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[Civil War]. Three Documents Relating to POWs....
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[Civil War]. Three Documents Relating to POWs. A parole pass and two letters, all war dated, relating to Federal prisoners at various prisons, hospitals, etc.The first letter records the city of Columbia's decision to hold Union prisoners for the first time in the war. One page of a bifolium, 7.75" x 9.75", "Clerk's Office Columbia"; October 25, 1861. The letter, from City Clerk D.B. Miller, is addressed to Governor Francis W. Pickens, reads in full: "A meeting of the City Council of Columbia held on 25th Inst. on motions of Alderman Senr. it was 'Resolved' that the City Council do not object to a number of Federal prisoners being brought here for safe keeping, provided the government furnishes the necessary & proper guard." On verso, Pickens has endorsed the letter and written, "...Col. Moses will write & say - I cannot consent to any further exemptions except in council - I am willing the same number shall be excepted from both offices. Gen. Gist agrees with me on this. F.W.P." One year later, Camp Sorghum was built in Columbia to house Union officers. The 1,700 or so Federal prisoners lived under extremely harsh conditions, with there being only an open field with no buildings or facilities to take cover in.
The second letter is from a Union soldier, C.R. Pomeroy Jr., who was held at Libby Prison in Richmond. Two pages, 5" x 8", Richmond; November 22, 1863. Pomeroy writes to his sister to request care boxes be sent, in part: "I have been here only six weeks. All the time inside. I received a box of eatable from Uncle W I think or Ellie Irvin. Oh when I saw it it made my mouth water, for as long as I can get boxes I can live very well but they do not last very long for there is four of us in my mess of my Regt but they also have boxes sent them. If the surg do not get out before the first of Dec. please send me a big box no matter how big...I keep up a good hart & wait for my time. I try to be happy as a sick kitten is on a warm brick but it is rather hard in here." Accompanying the letter is the original transmittal cover.
Lastly, the lot contains a parole pass for Union prisoner, "H.M. Alford". One page, 7.75" x 3.75", "Camp Lee" Richmond; July 14, 1863. The pass gave the paroled prisoner "permission to visit Richmond for the purpose of seeing Hon. John H. Reagan P.M. General, and return by 6 oclock p.m." The pass is signed by Major Thomas G. Peyton, who served at Camp Lee on Colonel John D. Shield's staff.
Condition: Usual mail folds and flattened creases. Varying degrees of toning, soiling and light foxing throughout three papers. Some ink transference on parole pass, with some smudging on others. Overall good condition.
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