The following letter was written by 23 year-old Edward P. Rucker of Campbell county who served as a private in Co. A, 11th Virginia Infantry. Edward enlisted in April 1861 and was taken prisoner on 7 February 1864. He was released from the prison at Point Lookout on 17 June 1865 when he took the Oath of Allegiance.
Edward wrote the letter to Virginia Miller of Washington D. C.—a southern sympathizer who aided numerous imprisoned Confederate officers by sending them money to help them through their suffering as prisoners of war. Ms. Miller was the daughter of physician Dr. Thomas Miller who attended several U. S. Presidents up until the time Lincoln was elected. During the war, the family residence was kept under strict surveillance. She even hosted Mrs. Jefferson Davis while her husband was held a prisoner at Fortress Monroe after the war. The letter is only one page in length, which was the limit placed on prisoners for outgoing mail.
Though the author refers to her as his “cousin,” I don’t believe they were actually related. Several other Confederate prisoners also corresponded with Ms. Miller and called her cousin which may have been a means to better assure delivery and justify aid rendered by the Miller family.
In 1900, Virginia Miller wrote an article for the Columbia Historical Society that was entitled, “Dr. Thomas Miller and His Times.” In it she shared her recollections of growing up in the house at 246 F Street (since changed to 1331) in the District of Columbia which she described as a commodious, old-fashioned (built in 1793), three-story, brick house, with a garret and cellar and a large back building, with servants’ quarters, stables, etc., in the rear and a very large garden.” Just prior to the Civil War, Georgia Congressman Robert Toombs lived at 248 F Street but went South when Georgia seceded and it was a boarding house when the wounded Gen. Sickles boarded there after the Battle of Gettysburg. Virginia remembers seeing President Lincoln as a frequent visitor to see Gen. Sickles.
Transcription
Addressed to Miss Virginia J. Miller, 246 F Street, Washington D. C.
Prison Camp Point Lookout May 29th 1865
My dear cousin.
Yours of the 26th inst. came duly to hand a few moments since and I now hasten to reply. I am very much afraid you are becoming perplexed with my stupid epistles; but I do most earnestly assure you that I have been a prisoner so long & in such ill health that I am almost a complete child and I fear that I am loosing mom my mind. I have the most utmost confidence in your ability to get me out. You must excuse me for bothering you as often as I have done as it was so long since I received a letter from you that I came to the conclusion that you did not receive my letters.
The [Grand] Review must have been a very fine sight, more especially when we recollect that it is the forerunner of peace. I have not heard from Mother or Sister since I have been here. I have noticed several passages during our correspondence which forces me to the conclusion that you are the daughter of a Mason & have taken this Master’s daughter & if not, you ought. Write soon and believe me sincerely your cousin, — E. H. Booker
The following letter was written by Canadian-born Benjamin Howe of Acworth, New Hampshire, who enlisted at the age of 24 in August 1862 to serve as a private in Co. E, 5th New Hampshire Infantry. He was transferred from Co. E to Co. H in December 1864 with his promotion to 1st Sergeant. The regiment served under the able leadership of Col. Edward E. Cross until he was cut down at Gettysburg. It sustained such considerable loses (over 1,000 men in killed and wounded) that it was only a shadow of its former self after the Battle of Gettysburg. Those that were left in the regiment were no longer a formidable fighting force and were assigned duty to guard prisoners at Point Lookout, Maryland until they could fill up their ranks once again.
This letter was written from Point Lookout and the rebels who were making the “curiosities” that Benjamin sent home to his friend were Confederate prisoners of war. The “niggers” as Benjamin called them whom he “knocked down” for sport were either contraband or, more likely, US Colored Troops (USCT) who were also on duty at Point Lookout serving as prison guards. Whether military or civilian, the blacks were sorely abused by the white soldiers of both the Union and Confederate armies.
Confederate POW’s laughing at a USCT soldier who accidentally killed his fellow sentry at Point Lookout, Maryland. This scene was one of many sketches made by Confederate POW Jack Omenhausser.
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Addressed to Mr. Edward Warner, Acworth, New Hampshire
Point Lookout, Maryland January 31, 1864
Friend Ed,
I received your letter and was glad to hear that you was well and I am glad to hear that you are having a good time this winter.
Dan is well and just as wild as ever. He is getting to be a first rate bugler and a good fellow as a general thing himself.
You wanted me to send you some curiosities. Well, I have got two rings made and I will send them to you. The rebels made them and they make lots of funny things. If the rings suits you and you want any more curiosities, I will furnish you with pleasure. I will keep an eye out for them and get a good many things. Tell Frank if she would like a fan that the rebs made, I will send her one. They make some of the prettiest that I ever saw and they cut little bibles out of stone and color them and they look real nice, and they make tooth picks and most everything that you could imagine.
Well, Ed, as I am in a hurry, I will come to a halt. As for myself, I am well at present and enjoying myself as well as possible under the circumstances. I get lonesome sometimes and go out of camp and knock down three or four niggers and come back satisfied. Give my best pair of specks [respects] to all enquiring friends and vote Democrat ticket.
If you want any more things, I will have them by the time you will let me know. I have got a rebel 50 cents scrip and it is a genuine one in their country. I will send it to you. Well, Ed, goodbye. Write often and I will answer them promptly and with pleasure.
From your friend, — Corp. Benjamin Howe
Direct to Co. E, 5th New Hampshire Volunteers, Washington D. C.
The following letters were written by Edward Aquila Howard Hall (1844-1917), Co. A, 1st Maryland Cavalry (CSA) to his mother, father, or his sister from June 30, 1864 to Feb. 16, 1865 while a prisoner of war at Point Lookout, Maryland. Edward was the son of Thomas White Hall (1800-1889) and Carolina Ann Howard (1820-1897) of Abingdon, Harford county, Maryland.
Edward Hall, 1st Maryland Cavalry, American Civil War Museum
Hall was captured 27 May 1864 at Pollard’s Farm, Virginia, and was not exchanged until 21 February 1865 at which time he promptly re-entered the Confederate service. He was taken prisoner again at Hanover Court House, Virginia on 13 March 1865. His final poignant letter to his mother before being released from Point Lookout indicates his dedication to duty for the Confederacy, “…my duty calls me & I would be unworthy if I were to hesitate…if it is God’s will that I should fall, I will die happy knowing that I have done my duty.”
Another letter of 1 July 1864 indicates his dedication, “I could not desert the holy cause in which I am engaged.” The content of the letters offer tidbits of information about other members of the First Maryland Cavalry. For example, on 30 June 1864: “J. [John B.] Cary joined our company about a week before I was taken.” On 6 July 1864: “Poor Colonel [Ridgely] Brown was killed 3 days after I was taken.” On 26 August 1864: “I heard that 20 out of my company were captured the other day including the two Lieutenants.” On 3 November 1864: “Have the Hanways heard anything of W[illiam] Hanway yet? I heard he was captured when the army was over in Maryland.”
The letters also speak of having scurvy, mail delivery twice a week, receipt of packages, talk of parole etc. The monotony of prison life rings true in his letter of 6 August 1864: “It goes pretty hard, I tell you, to be cooped up here with no exercise but the little I get by walking about the camp.”
For those unfamiliar with the Point Lookout Prison Camp, it was described as the largest and one of the worst Union prisoner-of-war camps. Established in August 1863, it was located at the extreme tip of St. Mary’s County, on the long, low, and barren peninsula where the Potomac river joins the Chesapeake Bay. A 40-acre site about 1/2 mile northeast of the hospital was selected, and work began on enclosing the area with a 15-foot-high fence, with a gallery along the top of the fence for the guards. The fence also divided the prison into 2 sections, one about 30 acres and the other about 10 acres. The inside of the prison was a flat stretch of sand without any shrubs or trees. The dividing of the prison was to separate the enlisted prisoners from the officer prisoners. All of the prisoners would have tents instead of barracks for their shelter. The camp was only about 5 feet above sea level. By mid-summer 1864, there were over 15,500 prisoners. To read more, see Point Lookout POW Camp.
Point Lookout Prison at right.
Letter 1
Point Lookout [Maryland] June 30th 1864
My Dear Sister,
I received your letter yesterday. Let me know whether the letters sent to me with money in were sent by express or not & whether any was sent in either box or not. I would like very much to have a parole of about sixty days or so. I should think that some of you could get a permit to come and see me. You say that you are staying with Minnie. How do I know who Minnie is? J. Cary joined our company about a week before I was taken. I have been a little unwell the last few days but feel much better today. Love to Father, Mother, Uncle G., and the rest, & to Uncle John & Aunt Ann, & thank him for the money sent me. I will write him and thank him myself as soon as I get his letter. I remain your affectionate brother, — Ed. H. Hall
(P. S. I just received the letters with money.)
Letter 2
A sketch drawn by prisoner at Point Lookout, New York Historical Society
Point Lookout, [Maryland] July 1st 1864
My Dear Father,
I received your welcome letter with five dollars enclosed as well as Uncle George’s yesterday. I hope that you may be able to get a permit to come & see me. I would love above all things to be at home to attend to things for you, & feel that my services are required there, but I could not desert the Holy cause in which I am engaged. The time passes very slowly in here indeed. Please give my love to Mr. Brand & thank him for the bible sent me last winter. I received the gold sent me by Uncle George. All the oys from the neighborhood were well when I saw them last & there are none here that you know. Give my love to Mother, Uncle G., and all the rest, & believe me as ever your affectionate son, — Edward H. Hall
I wrote to Uncle John today.
Letter 3
Point Lookout [Maryland] July 6th 1864
My dear Sister,
I received your letter yesterday evening. I wrote to Miss Rachel yesterday. All of the money letters sent to me have been received & I answered Uncle John’s letter immediately. Let me know whether he received it or not. I would like to have another box soon now. If I can get my profile struck, I will send it to you. Tell Mrs. Cary that Johnny joined my company & was quite well when I last saw him. I suppose that most of the servants have left by this time. Poor Colonel Brown was killed 3 days after I was taken. 1 Love to Father, Mother, Uncle G., and tell Pattie that I look for a letter from her next. Direct hereafter to Co. C, 4th Division, as I got a transfer. Love to Willie & tell him to be sure and write to me. I remain as ever your affectionate brother, — Edward
1 On 1 June 1864, the 1st Maryland fought a six hour struggle to defend the South Anna Bridge, during which Colonel Ridgely Brown was killed.
Letter 4
Point Lookout, [Maryland] July 15th 1864
My dearest Mother,
It has been several days since I received a letter from you. I suppose the communications have been interrupted. I mentioned in my last letters that I would like to have another box of eatables pretty soon. I wrote to Uncle George yesterday and have written to Miss Rachel, & Uncle Aquilla. I suppose they have received them ere this. I suppose that Father & Sister Agnes have started for Bedford by this time. Let me know whether Uncle John received my letter acknowledging the receipt of the money send me. Please send me some smoked fish in the box. Much love to Father, Uncle G., and all the rest & believe me as ever your affectionate son, — Edward H. Hall
Letter 5
Point Lookout [Maryland] July 29th 1864
My dear Mother,
I received Pattie’s letter last Saturday which I answered on Monday. I am in hopes that I will get my box tomorrow as I am much in need of the eatables. There is only two mails a week now & it makes a good deal of difference in sending and receiving letters. Let me know whether Uncle G. & A. received my letters or not. I hope that Nannie is much better by this time. I wrote to Uncle J. the first part of this week. I suppose that you have plenty of fruit now—especially peaches. Gove my love to Father, Uncle G., and all the rest. I remain as ever, your affectionate son, — Edward H. Hall
Letter 6
Point Lookout [Maryland] August 6th 1864
My dear Mother,
It has been over a week since I received a letter from home & I have been very uneasy indeed, for fear that something has happened to prevent your writing or else the letter has miscarried. I hope that Carrie & Thom. have gotten well by this time. I have been right sick for the last three days but feel all right today. It goes pretty hard, I tell you, to be cooped up here with no exercise except the little I get by walking about the camp. I have been used to such exercise going night and day, & now be compelled to waste away so much time in a place like this. But I think they will trade a few away like they did last winter even if they do not expect a regular exchange. Love to Father, Uncle G., and all the rest. I remain your affectionate son, — Edward
Letter 7
Point Lookout [Maryland] August 8th 1864
My dear Mother,
I have not received a letter from any of you since the 28th of last month & I have been very uneasy for fear that you were sick or it would not have been so long. But perhaps they were lost or destroyed? Did Uncle John get the last letter I wrote him. It was written about the 15th of last month. I wrote to you Saturday & would have written before but was expecting a letter & thought I would wait. I hope that Thom and Carrie are well & there are no more cases of dypyheria in the family. Best love to Father, Uncle G., and all the rest and believe me as ever your affectionate son, — Edward
Letter 8
Point Lookout [Maryland] August 15th 1864
My dear Sister,
No picture of “Poor little Carrie” could be found; she would have been seven when she died.
I received your letter a few days ago. Poor little Carrie—just to think it has been four years since I last saw her, and then she was such a little thing. I suppose that you have no likeness of her. 1
I think it quite probable that we will have an exchange before winter now. The weather is extremely hot now & I have suffered from the heat a good deal. Please send me some vegetables such as cabbage, potatoes, and onions, when you sends me a box. But do not put yourself to any inconvenience about it. I expect you have had so much trouble & nursing lately that you are nearly broken down. Love to Father, Mother, Uncle G., and all the rest, & believe me as ever your affectionate brother, — Edward H. Hall
Send some stamps.
1 Carrie Howard Hall (1856-1864) died on 4 August 1864.
Letter 9
Point Lookout, [Maryland] August 18th 1864
My dear Mother,
I received your letter of the 13th & Minnie’s of the 15th yesterday. I am very glad to hear that Tom has gotten better. You can send me a box as soon as it is convenient now as we are out some vegetables & a good shoulder, or middling. If you have not sent the box yet, send a pair of No 7.5 shoes as my old ones are worn out. I will have my photograph taken soon as I get money enough. I wrote o Agnes. I suppose she has received it ere this. I can get 12 taken for 4 dollars. It has gotten much cooler now & it is quite pleasant. Love to Father, Uncle G., and all the rest. I remain as ever your affectionate son, — Edward
Letter 10
Point Lookout [Maryland] August 26th 1864
My dear Mother,
I received your letter & Etta’s yesterday. I suppose you have received a letter before this acknowledging the receipt of the box & jacket. I got everything that was sent & the “sugar.” I try and make myself as easy as possible here. It does no good fretting. I suppose we will be exchanged some of these days. I heard that 20 out of my company were captured the other day including 2 lieutenants. I have no news to tell as I can’t write what I would [like] to but I suppose that it is a pleasure to know that I am well. I will let you know if they make any arrangements about letting us receive boxes again. Love to Father, Uncle G., and all the rest. I remain as ever your affectionate son, — Edward
Letter 11
Prison Scenes from Point Lookout, New York Historical Society
Point Lookout [Maryland} September 1st 1864
My dear Mother,
I received your welcome letter yesterday. I can’t get a permit here to get a pair of shoes, so you need not trouble yourself about them yet. I will write to you when to send them. We are allowed to receive money yet, but everything is so high that it does very little good. I have never received a letter since I got the money from Uncle John & suppose if he wrote it, was stopped. I got Howard’s likeness & think it was very good. Looked like Tom used to. Tell Nancy that she need not to write to me anymore as we are only allowed to receive letters from our nearest relatives. Love to Father, Uncle George, & all the rest. I remain as ever your affectionate son, — Edward
They are must stricter than they used to be.
Letter 12
Point Lookout, [Maryland] October 18th 1864
My dear Mother,
Your letter of the 12th with fifty cents and six stamps enclosed reached me yesterday. I was very glad Miss H. R. received my letter. I have not hear from Minnie since I received my things. I do not know Bob Fall’s company or whether he is here. My teeth are not in a very good condition although I am very careful with them. I had one pulled the other day. The water sure blacks them so & I had no chance of getting them attended to down South. I think I have been very fortunate in keeping my health since here & ought to be thankful as a good many healthy ones have died in the same time. Love to all. as ever your affectionate son, — Edward
Letter 13
Point Lookout, [Maryland] November 3rd 1864
My dear Mother,
It has been 3 weeks since I received a letter from you. One from Hen last week. I have written to you twice a week. It is raining a little now & quite disagreeable. I have been trying to get a blank for a permit but have not been able to get one yet. Have the Hanways heard anything of W[illiam] Hanway yet? I heard he was captured when the army was over in Maryland. I have never heard anything of Bob Falls yet. How long has it been since Aunt Hen. has been on friendly terms or don’t she visit you yet? Best love to Father, Uncle George, & all the rest. As ever your affectionate son, — Edward
Letter 14
Point Lookout [Maryland] November 21, 1864
My dear Mother,
I received your letter of the 14th today with 50 cents & six stamps enclosed. I got the two dollars sent and received a letter from Uncle John with five dollars enclosed yesterday. The weather is very disagreeable. Been raining for a week. The sutler is not selling any eatables now but I hope will commence soon. I sent a permit to you for some little articles & suppose you have received it ere this. I intend trying to get one for some diet from the Dr. as I have the scurvy. Otherwise my health is pretty good. I intend getting my likeness taken this week & send you. Best love to Father, Uncle George, and all the rest. as ever your affectionate son, — Edward H. Hall
Letter 15
Point Lookout [Maryland] February 15th 1865
My dearest Mother,
I have been called out & expect to be paroled soon now, to go South. May leave in a day or two. I will miss your letters very much. How I wish I could be with you but my duty calls me & I would be unworthy if I were to hesitate. I hope that there will soon be peace so that I can return to all those I love so dearly, but if it is God’s will that I should fall I will die happy knowing that I have done my duty, but I trust that I may survive this war, & be a comfort to you yet. I will write to Father & Uncle George before I leave. I received the box of eatables today. I can’t find out anything about the tools. Philips received his box this morning. He is going off with me. Best love to Father, Uncle George, Uncle John, Aunt Ann, Uncle Aquilla, & all the rest of my relations. As ever, your fond son, — Edward H. Hall
Spared & Shared 23 