The Rebel Prisoners At Hart's Island: My 2nd Great-grandfather Was Among Them

Joined
Dec 31, 2010
Location
Kingsport, Tennessee
From the NY Times, June 2, 1865. My 2nd great-grandfather took the Oath of Allegiance on June 19, and was furnished rail transportation back to North Carolina on the 20th, probably traveled as far as Wilkesboro. His home was in the "Brushy Mountains" in Wilkes County.

http://www.nytimes.com/1865/06/02/news/the-rebel-prisoners-at-hart-s-island.html

http://www.pddoc.com/skedaddle/052b/rev_robert_lowry.htm

The Union Chaplin that preached to them:

Robert Lowry

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 7/1/1862 as a Chaplain.

On 7/1/1862 he was commissioned into
US Volunteers Hospl Chaplains
He was Mustered Out on 8/1/1866


Other Information:
born in New York

The Union General Mentioned:

Wessells, Henry W., brigadier general, was born in
Litchfield, Conn., Feb. 20, 1809. After he was graduated at
West Point in 1833 he took part in the Seminole war of 1837-40,
first as a second lieutenant of infantry and then as first
lieutenant, being promoted on July 7, 1838. In Gen. Scott's
Mexican campaign he was promoted captain and received the
brevet of major for gallantry at Contreras and Churubusco. In
the former contest Capt. Wessells, though wounded, seized the
regimental flag on the death of the color-sergeant and put
himself at the head of his men. On his return from the war the
state of Connecticut voted him a jeweled sword, which was
presented to him with military ceremonies. Capt. Wessells was
on the Pacific coast in 1849-54, and was in the Sioux
expedition of 1855, after which he served in the Northwest till
the Civil war. On June 6, 1861, he was promoted major, and on
Aug. 22 of that year he received the colonelcy of the 8th Kan.
infantry. After serving on the Missouri border he resumed his
commission in the regular army Feb. 15, 1862, and in March was
transferred to the Army of the Potomac. He was made a
brigadier-general of volunteers April 25 and served in the
Peninsula, receiving the regular army brevet of lieutenant-
colonel for gallantry at Fair Oaks, where he was wounded. In
McClellan's change of base he commanded the rear-guard, and
then engaged in the defense of Suffolk, Va., afterward serving
in North Carolina. After serving at Kinston, Goldsboro, and
New Berne, he was placed over the sub-district of the
Albemarle, taking command May 3, 1863. On April 17, 1864, he
was attacked at Plymouth, N. C., where he had a garrison of
about 3,000 men, by Gen. Robert F. Hoke with about 15,000
Confederate troops and the iron-clad "Albemarle." After a
gallant defense which lasted three days Gen. Wessells
surrendered the town. He was taken to Libby prison, whence he
was transferred successively to Danville, Macon and Charleston.
At the last-named place he was one of the officers that were
placed under the fire of the Union batteries on Morris island.
On Aug. 3, 1864, he was exchanged, and on Nov. 11 he became
commissary of prisoners, which post he held until the close of
the war. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel Feb. 16, 1865, and
brevetted colonel to date from April 20, 1864, "for gallant and
meritorious services during the rebel attack on Plymouth, N.
C." On March 13 he was given the regular army brevet of
brigadier-general. He then served on the northwestern frontier
till Jan. 1, 1871, when he was retired. After that time he
resided in his native place, but at the time of his death he
was on a visit to Delaware. Gen. Wessells died in Dover, Del.,
Jan. 12, 1889.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 8


P627.gif
 
The common expression in their letters as to their condition was that “we have everything we need, and could not he better off.”

The quote is from Lowry's statement. The NY Times article says prisoners spent time in their "...comfortable barracks or outside, or walking around the ground, many are constantly reading these (books supplied). They hope soon to be sent home. The hospital is located in a fine airy position outside the camp."

I really don't want to start a row here, but prisoner death rates at Hart's Island were high. It wasn't a stay at the Marriott New York by any means.
 
The quote is from Lowry's statement. The NY Times article says prisoners spent time in their "...comfortable barracks or outside, or walking around the ground, many are constantly reading these (books supplied). They hope soon to be sent home. The hospital is located in a fine airy position outside the camp."

I really don't want to start a row here, but prisoner death rates at Hart's Island were high. It wasn't a stay at the Marriott New York by any means.
Same can be said of a lot of camps, North and South. I doubt any of them were pleasant.
 
The quote is from Lowry's statement. The NY Times article says prisoners spent time in their "...comfortable barracks or outside, or walking around the ground, many are constantly reading these (books supplied). They hope soon to be sent home. The hospital is located in a fine airy position outside the camp."

I really don't want to start a row here, but prisoner death rates at Hart's Island were high. It wasn't a stay at the Marriott New York by any means.

Quotes by prisoners at Hart's Island:

Prisoner H.C. Murphy, 3rd NC. Light Artillery: " "A few days after Lincoln was assassinated, there was talk of retaliating on us and I thought we would be shot..We were no longer allowed to collect in groups and the guards had orders to shoot if they found as many as three talking together".

Prisoner J.S. Kimbrough 14th Georgia Infantry also recalled that Hart's Island guards were instructed to fire into the crowd if there was any "demonstration of approval or rejoicing among the POWs over Lincoln's death."

From: "Portals To Hell" by Lonnie R. Speer, page 288.
 
Last edited:
Confederate soldier Julius Howell was recorded at around age 100, remembering the news that Lincoln was shot. He was a prisoner at Point Lookout, MD, and if I remember right, he said the news confused everyone. They didn't understand why. He mentioned no rejoicing or anything like that. I'll have to find it, maybe in the Library of Congress.
 
Confederate soldier Julius Howell was recorded at around age 100, remembering the news that Lincoln was shot. He was a prisoner at Point Lookout, MD, and if I remember right, he said the news confused everyone. They didn't understand why. He mentioned no rejoicing or anything like that. I'll have to find it, maybe in the Library of Congress.

I believe it's on you tube ? Seems he said he woke up early one morning and saw the flag at half-staff. He awoke some of the other prisoners and said "Boys, there's some big Yankee dead."
 
Confederate soldier Julius Howell was recorded at around age 100, remembering the news that Lincoln was shot. He was a prisoner at Point Lookout, MD, and if I remember right, he said the news confused everyone. They didn't understand why. He mentioned no rejoicing or anything like that. I'll have to find it, maybe in the Library of Congress.
My Great Uncle died there of typhoid shortly before the end of the war.
 
Look, could you spare us the links to Southern apologist sites? It was 150 years ago; we come on here to talk about the battles, not refight them. The South was wrong to start the whole mess in the first place; if they had a hard time in a prison camp, they brought it on themselves.

If anything I post offends you, simply ignore it ! I had relatives on both sides. I'm not here to re-fight anything !
 
If anything I post offends you, simply ignore it ! I had relatives on both sides. I'm not here to re-fight anything !
I'm not offended; simply tired of wannabe rebels looking to defend the indefensible. Nothings more annoying than a group of people who carry on about the war for "Southern Independence" when its established fact that the South was responsible for the whole mess. You are of course free to believe what you will; I was simply requesting the conversation not be tarnished with league if the south type garbage. Post whatever you want.
 
I don't have a lot, I'm still working on the 52nd Indiana of which, unfortunately there is precious little. So much to learn, so little time!

My 2nd great grandfather was in the 13th NC Infantry, Scales Brigade. He was also captured April 2nd at the Battle of Sutherland Station. Hope this helps in your research:

http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924092908536#page/n653/mode/2up

http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924092908544#page/n223/mode/2up

http://www.archive.org/stream/historiesofsever03clar#page/n269/mode/2up

Martin Loftin

Residence Mecklenburg County NC;
Enlisted on 10/1/1864 at Camp Holmes, Raleigh, NC as a Private.

On 10/1/1864 he mustered into "E" Co. NC 11th Infantry
He died of disease as POW on 2/12/1865 at Point Lookout, MD
(Typhoid)


He was listed as:
* POW 10/27/1864 Burgess' Mill, VA
* Confined 10/31/1864 Point Lookout, MD


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com
...............................................................................................................

Langdon A. Loftin

Residence Lincoln County NC; a 36 year-old Farmer.

Enlisted on 3/25/1862 as a Private.



On 4/28/1862 he mustered into "H" Co. NC 52nd Infantry
He was discharged for overage on 5/28/1862


He also had service in:
"B" Co. NC 23rd Infantry


Other Information:
born in Lincoln County, NC


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com

...........................................................................................................
Langdon A. Loftin

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 11/1/1864 as a Private.



On 11/1/1864 he mustered into "B" Co. NC 23rd Infantry
(date and method of discharge not given)


He also had service in:
"H" Co. NC 52nd Infantry
..........................................................................................

Marcus Lafayette Loftin

Residence Lincoln County NC; a 30 year-old Farmer.

Enlisted on 3/25/1862 at Lincoln County, NC as a Corporal.

On 4/28/1862 he mustered into "H" Co. NC 52nd Infantry
(date and method of discharge not given)


He was listed as:
* POW 7/14/1863 Falling Waters, MD
* Transferred 7/14/1863 Baltimore, MD
* Transferred 8/16/1863 Point Lookout, MD
* Paroled 4/27/1864 Point Lookout, MD
* Exchanged 4/30/1864 City Point, VA
* Returned 7/15/1864 (place not stated) (Estimated day)
* POW 4/2/1865 Sutherland's Station, VA
* Confined 4/4/1865 Point Lookout, MD
* Oath of Allegiance 6/28/1865 Point Lookout, MD


Promotions:
* Sergt 7/15/1862 (Estimated day)


Other Information:
born in Lincoln County, NC


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com
 
My 2nd great grandfather was in the 13th NC Infantry, Scales Brigade. He was also captured April 2nd at the Battle of Sutherland Station. Hope this helps in your research:

http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924092908536#page/n653/mode/2up

http://www.archive.org/stream/cu31924092908544#page/n223/mode/2up

http://www.archive.org/stream/historiesofsever03clar#page/n269/mode/2up

Martin Loftin

Residence Mecklenburg County NC;
Enlisted on 10/1/1864 at Camp Holmes, Raleigh, NC as a Private.

On 10/1/1864 he mustered into "E" Co. NC 11th Infantry
He died of disease as POW on 2/12/1865 at Point Lookout, MD
(Typhoid)


He was listed as:
* POW 10/27/1864 Burgess' Mill, VA
* Confined 10/31/1864 Point Lookout, MD


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com
...............................................................................................................

Langdon A. Loftin

Residence Lincoln County NC; a 36 year-old Farmer.

Enlisted on 3/25/1862 as a Private.



On 4/28/1862 he mustered into "H" Co. NC 52nd Infantry
He was discharged for overage on 5/28/1862


He also had service in:
"B" Co. NC 23rd Infantry


Other Information:
born in Lincoln County, NC


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com

...........................................................................................................
Langdon A. Loftin

Residence was not listed;
Enlisted on 11/1/1864 as a Private.



On 11/1/1864 he mustered into "B" Co. NC 23rd Infantry
(date and method of discharge not given)


He also had service in:
"H" Co. NC 52nd Infantry
..........................................................................................

Marcus Lafayette Loftin

Residence Lincoln County NC; a 30 year-old Farmer.

Enlisted on 3/25/1862 at Lincoln County, NC as a Corporal.

On 4/28/1862 he mustered into "H" Co. NC 52nd Infantry
(date and method of discharge not given)


He was listed as:
* POW 7/14/1863 Falling Waters, MD
* Transferred 7/14/1863 Baltimore, MD
* Transferred 8/16/1863 Point Lookout, MD
* Paroled 4/27/1864 Point Lookout, MD
* Exchanged 4/30/1864 City Point, VA
* Returned 7/15/1864 (place not stated) (Estimated day)
* POW 4/2/1865 Sutherland's Station, VA
* Confined 4/4/1865 Point Lookout, MD
* Oath of Allegiance 6/28/1865 Point Lookout, MD


Promotions:
* Sergt 7/15/1862 (Estimated day)


Other Information:
born in Lincoln County, NC


Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:

- North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster
(c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com
My! Thanks a heap for all of that! Really appreciate your thorough research efforts. Now I've REALLY got a major job ahead of me. A glass of wine with you! :smile:
 
My GGGrandfather, George Washington Litton was incarcerated at Harts Island shortly after his capture at Dinwiddie Court House on April 1, 1865 and died there in May due to Typhoid. He is buried at Cypress Hills National Cemetery.
Regards
David
 
Back
Top