From the Richmond Dispatch, 3/21/1888, p. 1, c. 5
LIBBY PRISON RECORDS.
A Book that Will Interest Not a Few Who Wore the Blue in Richmond.
The Boston Globe publishes the following: Having lately noticed in your city papers that offers are being made for the “Old Libby Prison,” situated at Richmond, Va., I beg leave to state that I have lately come across the “Prison Record,” with full list of prisoners’ names autograph signatures of Unites States officers confined, manuscript, poems, and other interesting mementoes, including songs of prisoners, etc. – the record being complete up to the month of March, 1862.
On page 283, near the close, are appended these words, in the neat handwriting of one of the prisoners:
“It is the earnest desire of the undersigned that they may be able to meet the owner of this book under more auspicious circumstances, and reciprocate the many little acts of kindness that have been shown them during their confinement in Richmond, Va., as prisoners of war.”
The list of autograph signatures is headed by the name, in bold and handsome calligraphy, of Alfred Ely, M. C., Rochester, N. Y., followed by the names of A. M. Wood, colonel Fourteenths regiment N. Y. S. M.; M. Cogswell, colonel Tammany regiment and captain Eighth United States infantry, and 10 pages, 8 vo. Of autograph-signatures, closing with Robert Campbell, first lieutenant Company H, Seventy-ninth regiment N. Y. S. M.
In short, the record contains an alphabetical roster of the prisoners confined in the Libby Prison during the time above specified, giving the rank, company, regiment, State, and disposition of the same.
Any one desiring further particulars concerning the above-named relic may be gratified by communicating with the undersigned.
NATHAN FELLOWS.
Crawford, Miss.