8-24-2013: I found out yesterday I made a mistake in this post by implying that Alfred Ely was imprisoned at Libby. I believe he spent most of his prison time at Liggons Tobacco Warehouse. I apologize.
Richmond's Libby Prison - 1863 (LOC - LC-USZ62-105786)
The 69th New York State Infantry fought hard at First Bull Run and helped cover the retreating Federal forces. Several members of the 69th were captured and sent to prison in Richmond. Here’s a letter home.
From The New-York Times August 20, 1861:
THE SIXTY-NINTH.; LETTER FROM LIEUT. EDMUND CONNELLY, OF THE SIXTY-NINTH, TO HIS BROTHER.
RICHMOND PRISON. Wednesday, Aug. 7, 1861.
DEAR BROTHER: I have written two letters home since my arrest, giving a brief account of how and when I was taken prisoner, which I think must have reached you, as the officers of the Confederate Army who have charge of us here assured us that they should be forwarded without delay per Adams’ Express. I have not very much news of importance to communicate to you, as I have no opportunity of going out of this establishment and can learn but little inside. It is true that the authorities here are kind enough to allow us to buy and read the papers, and also the privilege of having one of our party go out to market every morning. By this means we can have plenty of vegetables, &c., every day. We take turns at this business, which is quite agreeable to us all, although always accompanied by a guard. When I go home I will be quite posted in domestic affairs in general.
Helping with the dishes - Congressman Alfred Ely
There are a dozen of us in company in our mess, and about four such messes in this room, which is about as large as half the first floor of our new barrel shop, and just such a building in appearance, and is well adapted to the purpose for which it is now used. There are several such buildings here. They were originally built and used as tobacco factories, but since the war set in, they have been closed until now that they are used as temporary jails. There are in all about forty-two officers of us on this floor. This is the number that have been arrested so far from the last battle, and amongst them there are some doctors. We are now quite comfortable here. Yesterday we purchased a cot for each one of us in our mess, and for the first time but once since I left home I had a comfortable sleep from off the bare floor, having been accustomed for some time before we came to Richmond to sleep on the soft grass. The Georgia pine, of which this floor of our prison is made, is almost too hard for our iron sides, but now, thank God, we are delivered from it, at least for the present; but if we happened to be removed, I suppose we would have to leave our cots behind, or take up our bed and walk. Either would suit us, if allowed to select our own course on the journey. The kitchen work is done by us all in turn, and to see colonels and members of Congress washing dishes is really amusing. Why, then, should I complain when I witness all this? Why, Sir, I had a member of Congress take his turn with me in doing those things. His name is Mr. ELY, from Rochester, New-York. There are two other officers from our regiment here, who have been captured, on Monday, at Centreville, and in all, four, namely: Capt. McIvoR, Lieut. BAGLEY, Lieut. GANNON and myself. There are thirty-four men who were taken prisoners, and about fifteen wounded, whose names I will send you with this. If you will call to see Capt. KIRKER, of Broadway, you can get a great deal of information from him, as Col. CORCORAN has written several letters to him, giving him pretty fully the particulars of the battle of the 21st. The Colonel is a noble and chivalrous soldier, and that was the day to test every man’s bravery and competency to fill his position, and manfully did he fill his, as did also his Lieutenant-Colonel (HAGGERTY,) who fell gloriously in the heat of the action. I was in the hospital on Sunday and yesterday, to see the wounded. The Colonel is very kind to them all. Tell Major MEAGHER that all his boys will recover. One was shot through the arm, which was broken; the same ball entered his side and came out again near his stomach. I brought him a chicken, yesterday, which was sent to the Colonel by a friend, with some peaches, oranges, &c. I would give anything to receive a few lines from home. Many letters go from this place, but it is a rare thing to hear an answer to any of them. I hope my family will not feel uneasy in regard to me; they ought to rejoice I came off so well, as many a ball came whistling within an inch of my body. I consider I had a most miraculous escape. My old friend, WM. JOICE, has a nephew who was in the battle; and well may he feel proud of him, for a braver and better young man I never knew. My love to all. Your affectionate brother, EDMUND CONNOLLY.
Colonel Michael Corcoran leads 69th at First Bull Run (LOC - LC-DIG-ppmsca-08407)
The names of the wounded members of the Sixty-ninth, who are now in Richmond Hospital, are as follow: T. Montgomery, Company A; P. Murphy, Company B; Patrick Brennan, Company D; James Collins, Company D; John Jackson, Company D; Owen Donohue, Company F; John Moran, Company II; Peter Kelly, Company J; Edward Shaughnesy, Company K; Thos. K. Hughes, Company K; Mich. Brennan, Company G; Michael Keating, Company E; P. McGill, Company G; J. McTague, Company B. The following are in the hospital at Manassas: Thomas Munson; G.E. Bolton; Edward Dalton, Company K, (I think;) Thomas Martin.
N.B. — We hope our Government will take some steps towards liberating us from here. We are of opinion they ought. E.C.
Congressman Alfred Ely was captured as one of the Union onlookers during the Battle of First Bull Run. He was released in December 1861. His Journal of Alfred Ely, a prisoner of war in Richmond was published in 1862. It sounds as if conditions in Libby Prison got worse as the war dragged on. Prisoners on both sides were just trying to survive.
Before Bull Run - 69th New York State Militia - Fort Corcoran, VA 1861 Colonel Corcoran on left (LOC - LC-USZC4-6733)
