From the Pittsburgh Gazette, Wednesday July 23, 1862
OUR SOLDIERS IN RICHMOND
We give up all our spare space to-day, to the following
letter, and list of names of Pennsylvania soldiers, prisoners in Richmond,
together with a description of their condition, as to disease and wounds:
WASHINGTON, July 20,
1862.
This letter must be devoted to home matters, and to our
sick and suffering soldiers in Richmond. My surprise was not less than my joy at
meeting our excellent townsman F. R. Brunot at Willard’s yesterday. He was and
is looking finely. God sustains those who are faithful in the service of his
children, through the malaria of the swamp, through the hardships of an
enemy’s country, and an enemy’s prison he has returned stronger in body and
more fervent in hope and zeal. Before proceeding to give the list of wounded and
sick Pennsylvanians now in Richmond, I must relate some of the incidents which I
had from Mr. Brunot and also some of the facts touching his own case. If they
interest your readers as they have me, I shall be well repaid.
The rebel authorities propose to exchange Mr. Brunot for
Laurence Washington, now in prison here, and three of his company to wit:
Messrs. Miller, Wightman, and Smith for a son of Mr. Washington a Mr. Artey and
Rufus King, also in the Old Capitol here. Mr. Brunot was permitted to come
hither to arrange if possible the above exchange. He seems to fear somebody will
think he has come away unmindful of the troubles of his comrades, but no one
would ever suspect him of that. His
final exchange (he is now on parole) is connected with that of the above
gentlemen, and he will see, and his families may rest assured of that, that the
same agencies are put in operation in their as his own case.
Several of his company were quite unwell at Savage’s
Station and at Richmond, but were all well, cheerful and doing well when he left
them. He speaks in the highest terms of the labors and sacrifices of W. H.
Smith, Mr. Oliver Miller, and of all with him, who remained. I ought not,
however, to anticipate his report in this matter which will be made on his
return home.
[Lengthy paragraph describing Rev. J. J. Marks was not
transcribed]
The Pittsburgh Company of which Mr. Brunot was head, sleep
on the floor in the same prison room or hospital room with the wounded. All of
them had blankets except Mr. Bryan who had lost his. When Mr. Brunot left, he
gave Bryan his: Previously he had shared it with him. Their food is a piece of
fresh meat and bread twice a day. Coffee or tea is a thing unknown. A mixture
called coffee sells for 75-cents per pound.
The sanitary and hospital stores taken with the company
were of the greatest advantage: Mr. Brunot thinks the lives even of some persons
were saved by the little wines and soups he was able to use. [Examples not
transcribed]
Capt. Bagaley is at Libby’s warehouse hospital. He lost
his right arm near the shoulder. The amputation was good and he is doing as well
as he can in the place where he is.
Lieut. Col. J. B. Sweitzer, of the 63rd, is in
the officers’ prison, next room to Gens. McCall and Reynolds. He is in perfect
health and so are they. Col. Sweitzer was not wounded at all, nor hurt. He was
taken with others I a thick wood, the body of our forces having fallen back an
hour or so before he was aware of it.
[Lengthy paragraph describing the death of Walter H. Beeson
was not transcribed]
Captain R. R. Means, Brookville, Jefferson county, is in
Libby’s prison; he has a flesh wound in the thigh, and is doing well.
Young Mr. Little, Co. A, 9th Reserves, son of
Wm. Little, Esq., of Pittsburgh, is in the same prison, and is wounded in the
leg above the knee; he is in good spirits and full of hope. Doing well.
Capt. John Cuthbertson, Co. H, 9th Reserves,
wounded in both thighs. He is of New Brighton; carried himself well in the
fight. He is apparently doing very well and was in good spirits. Was taken near
White Oak Swamp.
Jno. R. Black, Anandale, Butler county, slight wound in
thigh; not dangerous and doing well.
Jos. Robertson of Boliver, formerly at Kier’s warehouse,
is at Libby’s prison, and entirely well. He acts as attendant.
Jos. Swank of Fayette county, slight wound and doing well.
Liet. Col. McIntyre, 1st R. C. has his left leg
amputated, and doing well. Lieut. N. Bowman, same regiment, at same prison, not
wounded and in good health; a prisoner.
S. F. Herr, same regiment, buck shot in the thigh.
Robt. Tait, Mt. Jackson, Lawrence county, died at
Savage’s Station. He was a Christian. Asked Mr. Brunot to write to his
friends, saying that he had tried to do his duty; that he trusted in Christ, and
hoped to meet them all in heaven. Mr. Brunot buried his body back of Savage’s
House and placed at its head a board marked with his name and date of death,
etc.
C. Miller, formerly a clerk with Leech & Hutchinson, at
Libby’s; wounded in ankle, but doing well.
J. W. Lawton, citizen, wishes Judge Sterrett to know that
he is well, and has been in Libby’s ever since the 13th of June
prisoner.
Col. Jas. Simpson, Lieut. Col. Hatch, Maj. Birney, 4th
N. Y. and Col. Gallagher, 11th R. C. are in the officer’s prison,
with Col. Sweitzer.
The killed and wounded, of the 11th Reserve
Corps, reach 195; captured, 300.
About 300 of the 4th N. Y., captured, and known
to be killed and wounded 139; 75 are missing.
Lieutenant Wm. Riddle, son of the late R. M. Riddle, is in
the officer’s prison, his head was glanced with a bullet which shaved the
hair. He is well.
Captain J. B. Moore, 57th Pa., at Libby’s sick
but convalescent.
Lieutenant-Colonel Oliphant, of the 8th Reserve
Corps, arrived here last evening. He is totally bereft of hearing. This is a
remarkable case. He is on his way home on furlough. It is believed his hearing
may be restored.
P. A. Johns, of Uniontown, is well and in officer’s
prison.
Passing now to the following lists, I have to state that
with much care they have been made up by me from the original list of Mr. Brunot,
out of which the Pennsylvania soldiers have been selected. Where no wound, or
company or regiment, is mentioned, it is because they are not known. The fact of
the name alone will be some consolation to friends.
VISITOR.
List of
Pennsylvania soldiers at Savage’s Station Hospital, sick or wounded in the
battles beginning on the 29th of June; made up to July 4th:
Click here for image of list.
The following were sick at the hospital near the
Chickahominy, near Meadow Station, on the 3rd of July. The hospital
was under the care of Rev. Dr, J. J. Marks, of Kearney’s Division. [Dr. Marks
is son of the late Senator Marks, and resides at East Liberty:]
Click here for image of list.
List of
Pennsylvania Soldiers in Hawe’s House and Gaines’ Hospital, near Richmond,
from the Battle of 27th June.
Click here for image of list.
List Including
Wounded Pennsylvania Soldiers now in Prison No. 4, Richmond, Va.
Click here for image of list.
Sick or Wounded Prisoners of Pennsylvania Regiments in Libby’s Warehouse
Hospital, July 10, 1862.
Click here for image of list.
LIST OF DEAD.
List of Pennsylvania Soldiers who have died in Prison
Hospital No. 1, Libbey’s Warehouse, Richmond, Va., June 1st to July
10th, 1862:
Click here for image of list.
The mortality in the Libbey Prison was largely on the
increase at the date when the above list was made out.
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