Capitol Square
Information about Capitol Square in Richmond, VA, during the Civil War.

 Written Accounts

1866-02-23, Richmond Examiner; “a number of negro boys” attacked with stones by white youths on Capitol Square. Freedmen’s Bureaus stops it and arrests culprits
1866-02-23, Richmond Examiner; description of the muted celebration of Washington’s birthday on Capitol Square. Mentions salutes being fired at Camp Winder. Brief description of celebrations among the “negro population.”
1866-04, The Cosmopolite, “Reminiscences of A Southern Hospital. By Its Matron.” Part 4
1866, Trowbridge, John T., The South...; account of the author's travels to Richmond and the adjoining battlefields. Good material on Belle Isle, Brown's Island, Libby Prison, battlefields near the city, Camp Lee
1867-07-13, Richmond Dispatch; “big meetings” of “Colored Republicans” at Capitol Square, Ebenezer Church, and Chimborazo
1867-08-10, Southern Opinion; description of Belle Isle as a prison camp – notes on the cemetery, the origins of the prison,the current state of the island
1867-11-23, Southern Opinion; “Castle Thunder in Bellum Days;” gives an outstanding account of Castle Thunder, prominent prisoners (including Mary Walker) and its’ staff (including physical descriptions); mentions Oakwood Cemetery, Castle Godwin
1867-11-30, Charleston (S. C.) Daily News; John Minor Botts, Franklin Stearns and Governor Pierpoint have been requested to call a State Convention of white Republicans due to the intimidation of black voters by Conservatives.
1871-04-25, Richmond Dispatch; long recommendation for Chimborazo to be made into a park. Details as to current ownership, its present use as a Freedmen’s camp, and pre-war use as a “common”
1874-11-10, Richmond Dispatch; City Council debates Chimborazo as a park and eventually appropriates $35,000 for its purchase

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