From the Richmond Enquirer, 8/6/1862, p. 1, c. 7
THE MILITARY DISTRICT.
– A radius of ten miles describes this district. Brigadier General Winder holds
the general commanding position. Major E. Griswold is Provost Marshal, the next
officer in command of the conduct of the district. Subordinate to the latter are
Assistant Provost Marshals Alexander and Booker. The office of Gen. Winder is on
Main street, south side, near the corner of 9th street, where he
adjudicates a vast number of cases, and issues orders concerning the disposition
of prisoners. Major Griswold’s office is on the corner of 9th and
Broad. – Here passports are issued to soldiers and citizens, and all sorts of
local cases are either adjudicated or handed over to the local authorities.
Captain Alexander’s office is a few steps above 15th street, on
Franklin. – Captain A. has charge of “Castle Godwin,” and directs a body of
special police, who have proven very efficient in their exertions. Lieut. R. M.
Booker, of Hampton, Va., has charge of “Castle
Grizzly,” (named in compliment of a distinguished barrister of Richmond,) and
his duties are similar to those of Capt. Alexander. – This “Castle” is situated
on the corner of 6th and Cary streets. Both of these gentlemen are
energetic and vigilant, and have never yet suffered a prisoner to escape from
their custody without being afterwards arrested, and both in prison discipline
and hygiene are without reproach, especially when we consider the circumstances
under which they labor.
There are now in Castle
Godwin about two hundred prisoners, consisting of military offenders of various
characters. In Castle Grizzly, there are about one hundred. Independently of the
regular prisoners, each establishment is required to sustain a number of
houseless unfortunates dismissed from their hospitals, and with no money and no
friends to take them away. In many instances, this class has proven too weak to
undergo the privations and diet of the prison, become sick again and are
returned to the hospitals. We would direct the attention of the Head of the
District to this simple item.
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last updated on
07/24/2009
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