have the
pleasure of transmitting the assurance of it. Colonel Burbanks,
commanding this post, that if there should be any more cases of
Vaviola or Varioloid, that it will be secured within the walls
of the military prison of this post. I have the honor to be,
Sir, very respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, I. E. Hardy,
Acting Surgeon, U.S.A.
SOLDIER STABBED IN SHOEMAKER
SHOP
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 6, 1862
Yesterday
afternoon two soldiers, belonging to the 13th Regiment, got into
a dispute in a shoemaker shop on Piasa Street, about the price
that should be paid for repairing a pair of boots, which ended
in one of them seizing a shoemaker’s knife and stabbing the
other in the back very severely. It is thought it is not fatal.
We learn that there was an old grudge between the parties, which
perhaps tied to the quarrel and nearly fatal result above
stated.
MORE PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED
Source: Alton
Telegraph, June 6, 1862
We learn that J. H. Robertson of
Howard County, James M. Morley of Montgomery County, Fulton H.
Bradford of Posna County, Walter Ashley, B. F. Vaugh, John
Biedane, J. Cox, and Edwin P. Clapper of Monroe County,
prisoners of war at Alton, have been released by order of the
Provost Marshal General of St. Louis, on their parole to report
in person at his office, to take the oath of allegiance and give
bonds for a final discharge.
SOLDIERS CAMPED IN SUBURBS OF ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph,
June 13, 1862
Several Companies of the 13th Regiment Regulars
have camped out in the suburbs of Alton. Their teams were busy
all day yesterday conveying the baggage from the old
Penitentiary warehouse in the new quarters. One Company is in
camp in the street running east from Mr. Barry’s, and one or two
other Companies are camped on the ridge above the sawmill. Both
camps are well located and healthy, and we think the soldiers
should be well pleased with the change.
PRISONERS TAKING
THE OATH
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 13, 1862
Prisoners
are being released from the military prison in Alton almost
every day, upon oath and bonds. A number of ladies and friends
of prisoners confined in the prison have visited our city during
some weeks past, some successful in obtaining the release of
their friends and relatives, while others, unable to furnish
sufficient evidence or security, have been compelled to return
to their homes, only to make another effort to obtain testimony
and security in favor of husbands, brothers, and friends. The
report of successful ones on arriving at their home induces
others to visit our city for the same purpose, and thus, almost
daily arrivals and departures of these anxious persons take
place. We hope the kind care and attention, which has
characterized the treatment of prisoners of war in our prison,
will induce both released persons and their friends to think
better of Northern people than they have been in the habit of
doing.
OFFENSIVE ODOR COMING FROM PRISON
Source:
Alton Telegraph, June 13, 1862
Some of the families living
near the military prison complain of an offensive odor arising
from the prison yard, and wish to know if there is no way of
abating it. We refer the matter to the Board of Health of the
Common Council, and hope they will give it their attention.
DEATH AMONG THE PRISONERS
Source: Alton Telegraph, June
13, 1862
WE are indebted to Dr. Hardy for the following list
of prisoners who have died in the military prison since the last
report, published May 23.
1. Henry Carter, private, Shannon
County, Missouri, died May 22d, of variola.
2. W. M. McHenry,
private, ____ County, Missouri, died May 23d, of gastritis.
3. John Wend___, Lawrence County, Missouri, died May 26th,
typhoid fever.
4. Jeremiah Phelall, citizen, Washington
County, Missouri, died May 26th, of variola.
5. B. W.
Reynolds, private, 1st Kentucky Battalion, died May 28th,
typhoid fever.
6. James McKinney, citizen, Madison County,
Arkansas, died May 29th, of ?.
7. James T. Hill, private, ? ?
?
8. Abraham Caraun, private, Cole County, Missouri, died
June 4th, pneumonia.
9. Joseph Sublatto, citizen, Montgomery
County, Missouri, June 6th, erysipelas.
SENTENCED TO
MILITARY PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 27, 1862
John Harker of the 1st Indiana Battery, has been sentenced to
imprisonment in the Military Prison in Alton during the war.
W. J. SISK RELEASED FROM PRISON
Source: Alton
Telegraph, July 4, 1862
W. J. Sisk, who was tried by a
military commission and sentenced to imprisonment to the
military prison in Alton during the war, has been released by
Capt. Salleck, the charges having been disproved.
SECESH
[CONFEDERATE] PRISONERS ARRIVE
Source: Alton Telegraph, July
4, 1862
The Tatum brought up about 180 Rebel prisoners on
Saturday night. They were taken mostly near Corinth, but a
number were persons resident in St. Louis, river men, etc., who
have been arrested for disloyalty. On the trip up from St.
Louis, the Lieutenant in charge of the guard allowed some of the
Rebel officers to have the liberty of the boat, which they
improved by getting gloriously right and kicking up a fight
among themselves. They were put under guard, however, without
any serious disturbance, although at one time the passengers on
the Tatum feared a general riot among them. On landing, and
while passing through our streets to the prison, they were quite
noisy, hurrahing for Jeff Davis, etc., but were lodged within
the walls without any of the number making their escape. We
understand that some of them were rebellious, and had to be
placed in the cells for the night.
FUNERAL FOR
SOLDIER
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 4, 1862
The funeral
of a soldier, a member of the 13th Regiment, U. S. Regulars,
took place yesterday afternoon with military honors.
SOUTHERN LADY FINDS SON IN ALTON PRISON
Source: Alton
Telegraph, July 11, 1862
We met a well-informed and fine lady
yesterday from Nashville, Tennessee, who was so unfortunate to
have a son in the Rebel army, but he has been fortunate enough,
however, to be captured and placed in the Penitentiary in Alton.
This lady informed us that she had heard the most exaggerated
accounts of the cruelty and hardships to which the prisoners
were subjected. And that when she traveled, she expected to find
her son half-naked and starved, closely confined in the cells of
the prison. She found him enjoying free exercise in the open and
spacious yard, and supplied with everything necessary to his
health, and looking better than she had ever seen him before.
She is very glad that she made the visit, and says her feelings
towards the northern people have undergone a great change since
she has had an opportunity to see and interact with them, and
she is well satisfied with the treatment her son receives in the
prison, and would much prefer to have him remain there than to
have him out again in the Rebel army.
MORE PRISONERS
ARRIVE AT ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 11, 1862
The
following named prisoners have arrived at the prison in Alton,
during a day or two past: Washington Wondish, Samuel Aken, B. F.
West, J. O. Jackson, B. F. Car, Augustus Hoap, C. Lombus, and J.
B. Wainford.
A JERSEYVILLE REBEL IN THE ALTON PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 18, 1862
The following letter
was published a week or two since in the Jerseyville Union, a
thorough-going secesh Democratic paper of the Dick Richardson
and Vallandighams camp. The author of it was arrested and
confined in the Alton penitentiary for harboring escaped Rebel
prisoners. It is not strange that the Rebellion is not subdued
while we have so many men running at large, whose loyalty is as
doubtful as that of the writer of this treasonable epistle.
Alton Military Prison, June 18, 1862
Mr. Editor – Fearing
the unterrified of Jersey County might think it strange that
this old wheelhorse (that’s me) of Democracy, was absent from an
important an election as that of the 17th inst., I deem an
explanation called for, so here goes. I’m here! Might be enough,
but there were three good reasons why I was not there. First,
the weather (it did not snow thirty feet deep with a good crust
on it so that I could get over the stone piled up all around me.
Second, the elements looked strange near the door, and I am
afraid to go through. Third, and last, I think they would not
give me a “pass,” so I did not ask for one. You want to know how
I got here, well, I will tell you all about it. I got off the
wagon (last as soon as they told me to), and then one man and
one male attended my right. Ditto my left, and a third brought
up my rear. Thus, I skedaddled (the only verb allowed in grammar
now) to this place. I am in a better place for “going ahead”
than the Yorker with a constable behind and good dinner ahead,
for I have the smallpox behind, Dixie ahead, and incentive to
motion too numerous to mention or catch. “More anon.” From your
friend and obedient servant in Limbo. N. Barnard.
We are
not surprised to see N. Barnard in limbo, if he is a subscriber
and constant reader of the Union. The only wonder is that the
editor, and all his patrons and sympathizers are not in the same
position. No other government on the earth, except our own,
would tolerate such treasonable utterances as this sheet is
continually publishing. But the power for evil such sheets have
heretofore had will not last much longer, as they will very soon
be forced to either take sides with the government or remove
their quarters to Dixie.
ALTON BUSINESS MAN FINDS HIMSELF
AMONG PRISONERS
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 25, 1862
One
of our well-known business men on Third Street was accidentally
forced into bad company on Saturday evening. Upon the arrival of
the secesh prisoners, he, with many others, was there to see,
and during the march from the landing to the prison, by some
unaccountable mistake, found himself in the midst of the
prisoners, and guarded by U. S. soldiers. With great coolness,
having the perspective of a night’s lodging in the penitentiary
before him, he marched along, but upon reaching the prison, he
was recognized by one of the officers on duty and promptly
released.
PRISONER SHOT
Source: Alton Telegraph, July
25, 1862
One of the prisoners who arrived in Alton Saturday,
named Mabes, attempted on Sunday to pass the limits assigned to
them. He was challenged by the guard and informed that he could
not pass. He immediately began abusing and cursing the guard,
who brought his musket to a charge, when the prisoner seized and
attempted to take the bayonet from the gun. The guard fired,
putting the charge through the head of the prisoner.
CHICAGO TIMES REPORTER SENTENCED TO ALTON PRISON
Source:
Syracuse, New York Daily Standard, August 22, 1862
W. P.
Isham, editor and correspondent of the Chicago Times, was
arrested in Memphis on the 14th inst., and sent to the
Penitentiary at Alton, by order of Gen. Grant. Isham is charged
with sending to his paper false and pernicious statements,
intended to benefit the rebel cause. Near Memphis, recently, he
fell into the hands of a party of rebel guerillas, who upon
learning the name of his paper, immediately let him go. Isham
was the author of the gunboat and Cumberland-Gap canards, first
published in the Times and then telegraphed to the Associated
Press. A short lease of imprisonment at Alton may have the
effect to moderate his zeal on behalf of the rebels.
COLONEL MAGOFFIN AND CONFEDERATES ESCAPE ALTON PRISON
Source:
Alton Telegraph, August 1, 1862
During last night,
thirty-five prisoners who were confined in the Military Prison
at Alton made their escape. It is supposed that for some days
past, some of the numbers have been working at a tunnel, some
fifty feet in length, through which they gained their liberty.
They commenced digging in a shed containing a bake oven, and the
wash house. The oven, not being used, they made a hole from the
top of the oven through to the earth beneath, and going some
seven feet below the surface, dug a trench or tunnel under the
wall, making the place of exit some six feet from the end of the
sentinel’s beat. It is supposed that the most of the dirt was
carried in buckets and thrown into the sinks during the night,
although a large quantity of the earth is filled upon and around
the oven. The prisoners have been in the habit of hanging their
clothes all around the wash house, and they were thus enabled to
work with comparative security from observation.
Charles
H. Fulcher, one of the numbers who escaped, returned this
morning and gave himself up. He states that after reaching the
outside of the prison, they scattered like sheep throughout the
vicinity. He, with two others, went about two miles below the
city, when he determined to come back and give himself up.
Among those who escaped is Colonel Magoffin, who has been
confined in a cell, having been sentenced to death for breaking
his parole. It is supposed that with outside assistance, the
lock on the door of his room was picked, and thus he gained
access to a flight of steps leading to the yard. He had to pass
a sentinel in going toward the sinks, but the prisoners always
pass without hindrance, and the sentinel, not knowing but what
Magoffin was safely locked in his cell, doubtless supposed he
was one of the privileged ones, and for that reason did not stop
him.
How thirty-five men could pass out of a hole in the
ground, only six or seven feet from a sentinel, and not be
discovered by him, is certainly a mystery. Captain Washington,
we understand, has sent out squads to make search for the
runaways, and we hope they may be all safely locked up again in
a few days.
The following is a list of names of those
escaping, for which we are indebted to Lieutenant Irwin, the
obliging Adjutant of the prison:
Richard J. Martin
Oscar J. Jones
John O. McClusky (planner of the tunnel)
James R. Robinson
Joseph Watson
Charles Thomas
Charles
E. Woodward
Errendis Navo
John Peabody
Francis M. Page
Andrew J. Prewitt
William S. Dyer
Cave Dyer
Avery
Dyer
James E. Dogler
Captain H. W. Sweeney
Colonel
Ebenezer Magoffin
Beriah Magoffin
Elijah H. Magoffin
Colonel Richard K. Murrell
Charles H. Fulcher
James
O’Grady
Amos H. Hood
George W. Berryhill
George C.
Miller
Francis J. Zaber
Smith Stevenson
William Stores
John T. Tipton
Adolphus Andrews
Ralph J. Smith
William
J. Jackson
William Kelly
William T. Blevins
James T.
Newcomb
Edward M. Mubic
Since the
above was in type, we have learned that a party of soldiers
discovered one of the escaped seceshers in the top of a tall
tree, just above the distillery. The soldiers invited him down
from his lofty eminence, and lodged him again in the prison.
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 1, 1862
We had heard from
several different sources this morning that five or six of the
escaped secesh prisoners had been recaptured, and that the
notorious Sweeney was one of the number, but on inquiring at
headquarters, we were informed that but one had been recaptured.
His name is James O’Grady.
Fugitive Prisoners Recaptured
– Escaped with Col. Magoffin
Source: Alton Telegraph, August
1, 1862
Miller and Woodward, with some thirty-six others
recently escaped from the military prison at Alton, have been
re-arrested by Lieutenant Krekel at St. Charles, Missouri, and
yesterday arrived again in St. Louis as prisoners.
PRISONERS SENT TO ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 15,
1862
The following named military prisoners, under the
jurisdiction of Provost Marshal Leighton, have been sent to
Alton from the Gatriot Street prison, in addition to the list
reported yesterday:
W. S. Straiton, John M. Wimer, E. M.
Frazer, Robert J. Whitehead, Thomas Beard, W. Watson, William W.
Whayin, Clay Taylor, General Taylor, John McCullom, Alva
Jackson, James Lewis, James A. North, Joseph Coleman, Jabez
Mutholland, John Moppin, Cornelius Mulligan, John L. Long, James
Gunn, Jusour Self, and L. B. Walton.
John M. Wimer, named
in the above list, has been Mayor of our sister city two or
three times, and aside from his rebel proclivities, is a very
worthy man. In our younger days, we were very intimate with and
esteemed him very highly. Little did we then think, that such
issues would be presented in our time as would place thick stone
walls between us. But so it is. He has run wild after Jeff.
Davis, while we, according to the statement of the secesh
Democratic papers, have become deranged on the subject of the
Union. Be this as it may, we hope that Mr. Wimer will be
retained where he is until he can heartily take the oath of
allegiance to the Government to which he is indebted for several
lucrative offices.
THE ARREST OF DR. THOMAS M. HOPE OF
ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 15, 1862
This
well-known citizen of Alton was arrested on Saturday last by
military authority, and placed within the walls of the old
penitentiary. He has long been considered a rabid disunionist,
but until lately he has been very quiet. On the 5th last, one of
our recruiting officers, wishing to procure a hall suitable for
drilling squads, applied to the doctor for a hall owned by him.
The doctor very unceremoniously informed him that “no federal
officer could have it for any such purpose.” He “wanted nothing
to do with those whose hands are dripping with the blood of his
friends in the South.” He expressed the utmost hatred of the
federal army and officers. The officer reported the case to
Governor Yates, but nothing being done, he, under the recent
order of law, reported the case to Major Flint on Saturday
morning last.
The arrest was made by Captain Smith of the
13th Regulars, at the doctor’s farm, about two miles north of
the city. He made no resistance, but took the matter very
coolly, and was taken to quarters in the prison. This is the
commencement of a much-needed policy in this neighborhood, and
other are looked upon with suspicion, and if there is not a
change in some respects, they will be treated in a similar
manner. If we march south, we must not have enemies at liberty
in the rear.
DR. THOMAS M. HOPE TO REPORT TO ALTON POST
SEMI-WEEKLY
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 29, 1862
We
learn from the Missouri Republican of Tuesday morning last, that
the above-named individual was released on parole by the Provost
Marshal of St. Louis for one week, to report semi-weekly to
Major F. F. Flint, commanding at Alton.
DR. THOMAS M.
HOPE ON PAROLE
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 12, 1862
Yesterday afternoon the Provost Marshal General of St. Louis
disposed of Dr. T. M. Hope’s case for a while. The Dr. was
released in bond of $5,000, and on parole to remain in the
county until his case is investigated.
MORE PRISONERS
ARRIVE IN ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 22, 1862
Two hundred and fifty prisoners arrived in Alton last evening
from St. Louis, and were safely lodged within the walls of the
penitentiary. The guard is now very strict in Alton, and we do
not think any more of the traitors confined here will be able
hereafter to escape their vigilance.
MORE SECESH
PRISONERS
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 12, 1862
On
Saturday evening, a train of cars arrived from Springfield,
having onboard 900 secesh prisoners that have been confined in
Camp Butler for several months, and yesterday, about the same
number were brought to Alton to take the boat to go to
Vicksburg, Mississippi to exchange for our own soldiers, who
have been in captivity in the South. We can say that they were
as fine and hearty looking fellows as we have ever seen any
place during the war, and from all appearances, we should judge
that they would show fight until their last breath had left
their bodies, and anyone to say that the South will not fight,
and see such men as came down yesterday, must indeed have their
eyes blinded.
ALTON MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton
Telegraph, September 19, 1862
James S. Dowlings was released
from the Military Prison today by order of the Provost Marshal
General of St. Louis. The prisoner taking the oath and giving
bonds.
It is expected that five hundred secesh prisoners
will arrive in Alton this evening from St. Louis. They have been
confined in the McDowell’s College prison in St. Louis for some
time past.
Later: The R. M. Runyan brought to Alton last
evening 401 secesh prisoners from McDowell’s College, St. Louis,
who were placed in the military prison here. Eight guerrillas
were brought here from Jackson, Mississippi yesterday afternoon,
and consigned to the prison.
Saturday, W. P. Isham,
correspondent of the Chicago Times, and now held as prisoner in
Alton by order of General Grant on charge of publishing unlawful
news, was paroled the limits of the city of Alton, to report at
the military prison here whenever directed. This was the only
case disposed of during the morning.
Phillip Rush was
released from the military prison today on $2,000 bond, and
taking the oath. James Rush also was released by promise of
giving bond when he gets home, and taking the oath now. H. C.
McCune arrival this morning as a prisoner of war from Fort
Columbus, Kentucky.
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source:
Alton Telegraph, September 26, 1862
Colonel Neaby, I. R.
Fentriss, Captain Handcock, confined in the military prison,
were released by order of General Grant, as the charges against
them were not sustained. Jasper Self was released on parole. Ed
W. Keiser, on parole and $1,000 bond. S. Pilkington, paroled and
$1,000 bond. John O’Neal was released on parole and ordered to
report to the Provost Marshal General at St. Louis. Two
prisoners, Edmundson and Tompkinson, were sent under guard to
St. Louis to report to Provost Marshal General, who will parole
them.
On last evening the secesh in the military prison,
almost succeeded in making their escape by an underground
passage again. But through hints previously thrown out, the
officers in charge detailed a special guard to watch for them,
but as they didn’t make their appearance, all was this morning
found to be right. The secesh had dug through by the cooper shop
inside, on the east side of the wall, and had made an opening
large enough on the outside for one man to get through at a
time, but they also “smelt a mice,” and thought “discretion the
better part of valor,” in that case, and kept dark, finding that
their plans had been found out.
MORE SECESH PRISONERS
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 26, 1862
The military
prison at Alton had an accession of 75 inmates yesterday, who
were from the neighborhood of Corinth, Mississippi, all of whom
are guerrillas. Twenty-five of the number are to be sent forward
to Springfield, Illinois, today, by order of General Grant.
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 3,
1862
Below we give the names of those having died during the
month of September at the military prison, and the disease of
which they died:
Augustus Boudreax, pneumonia, 18th
Louisiana Regiment.
George W. Brown, inflammation of the
brain.
Hiram Dennis, pneumonia.
John Ferscy, Boone
County, Missouri, erysipelas.
Robert Hawkins, Calloway
County, Missouri, pneumonia.
Hill Green, Girard County,
Missouri, pneumonia.
Thomas Wolf, pneumonia.
Thomas
Hancock, Bolivar, Tennessee, pneumonia.
Rufus Adams, one
of the prisoners that refused to take the prescribed oath day
before yesterday, repented, and yesterday came up to “maw” and
was released.
Hugh V. Hughes was this morning
unconditionally released from the military prison by order of
the Provost Marshal General of St. Louis. The person held as
prisoner is a thorough Union man, which is substantiated by
several prominent citizens from Licking County, Ohio, of which
he is a resident. He was on his way home from Pike’s Peak, when
he was captured by some of Price’s men, and held prisoner for
some time. Afterwards, he was taken from them by a squad of
German soldiers, who sent him to St. Louis, and from there to
the prison in Alton. After lying in prison for some months, he
got the authorities of the prison interested in his case, who
after finding that his story was a true one, had him released
from “durance vile.”
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source:
Alton Telegraph, October 3, 1862
Two prisoners that have been
confined for some time in the military prison in Alton, through
the influence of friends, obtained from General Grant a special
order for their release, which was shown to them this morning,
and they were privileged to go, on condition that they would
take the usual oath. This they refused to do, and they were
remanded back to prison where they now will have to remain until
the close of the war. One was a guerrilla, and the other was
____ for the war, and if they had taken the oath, all would have
been right, but now their day of grace is over for some time to
come, and we sincerely hope such obdurate rebels will have but
little mercy shown to them while they remain in prison. They
don’t deserve executive clemency any more.
Also, a young
lad named Isam Hastings was paroled the limits of Alton, this
morning. He, like poor dog “Tray” being caught in bad company,
was sent along with the rest in the prison here. According to
his story, he was on his way to visit a brother and sister in
Arkansas, when he fell in with some of Price’s men who were
going his way, and who afterwards were taken prisoners. His
place of residence is St. Genevieve, Missouri. Being in poor
health and out of money, he was paroled by orders from
headquarters here, until orders for his release shall come.
Anyone giving him employment, so that he can but earn his board,
will heartily confer a favor upon him.
Thirteen prisoners
of war from Bolivar, Tennessee arrived at the prison yesterday.
Their names are as follows: Dr. H. W. Gill, S. F. Saunders, John
Shepard, Thomas Woodward, W. H. Henry, Ob. Taylor, Charles
Colyer, S. Mills, Willis Parker, M. Poltinger, H. W. Sibley, and
John H. Umphreys.
Gustavus Husfaus and Herman, his
brother, were released on parole and bond, to report to the
Provost Marshal General at St. Louis, and have the liberty of
the limits of St. Louis. Also, R. Bailer, released on oath and
bond of $1,000, and to report to Provost Marshal General at St.
Louis.
THOMAS JEFFERSON'S GRAND-NEPHEW HELD IN PRISON AS
REBEL
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 10, 1862
We are
greatly indebted to the gentlemanly adjutant of the military
prison for the following account of prisoners, received and
otherwise disposed of, since the 77th Ohio has been here.
Prisoners received during the month of September at the military
prison - 531. Prisoners discharged - 87. Prisoners died - 8(?).
Prisoners paroled to limits of the City of Alton - 2. Prisoners
paroled to the limits of St. Louis - ?. Prisoners confined in
cells and sentenced to hard labor - 12. Under sentence during
the war - 18. Under sentence of hard labor during the war - 1.
Escaped - 1. Sent to Vicksburg – 81(?). Balance remaining in
prison to 1st of October - 850. Forty prisoners arrived here by
the Terre Haute Road this morning in charge of Lieut. Lewis, of
General Rosecranz's staff, from Corinth, Miss. They were
captured at the battle of Iuka. Robert Randolph Jefferson, a
grandson of Thomas Jefferson's brother, is confined here in the
military prison as a rebel. "Shades of departed heroes," who
would have over thought, that a descendent of that noble family
would ever be found recreant to the constitution which was
formed by the immortal Thomas Jefferson.
MILITARY
PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 10, 1862
We
are greatly indebted to the gentlemanly adjutant of the military
prison for the following account of prisoners received and
otherwise disposed of since the 77th Ohio has been here.
Prisoners received during the month of September at the military
prison - 581.
Prisoners discharged – 87.
Prisoners died –
9.
Prisoners paroled to limits of the city of Alton – 2.
Prisoners paroled to the limits of St. Louis – 10.
Prisoners
confined in cells and sentenced to hard labor – 12.
Prisoners
under sentence during the war – 18.
Prisoners under sentence
of hard labor during the war – 1.
Prisoners escaped – 1.
Prisoners sent to Vicksburg – 812.
Balance remaining in
prison to 1st of October – 850.
Forty prisoners arrived
here by the Terre Haute Railroad this morning in charge of
Lieutenant Lewis of General Rosecrans’s staff, from Corinth,
Mississippi. They were captured at the battle of Iuka.
Robert Randolph Jefferson, a grandson of Thomas Jefferson’s
brother, is confined here in the military prison as a rebel.
“Shades of departed heroes,” who would have ever thought that a
descendent of that noble family would ever be found recreant to
the constitution which was formed by the immortal Thomas
Jefferson.
Sixty-one prisoners from the military prison
went down this morning to St. Louis on the B. M. Runyan
[steamboat]. They were mostly charged with small offenses.
Fourteen more prisoners were received at the prison this
morning from Mississippi. They were all guerrillas, but one, and
he is a prisoner of war.
We find the following items of
news in the St. Louis papers of this morning, which doubtless
may interest some of our readers:
The following persons
were received yesterday from Cairo and sent immediately to
Alton:
T. W. Hutchin, Callaway County, Kentucky; W.
Prescott, Trigg County, Kentucky; Thomas Futrell, Trigg County,
Kentucky; J. B. Dalton, Callaway County, Kentucky; J. L.
Methenig, Benion County, Kentucky; Mathew Thompson, Henry
County, Tennessee; J. J. Buchanan, Henry County, Tennessee; J.
M. Todd, Callaway County, Kentucky; J. J. Waters, Callaway
County, Kentucky; Alex Holsville, Callaway County, Kentucky;
Allen Barnes, Stewart County, Tennessee; J. A. Melton, Steward
County, Tennessee.
Today about one hundred prisoners from
McDowell’s College will be sent there for confinement. The
college is crowded to excess, there being over nine hundred
inmates, and others daily arriving. Many lots, as soon as
getting to St. Louis on steamers from below, are sent
immediately on to Alton.
Seventy-nine prisoners were
received at the Alton military prison on last evening from the
St. Louis Gratriot Prison. Louis L. Chaney was released
yesterday by taking the oath and giving bond for $2,000, and to
report to the Provost Marshal General at St. Louis.
The
military authorities who have charge of the prison authorizes us
to state that they want it distinctly understood in the city
that no firing of guns must be made after nine o’clock at night,
under penalty, if caught, of staying a night or two in the
prison cells. Such firing as was heard on Sunday evening rouses
the soldiers and causes them to believe that they are called to
arms. There is an ordinance upon the statute books of the city,
forbidding the firing of guns in the city limits. It is the
business of the city authorities to see that the laws are
enforced, and we hope that if they do not stop the nuisance,
that the military authorities will interfere, as we are assured
they will do on the next provocation.
Thomas Harris and
Calvin Boles, prisoners of war, were released form the military
prison this morning on taking the oath and giving bond of $1,000
each.
BREAD FURNISHED FOR MILITARY POST IN ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 10, 1862
We learn that
considerable attention is being given by our citizens, and also
of the soldiers quartered here, to the fact that new parties
have undertaken the contract to furnish bread for this military
post, without proposals being advertised in the usual public
way. Our city bakers have not had the usual and proper
opportunity to put in their bids. The bread is now being
furnished by an army sutler, we are informed. How can this be?
What becomes of the army regulations in the promises?
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 24,
1862
William A. Perry, Norson Patterson, George Yankerly were
released yesterday from the military prison by their taking the
oath, they being prisoners of war.
We understand that
John M. Wimer, Esq., who was offered the limits of Alton wherein
to perambulate, refused to accept it, saying that he would
rather stay inside the walls in durance villa, than to be
obliged to remain cooped up in the city of Alton. We leave our
readers to say whether they like the compliment paid to our town
or not.
The above articles does me injustice, and is
calculated to prejudice the citizens of Alton against me. I have
to request the publication of the following reply addressed by
me to Colonel J. J. Gautt, Provost Marshal General, upon receipt
of his letter tendering a parole to the city of Alton, from
which it will appear that I made no illusion whatever to the
limits proposed. In fact, I had applied for a parole for this
city, in order only to attend to important business. Beyond that
I ask nothing. Signed John M. Wimer
To Colonel Thomas J.
Gautt, St. Louis:
Yours of the 14th inst. Enclosing form of a
parole is this day received. My object in asking the favor at
your hands, as stated in my former letter, was simply to attend
to some business of an important character, and not for
pleasure, or to avoid imprisonment. I did not then, nor do I
now, if paroled, design holding communication with anyone on the
subject of the existing difficulties in the country, or to aid
either the one side or the other during the time for which I may
be paroled. This much I deem necessary to say, and which I will
faithfully observe. For reasons not necessary to state, I feel
disinclined to sign the parole enclosed by you. Trusting that it
may be consistent for you to comply with my request. I remain
yours respectfully, John M. Wimer.
John J. Weiley, D. E.
Brown, B. F. Wells, Robert Clariday, Matthew Franklin, Henry
Stukey, were released from the military prison yesterday by
taking the oath and giving bonds for $1,000 each.
Fifty-three prisoners are ordered to report to the Gratiot
Street prison by order of the Provost Marshal General, and they
will go down tomorrow under guard. John Townsend, W. Pirkins, A.
Morgan, John Scott, Jesse Hale, Henry Goom, were released on
oath and bond of $1,000 yesterday. They are Inks prisoners, and
will go directly to their homes.
John Hood and Jesse J.
Hale were released from the military prison yesterday, on taking
the oath, they being Confederate soldiers.
The 53
prisoners that were to go down to St. Louis this morning had
made all their preparations and the boat was waiting for them,
and the order came that they would have to remain over until
tomorrow, because some of the necessary blanks had not been made
out, which was a great disappointment to them.
MILITARY
PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 31, 1862
Colonel Faulkner of Kentucky, with his Adjutant and twenty other
prisoners, arrived from Cairo last night at the military prison.
They were captured opposite Island No. 10.
One hundred
and twenty-one prisoners from Gratiot Street Prison, St. Louis,
were received last night at the military prison. They came up in
charge of Lieutenant Cassiday of the 30th Missouri Volunteers.
Logan Baswill and Jesse Cox were released from the
prison last night, on taking the oath. They are Iuka prisoners.
GENERAL ORDER FROM THE ALTON MILITARY POST
Headquarters,
77th Regiment Ohio Volunteers Infantry
Source: Alton
Telegraph, October 31, 1862
All persons engaged in selling,
or who keep spiritous or malt liquors in the city or vicinity of
Alton, Illinois, are hereby strictly forbidden the selling or
giving to any soldier, or suffering any soldier to drink any
spiritous or malt liquors about his premises, under the ponsity
of having his house closed, all his liquors confiscated, and he
himself be imprisoned or otherwise punished if the circumstances
may require.
Any officer or soldier attached to or
belonging to the Military Post at Alton, Illinois, or remaining
temporarily in the city, being found intoxicated, will
immediately be arrested and punished by the penalty of
confinement in the cells, or placed under arrest to be punished
as a military court may determine; and shall be deprived of his
or their liberty until he or they shall have given information
where they received said intoxicating drinks.
And any
non-commissioned officer, musician, or private, who may be found
guilty of trading, selling, or spawning any military clothing,
equipment or Government property of any kind, shall be punished
to the extreme penalty of the law; and I do hereby warn and
forbid all persons from buying, trading, or bartering with
soldiers for such articles, and all citizens are strictly forbid
wearing the whole, or any part of, a soldier’s uniform. Signed
by J. Hildebrand, Colonel commanding Post.
MILITARY
PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 31, 1862
Twenty-nine prisoners from Bolivar, Tennessee were received at
the military prison last evening, in charge of Lieutenant Mally,
20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They are prisoners of war. William
P. Haywood, James Steward, and J. A. Victor were released
yesterday. Orders were received this morning to parole Captain
A. D. Ray of the 25th Alabama, so that he can return home and
there be exchanged for a Federal Captain. Also, John W. Southard
of Iron County, Missouri and Henderson Richmond of Lauderdale
County, Alabama, were paroled and will be sent home. J. M.
Flipping, W. C. Spence, T. E. Pearson, H. H. White, B. S.
Jordon, J. Herat, and J. W. Noll were released from the military
prison yesterday, on taking the oath, they being Confederate
soldiers. We would call attention to the order from the military
commandant at this post, regarding the selling of liquor to
soldiers. B. Mundy, G. W. Moody, J. B. Westly, B. Havior, were
released on parole yesterday, and will report to the Provost
Marshal General at St. Louis.
COLONEL HILDEBRAND - COMMANDER OF MILITARY PRISON
Source:
Alton Telegraph, November 7, 1862
Colonel Hildebrand,
Commander of this Post, came here an entire stranger to all of
our citizens, and directly from the field of battle, but he is
gaining golden opinions for himself by his course since he has
been in command. He is kind and courteous to our citizens, and
confines himself strictly to the faithful discharge of his
legitimate duties. He maintains most excellent discipline among
his men, not, however, by a domineering, oppressive spirit, but
by firmness and decision of character, and a rigid and
consistent government of himself. He is very faithful and
watchful over the prisoners committed to his safe-keeping. We
hear nothing, since he has taken charge of them, of wholesale
escapes or of insubordination inside the walls. But,
notwithstanding his rigid discipline over them, he still
remembers that they are human beings, and everything he can
consistently do to make them comfortable is done. His duties are
very arduous and perplexing, but they are all cheerfully
discharged, with the most perfect coutaimity [sic] of temper. It
is the earnest wish of all our loyal citizens that the Colonel
may hold his present position just so long as it is necessary
for us to have prisoners at this point.
NOTES:
Colonel
Jesse Hildebrand was born May 29, 1l800, and was in charge of
the 77th Ohio Regiment. He led the 77th in the Battle of Shiloh.
General Sherman later remarked that Colonel Hildebrand was “as
cool as any man I ever saw.” In the Battle of Shiloh, the 77th
suffered severe losses. The regiment was then assigned to the
military post at the Alton prison. There, Hildebrand died at his
post in Alton from pneumonia on April 18, 1863. He is buried in
Marietta, Ohio.
MILITARY PRISON
NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 7, 1862
Seventeen
prisoners were released on oath this morning, they being
Confederate soldiers. Twenty-four more were received from
Columbus, Kentucky, and five from Boliyar, Tennessee, all being
prisoners of war. An order has been received from Colonel Gaatt
of St. Louis, to make out a list of all political prisoners
confined in the military prison here, so that their cases may be
tried by a military board at St. Louis.
A. J. Kinkead was
released from the military prison yesterday, on taking the oath,
and is to report to General Grant. A number of political
prisoners will probably be released today.
About eighty
political prisoners will be released today from the military
prison by order of General Grant. They all having taken the
oath. There were no arrivals nor departures during yesterday,
and of course items are scarce.
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source: November 7, 1862
Robert F. Leicher was released on
parole yesterday, and George Owens, Leven Harwell, and Patrick
Coffee were released on oath, they being Confederate soldiers.
Colonel Hildebrand mustered the 77th Ohio and 126th Illinois
regiments this morning, preparatory to receiving ________.
Below we give a list of those having died during the month
of October at the Military Prison:
H. D. Colter,
dysentery, October 3, 1862
William Wilson, dysentery, October
3, 1862
James Nations, typhoid fever, October 5, 1862
M.
Morgan, dysentery, October 7, 1862
Parker Wilson, pneumonia,
October 9, 1862
Philip Bigford, pneumonia, October 13, 1862
Thomas Buklow, pneumonia October 15, 1862
Wilson Marshall,
dysentery, October 16, 1862
Edward Enfort, dysentery, October
14, 1862
Jonathan Hathow, pneumonia, October 15, 1862
James Cox. Dysentery, October 19, 1862
Hugh Charles,
dysentery, October 19, 1862
James Roberts, diarrhea, October
20, 1862
Richard Rundsant, erysipelas, October 23, 1862
Sabina Y. Briggs, pneumonia, October 24, 1862
P. M. Byson,
paralysis, October 24, 1862
Vincent Owings, diarrhea, October
25, 1862
Stephen Taylor, pneumonia, October 25, 1862
Lafayette Lewis, pneumonia, October 26, 1862
Jesse S. Thomas,
pneumonia, October 27, 1862
Major Bruce, pneumonia, October
29, 1862
There are now lying sick in the hospital - 204.
Prisoners discharged during the month on oath - 67.
Prisoners died during the month – 22
Prisoners transferred
during the month - 110
Prisoners paroled during the month –
11
Prisoners received during the month – 231.
Total number
now confined in prison – 981.
Dr. Fosiar, who has been
very sick in prison for two weeks, went down on parole to Saint
Louis this morning. Seventeen prisoners were released on oath
this morning, they being Confederate soldiers. Twenty-four more
were received from Columbus, Kentucky, and five from Boliver,
Tennessee, all being prisoners of war. An order has been
received from Colonel Gaatt of St. Louis to make out a list of
all political prisoners confined in the military prison here, as
that their cases may be tried by a military board at St. Louis.
ORDER NO. 1 RIGIDLY ENFORCED
Source: Alton Telegraph,
November 14, 1862
The following will partly explain itself,
but the main facts in the case are as follows: One day last week
a soldier, belonging to the 126th Regiment stationed here in
Alton, was found in a certain saloon, drunk. He was taken and
put in the cells, as per the Military Order No. 1, until he
sobered down, when he was questioned closely as to where he got
his liquor. He made affidavit before Colonel Hildebrand that the
whisky which he drank was procured by someone on the street, and
given to him, and when he was found in the saloon, he had been
there but a short time. No one of our dealers is implicated in
the above matter, but Colonel Hildebrand wishes it distinctly
understood that the order will be enforced, and no one will be
privileged to procure liquor to give to soldiers.
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 14,
1862
There was considerable business on hand at the prison
this morning, but all were busy in getting rid of the eighty
secesh [Confederates] that we spoke of yesterday.
William
Prescott, A. Walker, H. H. Yates, R. D. Ellis, W. F. Matthews,
and W. E Mallo were released on oath this morning and took their
departure from the frowning wall of the old military prison.
Five new arrivals can be stated at the military prison. They
were from Jackson, Tennessee. No other important news can be
quoted from headquarters. But they have not yet got rid of all
the political prisoners.
Stephen Ramsey was released from
the military prison yesterday on taking the oath, after which he
desired to join the 77th Ohio, which he was permitted to do, and
was placed in Company B.
We may state to our readers
something that we have known for a considerable time, but have
withheld from our readers for various reasons. It is that the
Hon. John M. Wimer escaped from the military prison some day
since, and has not been heard from as yet. It is supposed that
he bribed the teamster who goes through the large gate.
John M. Wimer, named in the above list, has been Mayor of our
sister city two or three times, and aside from his rebel
proclivities, is a very worthy man. In our younger days, we were
very intimate with and esteemed him very highly. Little did we
then think, that such issues would be presented in our time as
would place thick stone walls between us. But so it is. He has
run wild after Jefferson Davis, while we, according to the
statement of the secesh Democratic papers, have become deranged
on the subject of the Union. Be this as it may, we hope that Mr.
Wimer will be retained where he is until he can heartily take
the oath of allegiance to the Government to which he is indebted
for several lucrative offices.
NOTES:
Lt. Colonel John M. Wimer had served two terms as Mayor of St.
Louis, Missouri, and also served as Postmaster. He was an
intellectual man, and while he opposed slavery, he was a
Southern sympathizer. He was arrested for speaking out for the
Confederacy, and placed in the Alton prison. While in prison, he
was a favorite among the other prisoners. Wimer would entertain
the prisoners with anecdotes and recitations.
Alton
citizen Thomas Callahan drove his wagon to the prison three
times a week to haul away stale bread, along with other trash
from the prison. The prisoners were supplied with fresh bread
every day, and would not eat day-old bread. The bread amounted
to several hundred loaves in a week. Callahan would take the
stale bread to his home on Prospect Street, where the poor
children and women would come with their baskets, and carry the
stale bread to their homes to eat. In November 1862, Colonel
John M. Wimer made his escape from the prison by crouching down
in the barrel, which was placed in Callahan’s wagon. He covered
himself with loaves of stale bread and kept quiet. When Callahan
arrived at his home, Lt. Colonel Wimer rose from under the bread
and asked for some place to hide until dark. Mrs. Callahan told
him to hid in a cask, which had been placed by her husband as a
refuse receptacle in the Dolbee pond in the Callahan pasture,
located between the old Dolbee house (later the Old Ladies’ Home
– now Riverview Park) and David Ryan’s residence. The water in
the cask was about half-knee deep at the time. Wimer took an old
nail keg and placed it in the cask to sit on. At night, made his
escape to southeast Missouri, where he joined the Confederate
army under Colonel Emmett Macdonald and Brigadier-General John
S. Marmaduke. Wimer was killed January 11, 1863, in the Battle
of Hartville, in Hartville, Missouri, while leading a detachment
of Colonel Burbridge’s regiment. It was reported that he was
shot through the eye, and that after he died, the Union Provost
Marshal managed to steal his body and bury him in an unknown
potters’ field as a final act of desecration. After the war, his
body was moved to Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 28,
1862
Two hundred prisoners left here this morning enroute for
Cairo, and from there to Vicksburg, to be exchanged for Federal
prisoners.
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Alton Telegraph,
December 5, 1862
James Galbraith was released on oath and
bond from the military prison this morning, to report at St.
Louis.
ENFORCING GENERAL ORDER NO. 1
Source: Alton
Telegraph, December 5, 1862
A second enforcement of the order
of the Colonel commanding at this post in relation to selling
liquor to soldiers, took place this morning on Second Street
[Broadway]. It appears that four soldiers were found drunk
yesterday on the streets, and after they got sobered off, they
were forced to tell where they had procured their liquor, or go
to the cells for an indefinite period. They chose the former. A
squad of men under Lieutenant Moore proceeded to a saloon, which
had been pointed out as the place on the above-named street,
kept by one Daniel McGrath, and then and there proceeded to
empty into the street the liquors that were found in the bar.
After which they quietly marched back again to their quarters.
We think that after a few more occurrences of this kind take
place, that our people will learn wisdom by experience.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 5,
1862
List of those having died during the month of November
in the Military Prison at this post:
William K. Brown,
November 9; pneumonia.
W. S. Gromfield, November 21;
Rheumatism.
Marcus Baker, November 23; pneumonia.
Wilson
Calo, Sr., November 9; general disability.
Zeba Duko,
November 8; chronic diarrhea.
James S. Douglas, November 16,
erysipelas.
Henry Dennis, November 16; diarrhea.
George W.
Dema__tue, November 23; plurdis.
Jesse Garland, November 8;
pneumonia.
S. P. Gray, November 21; pneumonia.
Robert
Hodges, November 1; pneumonia.
Henry J. Hudson, November 13;
pneumonia.
S. J. Heron, November 13; chronic diarrhea.
Casper Hunter, November 13; pneumonia.
John Hood, November
23; erysipelas.
John W. Jones, November 26; pneumonia.
William Kirkpatrick, November 13; pneumonia.
Leroy Kesso,
November 26, pneumonia.
James Lamin, November 8; diarrhea.
Joseph Lawhorn, November 20; pneumonia.
Andrew J. Murray,
November 9; pneumonia.
J. W. Meeks, November 22; pneumonia.
Gillison Perkins, November 8; pneumonia.
David Prodit,
November 8; pneumonia.
William A. Purdam, November 17;
pneumonia.
Lucas Roy, November 27; pneumonia.
Caleb
Shackleford, November 13; pneumonia.
Sterling Smith, November
13; erysipelas.
W. S. Samuels, November 13; chronic diarrhea.
Valentine Smith, November 23; erysipelas.
Elijah Seward,
November 20; pneumonia.
Jacob Teeples, November 9; general
disability.
W. H. Baden, November 15; erysipelas.
Benjamin
Woodward, November 1; pneumonia.
Nathan Woodsmall, November
7; apoplexy.
W. B. Wright, November 7; chronic diarrhea.
J. H. Woodsmall, November 7; pneumonia.
Daniel Warren,
November 22; anasarca.
Samuel W. Burch, November 22;
erysipelas.
Reuben Tidner, November 22; pneumonia.
Whole number having died during the month of November – 40.
Number sick in hospital – 61.
Whole number received during
the month – 311.
Whole number transferred – 109.
Number
discharged on oath – 103.
Number remaining in prison to date
– 683.
Dr. Foster was released from the Military Prison
this morning by order of the Secretary of War, and ordered to
report at St. Louis. James M. P. Nolan was released today, he
being a British subject, and orders from General Curtis being
received to let him go. As also was F. A. Rolph, and both will
now have to stay in this city, or make their way to Canada to be
free from further interruption.
MILITARY ARREST FOILED
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 12, 1862
We understand that
there was quite a stir yesterday in Jerseyville, growing out of
an attempt made by the Commander of this post, to arrest the
editor of the Jerseyville Democratic Union for disloyalty. This
editor has for some months past been filling his paper with the
vilest and most abusive epithets against the government, and
denouncing the President as a worse traitor than Jeff Davis.
Colonel Hildebrand – who by the way is a sound Democrat of the
Douglas stamp – has had his eye upon him for some time, and
yesterday he dispatched a small posse of soldiers to arrest and
bring him to Alton. But we have been informed that the valiant
editor, considered in this instance that discretion was the
better part of valor, gave them the slip, and the soldiers
returned without being able to arrest him. We are not fully
advised as to the cause which will now be pursued in reference
to the matter by the military, but we are satisfied that the
authority of the government will be vindicated by Colonel
Hildebrand – let the consequences be what it may. He has helped
take care of rebels in Tennessee, and will therefore know how to
deal with them in Illinois. We have been convinced for some time
that this editor, should either be confined in the Penitentiary
or the insane asylum at Jacksonville, but it has not been so
clear to our mind which of the two places he should grace with
his presence.
THIRD ENFORCEMENT OF GENERAL ORDER NO. 1
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 12, 1862
Yesterday
afternoon, Lieutenant Moore, with a squad of men, took a trip
down Second Street [Broadway] to the grocery of Mr. Huber, and
proceeded to empty out what liquor could be found upon the
premises, which was but very little. The reason for so doing was
the finding of soldiers drunk around his store, and who said
they had procured the liquor of Huber. It seems that he keeps
but a small amount at a time in his store, so that if he should
be taken up by the military authorities, he would not lose much.
A warning was given to him, that upon the next violation, he
would be incarcerated in a cell of the old prison.
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 12,
1862
Gideon C. Mizer was released from the Military Prison
this morning on taking the oath and giving bond for $1,000, and
is to remain in Jacksonville, Illinois and report to the Provost
Marshal General at St. Louis every week. Two hundred and
thirty-four prisoners came up on the H. M. Runyan from St. Louis
on Saturday evening, from McDowell’s College. Sixty new recruits
arrived from Marietta, Ohio on Saturday to join the regiment
here. Thirteen prisoners were received last night at the
Military Prison from Jackson, Tennessee, in charge of Lieut.
Magowen. John S. Drake was released on oath and bond of $1,000
from the military prison this morning, and will report to the
Provost General at St. Louis once a week.
Dr. S. Pollek
and Rev. M. Schuylelr, members of the Western Sanitary
Commission, are here in Alton to examine into the condition of
the military hospitals located here, both outside and inside of
the prison walls.
Fitz Otthorf of the Second Missouri
Artillery was received as a prisoner at the military prison on
yesterday, he being sentenced for some misdemeanor during the
war. Powhattan Spencer was released on oath and bond of two
thousand dollars, and to report at St. Louis. Reuben S. Boals,
O. B. Young, G. G. Zeutzehes arrived at the military prison last
night, and were committed as prisoners. C. G. Cautt was released
on oath and bond of $1,000. Also, Robert Oliver was released on
parole, to report to Brigadier General Vaugn, in northern
Missouri.
Charles Wortsay, an insane man, a federal
soldier now confined in the military prison, is ordered to
report at Washington City, and he will be sent under guard in a
short time.
REPORT OF THE SANITARY COMMISSION ON THE
MILITARY PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 19, 1862
One day last week we had the pleasure of being introduced to S.
Pollak, Esq., and the Rev. M. Schuyler, who were on a visit to
Alton to examine the sanitary condition of the Alton Military
Prison. They were appointed to perform this duty by the Western
Sanitary Commission. We find their report in the St. Louis
papers, in which they speak in the highest terms of the courtesy
of Colonel Hildebrand, and of his uniform kindness to the
prisoners. They also speak of the location and general
arrangement of the prison as being well calculated to promote
health and comfort among its inmates. They say some of the
prisoners are not as yet sufficiently supplied with comfortable
under clothing. They represent them as being abundantly supplied
with good wholesome food, and appearing entirely satisfied with
the kind treatment of the officers. ……. [missing text] ….prison
are buried in a ground about two miles out of the city, set
apart especially for that purpose. They are furnished with a
coffin, the same as the Federal soldiers, and are in all
respects decently interred. Headboards, with the initials of
their names, are placed at each grave, so that there can be no
difficulty in identifying the spot where friends are buried.
In conclusion, it gives us great pleasure to state that we
found the condition of the Alton prison as comfortably as could
reasonably be expected. It is but justice to Colonel Hildebrand,
to the officers under his command, to the surgeon in charge, Dr.
L. E. Hardy, to say that by their efficiency and kindness, they
have made the prison creditable alike to the country and to the
claims of humanity.
Signed by S. Pollak and M. Schuyler,
Sanitary Commission.
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source:
Alton Telegraph, December 19, 1862
A.G. Ronse had been
released on taking the oath and giving bonds. Henry Utterbach
was released on parole. Both, however, are required to remain in
some free state north of Alton. James Ford was released this
morning from the military prison on taking the prescribed oath
of allegiance.
A part of the wall at the southeast corner of
the prison last evening gave way, and quite a large hole was
made. Preparations are being made to have it immediately
rebuilt, as it is considered unsafe to leave it in its present
condition.
We mentioned last week that Colonel
Hildebrand, Command of the Alton post, had attempted to arrest
the editor of the Jerseyville Democratic Union for disloyalty,
but had failed to do so. The attempt was made a week ago last
Friday. On Monday, some of the Editor’s friends visited the
prison, and through their influence, the Colonel consented, on
certain conditions, not to suppress its publication. The Union
of the 18th has come to us titled with certificates from some of
the prisoners, contradicting certain statements which had
heretofore been published in that sheet, derogatory to Colonel
Hildebrand and censuring his treatment of the prisoners. The
following certificate, signed by 58 of the prisoners, is a fair
sample of all the others:
“Alton Military Prison,
December 3, 1862
We, the undersigned Confederate prisoners,
take great pleasure in bearing testimony to the uniform kindness
and attention of Colonel Hildebrand and officers under his
command. Our wants have been carefully attended to, we have had
as a general thing abundance of wholesome food, and when any
failure has occurred or any wrong in our treatment, the neglect
has been promptly corrected by Colonel Hildebrand. In short, our
condition has been rendered as comfortable as possible under the
circumstances. Colonel Hildebrand’s whole treatment of
prisoners, while firm, has been tempered with _______ and
kindness.”
With such testimonials to the humanity of
Colonel Hildebrand before us, with the positive assertion from
the Alton Telegraph that he is a “sound Democrat of the Douglas
stamp, who has helped take care of Rebels in Tennessee, and will
therefore know how to deal with them in Illinois,” with the
representations of our friends to both his humanity and his
politics, we are much pleased and gladly assert to what is so
clearly proved! We hope, indeed, that the time may come when the
ultra-Abolitionists, such as “Old Abe,” Owen Lovejoy, and Editor
Parks, may join the gallant army of Union soldiers, and help the
“sound Douglas Democrats” to save our suffering country, its
Constitution, and the Union.
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 19, 1862
John C. Able,
Thomas Able, Sabioc Edwards, Richard A. Haydon, and Joseph
Prince, all of Monroe County, Missouri, were released on parole
and bond of one thousand dollars each, this morning, all to
remain in some free state north of Springfield, and east of the
center of the state during the war.
PRISONERS OF ALTON
PRISON - SENTENCES COMMUTED
Source: General Orders of the War
Department, Embracing the Years 1861, 1862, and 1863 by U.S. War
Dept., Oliver Diefendorf, Thomas M. O'Brien
General Orders,
1863:
The proceedings of the Military Commission in the case
of Alfred Yates, private in the rebel army, have been approved
by the proper commanders and forwarded for the action of the
President of the United States. Upon the recommendation of the
Major General commanding the Department of the Missouri, the
President directs that the sentence "to be hanged by the neck
until he is dead," be commuted "to imprisonment during the war."
The prisoner will be sent, under proper guard, to the military
prison at Alton, Illinois.
The proceedings of the
Military Commission in the case of George W. Casey, of the
so-called Confederate States Army, have been approved by the
proper commanders and forwarded for the action of the President
of the United States. Upon the recommendation of the Major
General commanding the Department of the Missouri, the President
directs that the sentence "to be hanged by the neck until dead,"
be commuted to "imprisonment during the war." The prisoner will
be sent, under proper guard, to the military prison at Alton,
Illinois.
The proceedings of the Military Commission in
the case of John F. Cook, citizen, have been approved by the
proper commanders and forwarded for the action of the President
of the United States. Upon the recommendation of the Major
General commanding the Department of the Missouri, the President
directs that the sentence "to be shot to death," be commuted "to
imprisonment during the war." The prisoner will be sent, under
proper guard, to the military prison at Alton, Illinois.
The proceedings of the Court in the case of Private William
Polson, Company "D," 8th Regiment Kansas Volunteers, have been
approved by the proper commanders and forwarded for the action
of the President of the United States, who directs that the
sentence "to be shot to death," be commuted to "imprisonment
during the war." The prisoner will be sent, under proper guard,
to the military prison at Alton, Illinois.
SOUTHERN BELLE DIES IN ALTON PRISON – About 1863
Source:
The Diary of an Old Lawyer, Or, Scenes Behind the Curtain, 1895,
by Attorney John Hallum
The affianced of a young Confederate
officer, living near Collierville (whose name now escapes me,
because my record in which it was kept was long since lost) came
to Memphis and purchased from a large dry goods firm, cloth and
trimmings to make the dashing young officer a uniform. To obtain
this favor, she pledged her honor, that in case of detection she
would not disclose the name of the merchants. It was in the
winter of 1863-4. She wrapped the cloth around her person and
proceeded out on the Germantown road to the exit through the
lines. On that day for the first time, tents had been erected,
and ladies put in charge, to search the wearing apparel and
persons of all their sex passing out of the line. Our little
heroine, who belonged to the middle classes, was the first
caught at that station. She was handed over to the guards and
conveyed to the "Irving Block," that Bastille of the revolution,
situated on Second Street opposite the northeast corner of Court
Square. Ladies confined there were always placed in the upper
story, without fire in the most inclement weather, and no
bedding whatever, except a mass of straw thrown loosely on the
bare floor, and without a chair, table, box, or anything on
which to sit. For a cultured and refined lady, this was hard, as
was the prison fare of coffee, cold potatoes, salt pork, and
hard crackers. To a gentleman, who loved to honor and preserve
untarnished the uniform and arms of the country he bore, it was
simply revolting, especially so because in the heart of a city
overflowing with all the luxuries the arts and commerce of the
age commanded.
This young lady, whose innocent and pure,
yet exalted love was her death, sent for me [Attorney John
Hallum]. I found her in that cold and cheerless room alone,
sitting in the corner on a bed of loose straw, cold and
shivering in the pitiless air; her large blue eyes swimming in
tears, which stirred up the fountains of my own. She told me the
details already stated, the merchant from whom she purchased the
cloth, after my assurance that I would not betray them. The
merchants who trusted her had a stock of goods worth two hundred
thousand dollars, which would have been confiscated had that
suffering girl told them where she obtained the goods. This girl
was in the incipient stages of consumption, aggravated greatly
by exposure in that cold, damp, fireless and bedless room.
Already the arrows and seeds of death gave voice to their
presence. After a confinement of three weeks in that Bastille,
she was sent to the Alton prison, where she died keeping her
faith.
NOTES:
I don’t have any further information on
this young woman who died in the Alton prisoner, or what her
name was. This story was told by Attorney John Hallum in 1895,
who visited her in the prison. There was another woman who died
in the Alton prison during the Civil War – Barbara Ann Dunavan.
Barbara was a poor and illiterate Tennessee woman, who was
court-martialed for smuggling revolvers to the Confederate army.
Convicted, she was sent to Alton, where she died of smallpox.
She is buried in the North Alton Confederate Cemetery on Rozier
Street. Are these women one of the same? I don’t know. I have
been researching the Civil War era - reading each and every
Alton newspaper during that time period. I started researching
in 1860, and I am now reading 1865 newspapers. There has been no
mention of either women. Were their deaths hidden and kept from
the public? Possibly. Whatever the case, it is sad to think that
this poor, young woman died – all for her love of her fiancé,
and wanting to make him a new uniform.
The author of
this story, Attorney John Hallum, was born January 16, 1833, in
Tennessee. He was considered a prodigy in his youth, and by the
age of six he could read and spell every word in Webster’s
Spelling Book. He studied at home and read classical literature,
qualifying himself to enter college. At the age of fifteen, he
was offered a scholarship, but rejected it to become a lawyer.
He worked on his father’s farm while educating himself, and
after passing the bar, he opened a law office in Memphis. Among
his clients, was Sam Houston, who hired him to investigate land
titles for his brother’s widow. Although strongly opposed to
secession, he believed in the patriotism of the South, and
entered the Confederate Army as a Lieutenant, and was assigned
to the staff of General Pillow. He was discharged after two
years because of illness. In 1864, he wrote a severe criticism
of the corrupt Union army, and without any charge, trial, or
hearing, he was ordered to be confined sixty days in a
blockhouse at Fort Pickering, and to pay a thousand dollar fine.
In the prison, he wrote of the conditions of prison life, where
vermin and smallpox were common. Coffee was made in the same
vessel that served for washing. After the close of the war,
Hallum was attorney for the Knights of the Golden Circle. In
1870 Hallum moved to St. Louis to practice law. He later moved
to Colorado and then Arkansas. He died in 1907.
VIEW OF PRISON LIFE BY AN
IMPRISONED SOLDIER HELD IN OHIO, 1863
Source: Camp, Field and
Prison Life by W. A. Wash, 1870
"During the day about sixty
officers came in from the prison at Alton, Illinois. They, with
a number of privates, had been started for exchange, but were
stopped at Pittsburg and sent here, as we all supposed, on
account of retaliatory measures. The bad faith with which both
parties have kept the cartel agreed upon for exchange has caused
many a gallant man to languish and die in prison. Thousands of
soldiers are now suffering in prisons, who, at a word from those
in power, could be honorably exchanged and serving their cause.
This, the 8th day August, the officers of Price's army taken
at Helena, Arkansas, on the 4th day of July, arrived from Alton
prison, several of them, Col. Johnson, of Arkansas, among the
number, wearing, as ornamental appendages, a ball and chain for
the offense of trying to escape from prison. They had made a
hole through the ceiling and roof of their quarters, but some
traitor or spy informed against them, and a detachment of Yankee
boys was paraded to greet them as soon as they made their exit
through the hole Several cases of smallpox came in with them,
and were quartered in a tent in one corner of the prison yard.
They did not give the Alton House a very good name, and promise
never to patronize the institution again if they can
consistently avoid it, for they don't admire the situation of
the concern, nor the compactness and height of the yard fence,
and last, but not least, the landlord and his sub-officials did
not distinguish themselves for hospitality and generosity."
COPPERHEAD ARRESTED AND JAILED IN ALTON PRISON
[“Copperhead” = Confederate sympathizer]
Source: Alton
Telegraph, January 25, 1863
It will be recollected that we
published, a few days since, a letter understood to have been
written by Westbrook, who had been spending his time drilling
Copperhead military companies in Greene, Macoupin, and Jersey
Counties, and otherwise behaving himself very suspicious manner.
The publication of that letter, with other circumstances which
proved the fact that he was a Rebel sympathizer, directed the
attention of that faithful and fearless officer, Provost Marshal
Billings [of the Alton Military Post (prison)] to his case, and
on last Saturday he came across him north of Kane in Greene
County, and immediately placed him under arrest and brought him
into Jerseyville about night.
We were informed that as
soon as he found he was in the power of the government, that he
took a large dose of strychnine, swearing at the time that the
Abolitionists should not have the satisfaction of gloating over
his punishment. From the effects of this dose, he came very near
passing out of the hands of the vigilant Provost, in a manner
which no loyal man would regret. Medical aid, however, was
called in, and he soon partially recovered.
The fact of
this leading man among the Knights of the Golden Circle’s [see
more information in the notes below on the K. G. C.'s] was
confined in the Jerseyville jail soon spread abroad, and created
a general stir among the Copperheads of that place. Mr.
Billings, apprehending danger of an effort being made to rescue
him, silently and privately took him from the prison and brought
him to this city [Alton], where he was made secure in the
military prison. He was detained here until Tuesday evening,
when he was sent under a strong guard to General Ammen at
Springfield.
Our informant remarked that there was
considerable excitement in Jerseyville on Saturday night, and
that on Sabbath morning a body of men, numbering some forty or
fifty, made their appearance from the country, who were armed,
and prowled about the streets all day, but made no outward
demonstration. After dark, the party fired off their pieces, and
left for their homes.
Too much praise cannot be bestowed
upon Provost Marshal Billings for his faithful and fearless
discharge of is duties, in one of the most disloyal districts
within the bounds of the state.
NOTES:
Some
"Copperheads," as Confederate sympathizers were nicknamed, were
members of a secret society called the Knights of the Golden
Circle. This group advocated a "golden circle" of territories in
Mexico, Central America, Confederate States of American, and the
Caribbean, as slave states, to be led by Maximilian I of Mexico.
As abolitionism in the U. S. increased, members of the group
proposed a separate confederation of slave states, south of the
Mason-Dixon line, to secede and align with other slave states.
During the Civil War, Southern sympathizers in States such as
Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa were accused of belong to the
K. G. C., and in some cases were imprisoned for their
activities, such as Mr. Westbrook in the above article. In late
1863, the K. G. C. reorganized as the Order of American Knights,
and in 1864 it became the Order of the Sons of Liberty, with
Ohio politician Clement L. Vallandigham as its supreme
commander. I have no further information on Westbrook, and
whatever happened to him. After the Civil War, some believe that
the K. G. C.'s went underground to support a second uprising
against the Federal government.
MILITARY PRISON HOSPITAL REPORT
September 21, 1862
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 25, 1863
The following deaths took place yesterday: Dellenger and Joseph
Harper.
John J. Newton died this morning.
MILITARY
PRISON HOSPITAL REPORT
September 19, 1862
Source: Alton
Telegraph, January 25, 1863
For the week ending September 19,
1862. The following died during the week of smallpox: William
Cobble, James Daniels, Martin V. Daniels, Henry More, Levi H.
Harrison, Henry O. Bryant, James Reed(?), William G. S. Logan,
Manliff Maison, Henry C. Bray, William H. Miller, William D.
Edmondson.
Died of other diseases: Lewis C. Suhich,
Andrew J. Daniels, Josh P. Sommers.
David Burns, supposed
to have been drowned in attempting to escape.
John C.
Jacobs, paroled to the limits of the city of Alton.
Jenac
S. Lanson, paroled to remain within the limits of Maries County,
Missouri.
John W. Curry of Monroe County, Missouri,
paroled to any point north of Ohio, and east of Mississippi
river, during the war, and to report monthly by letter to the
Provost Marshal General’s Department of the Missouri, St. Louis.
LETTER FROM A REBEL
Source: Albany, New York Evening
Journal, March 26, 1863
The St. Louis Union is publishing a
number of intercepted letters, written by certain parties here,
to friends and relatives in the Rebel army. The following,
addressed to a Mr. W. F. Luckett, is a
"Specimen brick:"- St.
Louis, Feb. 3,1868. Dear Darling Frank - I suppose by this time
you have received my other letter, and I am going to try this
carrier. Enclosed you will find your ma's letter, and this
carrier is so closely watched that I fear he will be captured,
but we all hope for the beet. Miss Lucy, our "Intelligent
contraband," watches everything so closely that we do nothing
but lie. You Just ought to see how the Union people are shaking.
They have very little faith in their glorious Union Government,
and I do assure you we Rebels never felt as sure of a Southern
Confederacy as we do now, and we do so pray for the time to
come, when our brave soldiers and bushwhackers will be released
from their prisons and be free men once more. There are now 800
men in Gratiot Street Prison, or McDowell's College, and so many
of them have the small pox. There is over one thousand in the
Alton prison, and they are almost destitute of clothing. Ma and
I have been permitted to visit the Alton prison next Thursday. I
have been sewing and mending old clothes for them all this week.
Dick Beauford, United States Express messenger, promised to
write a letter to you, but I have not seen it as yet. I received
a long letter from your Ma, and Miss Loutie said I might love
you if I was a real good rebel, and if that is all she asks of
me I think you are my property. I will admit that I have talked
to Feds, but after Pa shot that soldier we could not do as we
pleased. He lived six days after he was shot, and the night he
died, four black-hearted villains came bolting into Ma's room,
and damned us to everything they could, and not a soul in the
house but her and I, nor was there a person in town, or a friend
anywhere that would come near us. We moved everything over to
Mrs. Johnston's, and slept on the floor in our clothes and
shawls, for six weeks, and every night was warned to leave the
house, that it was going to be burnt. We could not live so, and
all we could do was to lake some of the highest officers in our
house to board, but Ma never got me to set with the contemptible
hounds, if I was compelled to speak to them. No one knows what
we have to contend with. May God speed Gen. Price and his noble
army into Missouri, so that we poor persecuted "she devils" as
that elegant paper the Republican chooses to term us, may have
the satisfaction of trampling a few ...... ladies under our
feet. ........Dr. came down last night. - He is living at
College Mound, and he says there was a prisoner shot at that
place on the 2d of February, for hurrahing for Jeff. Davis. We
dare not breathe Jeff. Davis' name aloud here; but I wish you
could see the picture Ma has of him. Mr. C. Y. J. gave it to
her, and it cost $15. It is splendid. I have such a dreadful
cold that I can scarcely speak above a whisper; but I will not
die, because there is too many Southern girls down there. You
must soon come home, for such I still call our house, and Ma
says she does want to see her son Frank so much. Now I know you
will come. Give my love to all the Rebels, Edward Barton,
William Halleck, Shad, and more to yourself, and write, by the
first carrier, a long letter. We all send much love to you, and
Mr. Flanagan, and hope you will give the Feds your best Minnie
ball, and shoot a few extra balls in revenge for us. You may
look for several kisses in this letter, and you will find them.
Write soon to Your true and devoted Rebel, Zaide L. Bagwill
PRISON INMATE - DR. W. A. CHEATHAM
Source: The Syracuse,
New York Daily Standard, May 13, 1863
Dr. W. A. Cheatham and
family has been ordered to Alton, Illinois, to be confined
during the war. Mrs. Cheatham is the sister of Mrs. John Morgan.
PRISON INMATES - BRIGADIER GENERAL JEFF THOMPSON AND CAPT.
REUBEN KAY
Source: Skaneateles, New York Democrat, September
24, 1863
Brigadier General Jeff Thompson, the notorious rebel
swamp ranger and bushwhacker, with his adjutant, Capt. Reuben
Kay, are now in the Alton, Illinois, military prison. They will
soon be transferred to Johnson's Island.
MILITARY PRISON
HOSPITAL REPORT
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 25, 1863
September 23d: Whole number in hospital – 116, of whom 3 are
Federals. Number on Tow Head – 14.
September 22: Died on
Tow Head (Smallpox Island) 22d, of smallpox, Alfred Cash and
Thomas Well. Died in prison hospital 22d, of smallpox: Richard
Webb; of typhoid fever, William L. Parish; of chronic dysentery,
Levi Henshaw and Willis Clark.
Seven Rebel citizen
prisoners, under sentence, received from Columbus, Kentucky. One
(John Aicher), a citizen guerrilla, sentenced to two years
imprisonment. Charles are larceny and kidnapping a free negro to
sell into slavery.
September 24: Since our report
yesterday, Jacob Rhodes and Mordecai Wells died of smallpox.
Jacob Bloomstien sent to Nashville, Tennessee, by order of the
Commanding General of prisoners.
MILITARY PRISON
REPORT
For Week Ending October 10, 1863
Source: Alton
Telegraph, October 16, 1863
Deaths – Perry M. Dolton, James
Hargrove, Benjamin Crabb, Enoch A. Hensley, and Andrew P.
McCarty, of typhoid fever; and William Childers, Zac Brockman,
and Hozey C. Brown, of smallpox; and William Sounds, Richard B.
Evetts, and Alfred Slewellyn, of other diseases.
Prisoners Received – D. C. Boon and William M. Gorden (Rebels).
Prisoners Released – Samuel Rice released on oath, and
Andrew J. Sill (citizen) released by order of the Secretary of
War.
Sickness has slightly increased since the change of
weather set in.
ARMY NOTICE
Source: Alton Telegraph,
October 16, 1863
Sealed Proposals for furnishing soft bread
to troops and prisoners of war at this Post, for three months,
commencing November 1st, 1863, and ending January 31st, 1864,
will be received at this office till 3 o’clock p.m. of 26th
inst. Proposals must be accompanied with the names of two
responsible persons as sureties for the fulfillment of the
contract, and bidders be present at the opening of bids, at the
time above designated.
Signed by R. C. Rutherford
Captain & Com. Subs.
IGNORANCE IN THE SOUTH
Source:
Alton Telegraph, October 16, 1863
As an illustration of the
influence of the system of slavery, we will remark that out of
one hundred and fifty-four Rebel prisoners lately received at
this post, only eighteen of them could read or write. This is
the state of society which the Copperhead of the North wish to
perpetuate in the South, and have extended into the Northern
states.
SENTENCED AND SENT TO MILITARY PRISON
Source:
Alton Telegraph, October 30, 1863
Charles Hauftman, George W.
Craddock, and William H. Frazier were on Tuesday sent from
Gratiot Street to Alton prison, under sentence as follows:
Hauftman, six months imprisonment at hard labor; Craddock, four
months same; Frazier, ten months, same.
DESERTERS
TRANSFERED FROM MILITARY PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph,
October 30, 1863
The following have been sent from Alton
prison to Schofield Barracks, St. Louis, for transfer to their
regiments: George Weishart, 5th Indiana Cavalry; Jacob Treester,
15th Illinois Cavalry; James Smith, 21st Illinois. They were
arrested at various points in Illinois.
MILITARY PRISON
REPORT
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 13, 1863
One
hundred and sixty-two prisoners arrived here this morning on the
Terre Haute and Alton Railroad, in charge of Lieut. David Culver
of the 5th Ohio Cavalry, and were safely lodged in the military
prison. They were a promiscuous lot, from the military prison of
Memphis, Tennessee. One hundred and fifty-five of them were
prisoners of war, five Federal soldiers and two citizens.
FATHER VISITING SON-IN-LAW FALLS OFF BLUFFS AND DIES
Source: Alton
Telegraph, November 20, 1863
There was a man by the name of
Thomas Lunbah who fell from the bluffs opposite the military
prison last evening, a distance of some twenty or twenty-five
feet, onto the solid rocks below. He was terribly stunned and is
still unconscious, and it is thought very doubtful whether he
will recover. This gentleman was here from Monroe County,
Missouri, for the purpose of visiting a son-in-law, confined in
the prison, and after tea he walked up to the headquarters in
company with some of the officers, and on his return, as it was
very dark, he walked over the precipice as related above. It is
a great wonder that there are not more persons killed by these
man-traps which are scattered all over the city than there are;
and there is perhaps no one of them more dangerous than the one
from which this gentleman fell. Our city authorities ought not
to give themselves no rest until something is done to prevent
persons from being injured by fall from these clevations into
the deep chasms below.
PRISON REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING
NOV. 28, 1863
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 4, 1863
Died – Jackson A. Carroll, George H. Hughs, William Ellis,
Willis Taylor, Daniel C. Robinson, Massey Anderson, George W.
Miller, and J. H. Turner.
Released – Thomas J. Harris on
oath and bond of $5,000. John H. Maupin on oath and bond of
$5,000. Jordon O’Bryan on oath and bond of $2,000. William F.
Robinson on oath and bond of $2,000.
Released on Oath –
William J. Brown, James E. Goodet, Martin H. Bogarty, Rufus W.
Kitterell, Amzy Moss, Charles B. Newell, Joseph Rymarkiewiz, and
John W. Robinson, all citizens, released by order of Major
General Thomas.
Added – B. M. Mitchell, Joseph Bridges,
John B. Day, Isaac Herrington, Larkin Story, John Smittle,
William O. White (citizens), and Thomas J. Gibbs (Captain), all
under sentence.
DINNER FOR 37TH IOWA VOLUNTEERS (Grey
Beards)
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 4, 1863
At the
time appointed, we repaired to the quarters of the 37th Iowa
Volunteers (Grey Beards) to note the preparations made by the
ladies of Alton and vicinity for the comfort of this efficient
and patriotic regiment. The dinner was prepared in the building
known as the Buckmaster warehouse, and we found in the six large
rooms of that spacious building, long rows of tables fairly
groaning beneath the weight of good things prepared by the hands
of the ladies. At three o’clock, everything being in readiness,
the regiment was formed in line, marched to the different tables
by Companies, and after the blessing of the Giver of all good
had been invoked, they proceeded to show the good ladies that
their efforts were appreciated by doing full justice to the
repast.
The different divisions of the barracks were
neatly and tastefully arranged, and everything bore an air of
neatness and comfort. In the room occupied by Company E were the
following mottos: “The Ladies of Alton, God Bless Them.” “Our
Union, it shall be preserved!” “Hurrah for the Red, White and
Blue.” “Our Army and Navy forever,” &c.
After the
soldiers had satisfied their appetites, they were again formed
in line, and proceeded by their fine martial band, marched to
the front of the City Hall, where short, but pertinent speeches
were made by several gentlemen, to their evident satisfaction.
Three cheers were then given for the Star-Spangled Banner, and
three times three for the Ladies of Alton, and the regiment were
dismissed.
The display of national flags yesterday in our
city was really magnificent. The day was perfectly clear, and
the sun shone beautifully, while the breeze was just
sufficiently strong to keep the Stars and Stripes distinctly
unfurled to the view of the patriotic masses. Look in what
direction you might, and “Old Glory” would be sure to strike
your eye. We have never before witnessed such a numerous
exhibition of bunting as was displayed on this occasion. Even
our neighbor, of the Democrat, about eleven o’clock in the
morning, was constrained to hang out a small flag from his
office window, but at the time it came under our observation, it
appeared to be engaged in a struggle, whether it would show
itself on the outside or retire within and hide where it has
generally been concealed whenever there has been a decisive
victory in our armies. But they have it hoisted today on the top
of their building, and are giving it a glorious airing all by
itself. We suppose they do this for the same reason that the
Missouri Republican, a year or two since, gave for not having
Thanksgiving in that State on the same day with the New England
States. That was, that the people of Missouri could not thank
God on the same day which the abolitionists did.
GOD
BLESS THE LADIES OF ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, December
4, 1863
At a meeting of the officers of the 37th Regiment,
Iowa Infantry, convened by order of Colonel G. W. Kincaid,
Commanding Post, Alton, Illinois, for the purpose of giving a
testimonial of their appreciation of the superbly excellent
Thanksgiving Dinner, spread before the entire regiment by the
Loyal Ladies of Alton. The following resolutions were
unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That in behalf of the
officers and soldiers of the 37th Iowa, the Colonel tenders his
most grateful thanks to the Loyal Ladies of Alton for their
care, sympathy, and friendship, manifested in their full, free
and willing efforts to rejoice the hearts of the garrison Grey
Beards, by a rich and most sumptuous feast given by them at the
soldiers’ barracks on Thursday last; rendered doubly valuable by
their own presence, smiles and good cheer.
Resolved, That
in this spontaneous manifestation of loyal sympathy, by these
refined and Christian ladies, we recognize the true spirit of
enlightened patriotism. For we do not flatter ourselves as
having called forth by our worthiness such an expression. Such
kind acts as these are alone prompted by a settled, abiding and
cherished love of country – our country – the freest and the
best on the face of the earth.
Resolved, That in the
discharge of the duties of our high trust, we will try and so
demean ourselves as to merit the approbation of not only the
loyal ladies of Alton, but the purest and most patriotic hearts
in all the land. Ever doing; ever true is our motto. And
although the hills, rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun; the
vales that stretch in pensive quietness between the venerable
woods, the fields in meadows green, and old ocean’s gray and
melancholy waste, has become the extended tomb of our patriotic
sons. Yet with hearts undaunted, but ever true to God and our
country, we will rally around the tree of Liberty, planted in
the sacred soil where sleeps our fathers’ dust, and then beneath
the brave old flag, afloat from its topmost branch, we join our
hands, and pledge anew our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred
honor to defend it.
Resolved, That we have unshaken and
abiding confidence in the administration of Abraham Lincoln and
in his noble generals in the field, who now bid fair with the
blessing of a benign Providence, to achieve a glorious triumph
over the enemies of human liberty and justice, and bring back
again to us the halcyon days of peace and national prosperity.
Resolved, That our Colonel be requested to furnish a copy of
these resolutions, together with the lines “In behalf of the
Ladies of Alton,” for publication in the Alton Telegraph.
Signed, Committee
THANKSGIVING DAY IN ALTON
For
the 37th Iowa Infantry
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 4,
1863
In addition to the religious exercises in the different
churches, the shops and places of business were mostly closed.
Only here and there a grog shop was found openly carrying on
their diabolical traffic. Even the “Devil’s Teapot” (as the boys
call the old distillery) was for the day suspended in its work
of transforming God’s good gift into the Demon’s beverage. But
the most interesting part of the exercises was (to us Gray
Beards, at least) the sumptuous dinner furnished us by the
ladies of your city. It having been previously announced that a
repast would be furnished us in our barracks, the previous day
was spent in scrubbing and scouring our barracks, dishes, tables
and persons; combing our hair and blacking our boots with a
determination to convince our fair visitors and patrons, that if
we were not in the market, we at least had been well trained by
our “Good wives” at home. If “Mason’s challenge” “gets on a
high,” you can by this guess “What’s the matter.”
Well,
the day at last dawned as bright as June. At an early hour,
wagon load after wagon load, and basket after basket, full of
the good things of life, began to appear, and before noon it was
evident that there was to be no fasting this day, unless a
brigade should be added to our number. The number of turkeys and
chickens under which the tables groaned reminded us of the
shower of quails that fell on a former occasion, when, as now, a
nation of slaves were on a stampede for freedom. Then the cakes,
pies, barrels of apples, cans and jars of preserved fruits and
jellies, pickled peaches and oysters, the boiled hams and
puddings, &c. &c., all looked as if we were laying in our winter
supplies instead of simply getting a dinner.
At the
proper time, the ladies in propria persona made their
appearance. And here let me say in your ear, so as not to get to
the ears of certain ladies in Iowa, that a better looking, more
genial, whole-souled and social group of ladies is hard to find.
Taking the work in their own hands, the various dishes were
arranged in double-quick time, so as to be accessible to all.
And never was dinner partaken of with better feelings towards
the provider than this was. Whatever position the Copperheads
North or South may occupy, one thing is certain, the Alton
ladies are for the Union to a man. And I forbid your taking
advantage of the bad grammar in the above sentence and put a
wrong construction upon it.
After dinner, the regiment
fell in and marched to the City Hall, where we gave three
rousing cheers for the flag that floated above it, being the
first we have seen there since our arrival here. It has been
said that those who have control of the building have not been
for the time past above suspicion, but during the last two
months they have been converted.
We had the pleasure of
listening to Captain Rutherford in a few well-timed remarks. He
was followed by the editor of the Telegraph, who was listened to
with marked attention. He was announced as the editor of the
Democrat. From his remarks, we all concluded that the day of
miracles was not past if the Democrat man was to be found among
the Prophets. But when informed that we were misinformed as to
the man, we saw at a glance “what was the matter.”
After
giving six cheers for the Alton ladies, we retreated to the
quarters of Company E, and listened to a good speech from Mr.
Todd. He was followed by a Sergeant of Company I, who spoke from
a sentiment offered by him. The sentiment was “The present
wicked war: The legitimate fruit of the tree of compromise.
Withered be the hand that attempts again to water it from the
well of expediency.”
It was indeed a good day to all. And
we felt that the donation was as freely bestowed as it was
thankfully received.
Yours truly,
VOX, of the Gray
Beards
PRISON REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING
DEC 3, 1863
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 11, 1863
Deaths – Joseph Lamb, Thomas Lanfield, John A. Cox, Isaac
Benton, Daniel Cogsdale, Alfred Ralph, B. McCrawan.
Released – William Losie.
Transferred to St. Louis –
Nathan Barnard, sentence expired and he refused to take the oah
and was sent to St. Louis.
Received – Brady Anderson,
alias Absalom Carlisle Grimes, sent from Memphis to be confined
during the war.
Twenty-two prisoners, including nine
officers, were received from Columbus, Kentucky on the 4th, and
were transferred to Alton military prison for safe keeping, in
consequence of the prison being burnt at Columbus.
Whole
number in prison – 1,558
Whole number in hospital – 139
Brady Anderson, whose true name is Absalom Carlisle Grimes,
the Rebel mail carrier who was arrested at St. Louis on the
ferry boat last winter, was brought to the military prison in
this city night before last, in charge of Captain Clark, of
General Veatch’s staff. We were informed by the Captain that he
made his escape from McDowell’s College after his arrest as
before stated, and passed through Memphis to Greneda in company
with his aunt, Mrs. Aiken of St. Louis, and Miss Perdew of
Memphis. Afterward, he was arrested at Fort Pillow, but escaped
by jumping into the Mississippi River. His present arrest was
made by order of General Veatch, supposing him to be a man by
the name of Brady. But after he was taken, his conduct excited
suspicion, and he was chained to the floor in Irving Block, but
during the night he cut the half-inch iron rivets and ran upon
the bayonet of a sentinel and was thus stopped and confined
again. He was ordered to the Alton military prison for safe
keeping, General Veatch, not knowing at the time, however, that
he was the notorious individual he has turned out to be. Captain
Clark gained the information from Grimes on their way up, which
we have given above. He told Captain Clark that he went to
Memphis to marry a young lady from near Hannibal in Missouri,
but that he gave the bewitching creature timely notice, which
enabled her to escape. Grimes was formerly a pilot on the
upriver boats, and is well known in St. Louis and also in all
the river towns between here and Galena. He will not stand much
of a chance of getting out of the clutches of the Grey Beards.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING DEC 12,
1863
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 18, 1863
Died –
Ezekial Holton, Calvin Edwards, Robert Duncan, George W. Casey,
James Tatum, Robert B. Johnson, Joshua Payne, and Frank
Wadsworth.
Lysander S. Dunn was released on oath by order
Provost Marshal General of the Department of the Missouri.
Whole number in prison – 1,647. Number in hospital – 138.
MILITARY PRISONERS ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE
Source: Alton
Telegraph, December 18, 1863
We have understood that some
seventy-five or a hundred Rebel prisoners attempted to escape
from the military prison in Alton last night, but were foiled by
the guards before they succeeded in getting away. It appears
that there were about that number who occupied an old building
in the north corner of the prison, who had combined together to
effect their escape, and by means of an old butcher knife, had
dug a hole from the floor of their building below the foundation
of the prison wall, and then directly up on the other side.
Piling the earth which they thus removed under their bunks. But
as we before remarked, they were discovered before any of them
got away. The Grey Beards are always wide awake.
A CONFEDERATE TRICK? - 1864
Source:
The United States During the War, by Auguste Laugel, 1866
Onboard the steamer 'Sucker State' from Quincy to St. Louis,
written by Auguste Laugel, on a visit to the United States in
1864
"The morning after, we arrived in sight of Alton. Above
the rocky promontory on which the town is built stands the
immense penitentiary which was used as the prison for the rebel
soldiers. The bayonets of the sentinels flashed brightly in the
rays of the morning sun, and idle soldiers lounged upon the
quay. A few moments before our arrival at Alton, a young man who
had seen me drawing on deck came to me, and timidly begged me to
make for him a sketch of the prison at Alton. In spite of his
rough uncombed hair and beard, and sparkling eyes, the
expression of his face was so candid and simple that I acceded
to his wish. I could not refrain, however, from enquiring why he
preferred that point to any other: he blushed, and told me that
many of his friends and townsmen knew the place well, and would
be glad to have a sketch of it. A few days after, I learned at
St. Louis that there had been, on the part of the guerilla
bands, a plan to surprise Alton, and deliver the prisoners; it
was not carried out, however; so my sketch was useless, even if
it left the hands of my young unknown, whom I have since
suspected of having served in the armies of the rebellion."
THE GREY BEARDS OF IOWA
Source: Alton Telegraph, January
1, 1864
To the Editor of the Telegraph –
Thousands both in
civil and military life, even in the western country, have but
an imperfect knowledge of the above regiment. We only purpose to
present to give a brief, but authentic account of it. In the
month of July 1862, when the whole nation was moved with the
spirit of war, there sat a man in deep and silent reflection on
the sad and calamitous event of the country. Shall the Stars and
Stripes, whose hallowed folds I have nestled in safety for half
a century, now be insulted and defied by foes at home and
abroad? I prefer death rather than see conquest by the enemies
of my country. But what can I do to help in the subjugation of
invading enemies? The patriot’s heart was moved to its depths
with anxiety, and while in that state, a thought momentous, in
its consequence, flashed upon his mind, that thought was
sustained, it increased in intensity until it electrified every
part of the man, and he stood in fancy in the midst of a
regiment of self-sacrificing men, who had battled with the
common vicissitudes of life for three score years. In less than
ninety days after the conception of the idea of an old man’s
regiment, George W. Kincaid stood – not in fancy’s vision, but
in joyful reality, in the midst of the 37th Iowa Regiment,
honored as its chief commander. To get up a regiment of men over
forty-five years of age in the young State of Iowa seemed to
many a matter next to impossible, but Mr. Kincaid thought
differently. He corresponded with the proper authorities upon
the subject of some man in the State being appointed to raise a
regiment of men exempt from military duty on account of their
age. Mr. Kincaid was solicited to accept said commission, which
he finally consented to do. And went to work with a will,
resolved that if energy and perseverance could accomplish the
work, the formation of such a regiment would be a success.
Men of ability and experience came to his aid, and as fast
as the intelligence spread through the country, that the father
as well as their sons should have the privilege of bearing arms
in a distinct regiment, in the defense of their country,
hundreds seemed to renew their age at the call of their country.
The embers of patriotism were fanned to a mighty flame, while
the impassioned eloquence of the heart was heard thundering from
every tongue, long wave the Stars and Stripes. Home and kindred
were felt cheerfully to endure the toils and perils of a
soldier’s life. The companies were formed in different parts of
the State, and so rapid were the enlistments that the various
companies were ordered into quarters at Camp Strong, Muscatine,
Iowa, in the month of October 1862. In the month of December
following, the regiment was mustered into the United States
service by Captain H. B. Hendershott. The regiment was ordered
to St. Louis, where it arrived January 1, 1863, passing through
the city to Benton Barracks. Being ordered into the city to
Schofield Barracks, the regiment took possession of the same,
January 4, 1863.
After enjoying city life for about five
months, the regiment was ordered to do guard duty on the Pacific
and Rolla railroad, where they spent some two months very
pleasantly among the citizens, no trouble occurring whatever.
The regiment receiving orders to move, it left for Alton,
Illinois, where it arrived July 30, 1863.
This regiment
is a military curiosity, the age of the men ranging from 45 to
80, the average age being about 55. Never in the history of
civilization was a regiment of men gotten up for the purpose of
war of the above ages. The 37th Iowa was not made up of the scum
and washings of society, as a few uninformed persons have
supposed, neither of that class of persons dependent on the army
of the poor house for subsistence. Just the reverse of this are
the facts in the case. A great majority left comfortable and
happy homes – many their farms, shops and merchandise businesses
that amounted to thousands per annum. There are a number of
privates worth from five to forty thousand dollars, cheerful and
happy to serve their country in that honorable capacity; men of
good minds and respectable information. It must be expected that
in a body of men numbering so many hundreds, gathered
promiscuously from the State, born and educated in different
nations, each one having his own belief, politics, and religion,
and the rules by which society should be governed; with the
fixed habits of more than a half century unaccustomed to the
rules and laws that regulate military life; that in the
government and necessary discipline of such a body of men a
little friction would occasionally take place. It is a matter of
surprise to every reflecting mind conversant with the regiment,
that so much harmony and promptness to obey orders, and general
good conduct has prevailed among the men. This in a great
measure is the result of the mental and moral qualities of those
in command. To the honor and credit of the Commander in Chief of
the regiment, be it said, that a large proportion of the family
of commissioned officers are men that teach morality and virtue,
both by precept and example. The Colonel’s staff is composed of
men possessing clear heads and sound bodies; men from the active
business walks of life, thoroughly competent to discharge the
duties devolving upon them in their respective positions. The
raising, equipping, and placing the above regiment in the
service of the United States was considered a military
experiment. It is very gratifying to those who labored day and
night for its existence that the project has proved a glorious
success. No body of young men in the same capacity have done
more efficient work than the Grey Beards. Every officer, whether
high or low in command charged with any important trust, has in
every instance given entire satisfaction.
The health of
the regiment taken through all the seasons of the year will
tally with any other in the service. In regard to the number of
deaths, they have been less than in most other regiments. And
considering the ages of the men, their exposure to all kinds of
weather, the amount of labor performed, the preservation of life
and health is truly wonderful. Hundreds who taste nothing
stronger than tea or coffee enjoy the envied prize of sparkling
eyes and rosy cheeks, with a youthful and happy flow of spirits.
Should an occasion ever offer itself for these silver-haired
patriots to exhibit their pluck and fortitude on the field of
blood and carnage, they will be found equal to any heroes that
ever drew a sword or cocked a musket. At present, the regiment
numbers about seven hundred men, and taking them as a whole, are
enjoying fine health and spirits. The men have received their
bounty, and all other claims and demands the government has
promptly met. Any government whose laws and institutions are so
sacred and highly prized as to cause men voluntarily of three
score years and ten to leave all the endearments and luxuries of
home, giving health and life, if need be, to save that country
from desolation and ruin; any nation possessing such elements of
power can safely calculate on its strength and perpetuity. Well
may the youthful State of Iowa be proud of the honor of sending
one of the most extraordinary regiments into the service of the
United States government the sun ever shone upon. Historic page
will faithfully record their doings, and when they shall have
gone to sleep with their fathers, then their posterity will
chant in poetic song, the patriotism of their noble and worthy
ancestors.
Signed, Justice
Alton, December 25, 1863
MILITARY PRISON REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING DEC. 26, 1863
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 1, 1864
Died – Benedict
Fowler, Solomon K. Hunt, James McGintry, Joseph McAlester, James
Watson, D. Warmask, Reuben B. Joshyer, John Gray, James Giles,
Andrew J. Walter, Henry Oglesby, William M. Loggins, James B.
Smith, William Meek, Robert Hardin, John M. D. Baver, David
______, McIntosh, John Dodson, John M. West, William Joshyn,
Isaac F. Jackson.
Whole number in prison – 1617. Number
in Hospital – 138.
REBEL
PRISONERS ARRIVE IN ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 8,
1864
First Lieutenant J. W. Granger of the 27th Iowa
Regiment, direct from Memphis, arrived in Alton on Sunday night,
in charge of 57 Rebel prisoners. He was between Cairo and
Centralia on last Thursday night, and says that just below the
latter place, the train got out of wood, and the lights all went
out, and it was feared for a while that there would be much
suffering, if not many deaths from the intense cold, but the
train backed down to the nearest station, and another engine was
ordered from Centralia to their assistance, and they all arrived
safely in the latter city about daylight on Friday morning. The
Lieutenant informs us that General Ganit, from Little Rock,
Arkansas – the leading Union man of that State – came up the
river at the same time that he did, on his way to Washington
City with a view of getting Arkansas back into the Old Union.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT, WEEK ENDING JAN 3, 1864
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 8, 1864
Died – William H.
Bower, John H. Davis, Aaron Moore, Frank Jannegan, Charles
Tohrer, John Burgess, W. A. Wilkerson, Samuel Kite, W. H. Cobb,
Francis M. Carpenter, Jesse O. Davidson, Henry M. Cooper, James
Lane.
Joseph Hughs escaped from prison on the 26th ult.,
and Henry Atkinson and W. A. Robinson escaped from the towhead
[Smallpox Island] on the 27th.
Whole number of Rebel
prisoners – 1,596.
MORE PRISONERS FOR BLUFF CASTLE
Source: Alton
Telegraph, January 22, 1864
The St. Louis morning papers say
there were twenty-five or thirty Federal prisoners sentenced in
that city yesterday for various offences, and were ordered to
“Bluff Castle” in this city [Alton] to serve out their
respective sentences.
TO THE CITIZENS OF ALTON AND
VICINITY
From the 37th Iowa Volunteers (Grey Beards)
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 22, 1864
Our regiment, the
37th Iowa Volunteers Infantry, is under “marching orders,” and a
becoming respect to the amenities of society, not less than the
dictates of unfeigned gratitude, require we should make some
suitable acknowledgment of the many acts of kindness and
liberality manifested toward us during our sojourn of nearly six
months in your city.
To particularize or speak of
individuals by name would be to make invidious distinction alike
undersired, if not disagreeable to all. And while, therefore, we
speak in general terms only, we trust at the same time we shall
not fail to embalm in grateful recollections your every act of
kindly sympathy, from the “two mites” of the widow to the costly
and sumptuous repast which celebrated, and made so pleasant the
day of our National Thanksgiving.
A writer of judgment
and wit has somewhere said, “There are good persons with whom it
will be soon enough to be acquainted in heaven.” This may be so,
but these are also individuals, with whom it is no common
privilege to have been acquainted on earth. And such it is no
fulsome eulogy to say we esteem the good people of Alton.
We are old men. Scarcely one of our number but has passed
the age of forty-five. While the heads of a large majority have
been whitened by the snows of fifty, sixty, and seventy winters.
It is not strange, then, that we do not belong to the church of
“latter day saints” of pseudo-patriotism. Our earliest and most
cherish recollections are the lessons and love of country,
taught us by our Revolutionary Fathers. Lessons taught us as
only such fathers can teach, while they impressed, and
illustrated every precept by the exhibition of unsightly scars,
received in defense of our common country on many a varied and
well fought field.
About one hundred of our number have
“fallen at their post” by the hand of insidious disease, and
today the steps of several more of our comrades “halt feebly to
the tomb,” dying literally as martyrs to their work; while their
sons and grandsons have either “fallen in the harness,” or are
today fighting the battles of their country; thus, more than
repaying us for all our toil by showing that the “marrow in
their bones is true.” And yet, can it be believed that there are
those even in Alton, Heaven favored Alton, “So lost to virtue,
lost to manly thought, And all the noble sallies of the soul.”
As to seek by sneering muendo of licentious tongue, and to
asperse our character as men and soldiers, and to make our
pathway rough and thorny.
But we have no quarrel with
such men – they follow their natural and cherished instincts,
and ‘tis not in our hearts to spoil their “occupation,” or mar
their joy, for like other buzzing creatures that have just the
power to sting, they seem to take an evident delight in the
gratification of their feeble natures. All such we leave gladly,
and them in the worst of company – we leave them with
themselves.
But with the good and the true, the loyal and
patriotic, we part with regret, and shall ever cherish the
memory of our stay in Alton, and especially the courtesy,
kindness, and liberality of her citizens, as among the most
pleasant recollections of our campaign life. And now, with our
best wishes and most earnest prayers for your temporal and
eternal happiness, and hoping to meet again, we reluctantly say
goodbye; and ‘may the wings of friendship never lose a
feather.’”
G. W. Kincaid, Colonel, 37th Iowa
In behalf
of the Regiment
FAREWELL TO THE GREY BEARDS
Source:
Alton Telegraph, January 22, 1864
It is now understood that
this regiment, which has been here so long and given such
general satisfaction, is to leave for Rock Island tomorrow
afternoon. We cannot refrain from saying that the removal of
these old men, at this inclement season, and from a position
which they filled with so much satisfaction, both to the
government and the citizens of Alton, is a great mistake. It is
worse than a mistake. It is a gross blunder. There can be no
kind of an apology for it unless it be that it is the intention
of the government to disband the regiment and send the men home.
And even then, it might have been postponed until the severity
of the winter had somewhat broken.
We publish in another
part of our issue today a farewell address from the commander of
the regiment to the citizens of Alton, and we think we can
safely assure both the officers and men that our citizens part
with them with regret. For during their stay among us, they have
greatly endeared themselves to our citizens by their gentlemanly
demeanor and general good behavior, and the excellent order they
always maintained in our streets and wherever they have had
control. It is true, we did not find all of them perfect, nor
neither did we expect that of them. But as a whole, we very much
fear we shall not soon find their like again.
CHANGE
OF TROOPS AT MILITARY POST
Source: Alton Telegraph, January
22, 1864
The 10th Kansas Regiment arrived here yesterday
about noon, and the 37th Regiment of Iowa Volunteers took their
departure about dark last evening. Nearly all of our citizens
regret this change, not so much because they know anything
against the troops which have just arrived, but because those
leaving had won their favor and confidence, and all felt
perfectly secure and safe while they were here. A security which
they cannot feel with any other regiment, until after they have
been tried and found equally faithful. We hope this will prove
to be the case with those which have just come amongst us.
HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE
10th Kansas Regiment
has Dress Parade
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 5, 1864
We, with a large number of others, had the good fortune last
evening, at the dress parade of the 10th Kansas Regiment, of
witnessing the impromptu ceremony of conferring honor upon a
deserving and faithful soldier. It seems the night before,
Private Willey of Company C, when on guard, had discovered the
attempt and prevented the escape of 19 prisoners, for which the
Colonel, after calling him out in front of the regiment, thanked
and complimented him in a very handsome manner, and recommended
him to his Captain for promotion. Our citizens have an
opportunity every afternoon, about 4 o’clock, of seeing the
best-drilled regiment we have had here. Their manual of arms is
superior to the Regulars that were stationed here, and what
shall we say of the band? All who wish to enjoy a concord of
sweet sounds must go and hear it.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT
FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 5,
1864
Received – one field officer, five company officers, and
fifty-seven enlisted men.
Transferred twelve company officers
to Camp Chase, Ohio, January 20, 1864.
Died, three company
officers, seventy-five enlisted men, and seven citizens.
Released, one staff officer, one enlisted man, and fifteen
citizens.
Escaped, three enlisted men.
Sick, at present
(Jan. 31), 300.
Aggregate, 1,567.
THE ALTON
MILITARY PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 5, 1864
The Saint Louis Democrat of this morning says the city of Alton,
with the extensive military prison located there, has heretofore
been part of the Department of the Missouri. It has been a grand
depot for prisoners captured in this Department. By a recent
order, Alton has been transferred to the Department of the
North, consisting of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, and
of which Major General Heintzelman is Commander.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT
Week Ending January 30, 1864
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 5, 1864
Died, January 24,
Cannon Harris and S. S. Sawyer
Died, January 25, Stanley J.
Davis, Francis Wise, and Bailey Moore
Died, January 26,
Henderson Wells, ______ Patrick, George Dozier, and James C.
Beard
Died, January 27, W. C. Shirley and Charles Mannard
Discharged on Oath – Charles Brezon, George W. Carter, John
W. M. Hastings, and W. O. Wilkinson, on oath and bone of $1,000.
W. S. Painter, I. S. M. Thomas, bond $1,00. Thomas Satterfield
on oath.
Escaped, January 28, Isaac McCaffey, from
Smallpox Island.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT, WEEK ENDING FEB
13, 1864
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 19, 1864
Died –
Feb. 6 – George W. Slack, John W. Frantz, James Haltum, William
Daughty, T. J. Holman, and George T. Smith.
Died – Feb. 7
– Alfred Hammond and J. W. Dixon.
Died – Feb. 8 – William
Timms
Died – Feb. 9 – Wiley Grishem
Died – Feb. 10 –
Thomas Fryey, Pat Smith, J. W. Coleman, and John Robertson
Died – Feb. 11 – Riley Still and Noel Mussolwhite.
Died –
Feb. 12 – D. W. Jefferson and Campbell Wallace.
February
6 – Transferred to St. Louis – J. W. H. Given.
Discharged
– Morris Ulman, W. H. Greer, M. W. Hudspeth, George W. Tripp, S.
V. Walker, and James Coggill, on oath.
Francis Fowler,
Perry Mercer, Carroll Gilbert, and Jesse Melton discharged on
oath and bond of $1,000 each.
Received from Memphis – 76
prisoners of war.
For the information of those having
friends or relatives among the dead prisoners, we will state
that Messrs. Platt & Hart are the Government undertakes, and
will give all the information desired as to the location of the
graves of the prisoners, &c., &c.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT,
WEEK ENDING FEB 27, 1864
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 4,
1864
Died, February 25, G. W. Bradwell, smallpox (on Smallpox
Island)
Died, February 26, John Hamilton, pneumonia
Robert
W. Rankin, typho malaria fever
Jacob W. McCord, rubiola
Sick on Smallpox Island – 26
Sick in prison hospital – 70
Number of prisoners in prison – Citizens, 65; prisoners of
war, 1536.
Number die during the week – 24
Number
discharged during the week – 13
Number received during the
week – 23, from Helena, Arkansas.
Colonel Weer had the prison
yard cleaned and limed, which has improved the health of the
prison greatly.
PRISONERS TO TRANSFER TO FORT DELAWARE
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 4, 1864
We understand that
there has another order arrived here to have 500 more prisoners
transferred to Fort Delaware, just so soon as arrangements can
be made for that purpose.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT,
WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 1864
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 11,
1864
Died, March 4 – J. C. Moore, chronic diarrhea; Moses
Johnston, smallpox, on Smallpox Island
Number died during
the week – 7
Number discharged during the week – 4
Number
of citizens confined in prison – 60
Number of prisoners of
war confined – 1,015
MILITARY PRISON REPORT, WEEK
ENDING MARCH 17, 1864
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 18, 1864
Died, March 16, John W. Cannon, smallpox (Smallpox Island);
Elbert F. Sunderland, pneumonia; William Armstrong, pneumonia;
Thomas J. George, rubiola.
Discharged, March 16, Meleville C.
Davie of Lafayette County, Missouri, on bond of $1,000.
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 18, 1864
There were five hundred prisoners brought out of the Military
Prison yesterday afternoon and placed on the cars with a view of
being transferred to Fortress Delaware. But this morning they
were still here, and about 9 o’clock were taken back and placed
within the walls of the prison again. We understand that the
cause of this was that there were orders received here from
Washington, to retain them here for the present.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT, WEEK ENDING MARCH 19, 1864
Source:
Alton Telegraph, March 25, 1864
Died, March 18 – Hardy A.
Foster, prisoner of war, erysipelas. John M. Carter, Prisoner of
War, chronic diarrhea.
Died during the week on Smallpox
Island – 4
Died during the week in prison hospital – 9.
Discharged during the week – 1 citizen on oath and bond of
$1,000.
Received during the week – 2 political prisoners.
Sick in hospital on Smallpox Island – 24.
Sick in hospital in
prison – 52.
Sick in quarters – 50
Total sick – 126
Prisoners of War confined in prison – 1,003
Citizen prisoners
– 52
Total – 1,065
MILITARY PRISON REPORT, MARCH
31, 1864
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 1, 1864
Died,
March 30, Charles A. Logan, prisoner of war, intermittent fever;
Samuel Holes, citizen of Stoddard County, Missouri, pneumonia.
Sick in Smallpox Hospital – 5
Sick in prison hospital – 70
MILITARY PRISON REPORT, WEEK ENDING MARCH 26, 1864
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 1, 1864
Died during the week
at Smallpox Hospital – 4
Died in the prison hospital – 9
Total died – 13
Released during the week – Silas H. Highley,
Private, Co. H, 8th Missouri, on oath of allegiance; H. W.
Plattenburg, citizen, Lafayette County, Missouri, on oath and
bond of $1,000.
Sick in Smallpox Hospital – 8
Sick in
prison hospital – 68
Sick in quarters – 63
Confined in
prison, citizens – 97
Confined in prison, prisoners of war –
943
ATTEMPTED ESCAPE FROM “BLUFF CASTLE”
Source: Alton
Telegraph, April 1, 1864
Strange as it may seem, prisoners
are not always content with the reward of their crimes, and now
and then there are those who seek to take “French leave” of
their quarters and commit themselves to the world’s cold
charities. Such an effort was made last night by several of the
prisoners in the military prison here. It seems that soon after
dark, the guard on the north end of the prison had his fears
excited, or rather vigilance increased, by hearing certain
ominous sounds in the earth beneath him. About midnight, he
could distinctly hear the voices of the would-be fugitives. He
supposed they were coming out in the second ditch from the wall,
and was on the lookout for them there, but on turning,
discovered a man’s head – with body attached of course – rising
from the first ditch. The sentinel immediately fired, the ball
just grazing the top of said head, causing it to disappear on
double quick.
The hole was found full of Jersey County
horse thieves – seven in number. Had they succeeded, many of
their boon companions from the Sunny South would doubtless have
followed. But the plan failed, and all still remain in “durance
vile.” The tunnel is about forty feet long, and well suited to
the purpose, the only fault with it being that it opened near
the best of one of the watchful boys of the 10th Kansas.
PRISONERS ESCAPE BLUFF CASTLE
Source: Alton
Telegraph, April 8, 1864
It will be seen by the Military
Prison Report published in another column that four prisoners
made their escape last night from Bluff Castle. We understand
that they filed the iron grating out of one of the cells on the
west side of the building, and made their escape in that way.
There was a number of others all ready to make their exit in the
same manner, when they were discovered. Henderson and Needham,
who are mentioned in the report as having escaped, are old
offenders. The former escaped from the prison once before and
was afterwards retaken with the Jersey County horse thieves a
few weeks since. Needham was sent here as a sentenced prisoner
from Memphis, and claims to be a British subject. Both of these
desperadoes were engaged in the attempt to escape by digging a
tunnel, as published by us a week ago last Saturday. It is very
much to be desired that they may be retaken and confined again,
as it is unsafe to have them running at large.
DEPARTURE OF PRISONERS
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 8, 1864
The 500 prisoners alluded to by us on Saturday last, as about
being transferred from here to Fort Delaware, left today on the
Terre Haute & Alton Railroad.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT
FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 1864
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 8,
1864
Died on Smallpox Island, 12
Died in the prison
hospital, 39
Released during the month on Oath and bonds, 4
Sick in smallpox hospital, 5
Sick in prison hospital, 72
Sick in quarters, 48
Prisoners received during the month, 8
Transferred, none
Escaped for Smallpox Island, March 30, 1864
– Albert W. Cushman, Captain of guerillas; and Hiram F.
Weathers, citizen of Rolla, Missouri.
Confined in prison,
citizens, 128
Confined in prison, prisoners of war, 900
PRISONER SHOT BY GUARD WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 8, 1864
Some days since, one
Hiram Miller, a prisoner in the Military Prison in Alton,
attempted to escape through the roof of the building and was
shot at by the guard. He afterwards threatened to kill the
guard, Private Rice of Company H, and last night made an attack
on him with stones when Rice snapped his gun, which refused to
go off. Miller then came at him with a bar of iron, when he ran
his bayonet into him, and called for help. The guard outside
placed his gun through the grating and shot Miller through the
heart.
PRISON REPORT
Source: Alton
Telegraph, April 8, 1864
Died, April 6, Oordiah Neuman,
prisoner of war, of typho malarial; Hiram Miller, prisoner of
war, killed by one of the guards last night.
Released, April
6, William S. Mount, prisoner of war, on oath of allegiance, by
order of the President of the United States.
Received, April
6, from Clarksville, Tennessee, Alexander Black (alias Cheek),
colored.
ATTEMPTED ESCAPE FROM ALTON PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 8, 1864
We have been informed
that Mahlon Bright, a citizen of Jersey County, Illinois, tried
to bribe one of the guards to let him escape from the military
prison last night. But the noble soldier reported the matter to
his officers, who gave orders for the place to be closely
watched. Very soon the prisoner made his appearance at the same
grating from which the others escaped the other night, and
commenced letting himself out, but when he heard the guard cock
his gun, he made an attempt to get back, but too late to escape
the effects of the discharge of the piece. He was wounded in
several places, but not dangerously, but sufficiently so to keep
him quiet for some time.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT, WEEK ENDING APRIL 9, 1864
Source:
Alton Telegraph, April 15, 1864
Died, April 8, John B.
Andrews, prisoner of war, erysipelas.
Released, April 8, W.
L. Fisher, citizen of Fulton County, Missouri, on oath and bond
of $1,000.
Received from Clarksville, Tennessee, one citizen
prisoner.
Escaped during the week, two prisoners of war and
two citizens.
Transferred during the week, five hundred
prisoners of war.
Sick in smallpox hospital – 2
Sick in
prison hospital – 38
Sick in quarters – 26
Prisoners of
war confined in Alton Prison – 400
Citizen prisoners in Alton
Prison – 115
JERSEY COUNTY WOMEN ARRESTED
Source:
Alton Telegraph, April 15, 1864
We have been informed that
Mrs. Mort. Scott and her sister, Mrs. Davis, have been arrested
and brought to Alton from near Jerseyville. They are charged, we
understand, with conveying tools to the prison in Alton for the
purpose of assisting Mort. Scott and others to escape. Miss
Annie Fletcher was also brought to this city last week by
Colonel Weer, under arrest. She is charged …….. [unreadable],
Mort. Scott being her uncle. It is understood that they will be
taken to St. Louis for trial.
MILITARY PRISON
REPORT, WEEK ENDING APRIL 16, 1864
Source: Alton Telegraph,
April 22, 1864
Died, April 15, Josiah R. Hamilton, prisoner
of war, pneumonia; Martin N. Young, prisoner of war,
intermittent fever.
Died during the week in prison hospital –
5
Sick in smallpox hospital – 3
Sick in prison hospital –
33
Sick in quarters – 34
Escaped during the week, two
citizens and two soldiers
Released during the week, two
prisoners of war.
Received during the week, 112 prisoners of
war
Remaining in prison – citizens – 118; prisoners of war –
500
13TH ILLINOIS CAVALRY ASSIGNED TO ALTON POST
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 29, 1864
The 13th Illinois
Cavalry arrived here last night on the Tatum, and are to assist
the 10th Kansas guarding the prison in Alton. The regiment was
originally raised by Colonel Bell, and has seen service in the
field, but has been in camp of Instruction for some months, and
the number in the rank have been much increased by recruiting.
They have been at Benton Barracks for some time past, awaiting
horses and equipment, which has not yet been provided. Major
Erskine is in command.
MILITARY PRISON REPORT, APRIL 30
Source:
Alton Telegraph, May 6, 1864
Died during the week – 2
Died
during the month – 15
Released during the week – 6
Released during the month – 17
Escaped during the month – 5
Received during the month, citizens – 4
Received during the
month – prisoners of war – 171
Transferred during the month –
500
Sick in smallpox hospital – 3
Sick in prison hospital
– 44
Sick in hospital – 85
Citizens confined in prison –
108
Prisoners confined in prison – 558
MEMBER OF
13TH ILLINOIS CAVALRY SHOT BY ANOTHER SOLDIER
Source: Alton
Telegraph, May 6, 1864
We regret to state that one of the
13th Illinois Cavalry Regiment was shot yesterday by a member of
the same company. The circumstances, as we learned them from the
Surgeon of the regiment, are as follows:
John T. Smith,
the man who was shot, was formerly connected with the Rebel
army, and is spoken of as being a perfect desperado; having been
in the guardhouse half the time since he enlisted. He had a
difficulty some days since with Mr. Fluty, the man who shot him,
and then swore that he would kill him at the first opportunity.
He had also threatened on several occasions to stir up a revolt
among the men against the officers.
On yesterday morning,
he again sent word to Mr. Fluty, if he had a will to make that
he had better execute it, as he was determined to kill him
before 9 o’clock. He was then in the guardhouse, but feigned
sickness, and at his urgent request was permitted to repair to
barracks to procure some medicine, which he said he had there.
On reaching the barracks, he made right for the bed where Mr.
Fluty was lying at the time, and was close up to him, before he
was discovered by the latter. As soon, however, as Fluty
discovered his approach, he took out his revolvers and shot him,
the ball entering his chest, which brought Smith down. Fluty
again fired, the ball entering near the mouth and glancing
through the head. From the effects of these wounds, Smith soon
afterwards died.
We have not learned what steps have
been taken to investigate this painful and melancholy affair,
but hope that the facts in the case will all be elicited and
that impartial justice will be done. If Fluty is found to be
guilty, we hope that he may be punished. If not, that he may be
acquitted from all censure or blame.
ESCAPED PRISONERS FOUND AND
ARRESTED
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 6, 1864
General
Rosecrans telegraphed to General Copeland yesterday to send a
squad of fifty men to Hillsboro and make some arrests.
Lieutenant Webber, of the 13th Cavalry, and fifty men, were
detailed, and left on a special train about ten o’clock last
night, Lieutenant Yates of General Rosecrans’ staff being in
command. They arrived at ten o’clock, and dividing their forces,
Lieutenant Webber took ten men and arrested Lieutenant Colonel
Carson. Lieutenant Yates took the balance of the force and
making the circuit of the town, surrounded the house of Mr.
Robert Davis, where lights were burning, and being refused
admittance, forced open the door, and on inquiring who was in,
learned that Colonel Edwards, the man they were in search of,
was upstairs in bed. They went to his room and arrested him,
bringing him to the Alton House in Alton, this morning. These
were both escaped Rebel prisoners from Gratiot Street Prison,
St. Louis, and were raising a regiment of men in Montgomery
County for the Southern Confederacy.
PROVOST MARSHAL
SHOT
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 13, 1864
We have been
informed that on yesterday, a man by the name of Henderson, who
had formerly been confined in the military prison in Alton on
the charge of disloyalty, horse stealing, and some other trivial
crime – we look at them in the light in which they are
regarded by the copperheads – and who managed to make his escape
from the prison some weeks since, made his appearance in
Jerseyville. He was seen to step into a barbershop, when a
deputy Provost Marshal by the name of Parker, followed in for
the purpose of arresting him. Henderson immediately drew a
revolver and fired at Mr. Parker several times, and succeeded in
inflicting a severe wound on his right arm. A number of the
citizens then rushed in, and after handling this cutthroat and
outlaw rather roughly, they succeeded in getting him secured.
These are about the facts in the case as far as we could learn
them. We were informed this morning that a number of soldiers
left Alton for Jerseyville last evening, to prevent his rescue
by his friends, who are reported to be in considerable numbers
not a great distance from that town, and reports say they are
from Missouri. The citizens in view of these rumors feel
considerably alarmed for the safety of their property. We,
however, place but little confidence in these reports.
MILITARY PRISON IMPROVEMENTS
Source: Alton Telegraph,
June 3, 1864
We observe a large frame building in process of
erection within the prison walls. The large addition to the
number of prisoners confined there has made this improvement
necessary.
LIQUOR CONFISCATED AND SALOON CLOSED
Source: Alton
Telegraph, June 10, 1864
The saloon attached to the Waverly
House was closed by the military authorities last evening, and
the liquors confiscated. The proprietors are charged with
selling liquor to soldiers.
DARING ROBBERY BY MEMBERS OF 17TH CAVALRY
Source: Alton
Telegraph, June 10, 1864
About two o’clock this morning, a
night watchman discovered several men in Mr. S. B. Davis’ store,
and immediately gave the alarm. The villains broke from the
store and ran, hotly pursued by the watchman, and he succeeded
in catching one of them, and says he put a ball in another one.
There were five of the burglars in all, and the one captured is
a member of the 17th Illinois Cavalry, and it is almost
positively known that the others were soldiers and members of
the same regiment. The military patrol also fired at the rascals
as they ran, but missed them. They entered the store over the
front door, through the transom, and then threw the door wide
open. A general onslaught was made upon sardines, pickles, etc.
Some $30 to $40 was taken from the drawer in change. The value
of goods stolen cannot be arrived at certainly. Part of a box of
tobacco was found on the corner of 4th and State Streets, and
other articles were strewn promiscuously around.
Great
credit is due the watchman for his action in the affair, but it
is a pretty large contract for one man to watch the city of
Alton and prevent burglaries. It is expected that the officers
in command of the 17th will use every means in their power to
bring the persons engaged in this raid to proper punishment.
P. S. Since the above was written, we learn that two more of
the soldiers have been caught.
NOTES:
The 17th
Illinois Cavalry was mustered in under Colonel John L. Beveridge
in January and February of 1864. They reported to Major General
Rosecrans at St. Louis, Missouri, and then sent to Alton to
guard the military prison. Sometime in June they were ordered to
St. Louis again, and sent to the North Missouri District. I
found no further mention of the incident, so I don’t know who
was involved and how, of if, they were punished.
PRISON INMATE - JOSEPH M. HAMILTON
Source:
Syracuse, New York Daily Journal, June 27, 1864
An actor
named Joseph M. Hamilton has been convicted of disloyalty In St.
Louis. He drank toasts in honor of Jefferson Davis and
entertained a rebel soldier, and did other deeds which have
brought upon him the penalty of wearing a ball and chain in
prison at Alton for a year.
17TH ILLINOIS CAVALRY ON DUTY
AT ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 1, 1864
The 17th
Illinois Cavalry, now on duty at this post, have been organized
about nine months, and have never been out of barracks, have not
been supplied with horses, and are lying idle, comparatively,
while thousands of horses are accumulating at St. Louis, and are
kept there at a heavy expense. Why are not these men sent to the
front? We understand the excuse has been the want of horses. Now
that there is a surplus of horses, let them be sent to the
field. The St. Louis Democrat says of the supply of horses at
that place:
“It is gratifying to be able to say that
horses fit for service are accumulating faster than
transportation has been furnished. There now remains four
thousand, six hundred horses in the depot for service. On
Monday, six hundred horses were issued, of which four hundred
were issued to the 3rd Wisconsin, and the other two hundred were
sent to the South. Horses continue to come in, in sufficient
quantities to keep the Depot nearly full, and even more than
supply the demand at the present. The accumulation of horses
here for the service, and the proper care of them, affords
employment for between eleven and twelve hundred men at the
depot.”
MILITARY PRISON NEWS
Source: Alton
Telegraph, July 1, 1864
Twenty-five prisoners arrived here
from St. Louis last evening, under escort of a squad of the 10th
Kansas, commanded by Lieutenant May.
Four prisoners
escaped from the prison last night. One of them, T. M. Meadow,
who was shot in the memorable Smith’s Raid some months since
near Delhi. How they escaped, where they escaped, or whether
they had help in making their escape is not known. It is
certainly the duty of someone to find out how they made their
exit from confinement. Others may get out the same way if
something is not done.
MILITARY PRISON HOSPITAL
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 22, 1864
The large building
lately put up within the prison walls is intended as a hospital.
It is not yet finished, but when ready for use, it will
accommodate a very large number of patients. It is an
improvement that has long been needed, and we are pleased to see
it so near completion.
FEMALE SOLDIERS ARRESTED
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 29, 1864
Three females in
Federal uniform were arrested on the streets yesterday. They
belonged to the 100 days men on duty at this post.
HENDERSON ESCAPES PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 29,
1864
It is said that the horse thief, Henderson, escaped from
the prison in the water tank, in which water is hauled to the
prison.
It will be seen by our prison report that the
guards through carelessness or more criminal conduct, have
permitted Henderson, the noted guerrilla, bushwhacker and horse
thief, to escape again from the prison. We have almost as many
troops in this city as we have prisoners, and if it is true that
it requires one soldier to guard each prisoner, and even then,
they are permitted to escape, it would be economy to turn the
prisoners loose, and send the troops to the front. There must be
a screw loose somewhere, or we would not hear of these frequent
escapes.
ILLINOIS REBEL TO SPEND TIME IN ALTON PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 29, 1864
We see it stated that
the notorious Rebel, George W. Carter, of Montgomery County,
Illinois, who was arrested some months since and taken to St.
Louis, charged with being a Rebel, having served as
Quartermaster in General Clark’s rebel brigade, has been tried
by a military commission there and sentenced to hard labor
during the war. The sentence has been confirmed, and Carter will
serve his time out in the Alton Prison. This is Carter’s fate,
while his equally guilty and a more dangerous associate, Robert
W. Davis, has been appointed as a delegate to the Chicago
Convention. But we should not complain of this, as there is no
reason to doubt but he is a fit representative of the Democracy
of his district.
A LETTER FROM J. M. WHITE
Source: Alton Telegraph, August
5, 1864
This gentleman furnished the following graceful
effusion to the Alton Democrat yesterday for publication. We
suppose he intended to prove by it that he was well qualified to
fill the office of Prosecuting Attorney of the 24th Judicial
Circuit, for which he announces himself as an independent
candidate, therefore we insert it gratis.
Camp Platt,
Alton, Illinois (Camp of 100-day Volunteers)
Editor of the
Democrat:
That miseral - and I might say contemptable -
so-called Union paper, the Alton Telegraph, comes out in an
article on yesterday and says that there are more soldiers here
guarding prisoners than there are prisoners. Now, Mr. Editor, in
the first place this is an infernal falsehood. There are fifteen
hundred prisoners here, and but few more than three hundred
soldiers to guard them. All men capable of doing duty are on
duty every third day, and it takes 107 men per day to guard
them. It is true we could guard 5,000 men, as easy as we guard
1,500, but they are not here, and it takes so many men to guard
those that are.
And another infernal falsehood of that
Union paper is that "three women dressed in Federal uniform,
belonging to the 100-day men, were arrested in the streets
yesterday." Now friend Democrat, there never was a more infernal
slander upon the reputation of any than this. The men belonging
to the 100-days volunteers at this post are all respectable men,
and have as yet never disgraced themselves so much as to dress
women in men's clothes and keep them as "kept women."
Now
Mr. Editor, all that the Telegraph man is fit for is to
encourage Abolitionists in destroying little one-horse country
newspapers, and at the same time, abuse soldiers who they (the T
elegraph) believe to be opposed to Mr. Lincoln. Now sir, should
that paper attack us again, he will not get off so well as by a
simple article through the paper.
Signed, J. M. White, A
100-dayer
July 28, 1864
PRISON GUARD REGIMENT RAISED - 144th
ILLINOIS INFANTRY
Source: The Alton Telegraph, August 19,
1864
General Rosecrans has requested the citizens of Alton to
raise a regiment of soldiers to serve one year as guards for the
prison at this post. The following is the appeal of the General:
"By authority from the War Department and agreement with
Governor Yates, I appeal to you to raise a regiment of infantry
to serve twelve months. I want them for guards of Alton prison,
but I want them to be of high soldierly bearing and to make
their qualification and behavior the condition on which they
will be kept on the duty. Each non-commissioned officer and
private will receive a bounty of one hundred dollars and be
exempt from the draft, while he will count on your quota. The
officers will be commissioned on my recommendation by the
Governor of Illinois. As these troops are wanted immediately, I
hope for a prompt response. W. S. Rosecrans, Maj. Gen." The
appeal to the citizens of Alton was received by the undersigned
this morning, and I deem it an eminently fit opportunity for the
citizens to respond cordially and with alacrity, as the occasion
seems to require. The advantages to us are manifest, besides
securing mild service at home, we shall have filled our quota on
the last call and some to spare, and thus maintain the proud
pre-eminence of the State of Illinois in responding voluntarily
to all the calls of the Government. Every man thus employed will
help to swell the ranks in the field with tried veterans, and I
confidently appeal to the citizens of Alton to come forward at
this time and thus rally to the support of our Government.
Edward Hollister, Mayor.
ARREST OF ESCAPED PRISONER
Source: Alton Telegraph, August
19, 1864
Martin Van Buren Smith, who escaped from the prison
in Alton a few weeks since, was arrested at Mineral Point,
Missouri, on Thursday last, and brought to St. Louis and placed
in Gratiot Street Prison.
CONFEDERATE SPY ARRESTED
Source: Alton Telegraph, August
19, 1864
For some weeks past, a man named Flynn, belonging to
the 17th Illinois Cavalry, has been employed in the Alton
Democrat office as a compositor. Some days since he made a
speech in one of the Copperhead Club meetings in Alton. On
Saturday evening, Deputy Provost Marshal McPike became convinced
that he was the original of a photograph in the hands of his
department, and that he was a person suspected of being a rebel
spy, and in conclusion, with the gangs of desperadoes in Jersey
County and other places. He, accordingly, approached the
individual in the Mercantile Hall, where he was attending the
concert, showed him the picture and asked him if that was his
photograph. He said it was. He was immediately arrested, and now
is in the prison. He has been a member of the 17th Cavalry, we
learn, about eight months.
MORE PRISONERS ARRIVE
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 26,
1864
A number of prisoners were received here yesterday from
St. Louis.
RECRUITING FOR THE ALTON GUARDS
Source: Alton Telegraph,
August 26, 1864
Messrs. Albert Ritter and C. Keck are
recruiting a Company for the Alton Guards. They are succeeding
well, and already have a respectable squad. Office on the corner
of Second and Piasa Streets. Put down your names.
REBEL PRISONERS LEAVE FOR CHICAGO
Source: Alton Telegraph,
August 26, 1864
A squad of some 500 Rebel prisoners left here
today for Chicago, via the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Road. They
looked somewhat pale from confinement in the prison, but a
little exercise will put them on a war footing.
THE 145TH ILLINOIS (or is it the 144th?)
Source: Alton
Telegraph, September 2, 1864
The 145th Illinois Regiment of
100-days men troops, arrived here last evening, and are to
remain here as guards for the present.
PRISONER DROWNS COMING IN FROM ISLAND
Source: Alton
Telegraph, September 2, 1864
We have understood that a
Federal prisoner, whose term of service had just expired, in
coming from the island, in company with two soldiers, the skiff
in which they were in upset. He then attempted to swim ashore,
and when within a few yards of the landing, he went down and was
drowned. We have not been able to learn his name. An inquest was
held by Thomas Middleton, Esq., acting coroner of Madison
County, on a corpse found floating in the river in the lower
part of Alton this morning. It is supposed to have been the body
of the soldier, who was drowned on Saturday evening.
DROWNED MAN
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 2, 1864
We promised yesterday to give some further particulars in
reference to the man who was found floating in the river
yesterday. It was ascertained by Squire Middleton, who held an
inquest over his body, by letters found on his person, that his
name was Charles B. Bennett. There was found in his pockets two
letters, one hunting case silver watch, one key, and a comb. He
had brown hair, and was about 21 years of age, and was supposed
by the jury to be a Lieutenant in the United States army. One of
the letters found on his person was written by himself to a Miss
Josephine Burghardt, DeKalb County, Illinois, in which he had a
photograph of himself. The other letter was one written to him,
one part of it being dated Sangamon County, August 17, and
signed by Carrie Ella Rogers. The other half of the sheet
contained a note written to him from Adams County, dated the 23d
instant, and signed by William Bennett.
17TH ILLINOIS CAVALRY LEAVES ALTON
Source: Alton
Telegraph, September 2, 1864
The last of the 17th Illinois
Cavalry Regiment left Alton this morning, to the gratification
of the great mass of our citizens. Since this place has been
made a military post, our people have had but very little reason
to complain of the conduct of soldiers until this regiment came.
Their conduct ever since they have been here has been of the
most disreputable character, and we hope they will hereafter be
more usefully employed than they were while here, and that they
will also be placed where they will enjoy the privileges of a
more healthy and rigid discipline than that exercised over them
while in Alton.
JUSTICE AT LAST
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 2, 1864
Colonel William Weer, late in command of the 10th Kansas
Infantry, and the unworthy Commander of this post, and the
especial pet and associate of the copperheads of this city, has
been cashiered by a General Court martial, and retires to
private life a disgraced man. The charges it is not worthwhile
to enumerate. The following is the finding and sentence:
“After considering the evidence in the case, the Court Martial
have sentenced the prisoner, Colonel William Weer, to be
cashiered, and to pay over to the commanding officer at Alton,
the sum of fifty-five dollars, being the balance due prisoners
not yet turned over by the accused to his successor.”
The finding and sentence have been confirmed, and Colonel Weer
ceases to be an officer in the United States from August 20,
1864, but is to be retained in arrest by Provost Marshal General
until the amount of fifty-five dollars is paid over in
accordance with the sentence.
THE ALTON DEMOCRAT ON COLONE WEER
Source: Alton Telegraph,
September 2, 1864
It was the supposition of all who knew
anything about the career of Colonel Weer, while in command here
(and everybody here did know about it), that the penalty imposed
by the Court Martial would be the severest permissible to that
code, for it is hardly possible for any self-abandoned creature
to compress into so short a period of time more official
remissness, malfeasance in office, and more shameless and
disreputable conduct than Colonel Weer was guilty of during his
brief mal-administration of affairs in Alton. There was hardly
one of all his offenses (and their names was legion) for which
he did not deserve all the punishment he has received at the
hands of the court. So we confess to some surprise at the
mildness of their sentence, but can assure our readers that we
have never been vindictive enough to wish for him the additional
infamy of being vindicated by the Alton Democrat. We would,
“regardless of justice,” have spared him this intolerable
affliction. That our readers may see another exemplification of
the adage that “misfortunes never come single,” we reprint this
“unkindest cut of all” from the Democrat:
“We see it
stated in some of the miscegen organs that Colonel William Weer
has been cashiered from the army service and sent home in
disgrace. Not much. The latter is not in the power of the
administration to do. They may attempt to disgrace a gallant
officer for strictly adhering to the Constitution and laws of
his country, instead of toadying to the behests of King Abraham,
but it is beyond their reach to do so. In times past, when
honorable men were managing the affairs of our country, to
cashier a man from the army was considered a disgrace, but in
those days, men were only treated in that manner for bad
conduct. Now things have changed, and men who have left home,
friends, and everything for their country’s good, and after
fighting long and hard, because they choose to differ from the
powers that be, and have the manly courage to speak out against
the damnable acts of the administration, they are brought before
a court martial composed o fools of the administration, who
render a verdict in accordance with the wishes of Mr. Lincoln,
irregardless of justice or right, and order the prisoner to be
cashiered the service and sent home in disgrace. Colonel Weer
may have been cashiered the service, but not sent home in
disgrace. No man has a better fighting record than he, and no
man has given better satisfaction in command of this military
post than did Colonel William Weer. As an evidence, when a few
certain black-hearted traitors were trying to have him and his
gallant command removed from this place, there was a petition
asking that the command remain, circulated and signed by almost
every prominent citizen of Alton. The action of the abolition
dynasty at Washington in Colonel Weer’s case is only in keeping
with their past acts, and is to us the strongest possible
evidence of the innocence of the man and the correctness of his
actions.”
Now this drunken swaggerer and official
peculator may be “a gallant officer,” an “innocent man” and a
perfect Christian gentleman – and the men who sought to remove
the scandal and disgrace from the city, as well as the officers
who tried and sentenced him, “black=hearted traitors” –
according to the Democratic standard. But we need not inform our
readers that our notions of gallantry, innocence, and gentility
are of an entirely different character. We yield the glory and
benefit of the defense of all such men to those who, like the
present champions of Colonel Weer, are really most in need of
them. A community of interest makes a unity of defense. They
speak one word for the Colonel, and two for themselves.
In handing these fellows over to their mutual admiration, we ask
our readers to observe how the Democrat man cuts his own fingers
in handling the “evidence” it uses in Weer’s behalf. While
“black-hearted traitors were trying to have him and his command
removed, a petition was circulated “signed by almost every
prominent citizens of Alton, asking that the command remain.”
The distinction between “him” and the “command” is very well
taken, and plays hob with that little bit of “evidence” as well
as with the falsehood that men were trying to have the command
removed. Nobody ever sought to have the command removed, but
only its despised and worthless Colonel – and that was what
hurt. And the Democrat, with all its audacity in lying, don’t
dare to say anymore than that the “prominent citizens of Alton”
asked that the command might remain – a request in which all
citizens prominent or not prominent heartily concurred. We are a
little inclined to think that the stupid editor sometimes
overrates the stupidity of his stupid partisan readers, and that
such drives as the above fools nobody.
BOLD ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE ALTON PRISON
Two Prisoners Shot
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 16, 1864
This afternoon, a
gang of Rebel prisoners, 46 in number, who were working in a
quarry under the bluff, guarded by 10 men, made a sudden rush
upon part of the guard and seizing their guns, attempted to
shoot them. One of the guards named Ernest Mver, narrowly
escaped death, the ball grazing his neck, raising the skin, but
doing no further injury. The prisoners started to run up the
river, when the guards fired upon them and killed two. The alarm
was given immediately, and some 28 of the number were brought
back to the prison within an hour, and it is reported two more
were killed – one of them in the river. It is thought that all
will be recaptured, as guards are out in every direction. This
is doubtless the result of a concerted plan on the part of the
prisoners.
NOTES:
On September 10, 1864, a gang of
Rebel prisoners, 46 in number, who were working in a quarry
under the bluff in Alton, made a sudden rush upon part of the
guards, shot at Ernest Mver, a guard, but he escaped serious
injury. The prisoners ran up the river towards Elsah, when the
guards fired upon them, killing two. One of those shot was
supposedly in the Mississippi River, trying to get away.
One of the two prisoners killed that day during their attempted
escape was Francis Marion Brazier, a Confederate soldier in
Company H, 10th Missouri Infantry. Brazier was the
great-great-great-grandfather of actress Jessica Biel. Assistant
Professor of History at Penn State Behrend reviewed Brazier’s
war record, including transcripts of his military commission
hearing. The professor stated that he believed Brazier
sympathized with the South, but was not “gung-ho” about going to
war. Brazier fought just once – at the Battle of Prairie Grove
in Arkansas – and then deserted on December 9, 1862, and went
home. His community was by then under the control of a pro-Union
home guard. Brazier, fearing for his life, was forced into
hiding. He was captured by the Union Army on December 24, 1863,
and was charged with violating an oath of allegiance to the
Union. He was hauled before the military commission, where he
argued that he had joined the Confederacy only because his life
had been threatened, and that he had quit of his own volition.
Brazier was sentenced to one year of hard labor at the Alton,
Illinois, military prison.
On September 10, 1864, Francis
Brazier, along with 45 other prisoners, decided to make a run
for it, while working in a quarry under the bluffs. He and
another prisoner were shot and killed during the attempted
escape. Sadly, Brazier, who was sentenced for one year of hard
labor, didn’t have much time left on his original sentence –
possibly a little over three months.
Later, his family
stated that Francis had received word that his home was burned,
and he asked to leave to help his family. His request was
denied. His family further stated that he had tried to swim
across the Mississippi, but was shot and killed on the Missouri
shoreline. War records state that he was shot on Illinois
ground, not in the river.
Francis Marion Brazier was
born in 1833 in Christian County, Kentucky, and died September
10, 1864, at the age of 30 or 31 years. He is buried in the
Confederate Cemetery on Rozier Street in North Alton. He left
behind a wife, Susan West Brazier (who remarried to Robert S.
Martin in 1870), and two sons, Abraham Brazier (1857 – 1911) and
William M. Brazier (1860 – 1937). Abraham Brazier died in
Pittsburg, Kansas, and is buried there. He had two children.
William Brazier died in Fowler, Colorado, and is buried there.
William was employed as a laborer and miner. He left behind a
wife and six children.
REBEL PRISONERS REJOICE
Source: Alton Telegraph, September
16, 1864
The rebel prisoners in Alton have had a high time
today in rejoicing over the victory gained yesterday in this
place over the Union men by the copperheads. They regard all who
fight under the banner of the Chicago platform, as their
particular friends and allies, and look upon every vote cast for
the party which adopted it, as good as though it had been
deposited for Jeff Davis.
ALTON PRISONERS RECAPTURED
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 23, 1864
We learn from the
Missouri Democrat of this morning, that William Bamberg, the
notorious rebel mail carrier, who was under sentence during the
war and escaped from the Alton prison about two months ago, was
recaptured in that city yesterday. His father is in prison at
Alton.
PRISON INMATES
Source: Syracuse, New York Daily
Courier, October 1864
St. Louis, Oct. 25.-The dead bodies of
Major Wilson 3d Missouri Militia and six of his men, captured by
the rebels at Pilot Knob, and given up to a guerrilla band for
execution, for the alleged reason of the killing of some rebels,
last summer, were found this morning. A rebel Major and six
privates now in Alton prison in solitary confinement, held as
hostages for Major Wilson and men, will doubtless be executed in
retaliation.
THE ALTON BATTERY
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 14,
1864
A battery of artillery has been planted on the bluff
above the Penitentiary, and our Union boys are now ready to give
a warm reception to traitors from all directions.
PRISON INMATES
Source: Syracuse, New York Daily Courier,
October 25, 1864
St. Louis, Oct. 25.-The dead bodies of Major
Wilson 3d Missouri Militia and six of his men, captured by the
rebels at Pilot Knob, and given up to a guerrilla band for
execution, for the alleged reason of the killing of some rebels,
last summer, were found this morning. A rebel Major and six
privates now in Alton prison in solitary confinement, held as
hostages for Major Wilson and men, will doubtless be executed in
retaliation.
WOMEN SENTENCED TO ALTON PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph,
November 4, 1864
The St. Louis Union of this morning says
Miss Nannie T. Douthist of Pocahontas, Arkansas, having been
tried by a military commission on the charge of corresponding
with Rebels, was found guilty, and sentenced to Alton prison
during the war.
REBEL PRISONERS
Source: Alton Telegraph, November 18, 1864
We learn from St. Louis that a large lot of Rebel prisoners had
just arrived there from Pilot Knob, and had been transferred to
the Military Prison in Alton. A few of them were quite severely
wounded, and their recovery is considered doubtful.
CONDITION OF THE ALTON MILITARY PRISON
Source: Alton
Telegraph, December 16, 1864
The Alton Penitentiary has been
condemned as such for some time because it is worn out, but with
temporary repairs, it has been made convenient as a military
prison. Its condition is very bad, however, owing to the neglect
of the officers in charge to exact a strict hygiene from the
prisoners. We are unable to say anything in reference to the
charge brought against the management of the military prison in
Alton [by the Cincinnati Gazette’s St. Louis correspondent], for
of late, everything connected with the prison has been kept from
the public. But if he came no nearer the truth in that statement
than he did when he said that the “Penitentiary has been
condemned because it was worn out,” there cannot be much
reliance placed in his assertions. Our penitentiary is just as
good now as it was when first erected, and the only reason why
it was vacant when the war broke out was that the Legislature
had a few years previous removed the prisoners from this point
to Joliet.
PRISONERS REFUSE TO LEAVE - 1865
Source:
Wisconsin Janesvillle Daily Gazette, February 27, 1905
Of
five hundred persons who were ordered from Alton Prison on
Monday for exchange, about one half refused to go, preferring to
remain prisoners to going into the rebel army again.
PRIVATE IN 144TH INFANTRY GIVEN PROPER BURIAL
Source: Alton
Telegraph, January 13, 1865
A private of Company I, 144th
Infantry, was buried in a most appropriate and decent military
manner yesterday. The body was taken in a hearse to the
cemetery, accompanied by a full band, and the entire company and
officers. This we are sorry to say, is a rather unusual
occurrence, as the bodies of privates are generally taken in a
wagon to the cemetery, without military escort or honors, and
then placed in the ground, almost without a show of respect. We
understand the Captain Moore, of Company I, bore the expenses of
the burial himself, feeling that the privates of his command are
as much entitled to decent interment as those who wear the
insignia of rank on their shoulders.
PRISON REPORT
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 13, 1865
The total number received in hospital for week ending January 9,
1865 – 9. Died – 4.
PRISON INMATES
ARRIVING ABOARD "BELLE OF MEMPHIS"
Source: The Daily Courier,
Syracuse, New York, January 18, 1865
The steamer, Belle of
Memphis, brings 35 rebel prisoners from Little Rock for Alton,
Illinois.
HOSPITAL REPORT FOR THE 144TH REGIMENT OF ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS
[Alton Military Post & Prison]
Source: Alton Telegraph,
January 20, 1865
The number of sick for the week ending
January 18, 1865:
James Twolock, catarrh, January 12
Thomas Russell, febris intermit
Otto Greeby, febris intermit,
January 13
J. Dethamm, debilities
George H. Reeder,
debilities
James H. Clark, rubeola
William A. Willis,
bronchitis, January 14
Solomon Gray, debilities, January 16
TOTAL - 8
Died:
Thomas S. Nichols, typhoid pneumonia
Peter Stamen, feterus, January 11
James Twolock, catarrh,
January 16
TOTAL - 3
MILITARY HOSPITAL REPORT
Source: Alton Telegraph, January
27, 1865
Sick received in hospital of the 144th Regiment,
during the week ending January 24, 1865:
Daniel M. Elutto,
Private, Co. D, pneumonia
Daniel Bayless, Private, Co. K,
pneumonia
William G. Brooke, Private, Co. A, syphilis
S.
Little, Private, Co. I, pneumonia
E. Turner, Private, Co. D,
pneumonia
Lewis D. Wright, Private, Co. D, felis intermit
George L. Briggs, Sergeant, Co. H. felis intermit
Daniel W.
Jones, Private, Co. K, felis intermit
Henry Eaton, Private,
Co. G, erysipelas
C. Krips, Private, Co. E, ?
Died
during the week ending January 24, 1865:
W. T. Miles,
Private, Co. D, January 20, 1865
Christian Recker, Co. D,
January 21, 1865
James H. Clark, Private, Co. C, January 24,
1865
CAPTAIN AVIS REMOVED
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 27,
1865
We have understood that this old and highly respected
citizen of Alton, who has been Quartermaster at this post for
some time past, has been removed, for some cause unknown to us,
and has been ordered to report for duty at Hilton Head, South
Carolina. There may be good military reasons for this change,
but it will strike the great mass of our citizens as very
strange that while a Quartermaster is needed at this post, so
worthy a man, and such an old citizen should be removed from his
home and family, and a stranger appointed in his place. We have
not yet learned who has been assigned to the vacancy occasioned
by Captain Avis’ removal.
EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS
Source: Alton Telegraph, February
10, 1865
It is announced as one of the results of the late
conference of President Lincoln and Secretary Seward, with the
Rebel commissioners, that arrangements were made for a general
exchange of prisoners on both sides. This will be good tidings
to thousands of anxious hearts, who have had dear friends penned
up in Rebel prisons, enduring more horrible sufferings than even
the pangs of death itself. We have been informed that all the
prisoners in Bluff Castle in Alton, who are willing to be
exchanged, will soon be removed from here for that purpose. Our
informant, however, remarked that a large part of them did not
wish to avail themselves of this privilege, preferring their
present confinement to further service in the Confederate army.
HOSPITAL REPORT, 144TH VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Source: Alton
Telegraph, February 17, 1865
Giving the number of sick
received in the hospital of 144th Regiment, for the week ending
February 11, 1865:
Anthony Minard, dysentery
Julius
Mipis(?), febris intermit
Josiah Lohn, dropsy
Levi B.
Gleason, debility
William Welch, febris remit
James Gould,
febris remit
Silas Koons, febris intermit
James B. Davis,
febris typhoid
John Richards, febris remit
Amos Ernest,
diarrhea and chronic bronchitis
Christian B. Morgan, rubeola
Thomas Clark, febris intermit
Died:
Martin Batekin,
February 2, consumption
Daniel D. Williams, February 3,
dysentery
James B. David, February 7, febris typhoid
MORE PRISONERS ARRIVE
Source: Alton Telegraph, February
24, 1865
Quite a number of prisoners have just been
transferred from Gratiot Prison to the military prison in Alton
for the purpose of being exchanged.
PRISONER EXCHANGE
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 24,
1865
It was ordered that five hundred prisoners be taken this
morning from our military prison [Alton] to Point Lookout,
Maryland, for exchange. We learn that only some two hundred and
fifty would consent to go home to die in the last ditch.
CHANGE OF COMMAND AT ALTON MILITARY POST
Source: Alton
Telegraph, March 10, 1865
Colonel Hall called upon us this
morning, and we learn from him that he has been relieved from
the command of the 144th Regiment. He leaves this evening to
join his old regiment (the 14th), now with General Sherman in
North Carolina. The band of the 144th Regiment, with the
officers and members of that regiment, will escort him to the
train going North this evening. Lieutenant Colonel Kuhn, we
presume, will take the command of the regiment located in Alton.
He is a veteran officer, and has much military experience,
having been in command ever since the breaking out of the war.
It is rumored that Brevet Brigadier General Richardson will be
assigned to the command of this post. But we are unable to give
any information in reference to him.
JOHN CLARK CARLIN DEAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 10,
1865
We had intended, two or three days since, to have
announced the death of this notorious individual, but it slipped
our memory at the time. It will be recollected that after
serving for some time in the rebel army, he came into Illinois,
and acted as both a political and military leader of the Knights
of the Golden Circle in Greene, Jersey, and Macoupin Counties,
and after being arrested two or three times and confined in the
Alton military prison, and escaping as often, he was supposed to
be fatally wounded by soldiers while on a raid with a number of
others of like principles, in the northern part of Jersey and
the southern part of Greene Counties. He was taken from the
woods, where he was wounded, to the jail in Greene County, and
confined there until sufficiently recovered to travel, when he
was removed to Springfield, and remained in confinement there
until last week, when he died. His corpse has been brought to
Carrollton, and interred in the cemetery, and there let his
deeds, for the last year or two, be buried with him.
A REBEL SPY SENT TO ALTON PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph,
March 24, 1865
A tall, gaunt individual has been
perambulating the streets of St. Louis for weeks past, with a
sign board on his back directing everybody to go to Oak Hall for
clothing. He was arrested as a spy some days since, and tried by
court martial and sentenced to imprisonment in the prison in
Alton during the war.
BAD STOCK OF PRISONERS
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 24,
1865
We observed yesterday that some prisoners were on their
way to Alton from Memphis, and among the number was a brother of
the notorious John Morgan. The officer, however, who gallanted
these “gentlemen” to prison, says that this Morgan is no
relation to the General. We do not insist that he is, but even
if he is not, we have no doubt from the description the officer
himself gives of him, that he is of the same bad breed of dogs.
144TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY INSPECTION
Source: Alton
Telegraph, March 31, 1865
The 144th Illinois Infantry was out
this afternoon in full uniform and equipment, and were inspected
by Captain Moore, Inspector of the post. The men made a very
fine appearance, and their equipment evinced a good degree of
care and attention on their part.
FIFTY PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED
Source: Alton Telegraph,
April 7, 1865
Fifty prisoners of war were released from the
prison on Tuesday, on taking the amnesty oath. There now remains
in that institution three hundred and eighty-one prisoners of
war, one hundred and eighty-nine Federal soldiers, and one
hundred and ninety-nine citizens under sentence.
PRISON INMATE - DICK MORGAN
Source: Utica,
New York Weekly Herald, April 4, 1865
Dick Morgan, brother of
John Morgan, is in the Alton Penitentiary, to which institution
he has been sentenced for life.
PRISONERS SENT TO THE
FRONTIER DURING INDIAN CAMPAIGN
Source: New York Times, April
30, 1865
From Gen. Ortega, Fort Learned, April 10, 1865
Two regiments of United States Infantry, composed of prisoners
at the Alton Prison, are on their way to the plains, and will be
of some service in relieving the Cavalry from garrison duty.
That is about all they are good for, with the exception of
fitting up the quota of some favored state.
EMPTYING THE
GRATIOT AND ALTON PRISON
Source: Liberty Weekly Tribune, May
12, 1865
All those prisoners of war captured from Generan
Price, and who were able to prove that they had been conscripted
into the rebel service, have been released, as well as those
prisoners of war in general, who have consented to take the
amnesty oath. There are now remaining in Gratiot, the only
military prison in St. Louis, not more than one hundred and
fifty prisoners, including citizens, Federal soldiers, and
prisoners of war. At Alton, there remains three hundred and
ninety-two prisoners of war, one hundred and eighty-seven
citizens and seventy-nine Federals - eight hundred and
fifty-eight in all. It has not been a very long time since there
were more than three thousand prisoners at Alton.
PRISONERS ARRIVE IN ALTON
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 19,
1865
There were 48 prisoners of war arrived here last evening
from Vicksburg on the Alton Packet – May Bruner – under guard of
Lieutenant Charles Ambrooks, in command of a part of the 5th
Colored U. S. Heavy Artillery, to be confined in the military
prison in Alton. One of the prisoners on the way up, leaped from
the boat into the river, and was fired upon by two of the guard
and was either killed or drowned.
REBEL DOCTOR ALLOWED TO ROAM STREETS OF ALTON
Source:
Alton Telegraph, May 19, 1865
To the Alton Telegraph Editors:
I see on the streets of Alton daily, a rebel doctor, who I learn
is a prisoner, sentenced for a grave crime. I am informed he
refuses, scornfully, to take the oath, yet his is quietly
enjoying himself at large. I saw the other evening a she-rebel –
also sentenced for a grave crime – taking tea at one of our
hotels with an officer of the U. S. Army, who is on duty at the
Military Prison. Now, Messrs. Editors, I am a poor, ignorant
fellow, that had no more sense than to enlist to fight for my
country, and do not know whether it is right these things should
be allowed or not, and as you seem to be well posted on all such
matters, and very vigilant for the honor and interest of the
government, I take the liberty to ask you if you know by what
authority these miserable secesh and rebels are privileged and
caressed in this way. This is only a specimen, I learn, of the
manner in which matters are conducted at this post, and as some
of my kindred lie among the 17,000 heroes of Andersonville, I
think I have a right to ask the question: Will you be so kind as
to answer? Signed, Quisquis [Latin for Whoever]
Editors
of Alton Telegraph respond: We know nothing about the truth or
falsity of the above charges. But, if it is true as he4re
represented, it is high time that General Dodge, or someone else
authorized to remedy the evil, should examine into the matter.
MAN ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT CAPTAIN DELANGE OF THE 144TH
REGIMENT
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 26, 1865
Charles B.
Newel was arrested by the Provost Guard on yesterday evening
(May 19) for committing an assault upon the person of Captain
Delange of the 144th Regiment. The same was turned over by
Captain Neustadt to the civil authorities.
J. T. Moore,
a citizen of Alton, was arrested on the same evening for
expressing disloyal sentiments and claiming to be a rebel spy.
Captain Neustadt, the Provost Marshal of this Post, after
examining several witnesses, released him on taking the oath of
allegiance.
FOUR PRISONERS ESCAPED - ACCORDING TO THE ALTON DEMOCRAT
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 26, 1865
“It is said that four
prisoners escaped last night from the Alton Penitentiary. The
prison is guarded by a regiment. Must we have a vigilance
committee in Alton? Are there no laws in Alton and are all her
people traitors?” By the Alton Democrat
This item from
our contemporary does great injustice to the soldiers who are on
guard at this post, and contains an uncalled-for misstatement.
The prison is not guarded by a “regiment.” There has been but
five companies doing guard duty here for some month’s past – the
other five companies being in Missouri on detached service. This
was doubtless known by our contemporary at the time he penned
the article, but rather than let slip the opportunity of casting
a slur upon the privates of the 144th Regiment, he told what he
knew to be false. The privates of the regiment have not been
surpassed, for their vigilance in guarding the prison, by any
regiment that was ever stationed at this post, and with but few
exceptions, have acted in a soldierly and quiet manner since
their enlistment. All attempts at escape from the prison have
been promptly discovered, and the prisoners recovered. The
attempt of the editor to create a prejudice against the members
of the 144th is totally uncalled for and unjust.
PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 16,
1865
We learn from the St. Louis Republican that a list of
112 prisoners, sentenced during the war, and now in Alton
prison, has been made out, and the prisoners have been ordered
to be released today.
CLOSING OF THE PRISON
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 7,
1865
It will be seen by reference to our daily prison report,
that the last of the prisoners left the old Penitentiary this
morning. This winds up the duties of the military at this post.
But it has not yet been made public what shall be done with the
144th Regiment, which was raised expressly to do guard duty in
Alton, but it is generally supposed that the men will be
mustered out of service in the course of a few days.
Although we rejoice with all good citizens, that peace has been
declared, and that we have no further use for the boys in blue
in our midst, still, we have had them among us so long, and
their presence has exerted such a healthy influence on the
disloyal portion of our community, that we rather regret to have
them leave us. During the four years in which we have had them
stationed here, there has never been any serious difficulty
between them and our citizens. With very few exceptions, their
behavior and conduct has been all that could be asked by the
most fastidious. Many lifelong friendships have been formed, and
although the boys are now, or soon will be, scattered all over
the Valley of the Mississippi, still the thoughts and good
wishes of our people will attend them, and the friendships
formed during their sojourn here will be warmly cherished in
many hearts.
NOTORIOUS THOMAS MOSS ARRESTED
Escaped from Alton Prison
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 21, 1865
(From the St. Louis
Democrat) - There was an exciting scene on Fourth Street [St.
Louis] yesterday morning, caused by an attempt to arrest a man
named Thomas Moss, who resisted, fired several shots at his
pursuers, and was finally brought down by a bullet in the groin,
from the revolver of a policeman. Moss is a Tennessean, had been
a Rebel soldier, was captured some time ago, and sent to the
Alton military prison. He escaped from the prison, stole a
horse, and carried on a sort of bushwhacking business in
Illinois. The citizens of Jersey County, Illinois attempted to
arrest him, when he drew his revolver and shot two or three of
them, and made his escape. A reward of $500 was offered for his
apprehension last May, but he could not be found.
Yesterday morning, Mr. William Billings of Jerseyville saw and
recognized Moss on Fourth Street, opposite the Planters House,
and pointed him but as a murderer. Moss fled on being
recognized, and ran up Fourth Street to Pine, up Pine to the
alley in the rear of the Berthold mansion, and was pursued by a
number of citizens and by officers H. W. Riley and Reed of the
police. He broke the door of an outhouse, and fastened the door,
then got out, and ran into a house nearby, after firing several
times at the men who were chasing him. Officer Reed ran through
the alley and headed Moss off. The fugitive leveled his pistol
at Reed’s breast, but the weapon would not go off. Reed drew his
revolver and blazed away at Moss’s legs, not wishing to kill
him, but Riley came up, and with his revolver put a ball into
Moss, when he surrendered, and was taken to the calaboose. The
wound is a severe one, and last night Moss requested to see a
physician, as he was fearful that he would die of lockjaw. He
will be sent to Jerseyville, and the probability is that he will
be lynched by the populace.
Also:
From the Alton
Telegraph, July 21, 1865
The notorious desperado, Thomas
Moss, who was shot in St. Louis on Wednesday last, was brought
up on the railroad car last evening, and taken from Alton in a
carriage to Jerseyville. We learn today that he was securely
locked in the jail before the citizens of Jerseyville were well
aware of it. It is not at all likely that he will escape so
easily again, as in his last attempt. We hope an effort will be
made by the authorities to find out the facts in regard to his
late escape from the jail in Jerseyville. The Sheriff of Jersey
County should endeavor to obtain the truth from Moss on this
subject.
MOSS REMAINS IN PRISON
Source: Alton
Telegraph, July 28, 1865
The Jersey County Democrat of
yesterday says, “Moss still remains in prison, slowly recovering
from the pistol shot he received while being captured. He
converses freely, and is fond of company. Judge Woodson has
called a special term of the Circuit Court to meet on the 7th of
August, to try the case of Moss for murder.”
ALTON
PRISON TERM SPURS REB TO JUMP TRAIN
Source: Liberty Weekly
Tribune, January 26, 1866
During the battle of Tishomingo
Creek, a young gentleman of this city [Liberty, Missouri] now
engaged in the study of law, was captured and brought to this
city and shipped together with a number of others to Alton
Penitentiary, where he was kept some six weeks, at the end of
which time an order was received to transfer a number of
officers - himself among the number - to Johnson's Island; and,
under a strong guard, they took the train for that delightful
summer retreat. Lieutenant H___ had seen enough of prison life
during his six weeks' sojourn at Alton to satisfy him that it
was not exactly suited to one who had followed the "War Eagle"
through all his campaigns, and determined, if possible, to
affect his escape. But it seems that several others were
possessed of the same idea, and it was soon known that several
had taken leave without the countersign, by jumping from the
train, which increased the vigilance of the guard and rendered
an attempt doubly dangerous; but the Lieutenant determined that
the prison gates should never close on him again. About two
o'clock in the morning he noticed that the guard had fallen
asleep, and, softly raising the window, he peeped out into the
darkness and discovered that the train was rushing on with
frightful speed, enough to have deterred any other than he from
making the attempt; but Alton was behind and Johnson's Island
ahead, and committing himself to the fates, he slipped through
the window, and, losing his hold, dropped to the ground. For a
moment he was stunned and bewildered, and unable to rise, but
luckily no bones were broken, and on rising he discovered that
he was in the midst of a large prairie, while far away the train
was thundering on. Pursuing the line of the railway, he about
daylight came within sight of a village, which afterwards proved
to be Clinton [Illinois]. What to do he did not know, without a
cent and dressed in full uniform and weary and hungry. The first
thing to be done was to get rid of his gray jacket, which was
taken off and buried in an adjacent cornfield, and resolved to
put a bold face on the matter, he set out for the town, and, on
reaching the suburbs, he discovered some workmen engaged in
building a brick house, and, walking up to one who seemed to be
in authority, he asked him if he wanted workmen, to which he
received a ready reply in the affirmative, coupled with the
remark that he was Colonel of the 154th Illinois, and his
furlough had nearly expired, and immediately offered him two
dollars a day to "wait on" the brick masons. This was a great
trial to the adventurous "reb," but he immediately set to work
with a will, and thus things passed along very smoothly until he
sat down at the dinner table on the third day, when the Colonel
startled him by remarking to the family that several rebels had
escaped from the train, and that one of them had been traced to
Clinton, looking the Lieutenant full in the face at the same
time, but he kept his countenance and returned to work, ill at
ease. About 4 o'clock the Colonel made some excuse for going
into town, but scarcely had he left, when an Irish servant girl
beckoned to him to come into the kitchen, which he did, and
learned from her that the Colonel had gone after a guard to
arrest him. She begged him to fly, at the same time handing him
two dollars in silver. He was not long in taking her advice, and
ere night closed in was miles away in the boundless prairie. We
will not follow him in all his adventures to Chicago, where he
found friends and means, and thence to Detroit, Montreal and
Halifax, where he embarked on a blockade-runner, and on his
fearful voyage along Hatteras, the passage of the blockading
fleet, his safe arrival at Wilmington, from which point he
immediately proceeded to join his command, then in NOrth
Mississippi. Suffice it to say that he did so, and fought
through the remainder of the war, and then was paroled, and now
walks the streets with an air decidedly more legal than warlike.
A few days since he entered a store where quite a number of
gentlemen were collected, when one of them suddenly accosted him
with: "Hallo! ain't you the Reb I hired to carry the hod?" "Yes,
I am," responded the limb of the law, "and I want the seven
dollars you owe me for it." Mid roars of laughter, Colonel S.
produced his pocketbook and handed over the amount, stating that
he never experienced more pleasure in liquidating a debt in his
life. We venture the prediction that this is the first debt of
the kind collected since the close of the war. (From the Memphis
Appeal)
ALTON PENITENTIARY FOR SALE
Source: Alton Telegraph,
December 14, 1866
We understand that the proposition of
Messrs. Casey and Steele, which was under consideration at the
Exchange last evening, is to sell the penitentiary buildings,
including the Warden’s house, cells, hospital, and dining hall,
with ground 200 feet on Short Street, and 250 feet on Mill
Street, for $26,666, and in case of such sale, the remainder
will be placed on the market. This place, it is believed, will
secure the removal of the hideous wall, and provide a suitable
city prison and workhouse at a much less cost than by any other
plan that can be proposed. Some provision of that character will
be a necessity in a very short time.
PRISON INMATE - CAPT. H. H. HINE - THE ONE THAT
GOT AWAY
Source: Ogdensburg, New York Daily Journal, May 24,
1867
It seems Capt. Hine had been tried, convicted (as he
claimed, unjustly), and sentenced to the Alton Penitentiary.
Before the sentence was carried into execution, however, he
escaped and fled to Canada.
BURIAL GROUND OF REBEL SOLDIERS WASHING AWAY
Source: Alton
Telegraph, April 10, 1868
It is known that quite a number of
bodies of Rebel soldiers, victims of the smallpox, are buried on
the island opposite the city, known as the Tow Head, near where
the smallpox hospital was located. It now appears that the swift
current of the river has washed away so large a portion of the
head of the island, that in a short time, these graves also will
be washed away. The remains of the dead, whether friend or foe,
are sacred, and we trust that the proper authorities will attend
to the matter in time.
PRISON INMATES - TEASON,
HORNER, CRAWFORD
Source: Utica, New York Morning Herald, July
1869
Three prisoners escaped from the Alton jail in Illinois,
on the night of the 23d ult. (leaving behind them the following
note to the City Marshal: "John Young - Dear Sir: As we do not
like your style of board, we have concluded to change our
boarding place. We wanted Harry to go, but he likes the board
and says he means to stick to it. Catch us if you can.
"Oh, I
how dark looks this world,
And how dreary when we part
From the ones that we love.
But there is rest for the faint
and weary.
And we will meet with our lost ones above."
H.
Teason
G. T. W. Horner
G. Crawford
PRISON
MANAGEMENT CONTROVERSY
Source: The New York Times, July 26,
1869
The controversy in relation to the State Penitentiary
and its management still goes forward, and is exciting
considerable public interest. As is usual - but perhaps a little
strange in this case - it is a fight between the ins and the
outs. The outs are trying to get in to the Penitentiary! Had
they their desserts, perhaps the end would have been
accomplished long since without any volition of their own. But
as they wish to get in for the purpose of plundering the State,
there is some objection. For about thirty years, the
institution, while at Alton, was leased to the same parties. It
was carried on for the purpose of making money, both out of the
labor of the prisoners and the State. A nominal sum was agreed
to be paid to the State as rent; but the State was always
brought into debt by the lessees, who contrived to make charges
under all possible pretenses. The government of the prison was
horribly barbarous, and the diet of the prisoners of the poorest
and meanest description. At one time, I am informed by the
person who was acting as Chaplain, while they were manufacturing
corn brooms, the seed of the broom corn was manufactured into
meal, and made into bread. Drunken bosses and drunken guards
were employed, and the lash and the shower-bath were in constant
requisition. And to such an extent were they used that men were
known to have died from the effects. In fact, I suppose from
what I learn from good authority, that a more barbarous
institution scarcely ever existed than the Illinois Penitentiary
for a period of over a quarter of a century. After its removal
to Joliet, as long as it continued to be managed on the lessee
plan, there was little or no change for the better, except in
the matter of diet, which was much improved. But the same
barbarous, inhuman and brutal system of discipline was
continued. Instead of being reformed, the prisoners were
brutalized and hardened. The new prison was in process of
construction, and the contractors were the lessees of the labor
of the prisoners - one of them acting at the same time as
Warden, so that the State was not virtually represented at all.
At the outset, the Penitentiary was to cost - according to the
estimates of the architect - $400,000. It has cost nearer
$1,200,000 - a large proportion of which has been taken from the
State Treasury fraudulently, and much of it through party
favoritism, and through the connivance of the State agents
appointed to oversee the work. About two years ago the State
assumed control of the institution, and placed its management
under the control of three Commissioners, who are elected by the
people. A new order of things was inaugurated, and an attempt
made to render the prison reformatory as well as a place of
punishment. A more humane system of discipline was adopted, and
efforts made to improve the minds and morals of the inmates. A
good measure of success attended these efforts, and the State
was relieved from any financial burden connected with the
prison. But the "old Penitentiary Ring" has never been at rest
since they were ousted from this means of public plunder. They
have entered upon a systematic course of falsehood and
misrepresentation in regard to the management of the prison, and
hence the excitement which has been created throughout the State
in regard to the matter. There are now about 1,200 prisoners
confined there, and the Commissioners find more difficulty in
these depressed times in keeping them profitably employed. But
an investigation has shown that the charges of the "Ring" are
unfounded, and got up to affect their own selfish purposes.
UNKNOWN SOLDIERS LIE IN ALTON GRAVES
Source: The
Congressional Globe - Speeches, Reports, and the Laws of the
Second Session of the Forty-Second Congress, by F. & J. Rives &
George A. Bailey, 1872
The Confederate prisoners of war
who died were 30, 152, as shown by the mortuary records of the
War Department, gathered from the eighty-nine different places
of interment at hospitals, forts, and prisons where they were
buried, and are stated thus:
Officers - 455
Enlisted men -
29, 216
Citizens - 481
TOTAL - 30,152
Of these, the
names are kept and graves designated of 29, 426, and names not
kept of 726. Of this latter number, 662 were at Alton, Illinois,
leaving only 64 unknowns at the remaining eighty-eight places.
Why this neglect at Alton I do not know; but it is
reprehensible, and is the only record in all our
responsibilities to be condemned. There were only 1,549 deaths
of confederate prisoners at Alton prison, and 662 of these are
marked "unknown."
Burials at Alton:
Commissioned
officers - 7
Enlisted men - 1,549
Unknown - 662
TOTAL -
2,218
PRISON INMATE - WILLIAM THURMAN/alias HARRY FREEMAN
Source: Syracuse, New York Daily Journal, January 20, 1872
Alexander Manning, representing himself to be a Deputy Sheriff
of Carroll parish, Louisiana, and another, giving his name as
Laddy. arrived in St. Louis, Missouri, Friday, from Lake
Providence Louisiana, having in charge Harry Freeman, whom they
allege is a burglar and murderer, and was an associate of
Quantrill in the Lawrence, Kansas, massacre during the war, for
whom they state the Governor of Missouri offered $5,000 reward.
They left their prisoner with Chief McDonough during the day,
saying they expected the Sheriff of Atchison county to come and
take him. Not having any authenticated papers. Chief McDonough
suspected something wrong, visited the prisoner and found him
barbarously ironed. He ordered the removal of the shackles and
heard his story, from which be, McDonough, believed that the man
had been kidnapped, and refused to deliver him to his captors
until they produced properly authenticated papers.
Today
(Saturday), Chester Harding applied for a writ of habeas corpus,
and Freeman was brought before Judge Ewing and discharged, his
captor failing to show cause why he was arrested. The man, whose
real name is William Thurman, states that he was drugged in Lake
Providence, some ten days ago, and when he came to his senses
found himself on board a steamer, loaded down with irons, and on
his way to Missouri. It appears from the man's own statements,
and from the statements of others who knew him, that he was a
Union scout and spy during the war, and rendered valuable
service to the Federal cause. Ho served under General Harding,
who was his counsel Friday, also under General Rosecrans, and
others in that department. It is further stated by those
cognizant of the facts, that in 1865 he was tried by a military
court martial at St. Joseph, convicted of seven different
murders, and sentenced to be hanged, but the sentence was
commuted to imprisonment in the Alton penitentiary, from which
he was pardoned after nine months imprisonment. He was one of
the original *Kansas Red Legs, and is said to have been one of
Quantrill’s gang. While acting as a Federal spy he was much in
the rebel country, and fought, and was wounded in their ranks.
Ho was captured by Union soldiers on one [unreadable], tried as
a spy and sentenced to be hanged, but was pardoned by the
President, through the intercession of General Harding, to whom
he had always been true. After the war he was sent to the
Missouri penitentiary for passing counterfeit money, but was
pardoned by the Governor after serving two years. Since then he
has been living in Louisiana and Mississippi. By his own story
and statement, he is, or has been, a most desperate villain, and
but for manner in which he was brought to St. Louis, would have
been held. He attributes his arrest to some of Quantrill’s men
living In Louisiana, who he says, were afraid he would expose
them, and took this way of getting rid of him.
*Redlegs
were a company of (Missouri-Kansas) border scouts, formed
sometime in the year 1862. It was an independent organization,
never regularly mustered into the United States service, and no
official record of it has been preserved. The men composing the
company became known as "Red Legs," from the fact that they wore
leggings of red or tan-colored leather. The Redlegs were a
secret Union military society, organized in late 1862 by General
Thomas Ewing and James Blunt for desperate service along the
border, and numbered as many as 100 men. These men were Union
spys and infiltrators, and incurred the wrath of Quantrill,
Anderson, Todd, etc. Some of the men which comprised the Red
Legs were "Wild Bill" Hickok and William S. Tough.
ALTON PENITENTIARY IN THE COURTS
From the Chicago Tribute
of October 22, 1873
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 31, 1873
John Cook filed a bill in the Circuit Court yesterday against
Lorenzo P. Sanger, John J. McKinnon, and Joseph O. Rutter.
Complainant alleges that he signed a note of about $10,000 as
surety for Samuel A. Buckmaster in December 1869. To secure
this, Buckmaster deeded to complainant a one-third interest in
what was called the “Penitentiary property,” in Alton, Illinois.
Shortly after, Cook executed to said Buckmaster a defeasance, by
which he agreed that if the note was paid, he would reconvey the
property, the whole transaction, as it will be seen, amounting
to a mortgage. In March 1871, complainant, with Sanger, went
surety on a note of Buckmaster’s for $9,101.91, complainant in
neither case receiving any consideration, but only doing it for
Buckmaster. The last note fell due, but was not paid. Sanger
then made a proposition to raise a loan on the Penitentiary
property of J. J. McKinnon, a lawyer of Chicago, and take up the
note therewith. Cook and wife then made a deed to said Sanger,
to carry out this project, stipulating in writing that if the
loan should not be procured, the land should be reconveyed. To
this Buckmaster consented. Sanger failed to procure the loan.
The bank to which the last note was given sued and recovered
judgment against complainant, and Sanger and complainant paid
one-half the judgment. Sanger, however, did not pay, but in
violation of his agreement, recorded the deed from Cook to him
in the Register’s office in Alton. Complainant then recorded the
agreement to reconvey. Sanger has been repeatedly asked to keep
his contract, but has refused, alleging that the land is for the
joint security of himself and complainant; whereas Cook
maintains that it had nothing to do with securing the second
note, but was given to him alone, to make him safe on the first
note. The first note also at maturity was not paid, and judgment
was recovered against complainant, and he was obliged to pay the
whole. Sanger, to defraud complainant, conveyed the property by
trust deed to Rutter, to secure the payment of $10,000 and
interest, McKinnon being trustee therein. Complainant therefore
asks that this trust may be declared no cloud on his title; that
Sanger be compelled to reconvey the property to complaint, and
that all of the defendants may be restrained by injunction from
selling the property under any power in the trust deed. The
injunction was granted under bond of $2,000.
THE ALTON STATE PENITENTIARY
Source: Alton Telegraph,
February 13, 1874
Dispatch from Springfield to the Chicago
Inter-Ocean:
Several members from southern counties
supplemented by several other gentlemen who are not members at
all, are very busily engaged in agitating the advisability of
establishing a penitentiary for the southern half of the State.
This movement is made at this junction partly because if not
made now, It cannot be made at all, and partly because the
gentlemen are somewhat interested – a few of them at least – in
a real estate sense, or in a prospective pecuniary sense, in its
success.
Upon the establishment of the new Penitentiary
at Joliet, Colonel Buckmaster, who was Superintendent of the old
prison at Alton, bought that old prison from the State for the
sum of $60,000. During the war, Colonel Buckmaster rented the
building to the general Government. Since the war, it has fallen
sadly into neglect, and is at present in a dilapidated
condition. Colonel Buckmaster was obliged through a pressure
which visited him about two years ago, to sell it to General
John Cook of Springfield, and Colonel Sanger of Chicago. He
retained only a reversionary interest. Through some
misunderstanding of a sort not uncommon to property transfers,
it went the way of Jarndyce – got into chancery, whence it
emerged only last week. Almost simultaneously with this release,
the project of establishing the Southern Illinois Penitentiary
developed. The gentlemen aforesaid, who are agitating the
matter, deny that there is any intention of purchasing the old
Alton place. When that prison was discontinued in favor of the
new, the people of Alton were rather glad of the fact – they did
not want a penal institution in their midst. But times have
changed, and with it the minds of the people of Alton, who, in a
laxity of trade, are not averse to the addition of a large
manufacturing concern to their not very industrious industries.
Three of the gentlemen who are in the movement would like to
lease the labor of a few hundred convicts at Alton, to be
employed in cooperage. Alton is very near to St. Louis, and St.
Louis would furnish a most convenient market for all the barrels
that might be put together in an Alton cooper shop. An unusual
margin would accrue to the conductors of such a cooper shop, to
which the operatives were leased convicts, costing them about
one quarter as much as the labor of free operatives.
THE PRISON IN 1875
Source: The Phelps County New Era, [Rolla,
Missouri] December 4, 1875
The crumbling walls of the old
State Prison [in Alton] may be seen looking like the remains of
some ancient feudal castle. A trip through the cells above and
beneath the ground will well repay one's trouble.
PENITENTIARY IS A PUBLIC NUISANCE
Source: Alton Telegraph,
February 15, 1877
There is no disputing the point that the
return of several hundred convicts to the old penitentiary
grounds in Alton would be a public nuisance of the gravest
description. The buildings are in the heart of the business part
of the city, and are overlooked by one of the pleasantest
residence portions. To locate a penitentiary in such a public
place would be a nuisance and an eye sore. But one of the most
potent arguments against the removal is the danger that would
result therefrom to the health of the city. Within the last two
years, a system of water works has been completed in Alton. The
pumping works are located on the river bank, directly opposite
the penitentiary buildings. Owing to the topography of the
locality, the sewerage from the penitentiary would necessarily
be discharged into the river not more than a square below the
pumping works. There is, we are credibly informed, an eddy in
the river at that point, extending as far up as the works
buildings. The constant stream of filth from the penitentiary
would thus poison the water, be pumped up and distributed over
the city, carrying disease and death into every house or factory
using water from the works. Even if the penitentiary sewerage
were discharged a quarter of a mile below the works, who would
be willing to use the river water? This is a serious question
for consideration. It might be urged that the penitentiary would
dispense with sewerage. To which we reply that such an
institution, without sewerage, would become a hot bed of disease
and infection, in the very heart of the city.
SENATORS INSPECT OLD PENTENTIARY BUILDINGS
Source: Alton
Telegraph, April 19, 1877
Senators Brown, McDowell, Krome,
Koderwell, and Hunt of the Senate Penitentiary Committee arrived
here from Springfield Saturday, on a tour of inspection of the
old penitentiary buildings, walls, and grounds. The committee
was received at the depot by Hons. J. H. Yager, George A. Smith,
Zephaniah B. Job, Henry G. McPike, and Colonel Burbridge, and
Messrs. Weigler and Joesting of the City Council. The committee
were immediately escorted to the penitentiary ruins, and
introduced to the beautiful scenery enclosed by the walls of
that “bone of contention.” The party was there joined by more of
our prominent citizens. After a pretty thorough inspection, our
distinguished visitors expressed the opinion, so far as we could
understand, that the buildings inside the old walls are utterly
unfit for a prison without a general renovation and repairing
that would be likely to cost more than to build an entire new
penitentiary. The walls are crumbling and dilapidated, the roofs
of the buildings in ruins; while humanity would forbid the
imprisonment of human beings in the cells as at present located.
The sewerage was also alluded to, leading to the remark that
great risk would be run in admitting the refuse from several
hundred prisoners to the river, so near the water works. Several
of the gentlemen expressed their opinion as to the value of this
property as it now stands, and the amounts stated ranged from
$10,000 to $30,000, the latter sum the maximum.
While
inspecting the prison proper, the cell was pointed out by Hon.
Zephaniah B. Job, in which, according to the best of his
recollection, the desperate convict Hall, armed with a knife,
kept the guard Crabbe imprisoned for about two days and nights.
Whyen the party started to leave the enclosure, one of the
Senators could not be found, when someone exclaimed that he,
with two or three of our citizens who were with him, had got
imprisoned in a cell or fallen into a rat hole, but they soon
made their appearance. The party then made a tour of the Water
Works, and were treated to a view of the force and power of the
stream thrown by the pressure from the reservoir without the
action of the engine.
One of our citizens recommended
Murphysboro, Jonesboro, or Grand Tower to our visitors as being
far superior to Alton, in almost every respect, as points for
the location of a Southern Penitentiary, and his representations
seemed to have considerable effect. On the whole, we do not
think that the committee were very favorably impressed with the
dreary old rockery on the hill, as a place for the confinement
of erring human beings.
BILL TO BRING PENITENTIARY BACK TO ALTON DIES
Source:
Alton Telegraph, May 3, 1877
The penitentiary battle has been
fought out in the State Senate this week, and the Buckmaster
project, after a hard fight, has gone under. The defeated motion
was made in the interest of the Southern Penitentiary project.
The defeat is probably final, though it is possible that they
have other strings yet to pull.
OLD PENITENTIARY PROPERTY SOLD
Source: AT, November 22,
1884
Mr. George C. Cockrell of Jerseyville, as Master in
Chancery, today disposed of, at public sale, at the front door
of the City Hall, what is known as the Penitentiary property. It
was sold to Mr. Thomas Biggins, consideration $15,500.
Four-fifths of lot 15, lots 16, 17, and 19, Godfrey & Gilman’s
addition were sold to Mr. J. W. Coppinger for $1,205, making the
total for the property, $16,705.
GHOST
OF THE PRISON
Source: Auburn, New York Daily Bulletin, July
5, 1889
A ghost with the lockstep is one of the rarities of
spiritualism, but that is what they say has been heard near the
old prison at Alton, Ill. [Note: a lockstep is a way of marching
in very close file, in which the leg of each person moves with
and closely behind the corresponding leg of the person ahead.]
SMALLPOX TREATMENT
Source: Source: Confederate Military
History by Clement Anselm Evans, 1899, page 598
"Dr. Tebault
has held the rank of surgeon-general of the United Confederate
veterans during the past four years, and his official reports in
this capacity are valuable contributions to the literature of
the Confederary. In one of them he recounts his experience in
caring for two hundred exchanged Confederate prisoners at Fort
Pillow, who had been at the Federal prison camp at Alton,
Illinois, and were nearly all sick with smallpox. He had no
vaccine matter with which to protect the garrison from
contagion, but with the resourcefulness of a true physician he
conceived the idea of diluting lymph from the sick with fresh
cow's milk, a method which proved entirely successful, and is
now recommended by high medical authority for use in emergencies
when the resources of modern medical supply are unavailable, as
was often the case in the Confederate service."
PROBING
FOR LOST CAVERNS USED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, May 7, 1901
Graders who have been grading
the lots of J. H. Raible on Summit street have been employed
today driving long steel bars into the ground in the lot in a
search for three old caverns that were formerly used by the
United States government as magazines [a room or place for
keeping gunpowder and other explosives] for powder and ball,
when the old penitentiary was used for a prison for captured
Confederate soldiers. On the brow of the bluffs a cannon was
mounted for purposes of defense of the prison in case of an
attack from Missouri, and the three caves were made in the
ground for use as magazines for ammunition. Many years ago, the
caves were walled up by Mr. Raible, as they had become the
roosting place for tramps and boys and had become nuisance. It
is now desired to locate these caves and fill them up so that
they will not endanger the limbs and lives of horses that are
working on the lots grading them. Old residents of Alton
remember these magazines and their discovery will be full of
interest.
PRISON INMATE – WILLIAM CECIL PRICE
Source:
New York Times, August 7, 1901
William Cecil Price, Treasurer
of the United States under President Buchanan, was with Gen.
Price at the battle of Pea Ridge and was captured by the Federal
forces and confined in the prison at Alton, Illinois, until
September 1862, when he was exchanged.
37TH IOWA
GRAYBEARDS REGIMENT
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 14,
1902
W. S. Llewellyn of Seymour, Iowa is said to be the only
survivor of the famous Thirty-Seventh Iowa Graybeards regiment
that did guard duty at the Alton Military prison in the spring
of 1864. The members were all men old enough to have gray
beards, therefore their name. They volunteered for guard duty to
relieve regiments of younger men.
STORIES OF ESCAPES FROM THE ALTON PRISON
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, September 12, 1902
Captain Francis Valle
of St. Louis, and Captain W. H. Kennan of Mexico, Missouri,
ex-Confederate officers who have not seen each other in 40
years, have promised to meet in St. Louis soon. They met last as
prisoners of war in Alton, where both were confined in 1862
until released a few months later in exchange for Union soldiers
held in the South. Each lost track of the other, after they
rejoined the ranks of fighting men, and since the war neither
has known whether the other was killed or what had become of
him. Several weeks ago, the St. Louis Republic printed a sketch
of Captain Valle. Captain Kennan, who is a prominent lawyer in
Mexico, read it and wrote to his old comrade as follows:
"Nearly all of those with whom you and I were immediately
associated in the Alton prison have long since passed away.
Colonels Stone and
Murray and Major Dougherty have been dead for many years.
Colonel Murray was drowned in crossing the Mississippi River
between Alton and St. Louis. Where the Magoffin boys, Elijah and
Beriah, are I don't know. They served through the war. Elijah
was Lieutenant Colonel of the Tenth Missouri, commanded by
William M. Moore, Colonel, of Lewis County. There were none
braver and more daring than the Magoffins. They tunneled under
the prison wall at Alton, and through the tunnel made their
escape and took with them their father, Colonel Magoffin of
Sedalia, who was, you will remember, closely confined and
guarded in prison, awaiting trial before a court martial for the
killing of a Federal officer at Sedalia.
One of the most
noted men in St. Louis, ex-mayor John M. Wimer, was also in
prison. He was a very strong man intellectually. I was a member
of a mess, composed of Colonel Stone, Doctor Jackson of Jackson,
Tennessee, and father of General W. H. Jackson, now of
Nashville, Tennessee, Col. John M. Wimer, and others. Doctor
Jackson and Colonel Wimer were two of the most interesting men I
ever met. They regaled the prisoners with anecdotes and
recitations. Colonel Wimer made his escape from prison crouched
down in an empty barrel in a water wagon, which was driven
beyond the penitentiary walls to the river early in the morning.
He was afterwards killed in the fight at Hartsville, Missouri.
Doctor Thomas Hope of Alton, Illinois, was arrested and
placed in prison. He became a member of our mess. He furnished
us fine Havana cigars and Mexican red pepper for the table,
which he said his brother-in-law, General Pope, had brought with
him from Old Mexico. When he heard of Stonewall Jackson whipping
his brother-in-law, General Pope, in the valley of Virginia, he
rejoiced as loudly as did any rebel in the prison.
Colonel Wimer, spoken of above, made his escape in a big box. He
crouched in the bottom of the box and was covered over with
loaves of stale bread placed on a dray and hauled out. The dray
belonged to Thomas Callahan, who three times a week hauled stale
loaves of bread, garbage, etc., away from the prison. The bread
amounted to several hundreds of loaves in a week, as the
prisoners got fresh bread daily. The unused bread was good, but
would not be eaten by the prisoners after it was 24 hours old.
Mr. Callahan hauled it to his home on Prospect Street, where
three times a week the very poor children and women with baskets
came and carried it to their homes. When Colonel Wimer arose
from under the bread in the box after arriving at the Callahan
home, he asked for some place to hide until dark, and Mrs.
Callahan told him to hide in a cask which had been placed by her
husband as a refuse receptacle in the Dolbee pond in the
Callahan pasture, located between the old Dolbee house - the
present Old Ladies' Home - and David Ryan's residence [Today,
this is where Riverview Park is]. The water in the cask was only
about half-knee deep at the time, and he took an old nail keg
along to sit on. At night he made his escape to Missouri. Mr.
and Mrs. Callahan are both dead, but they have a son in this
city, one in Mexico, Missouri, and one in St. Louis."
COUNTERFEIT DOLLARS AND OTHER HANDIWORK OF
CONFEDERATE PRISONERS FOUND IN WALLS OF OLD PENITENTIARY
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 17, 1902
Mark
Dickson of the Bluff Line freight office clerical force, while
delving around and in the walls of the old penitentiary the
other day, uncovered a pocket or alcove in the walls, and a
further investigation rewarded him with several interesting
relics of war times, and several specimens of the expert
handiwork of the Confederate prisoners, it is supposed. Among
things taken from the "pocket" were seven dangerously genuine
looking counterfeit half dollars, a pair of steel pincers, and a
couple of toothpicks fashioned out of bone into the shape of a
human limb, with a long, slender, overgrown toenail as the tooth
excavator. It is supposed merely that these articles were the
work of Confederates, but they may possibly have been made by
prisoners confined there during the time the "pen" was an
Illinois State prison. How prisoners, whether military or civil,
could find the apparatus and opportunity necessary to coin
counterfeit money is one of the unsolved mysteries of the find.
Mr. Dickson will treasure his trophies as most interesting
relics of times and men of a period when human blood was held
cheaper than beef blood or meat is held now.
ALTON PRISON
EXPERIENCE –
AS TOLD BY CONFEDERATE W. D. SWANSON
Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, April 27, 1903
Terrell, Texas, April
8 - I notice the picture of the old Alton prison in the Dallas
News. I think I would have known it if you had not told what it
was. The river, the boat landing, the corner of the house, all
looking familiar to me as I was there the winter of 1863, and
the spring of 1864. I left Georgia in the spring of 1862 in
Company A, Thirty-Ninth Georgia Regiment; was in Tennessee and
Kentucky campaigns, left Tennessee just before the Murfreesboro
fight to reinforce Vicksburg; was captured at Baker's Creek, May
16, 1863, sent up the river to Alton, stayed there seven months,
then to Fort Delaware, and stayed there until the war ended. But
to look at the picture of the old wall makes me feel - well, I
can hardly tell you how. It was there I first had a taste of
prison life. I remember how high the prison was - forty feet -
as well as I remember. There were five rows of cells in the wall
- one above the other. I remember one dark night we cut through
the top of the house, cut the flag pole ropes and tied them
together and then slid down to the ground. We had a good thing,
we thought. There were somewhere about thirty or forty on top of
the house, and it was snowing like thunder. About the tenth man
to start down was a man from Texas by the name of Mosley, and
the rope broke and a guard caught him and the rest of us, but we
tried it again.
I remember two of our boys removed two
men out of their coffins and got in themselves. The undertaker
started out with them. A friend stopped the hearse to put some
socks on his friend. Well, he ran; so did the driver and the
Reb, but Bob Frick, who was in the other box got caught. Well, I
never saw so much excitement - a Yankee trick played by a Rebel.
Well, they made Bob get back in the box and nailed him in, and
swore they would bury him alive, but they let him out in about
ten minutes, the whitest looking man I ever saw.
I had
some friends in there with me. I would give anything to hear
from, if alive. There was K. D. D. Shiflett of Texas, and Jim
Kitchens and Zach Hudson of Arkansas, and the redheaded Texan
that was recaptured and brought back. But I spent my longest
time in Fort Delaware; was there when the war closed. Yes, I
remember old Hike Out. Would love to hear from anyone that was
in Alton the time I was. I was Sergeant, had 100 men on my list;
all of their names commenced with S. Had a time calling the roll
it was so cold.
Signed, W. D. Swanson, Abilene, Texas,
April 16, 1903.
NOTES:
W. D. Swanson enlisted March
10, 1862, in Company A, 39th Georgia Infantry, and was captured
at Edward’s Station, Mississippi, May 16, 1863. He spent time in
the Alton military prison, and then was sent to Fort Delaware.
He was released at Fort Delaware, June 16, 1865, at the end of
the war.
CONFEDERATE
RECALLS PRISON TIME AND ESCAPE
Source: Pennsylvania New
Castle News, March 28, 1910
I was born in the vicinity of New
Castle, and lived in the city until 16 years old. I went into
the west and followed Albert Sidney Johnston to Salt Lake on the
Utah expedition in 1858, being then 18 years old. I returned to
Missouri in 1860, and enlisted as a private in the Confederate
Army. Was promoted to be a captain of Cavalry in 1863. I was
twice captured and escaped from Alton prison on the morning of
March 6, 1862, concealed in an empty water barrel. I was wounded
7 times, once through the left lung, being left on the field for
dead. Where are the boys who so willingly gave their lives in
the 1860s in defense of the flag, as they saw it then? Where is
the remnant of the men who defended the Little Round Top? Where
are the survivors of those who followed Grant from the
Wilderness to Appomattox? There must be many degenerate sons of
noble sires, or nothing of this kind would be tolerated. I tell
you my friends, "Citizens of my own native town," that if a
creature of that kind were to come to Texas, and on the corner
of any street in any city of Texas call the flag of the United
States a "dirty rag," he would not look like anything when he
came out of the hospital. I care not where he came from, or what
his color is, north or south, east or west, from heaven or hell,
the result would be the same, and I feel ashamed to think it
would be tolerated in any other state of this union.
Respectfully yours, A. B. Barnes, Ex-Captain, 4th Missouri
Cavalry, C. S. A.
[Capt. Barnes was referring to
Socialist who called the American flag a "dirty rag that floated
from the flag staff over the so-called temple of justice at
Washington."
OBIT OF WOMAN REVEALS WHO BURIED CONFEDERATE
SOLDIERS
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 16, 1910
Mrs. Michael Gleason, for fifty years or more a resident of
Alton, died yesterday at the home of her daughter, Miss Bridget
Gleason, in St. Louis, where she moved from Alton about 11 years
ago. She was 90 years old the first day of last February, and up
to about nine weeks ago was strong and sound in every way,
considering her age. The body will arrive in Alton tomorrow
afternoon at 1 o'clock, and will be buried in Greenwood
cemetery. Michael Gleason died about ten years ago, or about a
year after he and his wife moved to St. Louis. He was in the
employ of the late Henry W. Hart during the Civil War, and it
was he who buried all of the Confederates who died in the Alton
prison. He it was who discovered that one of the soldiers was a
woman, and he was the only one who knew the exact spot where she
was buried. It is related that annually while he lived in Alton,
after the war, he visited that grave and placed flowers on it.
J. E. DUFFIELD FROM ALTON FINDS HIS HOST IN ALABAMA HAD BEEN
IN ALTON PRISON
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 23,
1911
J. E. Duffield, while on a business trip down in
Alabama, went to Milan, a small place twenty-five miles from a
railroad. He went to the home of a resident and asked for
permission to remain overnight. The person who greeted him was
an old southern gentleman whose cordiality was as gracious as
his hair was snowy. When asked where he was from, and Duffield
replied Alton, Illinois, the old gentleman started from his
chair. The old southerner had himself been in Alton. He was a
prisoner in the old Alton prison, being captured at Ft.
Donaldson and brought here. Mr. Duffield's father had also been
injured at Ft. Donaldson, but was on the other side. And the old
southern gentleman who was a prisoner in the Alton prison, held
by the Northerners, was all the more gracious in entertaining
the son of a man who was also injured at the same battle,
fighting against this same southern gentleman. The old
southerner, whose name is J. B. Reir, remembered the bitterness
of the war, but it was hidden by his graciousness. His young
visitor remembered nothing of the war, but will always remember
how his host did forget the war and treat him cordially.
PRISONERS TRANSFERRED FROM ST. LOUIS TO ALTON
(clip from a
story about Sandford Kirkpatrick, chaser of moonshiners and
member of Congress)
Source: Buffalo, New York Morning
Express, May 3, 1914
"I sometimes smile in myself," Mr.
Kirkpatrick continued, "when I think that as a boy I feared the
Civil War would end before I had an opportunity to do any
fighting. I was born in Ohio, but my parents migrated to Iowa
when I was seven years old. I often say that I came into the
world between two rows of corn, but that fact does not make me a
pumpkin. I hurried into the Union army at the beginning of the
Civil War, enlisting as a private in the Second Iowa Infantry.
Everything would be over, I complained, before I had a chance to
fire a shot. It was not so, however. The South did not surrender
at the end of 90 days as was prophesied, and it was four years
and four months before I returned to the West and became a
cowboy. It seems to me that I have had a gun on my back or under
my arm ever since I left home, more than 60 years ago. My
baptism of fire, as I call it, occurred at Fort Donelson. The
Second Iowa got into official disfavor in St. Louis. We were
detailed to guard a large number of Confederate prisoners
confined to a medical college. After the prisoners were
transferred to a penitentiary at Alton, some of our boys
celebrated the occasion by getting drunk and breaking up the
furniture. One of them put a skeleton on his back and paraded in
the streets, to the horror of the bystanders. So, we were sent
to the steamboat in disgrace. No music sounded at the head of
the regiment. We were not permitted to unfurl our flag. Arriving
at Fort Donelson, we were in an ugly mood."
OLD
CONFEDERATE PRISONER DIES
Source: Alton Evening Telegraph,
June 18, 1914
Robert A. Guerrant, one of the confederate
soldiers who was confined in the prison in Alton during the
Civil War, died this morning at his home in East Alton at the
age of 70, after a three weeks' illness with cerebral
hemorrhage. Guerrant was born and reared in Missouri, and when
the war broke out enlisted as a Confederate soldier. Towards the
end of the war he was captured while with Gen. Price's men in
Missouri and was imprisoned in Alton where he was kept until an
exchange of prisoners was made. He settled here [Alton] after
being liberated. Guerrant leaves his wife, an adopted daughter,
Miss Ada Starkey, and three sisters, Mrs. Mary E. Hardesty of
Beechville, Ill., Mrs. Jennie Ingle of Beechville, Ill., and
Mrs. Olivia Wallendorff of Deer Plain, Ill. The two latter
sisters are expected to arrive this afternoon. Robert Hardesty,
of Beechville, Ill., Frank Delonay of Alton, James Anderson of
Beechville, Ill., nephews, and Mrs. Bertha Wachtel of Upper
Alton, were at the Guerrant home at the time of the death. The
funeral will be held Sunday morning at 10 o'clock at the East
Alton Baptist Church. The burial will be in Milton Cemetery.
REBEL
WEPT FOR
OLD PRISON WALLS
Source: Alton Evening
Telegraph,
May 26, 1916
The Telegraph office force this
morning had a visit from an old Confederate soldier. He was in
Alton to see the old prison where he served time for two years
after being captured by Union troops at the battle of Wilson's
Creek, and he wept and would not be comforted because the walls
of the old prison were not there. He had visited the site of the
old prison and he was too filled with emotion to see even the
remnant of the wall that stands on the site of what is now known
as Uncle Remus Park. Failing to find anyone around who could
serve as a friend and guide, like old Rip Van Winkle, he felt
himself a stranger in a strange land. He was directed to the
Telegraph office as a newspaper that was here in war times. He
expected surely he would find someone on the Telegraph staff who
had been working there when the Civil War was going on. He
happened to strike the youngest member of the staff, and to him
he told his story. Between sobs that told of an emotion that was
deep and sincere, he told who he was and what was his errand.
His grief became so great that he leaned heavily on the desk,
and after being assured that there was still a remnant of the
old prison on the site, the old man rose unsteadily and
staggered out of the office, still filled with emotion.
His story was that when a lad of 14, he was serving in the
Confederate Army and was taken with nine others at Wilson's
Creek Battle to Alton. He said he stayed in the prison for two
years. He had never been back to see the place since he was
released, and he wanted to revive old memories. He revived them
all right, so that he wept, and comfort there was none, as the
old prison walls he wished to revisit were down and had long
since been converted into macadam for streets in the city of
East St. Louis.
NOTES:
Samuel Aaron Harrison was born
April 10, 1842, in Hazleton, Texas County, Missouri. He enlisted
in the Confederate Army under Colonel Coleman, 8th Missouri
Volunteers, and was captured at the Battle of Wilson Creek and
held at the Alton prison from December 1864 to June 1865. After
visiting the prison in 1916, he returned in June 1935, to select
a stone from its remaining walls for a tombstone, which was
finally granted in 1941, following his death on August 30, 1940,
at the age of 98. He was buried in the Anutt Cemetery in Dent
County, Missouri, and was the last survivor of the Civil War
prison at Alton. Surviving him were three of his children:
Minnie Harrison Smith (1872-1943); Cora Belle Harrison Null
(1878-1961); and Laura Elizabeth Harrison Mathis (1882-1967).
His wife, Margaret Jane Kitchen Harrison, died in 1932, and a
son, John Felix Harrison, died in 1936.
OTHER MILITARY POST PRISONERS:
Source: Annals of the Army of the Cumberland, by
John Fitch, Attorney at Law, Alton, Illinois
Salzkotter
(for smuggling), released
C. J. Zeutzschell (spy)
Ogilvie
Byron Young (spy)
Mrs. Judd (spy & smuggler)
"Mrs.
Judd is the widow of an Episcopal clergyman who resides in
Winchester, Tenn. It is respectfully submitted that she is a
dangerous person to remain in these lines; that she is probably
a spy as well as a smuggler; that cases of this kind being of
frequent occurrence by females’ examples should be made, and
that as there is at present no proper tribunal for her
imprisonment at Nashville, she be committed to the military
prison at Alton for trial."
Silas Norris (for kidnapping)
Mrs. Molly Hyde (spy - furnished rebel generals with
information)
Joseph M. P. Nolan, arrested in St. Louis
October 1861 for disloyalty to the United States, giving
information to the enemy; released August 1863
Source:
Switzler's Illustrated History of Missouri, from 1541 to 1877 by
William Franklin Switzler, Chancy Rufus Barns, Robert Allen
Campbell, Alban Jasper Conent, & George Clinton Swallow, 1879
"The sentences of John C. Thompkins, Wm. J. Forshey, John
Patton, Thomas M. Smith, Stephen Stott, George H. Cunningham,
Richard B. Crowder and George M. Pulliam, heretofore condemned
to death, are provisionally mitigated to close confinement in
the military prison at Alton. If rebel spies again destroy
railroads and telegraph lines, and thus render it necessary for
us to make severe examples, the original sentences against these
men will be carried into execution." "In March of the same year
[1862], James Quiesenberry, James Lane and William F. Petty were
tried on the charge of railroad and bridge burning on the North
Missouri railroad, on the night of December 20-21, 1861, found
them guilty and sentenced them to be shot at such time and place
as the General commanding the department shall designate; in the
meantime, to be confined in Alton military prison. Nor were
these men ever shot; but on recommendation of the commission,
the sentence was mitigated.
Source: History of
Arizona by Thomas Edwin Farish, page 257
Columbus H. Gray (in
prison for nine months; captured in Helena, Arkansas, escaped by
jumping out of railroad cards as he was being transferred to
Fort Delaware)
Source: Minnesota in the Civil and
Indian Wars 1861-1865
Sylvester Dreger, in prison at Alton,
Illinois, on discharge of regiment
Source: History of
Henry County, Illinois by Henry L. Kiner, 1910, page 639
John
Root, for murder, 1850; court ordered imprisonment in Alton
penitentiary, the first five days to be in solitary confinement
and the rest at hard labor, the defendant further to pay the
cost of prosecution. At the end of a year, Root was pardoned by
Governor Joel A. Matteson, after petitions had been made for the
purpose. He died not long after his release, a saloon brawl the
cause.
Source: History of Alabama and Dictionary of
Alabama Biography by Thomas McAdory Owen & Marie Bankhead Owen,
1921
Robert Hodges, minister of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Cartersville, Mississippi; died at the prison in
Alton, Ill. in 1862 or 1863
Source: The History of
Rock County, Wisconsin, by Wesern Historical Company, 1879, page
413
David F. Mayberry; horse stealing in 1847, served 8 yrs
and asserted someone would have to recompense him for time
served. Later murdered Andrew Alger and was lynched.
Source: History of Boone County, Missouri, Written & compiled
from the Most Authentic Official & Private Sources, 1882
James S. Hickam, captured at Rolla, Missouri, sent to Alton
prison until the war was nearly over, when he was exchanged at
Vicksburg.
Joseph Glenn Jones
Thomas Gilpin Tuttle;
arrested on order of Gen. J. B. Douglass and held at Alton;
released after swearing allegiance and giving bond of $4,000.
Edwin Ruthvan Westbrook; taken prisoner near Osceola, St. Clair
county, Missouri, confined at Alton until March 19, 1865.
Released on condition of enlistment in army to serve against
Indians on the plains.
Durrett H. Barnes; kept at Alton until
1864, released and allowed to return home.
James Lawrence
Henry; captured in 1862, confined in St. Louis, Alton, &
Washington City. Exchanged in 1863 & sent to City Point,
Virginia.
George Thomas Langston; Captured in 1861 gathering
up recruits hiding in the brush in the vicinity of father's
farm. Confined for 10 months in St. Louis, tried as a spy and
sentenced to be shot.
Granted new trial and sentenced to
prison at Alton under hard labor. Released in fall of 1864 after
being at Alton over a year.
Zephaniah Spiers; captured &
taken to Mexico, Missouri, St. Louis, then Alton. Prisoner at
Alton six months.
W. T. Maupin; captured in Cooper county,
Missouri by soldiers of Col. Eppstein. Held prisoner for 13
months in St. Louis & Alton. Upon release, he weighed only 87
1/2 lbs. Became a physician.
William I. Roberts; captured and
taken to St. Louis, then Alton. Released in 1863.
George
Bryant Forbis; taken prisoner at Port Gibson, taken to Alton
until released on parole.
Francis Marion Lowrey; captured and
taken to St. Louis, then Alton, & remained there until 1865.
Source: Confederate Military History by Clement Anselm
Evans, 1899, page 289
Second Lieutenant W. C. Osborne; died
in prison at Alton, Illinois
Source: HIstorical Genealogy
of the Woodsons and Their Connections, by Henry Morton Woodson,
1915
Horace Woodson Ardinger; captured and sent to Alton for
several months. Through the influence of his uncle, Gov. Austin
King, he was released.
Source: Centennial History of
Missouri by Walter Barlow Stevens
Colonel John Hughes
Winston; captured [abt. 1863] and sent to Alton prison until the
Civil war ended.
Source: Missouri Historical Review
by State Historical Society of Missouri, pg 587
Captain
Hanson McNeil and son, Jesse; captured & held in Missouri, then
taken to Alton from which young McNeil made his escape by
bribing a guard to give him his clothes. Lieut. Jesse McNeil
then succeeded in helping his father to escape by climbing a
pile of lumber which had been placed against the prison wall.
They went down the Mississippi river, up the Ohio and across
country until they reached their old home in Virginia.
Source: Hancock's Diary by Richard R. Hancock, pg 567
J.
H. McAllister, died in January 1864 in prison at Alton,
Illinois.
J. H. Thomas was sent right to Alton, Illinois.
E. D. Thomas, wounded, sent to Alton, Illinois for about two
months, then he and his brother, J. H. were sent to Fort
Delaware.
J. K. Dodd; while an independent scout he was
captured near New Albany, Mississippi abt. August 18, 1863 and
sent to Alton for 5-6 months. Exchanged.
Source:
History of the First Kentucky Brigade by Edwin Porter Thompson,
1868
John Pendergrast of Louisville, KY was wounded in battle
at Donelson and is supposed to have died in prison at Alton,
Illinois.
Source: The World's Word, Volume XXI,
November, 1910 to April, 1911, 1911, pg 14,165
William
Martinson, a private of Company G, Eleventh Illinois Cavalry,
while in Benton Barracks near St. Louis, in 1863, went out one
day (May 17) got drunk, and went up and down the streets
insulting, assaulting, and shooting at peaceable citizens. He
dragged a man named Dwight Durkee for several squares, with a
revolver at his head, and he shot a Negro in the head. Martinson
was court-martialed and sent for confinement to the military
prison at Alton, Ill. He served two years, and was then sent
under guard to join his regiment.
Source: The
Captured Scout of the Army of the James: A Sketch of the Life of
Sergeant Henry H. Manning by Henry Clay Trumbull, 1869, page 37
Henry H. Manning was deemed a rebel prisoner, and as such was
sent to the military prison at Alton, Illinois.
Source: The Confederate Veteran Magazine, 1895, page 24
D. T.
Beall; captured in 1862 and imprisoned at Alton. Held for 6
months. Exchanged.
Source: Official Roster of the
Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion,
1861-1866, 1895
Henry Cole; captured September 19, 1863 in
the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia; confined in prison at Alton;
paroled September 26, 1863.
Source: The Repeal of the
Missouri Compromise by Perley Orman Ray
William Cecil Price;
taken prisoner at Wilson's Creek and confined in the prison at
Alton, Ill. for a long time.
Source: Annual Report of
the Adjutant-General of the State of New York, 1898
Edward
Stevenson; captured at Egypt Station, Mississippi, December 28,
1864, confined at Alton, Ill., 18 years old
Avery Bullis;
captured at Egypt Station, Mississippi, December 28, 1864,
confined at Alton, Ill., 20 years old
Lewis Reppersburger;
captured at Egypt Station, Mississippi, December 28, 1864,
confined at Alton, Ill. and released June 26, 1865 on take the
oath of allegiance. 24 years old.
Source: A History
of Northeast Missouri by Walter Williams
Major H. C. Caldwell
Source: Report of the Adjutant General of the State of
Illinois for the years 1861-66, 1886
Jonathan B. Green;
Dishonesty, discharged November 26, 1864; loss of all pay &c.,
and be confined in prison at Alton, Ill., 3 years
John S.
Wharton; died at Alton, November 25, 1862
Source: A
History of the State of Oklahoma by Luther B. Hill
William
Dodson; died at the military prison at Alton, Illinois
Source: History of Ray County, Missouri by Missouri
Historical Company
Andrew J. Greenawalt; captured by Union
troops and taken to military prison at Alton, Illinois, and kept
there until September 8, 1862, when he was exchanged.
Thomas
Elder; taken prisoner at Springfield, Missouri and confined at
Alton, Illinois about 7 months; exchanged.
Martin Elder;
taken prisoner at Baker's Creek and taken to Alton, Illinois;
exchanged.
Source: The Life of Lyman Trumbull by
Horace White
Charles G. Flournoy; captured by Gen. Grant's
forces near Vicksburg and confined at Alton, Illinois.
Source: History of Ramsey County and the City of St. Paul
Sylvester Dreger; in prison at Alton, Ill., on dis. of regiment.
Source: St. Louis Christian Advocate, June 20, 1866
W. L. Reynolds, captured November 1862, died a prisoner at
Alton, Illinois.
Source: St. Louis Christian
Advocate, July 4, 1866
J. Clark Meadows, died in prison,
Alton, Illinois, 1863
Source: St. Louis Christian
Advocate, August 22, 1866
John Gossit, died 1862 at Alton,
Illinois.
Wilson Hewett, died at Alton, Illinois April 10,
1862.
Source: St. Louis Christian Advocate, September
5, 1866
James Dunn, died at Alton, Illinois in 1862.
Source: St. Louis Christian Advocate, October 10, 1866
Perkins Sims, died at Alton, Illinois May 20, 1862.
Source: General Forrest by James Harvey Mathes
Major G. V.
Rambaut was sent to join Major J. P. Strange in prison at Alton,
Ill., and was exchanged with him, four or five months later.
Source: First Kentucky Brigade, 1868
John
Pendergrast; wounded in battle - supposed to have died in prison
at Alton.
Source: The Captured Scout of the Army of
the James: A Sketch of the Life of H. H. Manning, 1869
Henry
H. Manning; deemed a rebel prison and sent to military prison at
Alton, Illinois.
Source: History of Wyandotte County,
Kansas, edited by Perl Wilbur Morgan
Paris Davis; taken
prisoner and sent to prison at Alton, Illinois, where he
sickened and died in 1863.
Source: The History of the
Civil War in America, by John Stevens Cabot Abbott, page 362
Ogilvie Byron Young and a bookmaker from Nashville, who made
boots for rebel spies with area in heel of boot to conceal
papers; rebels, smugglers and spies
Source: The
Commonwealth of Missouri by Chancy Rufus Barns, Alban Jasper
Conant, William F. Switzler, George Clinton Swallow, Robert
Allen Campbell, William Harris, 1877, page 923
William T.
Thornton; eight months confined in the Alton prison, captured at
Cassville, exchanged on September 24, 1862.
Jacob A. Love;
captured at Helena, Arkansas, taken to Alton, then to Johnson's
Island.
Source: Our Women in the War, by News and
Courier, Charleston, S.C., page 323
The next day they
received permission to bury them, and from the grave of Major
Lundy [in Memphis], his sister was taken to Alton prison.
Source: Publications of the Arkansas Historical
Association, 1906, by John Hugh Reynolds
Livie Bushnell;
taken prison at Elk Horn; died in Alton prison.
Source: Crimes of the Civil War, and Curse of the Funding
System, 1869, by Henry Clay Dean
J. C. Moore, son of Col.
David Moore of the Federal army; taken prisoner at Helena,
Arkansas, July 4, 1863, taken to Alton prison, where "men are
kept with ball and chain at work in the street, for mere
peccadilloes, where the keepers shot their victims and stabbed
them, with all of the indignities usual in the prisons
everywhere, which seemed under control of no military, but
rather governed by the instigation of the devil."
John M.
Weiner, formerly Mayor of St. Louis; arrested in St. Louis,
transferred to Alton penitentiary, and from there made his
escape. Killed near Springfield, Mo.
Source: Missouri
the Center State, by Walter Barlow Stevens, 1915
L. F. Wood;
captured near Arkansas line, taken to Alton prison for one year,
paroled and returned home.
Source: Personal Record of
the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Infantry by Alfred J.
Vaughan, 1897
M. J. Stegall; captured and died in Alton
prison
William Ellis; captured and died in Alton prison.
Source: Southern Silhouettes by Jeannette H. Walworth,
1887
Joel Harvey; sent to Alton Prison, "There were a lot of
fellows there that he knew, men who had been captured as scouts
on the battlefield, men who had been picked up by the wayside
sick and worn. They were hungry and gaunt, and woe-worn and
heart sick. Harvey says he hung his head before them for very
shame, because he was neither hungry, nor gaunt, nor heart sick,
nor woe-worn. But he did the only thing he could do for them,
sold his gold watch, and added materially to their comfort."
Source: History of Linn County, Iowa by Luther Albertus
Brewer and Barthinius Larson Wick, 1911
? Granger; convicted
of passing counterfeit money in Chicago, sentenced to Alton
prison for four years.
Source: General Forrest by
James Harvey Mathes, 1902
Major J. P. Strange; sent to Alton
Prison and not exchanged for four or five months.
Major G. V.
Rambaut; captured and sent to Alton Prison, exchanged with
Strange four or five months later.
Source: 14 Letters
to a Friend, the Story of the Wartime Ordeal of Capt. De Witt
Clinton Fort by Laurier B. McDonald
John S. Jones, MO 2nd
Cav., Co. G; captured October 29, 1863, died January 3, 1864 at
Alton Prison, buried in Confederate Cemetery, Alton, IL
John
K. Moore; released from Alton prison October 1862.
Tom Henry
Fort; held at Alton prison June 1862 - September 1862
Source: Genealogy and History of the Related Keyes, North
and Cruzen Families by Millard Fillmore Stipes, 1914
Nathaniel Greene North Cruzen; captured by Gen. Jefferson C.
Davis, transferred to Alton. Many in his company took the oath
of allegiance and were released under parole, but Nathaniel
declined to do so. After six months he was exchanged at
Vicksburg. Nathaniel's letter from the Alton Prison to Thomas J.
Winning:
The Saline boys of your acquaintance here are in
tolerable health and all anxious to be released on any terms the
government may see fit to dictate. I am very much reduced, and
think it doubtful, if compelled to remain here much longer, of
my being able to keep up. So far I have stood it as well as the
most of them.... N. G. Cruzen.
Major Hiram Ferrill; captured
December 1861, sent to Alton, exchanged at Vicksburg in 1862.
Source: New York Times, August 7, 1901
William Cecil
Price, Treasurer of the United States under President Buchanan,
was with Gen. Price at the battle of Pea Ridge and was captured
by the Federal forces and confined in the prison at Alton, Ill.,
until September 1862, when he was exchanged.
Source:
A History of Northeast Missouri by Walter Williams, 1908, pg. 58
Eight unknown soldiers, sent to Alton prison in 1861 for burning
railroad bridges in Missouri. Sentence was death, but was
commuted to imprisonment at Alton.
William W. MacFarlane,
taken prison at the battle of Moore's Mill in Missouri. (see
quote below)
"As to Macfarlane he was ordered to be taken to
the execution ground and an order read to him as follows: In
consideration of the noble stand taken for the right by your
brother, Captain Macfarlane of the Ninth Missouri State Militia,
the commanding general is pleased to order that your life be
spared and your sentence commuted to confinement during the
war."