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Looking for info for Camp Lawton and Cahaba prison

Discussion in 'Researching Your Civil War Ancestry' started by jmb57, Feb 13, 2012.

  1. jmb57 Private

    Member Since:
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    Does anyone know of a web site where I can find information on Union soldiers held at Camp Lawton?
    I am trying to find out if my G.Grandfather was held there.

    I am also looking for information regarding Cahaba Prison, I have found a web site that show's my G.Grandfather was held there but, I am trying to find when he was sent there, how long he was held there and, any information on his release from there.

    Any advice and / or information will be appreciated.
    Thank you for your time
    Jon
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  3. donna 2nd Lieutenant

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    There is a very good article on Camp Lawton in the Feb. issue of the "United Daughter of the Confederacy" magazine. I belong to UDC and get this magazine. According to article, by Oct. 1864 the first Union prisoners had arrived at Camp Lawtn. There were 10,299 POW's housed there.

    Camp Lawton was actively used for only 6 weeks as the prison was in the path of Sherman's march to the sea. Prisoners were moved to other camps in Soth Carolina and Savannah. Camp Lawton was completely evacuated by early 1865.

    The article states that 500 t0 700 Union soldiers died at Camp Lawton. Most of these were sick from previous imprisonment. The soldiers were originally buried at a short-live Lawton National Cemetery but were transferred to the national Cemetery in Beaufort, N.C. in Feb. 1868.

    If you give me more information on your great grandfather, in particular his name and unit, and maybe I can found out from author of the article if she knows what happened to the records of the prisoners and what prisons they were sent to when they moved them from Camp Lawton. I can get a bibliography on request.
  4. jmb57 Private

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    Donna, thank you.
    His name was John Simon Welsch, he was a Sgt in Co. H, 72nd OVI.
    He was captured 6/11/1864
  5. TerryB 2nd Lieutenant

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  6. 5fish 2nd Lieutenant

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  7. jmb57 Private

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  8. M E Wolf Brig. General, Mod

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    O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVIII/1 [S# 101]
    UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI STATES AND TERRITORIES, FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO MARCH 31, 1865.(*)--#24
    HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF VICKSBURG,
    Vicksburg, Miss., February 23, 1865.
    CoL C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
    Asst. Adjt. Gen., Military Division of West Mississippi:
    COLONEL: I have received to-day from Cahaba prison, Ala., seventy-eight prisoners, mostly citizens, who have been unconditionally released, but there were among them three paroled officers and some soldiers. They report that Hood's entire army has gone to encounter Sherman. They left Cahaba on the 5th instant and have been so long on the way by reason of the bad condition of the railroads. They stated to me one fact that demands some notice. On the train from Meridian to Jackson were six large launches, each having a 12-pounder howitzer and a crew of fifteen men. These boats were brought to Jackson and from there sent up on the road toward Grenada. The prisoners were detained at Jackson three days, and some of them being clad in secesh garb were able to pick up some information from conversations which they heard, and they heard that the boats had been taken to the Yazoo and they inferred that they were to be taken to the Mississippi. To what use these boats are to be applied we are left to conjecture; but that there were such boats and that each had a howitzer on board is certain. It is probable that the design is to capture some of the Mississippi transports. I think that it is a matter of sufficient importance to justify sending up the Yazoo to make inquiry in regard to them. There is no gun-boat here, nor have I any spare troops here, the garrison now only consisting of the heavy artillery and two colored and one white regiment of infantry, and about 250 cavalry. General Knipe is here with about 3,500 cavalry, but I do not understand that he is in any way subject to my orders. I can understand how it may be possible to launch these boats upon the river at night and intercept, board, and capture any unarmed transport. I shall give this information for what it is worth to Major-General Dana and to Captain Bacon, U.S. Navy, commanding this division of the river. It may be that there is no such design as I have indicated, but I cannot imagine any other object, and as caution is the parent of safety there can be no harm in keeping a sharp lookout.
    I am, colonel, your obedient servant,
    C. C. WASHBURN,
    Major-General.
    -----
    O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME VI, Chapter XV [S# 6]
    Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations On The Coasts Of South Carolina, Georgia, And Middle And East Florida From August 21, 1861, To April 11, 1862.
    CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#1
    RICHMOND, September 30, 1861.
    E. P. LAWTON,
    Assistant Adjutant-General, Savannah:
    One thousand small-arms and one rifled 12-pounder were assigned by order issued to the proper ordnance officer for the service of Georgia.
    J.P. BENJAMIN,
    Acting Secretary of War.
    -----
    Abstract from monthly return of the Military District of Savannah, Ga., commanded by Brig. Gen. A. R. Lawton, for September, 1861.
    O Officers. B Aggregate present and absent
    M Men. C Heavy
    P Present for duty D Field
    A Aggregate present E Artillery

    ------P---- ------E-----
    Commands. O M A B C D
    [excerpt]
    Camp Lawton, Savannah 16 242 273 305 .... .... (Savannah, GA)
    [end of excerpt]
    -----------
    SPECIAL ORDERS No. 289.
    ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE,
    Richmond, December 6, 1864.
    * * * * * * * * * *
    X. Brig. Gen. J. D. Imboden, Provisional Army, C. S., is relieved from service in the Valley District, and will report to Brig. Gen. J. H. Winder, at Camp Lawton, near Millen, Ga., for assignment to duty with the prisoners.
    * * * * * * * * * *
    By command of the Secretary of War:
    JNO. WITHERS,
    Assistant Adjutant-General.
    --------------
    O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLIV [S# 92]
    CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA, FROM NOVEMBER 14 TO DECEMBER 31, 1864.--#2

    CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY,
    Savannah, November 21, 1864.
    Major-General McLAWS:
    DEAR SIR: Every car at this time is engaged bringing prisoners from Camp Lawton. The very instant I can command cars I will place a train at No. 13 for Government stores, and I will give directions immediately thereafter to bring down the stores at Millen. Our road is not injured as yet from Gordon down. I received the following from Augusta, from our operator at Gordon, written yesterday:

    The lumber train was captured at Griswoldville and burned to-day. Negroes all safe. Destroyed the machine shops and foundry and Georgia Chemical Works. Road burned at Griswoldville.
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
    R. CUYLER,
    President.
    -----------
    O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME VII [S# 120]
    UNION & CONFED. CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE FROM APRIL 1, 1864, TO DECEMBER 31, 1864.--#34
    CAMP LAWTON, September 18, 1864.
    General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:
    I arrived here yesterday. I shall probably remain during the week; circumstances, I think, will render it advisable for me to be here most of my time. Shall I remove my headquarters to this place? I think next week I shall be able to occupy the stockade. Shall I bring the prisoners from Savannah as well as from Andersonville? Please answer to Millen as soon as possible.
    JNO. H. WINDER,
    Brigadier-General.
    -----
    O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME VII [S# 120]
    UNION & CONFED. CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE FROM APRIL 1, 1864, TO DECEMBER 31, 1864.--#35
    CAMP LAWTON, September 21, 1864.
    General S. COOPER:
    We have been much delayed for want of labor. We will be brought to a standstill if funds are not furnished. We have not one cent and no materials or tools. Please send $250,000 at once to Capt. R. B. Winder, prison quartermaster.
    JNO. H. WINDER,
    Brigadier-General.
    -----
    O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME VII [S# 120]
    UNION & CONFED. CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE FROM APRIL 1, 1864, TO DECEMBER 31, 1864.--#35
    CAMP LAWTON, Near Millen, Ga., September 24, 1864.
    [General S. COOPER :]
    GENERAL: I am still at this post.' I find it necessary to remain and press forward the stockade. I now see that it will be ready by Wednesday next to receive prisoners. I shall leave here to-morrow or next day for Andersonville, to remove my headquarters to this place. I will apprise you of my departure from Andersonville and of my arrival here. I shall, unless otherwise instructed, leave Colonel Gibbs in command at Andersonville with the sick prisoners who are not in a situation to be moved, with a small guard. I have brought to this place eleven guns and shall, unless otherwise instructed, bring the rest of the armament from Andersonville with the artillery company and the force of reserves now there. I shall begin next week to move the prisoners from Savannah to this place. I will forward you a plan of the prison; it is, I presume, the largest prison in the world; it contains forty-two acres. The location is an admirable one and I think does great credit to Capts. W. S. Winder and Vowles for the selection.
    Respectfully, your obedient servant,
    JNO. H. WINDER,
    Brigadier-General.
    -----
    O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME VII [S# 120]
    UNION & CONFED. CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE FROM APRIL 1, 1864, TO DECEMBER 31, 1864.--#43
    HDQRS. C. S. MILITARY PRISONS, GEORGIA AND ALABAMA,
    Camp Lawton, Ga., October 27, 1864.
    General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:
    GENERAL: I have made the following arrangements for the prisons of Georgia and Alabama, and if it meets with your approbation will continue it, viz: Col. George C. Gibbs will command the post at Andersonville, Ga., Camp Sumter; Col. Henry Forno, the post Camp Lawton, and Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, the post at Cahaba, Ala.

    How this latter officer got into command I am not informed, the only information being a letter in which he signs himself as commandant of the post. I think I should be informed when a change is made in the prisons under my control.

    I have had no definite information concerning the prison at Cahaba. I propose to send an officer to inspect and report upon its condition.

    According to the information I now have I deem it advisable to suspend work upon the defenses and push forward the winter accommodations for the troops and prisoners, especially the hospital accommodations.

    I would be glad to be informed if you think it necessary to press forward the defenses, or whether the above arrangements can be safely carried out.
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
    JNO. H. WINDER,
    Brigadier-General.
    --------------
    O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME VII [S# 120]
    UNION & CONFED. CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE FROM APRIL 1, 1864, TO DECEMBER 31, 1864.--#45
    HEADQUARTERS C. S. MILITARY PRISON,
    Camp Lawton, Ga., November 8, 1864.
    COLONEL: In compliance with orders received from headquarters post, bearing date November 8, 1864, I have the honor to make the following report of Federal prisoners received, died, enlisted in Confederate service, detailed at work at post, and the number remaining on hand:
    Number received at this prison (a) 10,229
    Number died 486
    Enlisted in Confederate service 349
    Detailed at work at post 285
    Remaining on hand 9,394

    I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
    D. W. VOWLES,
    Captain, Commanding Prison.
    -----
  9. M E Wolf Brig. General, Mod

    Member Since:
    Feb 9, 2008
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    O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME VIII [S# 121]
    UNION AND CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE FROM JANUARY 1, 1865, TO THE END.--#40
    Abstract from monthly returns of the principal U. S. military prisons.
    [NOTE.--The returns from which this abstract is compiled were furnished to the Commissary-General of Prisoners in compliance with circular of July 7, 1862, for which see Vol. IV, this series, page 152. Prior to the issue of said circular, separate and specific returns of prisoners were not required by the regulations of the War Department. Even during the period covered by this abstract prisoners other than those herein embraced were held in the custody of provost-marshals, incarcerated in civil prisons or treated in hospitals, of whom no returns were rendered. The following tables, therefore, afford only a partial exhibit of the number of prisoners held by the U.S. authorities. For the same reason the deaths and other changes among the prisoners so held are not fully presented. The "sick" and "citizens" under the head of "memoranda" are included in the other columns. Some of the returns used in the compilation do not distinguish between ordinary prisoners of war and citizens held in confinement.]
    [extensive excerpt]
    [NOTE.--With the exception of Andersonville, Ga., there are no regular monthly returns of Confederate prisons on file in the War Department from which an exhibit similar to the foregoing could be prepared for the prisoners held by the Confederate authorities. The returns of Andersonville are published in this series as follows: For June, 1864, Vol. VII, p. 438; July, 1864, ibid., p. 517; August, 1864, ibid., p, 708; October, 1864, ibid., p. 1082; March, 1865, Vol. VIII, p. 459. Such other reports or statements for periods of less than a month as have been found with the Confederate archives are published in their chronological order.
    The principal places for the confinement of Union prisoners held by the Confederate authorities follow:
    Americus, Ga.
    Andersonville (Camp Sumter), Ga.
    Atlanta, Ga.
    Augusta, Ga.
    Blackshear, Ga.
    Cahaba, Ala.
    Camp Ford (Tyler), Tex.
    Camp Groce (near Hempstead), Tex.
    Camp Lawton (Millen), Ga.
    Camp Oglethorpe (Macon), Ga.
    Charleston, S.C.
    Charlotte, N. C.
    Columbia, S. C.
    Danville, Va.
    Florence, S. C.
    Marietta, Va.
    Jetta, Ga.
    Mobile, Ala.
    Montgomery, Ala.
    Petersburg, Va. Raleigh, N. C.
    Richmond (Va.) Prisons--
    Belle Isle.
    Castle Thunder.
    Crew's.
    Grant's Factory.
    Libby.
    Pemberton's.
    Scott's.
    Smith's Factory.
    Salisbury, N. C.
    Savannah, Ga.
    Shreveport, La.
    Tuscaloosa, Ala.
  10. 5fish 2nd Lieutenant

    Member Since:
    Aug 26, 2007
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    Here is a person form Company I, 72nd OVI,.... capture on the same day. It states he was capture near Ripley, MS.. One can figure that was where you relative was capture as well...link

    http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohross/Military Files/72nd_ohio_inf_co_i.htm


    Brenniman, Daniel Pvt 23 Dec 3, 1861 3 yrs
    Captured Jun 11, 1864, near Ripley, MS; mustered out Jun 22, 1865, at Columbus, OH, by order of War Dept; veteran.




  11. 5fish 2nd Lieutenant

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    Here men form the 72 OVI were confronted by Forrest men....near Ripley, MS...so you can claim the fame devil himself Forrest capture you relative...Read the last line the infantry dissolved and soldiers escaped..I wonder if there any details about that...

    link...http://www.mapme.com/nodes/view/92013-June 10, 1864. Brice’s Crossroad



    About this Map
    This map was created by Gilmour7, on 3/6/10. It's a Community map that other people can contribute to...

    June 10, 1864. Brice’s Crossroad

    General S.D. Sturgis led his troops, including the 72nd O.V.I, and made an expedition to help the Union troops fight those of the Confederates during the Civil War. At a place between Ripley and Guntown, General Sturgis and his troops, during their Guntown expedition, which was launched in order to facilitate the movement of Gen. Sherman, fought Brice’s Crossroads battle. On June 9, from his scouts, Forrest had found out the location of Gen. Sturgis’ troops and approached them immediately. On June 10, 1864, General Sturgis and his troops confronted Bedford Forrest’s army at Brice’s Crossroads in Mississippi. Gen. Sturgis ordered his 8,500 soldiers to attack. But, General Sturgis’ troops were exhausted and Forrest’s troops were prepared to attack, both of which leading to a defeat of Gen. Sturgis’ troops. Furthermore, Forrest used better strategies; although Gen. Sturgis’ army overcame the surprise attack, it had to retreat in order to get reorganize, and Forrest did not miss the chance and ordered his troops to attack the Sturgis’ troops during their retreat. Of course, the exhausted Sturgis’ soldiers were defeated when attacked from their back. This loss from the battle against Forrest caused the troops’ morale and motivation to plummet. After Gen. Sturgis and his troops retreated to Ripley, the infantry dissolved and soldiers escaped. (http://www.nps.gov/brcr/index.htm)
    View this Hot Spot on the Map

  12. jmb57 Private

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    Oct 14, 2009
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    5fish, Terry B, and M E Wolf, Thank you for your replies, and sorry it took so long for me to respond to your posts.

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