Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-28
OLD CAPITOL USED AS PRISON
DURING THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD
Served as Place of Detention for Many
Noted Persons Suspected of
Disloyalty to Government.

Though there were numerous build
ings in Washington during the civil
war which were pressed into service
as military prisons, there was only one
strictly military prison in this terri
tory. In many instances those sus-
pected of disloyalty to the Union while
war was in progress were confined to
their own homes. though these became
SO numerous at one time that 1t was
necessary to get one large building.
where the captives could be confined
with the proper military guard.
Then it was that the "Old Capitol"
now standing. but in a more improved
state. was selected. This building.
located just without the bounds of the
northeast, dates back to the days of the
second war with Great Britain.
1t was constructed by a corporation
for the especial purpose of housing the
Congress until the Capitol. which had
been damaged by the British forces.
could be rebuilt. and was a part of the
plan to keep the capital of the nation
at Washington. Congress held two ses-
sions in it before the Capitol was re-
paired.
Serves Variety of Purposes.
Then the building served various pur-
poses. 1t was hotel several times
during its career. then it was a dane
ing school. and many of those promi-
nent In society in the days just previous
10 the civil war, who learned their first
dancing steps there. also were confined
| tnere as military prisoners when they
| were suspected of disloyalty to the
Union; At one time St. Patrick's
Cnurch maintained a school there.
AS military prison the building was
impressed into service in July, 1861,
| when the first prisoners Of war; were
confined there. They were men who
declined to declare unequivocally for
the Union. and who were more than
suspected of being actively disloyal.
Col. William P. Wood was placed in
charge.
Among it's most famous prisoners
were the late Senator Vance. Gov.
others who had held high political and
social positions in former days. Editors
Of so-called seditious newspapers,
knights Of the Golden Circle. deserters
from the Union army, blockade rum
ners, prisoners of war and prisoners
OF state. to the number of 500, and at
times 1000, were confined in the old
prison. The pressure for room finally
became so great that new quarters had
to be provided.
Houses Known as "Duff Green Row."
houses adjoining the prison. known as
the Dun Green row." and these were
pressed into service. The buildings were
among the very oldest in the District
of Columbia. They were used as a
hospital during the war of 1912, the
wounded from the battle along the
Bladensburg road being taken there.
In the early sos Duff Green bought a
portion Of the row Of houses and locat-
ed printing ONCE there. In this print
ing Office the late Simon Cameron
worked at the case" for many day.
Men were not the only prisoners of
war. The keepers of the detention
they would rather take care Of ten
suspected men than one suspected
woman. The women were classed as
very cunning. and they were excellent
spies and messengers for the enemy.
The most noted woman prisoner prob
ably was Belle Boyd, who began her
career by shooting a Union soldier
who she said had insulted her. at her
Virginia). Mrs. Rose ON. Greenhow.
an aunt of Mrs. Stephen A. Douglas.
was another prisoner of state. She had
been very active in the southern cause,
ana OelnS something VI SoCiety WIN
an, made opportunities for securing in
formation through her society associa-
lions. The information she obtained
she Immediately sent to the rebel au-
thorities, and took pains to tell it. The
idea of arresting woman was repug-
nant to the provost marshal, but the
offenses were so fragrant that he finally
ordered her arrest and detention in her
own house, on 18th street northwest.
Mrs Greenhow, from this semi-prison.
wrote some remarkable letters to the
members of the cabinet, telling them
what to do, and what would happen II
they did not do it, These she printed in
a queer little volume, long since out of
print, with scathing comment. upon the
way things were done, affairs being not
at all to her liking.
Finally Removed to Capital Prison.
Mrs. Greenhow became so ardently
open in her denunciations of the adj
ministration and so troublesome. that
she was finally removed to the Old
Capitol prison, where she was kept
until she could be sent to Richmond
Her house was used as a prison for
the milder type of woman suspects
until such a place was no longer nee
essary A few who were recalcitrant
were sent to the "Old Capitol" Among
those of more note were a Miss Poole,
Mrs. Phillips and two daughters. Miss
Levi, Mrs Hasler, Miss Mackall and
Mrs Jackson, mother of the man who
shot Ellsworth. Among the prisoners
of 1865 were Mrs Surratt, who was
transferred to the arsenal prison.
Four military executions took place