Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-19
Libby-Prison "reminiscences.

To the Editor OF the Dtspdfch'
Dear Sir,--So much is being written
at present about Libby Prison that am
reminded of the fact that was once on
guard there for three months, during the
year 1868. In your paper OF the 10Th
instant some one mentions the fact that
the prisoners inside of Libby had more
to eat than the Confederates in the field.
That is a fast, and they had more to eat
than the ones who were doing guard
duty outside. A prisoner received one
loaf of bread, ration OF beef or bacon,
and a cup OF soup land very good soup
il was. too, as / know from having
scooped in q cupfnl when the pot was
passing), while the guard outside only
received three quarters of loaf of bread
and the same ration of beef or bacon.
To nv certain knowledge the prisoners
were humanely treated. often thought
thew were better off than the poor Con-
federate on the outside. 1t is the fact OF
being confined that renders one so dis
satisfied.
While l was on that duty the lighters
came up the river with provisions,
clothing, &c. General Neal Dow was
the first officer among the prisoners APP
pointed 10 make distributions, but his
way of doing things did not suit the
prisoners or TIE commandant at the
Libby, and he was displaced and better
man appointed. General Dow, so the
rumor ran at that time, was getting all
the best clothing and good eatables for
the officers and not making the proper
distribution. Was not d. b. Bridgtord
in part of this building when the war
began? Some think that the Libby was
once tobacco-factory. | do not think
it was. There were several tobacco
factories used as prisons, and the first
prisoners brought to Richmond were
placed in factory on Main street about
one SQUARE beyond Twenty-fifth street,
on the south side. The officers and pri-
Yates were mixed up in that prison and
the commandant was Captain Todd,
and was said to be q brother-in-law OF
Abraham Lincoln. One of my school
mates, to my surprise, was confined
there. being lieutenant in tile Federal
cavalry. He was released and after
wards Joined the Confederate army and
was killed at Holly Springs, Miss, being
at that time an officer on General Van
Dorn's staff. This party was said to
have commanded the cavalry that killed
Captain Mari in Fairfax county tue first
officer killed on our side.
Yours. r. V. GOODWIN.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Dear Sir.-Anem the Libby-Prison
discussion here is n little incident which
happened in 1864, which, though trltle,
may throw some light on the alleged
harshness of discipline and brutality
practiced by our people on the prisoners
confined there. For its authenticity l
can vouch:
A youth was passing along Cary street
by the dock, when he was hailed by
some prisoners from window IN the up
per story. He crossed over, and they let
down a string to which was attached a
note. The note enclosed a sum of mo-
new. and contained also a list of articles
which they wanted the boy to buy for
them. The boy, knowing no better, did
as he was asked ; took the note and mo-
ney. went off and bought the articles
wanted, returned with them, tied them
to the string, and saw them pulled up
and all this in broad daylight, with
guards around the prison and officer;
and others passing in and out, but ne
was not interfered with in the least. Had
he been the agent of others, or so in
clined, the boy could easily have sent NJ
on the string files or anything else that
would have aided the prisoners in es
Gaping.
This does not look as if the officials
could have been very strict; on the con
trary. it rather indicates that they were
not strict enough fact which the cele.
brated tunnel episode also confirms, II
YOU think the incident worth publishing
please give it space. Perhaps it may
make some of our northern friends think
little less harshly of us in this particu-
lar matter.
Yours respectfully, IN
Richmond, February Is, 1883.