The Alabama in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Part 3
In Response To: Part 2 ()

The men that were captured at the Battle of Chancellorsville were imprisoned at the Cliffburne Barracks in Washington, D. C. by May 6, 1863. There were five rooms in their building with ten cooks in each, detailed from amongst the prisoners. They were ordered out of their barracks early that morning, divided into squads of fifty, and put under the command of one of their Sergeants to draw rations. The men went up by squads and as each man’s name was called he would go and draw his four crackers, slice of meat, and coffee. Sutlers were also available with oranges, apples, and pies, but few could afford them. That evening, all the Commissioned Officers were taken to separate quarters.

The next evening, fifteen ambulances came to the barracks and transferred the sick and wounded to hospital. Generally, the men found their Yankee guards treated them well and there were three meals a day. Samuel Pickens wrote the following on May 8, 1863: “The soldiers disposed to treat us as well – much better than w(e)d treat them in Richmd: but that is natural for we consider them invaders trying to subjug. & rob of everth(in)g we hold dear on earth. While many of them are only in the army for a living & take no fighting in self defence on our own territory.”

On May 11, 1863, most of the enlisted men that had been captured during the battle were called out from their barracks and the slow and tedious process of calling roll started. A strong guard from the city had been brought out and had formed in two lines. As each rebel’s name was called he was marched down between the lines. After about two hours, the roll was completed and the men were marched off towards the boat landing. They travelled down Pennsylvania Avenue past the Willard Hotel. Citizens crowded along the street to see them pass and but the Federal officers would not allow them to make any remarks or insults. Once at the landing, the men boarded the “State of Maine” for their trip to City Point, Virginia. They departed at 2:00 P.M. with over 700 Confederates on board. As they passed Aquia Creek, the men saw billowing black smoke and it was said that the Yankees were burning all their depots and warehouses there before evacuating and falling back.

Two days later, on May 13, 1863, having arrived at City Point, Virginia, late the previous evening, the men aboard the “State of Maine” disembarked and boarding awaiting train cars. The sick and wounded were boarded first. At about noon, just as they arrived in Petersburg, several cars ran off the track. Fortunately, nobody was seriously hurt. The men were marched through town and two miles beyond to the Model farm where the Camp of Paroled Prisoners was located.

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Part 2
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Re: Two captured gg grandfathers
Re: Two captured gg grandfathers
Re: Two captured gg grandfathers
Re: Two captured gg grandfathers
Re: Two captured gg grandfathers
Re: Two captured gg grandfathers
Re: Two captured gg grandfathers
Re: Two captured gg grandfathers