Confederate Prisoner in Libby Prison

[entheogens]

I have a question for this esteemed group. My great-great-great grandfather, Richard Henry Seay, was a soldier in the Virginia 23rd Infantry Company B during the Civil War. That much I have authenticated. I have also authenticated that he was a prisoner during the War. However, I have a written statement from his son claiming that he was held at Libby Prison for 14 months. So that doesn't make sense to me. My understanding is that during the war, Libby Prison, in Richmond, VA, was where the Confederacy held Union prisoners of war. Why would my ancestor have been there? Could he have committed some crime (or even AWOL) and placed there even though he was fighting for the Confederacy? I know that at some point the prison was taken over by the Union and some Confederate soldiers were put there but, according to my unauthenticated sources (family lore!), he was imprisoned soon after Gettysburg (at which he fought). Thanks for any opinions or leads you can provide me.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Welcome to CWT !

Richard H. Seay

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 5/16/1861 at Jetersville, VA as a Private.

On 5/16/1861 he mustered into "B" Co. VA 23rd Infantry
He Re-enlisted on 2/11/1862
(date and method of discharge not given)


He was listed as:
* Furloughed 2/11/1862 (place not stated)
* Absent, sick 9/15/1862 (place not stated)
* Returned 10/15/1862 (place not stated) (Estimated day)
* POW 5/12/1864 Spotsylvania Court House, VA
* Confined 5/16/1864 Belle Plain, VA
* Transferred 5/20/1864 Fort Delaware, DE
* Oath Allegiance 6/7/1865 Fort Delaware, DE (Released)


He was described at enlistment as:
5' 8", sallow complexion, blue eyes, brown hair

Other Information:
born 7/22/1838


(Alive in 1907)

After the War he lived in McKenzie, TN

Source:
- The Virginia Regimental Histories Series

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

In all likelihood he would have been captured at the Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania.

[Also the regiment did fight at Gettysburg so that part of family legend is likely to be true. Specifically they assaulted Culps Hill]

EDIT - Also, Welcome from the UK and from The First Bull Run/ Manassas Forum

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

I have a question for this esteemed group. My great-great-great grandfather, Richard Henry Seay, was a soldier in the Virginia 23rd Infantry Company B during the Civil War. That much I have authenticated. I have also authenticated that he was a prisoner during the War. However, I have a written statement from his son claiming that he was held at Libby Prison for 14 months. So that doesn't make sense to me. My understanding is that during the war, Libby Prison, in Richmond, VA, was where the Confederacy held Union prisoners of war. Why would my ancestor have been there? Could he have committed some crime (or even AWOL) and placed there even though he was fighting for the Confederacy? I know that at some point the prison was taken over by the Union and some Confederate soldiers were put there but, according to my unauthenticated sources (family lore!), he was imprisoned soon after Gettysburg (at which he fought). Thanks for any opinions or leads you can provide me.

Your ancestor lived out his days in Tennessee and applied for a Confederate pension from "The Volunteer State". You can find and download his completed application here : https://www.familysearch.org/en/ all that's required is creating a free account. Meanwhile here's a document from his application to peek your interest ! Hope you'll visit the "searching for your Civil war Ancestor" forum and share your ancestor's story !

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

In all likelihood he would have been captured at the Bloody Angle at Spotsylvania.

[Also the regiment did fight at Gettysburg so that part of family legend is likely to be true. Specifically they assaulted Culps Hill]

EDIT - Also, Welcome from the UK and from The First Bull Run/ Manassas Forum

Great Call !!!

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

Great Call !!!

Just going on where the regiment was unfortunately placed when the big Union assault of that battle came...

 

[entheogens]

Wow! I am really thankful to you all and impressed at the depth of your knowledge and ability to come up with this so often. I will indeed join the Civil War ancestor forum.

 

[John Hartwell]

Dallas Morning News, Dec. 24, 1935

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. Glad members were able to help you with info

 

[entheogens]

Yes, thank you so much. After the war, he lived much of his life in Dickson, TN, but he was a line foreman on the Chattanooga-Nashville-St. Louis Railway. He ended up (somehow) moving to Dallas, TX.

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

For completeness when the newspaper says Manassas that would be Second Manassas/ Bull Run for the 23rd weren't at First Manassas/ Bull Run.

 

[entheogens]

The Virginia Regimental Histories Series

Great news! I can get Thomas Rankin's book on the Virginia 23rd Infantry in this Virginia Regimental Histories Series on inter-library loan (a local college has it). I'm in California, so I'm surprised and delighted by this. Thank's for pointing me toward this source.

 

[ErnieMac]

POW roster copied from Ancestry.com showing R. H. Seay, Company C, 23rd Virginia, on line 1727. There is also an H. L. (Hermon L.) Seay, also of the 23rd Virginia shown on line 1720. Hermon was sent for exchange on February 27, 1865. Numerous records for both men in Fold3.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

I was going to add that Confederate prisoners were held in Libby after April, 1865 although no idea how long any of them were there. Doesn't seen to match up with your ancestor's service record though?

Ever come across the series of photos from Belle Plain, ' The Punch Bowl '? Unless there was another prison at Belle Plain, it's probably where your ancestor was held.

I'm always amazed by how many members here can help with an an ancestor question. I'm not one, it's just cool to watch.