From the Richmond Dispatch, 7/6/1863
Ready for Work. - The military prisoners in Castle Thunder - most of them committed for trivial offenses - have asked and obtained permission from the Commandant at this post, to form a battalion for any emergency. Capt. Alexander has been appointed Major, and is doing all in his power to aid these Southern soldiers in preparing to expel from Southern soil its ruthless invaders. The first company is already armed and ready for the fray - Lieut. Callahan, Adjutant of the post, is hard at work drilling the men, and as they number some three hundred, and are veterans in the service, we may expect good work from them when they face the foe.