1862-07-23, Pittsburgh Gazette; List of Pennsylvania soldiers in Richmond prisons

From the Pittsburgh Gazette, Wednesday July 23, 1862

OUR SOLDIERS IN RICHMOND

We give up all our spare space to-day, to the following letter, and list of names of Pennsylvania soldiers, prisoners in Richmond, together with a description of their condition, as to disease and wounds:

WASHINGTON, July 20, 1862.

This letter must be devoted to home matters, and to our sick and suffering soldiers in Richmond. My surprise was not less than my joy at meeting our excellent townsman F. R. Brunot at Willard’s yesterday. He was and is looking finely. God sustains those who are faithful in the service of his children, through the malaria of the swamp, through the hardships of an enemy’s country, and an enemy’s prison he has returned stronger in body and more fervent in hope and zeal. Before proceeding to give the list of wounded and sick Pennsylvanians now in Richmond, I must relate some of the incidents which I had from Mr. Brunot and also some of the facts touching his own case. If they interest your readers as they have me, I shall be well repaid.

The rebel authorities propose to exchange Mr. Brunot for Laurence Washington, now in prison here, and three of his company to wit: Messrs. Miller, Wightman, and Smith for a son of Mr. Washington a Mr. Artey and Rufus King, also in the Old Capitol here. Mr. Brunot was permitted to come hither to arrange if possible the above exchange. He seems to fear somebody will think he has come away unmindful of the troubles of his comrades, but no one would ever suspect him of that. His final exchange (he is now on parole) is connected with that of the above gentlemen, and he will see, and his families may rest assured of that, that the same agencies are put in operation in their as his own case.

Several of his company were quite unwell at Savage’s Station and at Richmond, but were all well, cheerful and doing well when he left them. He speaks in the highest terms of the labors and sacrifices of W. H. Smith, Mr. Oliver Miller, and of all with him, who remained. I ought not, however, to anticipate his report in this matter which will be made on his return home.

[Lengthy paragraph describing Rev. J. J. Marks was not transcribed]

The Pittsburgh Company of which Mr. Brunot was head, sleep on the floor in the same prison room or hospital room with the wounded. All of them had blankets except Mr. Bryan who had lost his. When Mr. Brunot left, he gave Bryan his: Previously he had shared it with him. Their food is a piece of fresh meat and bread twice a day. Coffee or tea is a thing unknown. A mixture called coffee sells for 75-cents per pound.

The sanitary and hospital stores taken with the company were of the greatest advantage: Mr. Brunot thinks the lives even of some persons were saved by the little wines and soups he was able to use. [Examples not transcribed]

Capt. Bagaley is at Libby’s warehouse hospital. He lost his right arm near the shoulder. The amputation was good and he is doing as well as he can in the place where he is.

Lieut. Col. J. B. Sweitzer, of the 63rd, is in the officers’ prison, next room to Gens. McCall and Reynolds. He is in perfect health and so are they. Col. Sweitzer was not wounded at all, nor hurt. He was taken with others in a thick wood, the body of our forces having fallen back an hour or so before he was aware of it.

[Lengthy paragraph describing the death of Walter H. Beeson was not transcribed]

Captain R. R. Means, Brookville, Jefferson county, is in Libby’s prison; he has a flesh wound in the thigh, and is doing well.

Young Mr. Little, Co. A, 9th Reserves, son of Wm. Little, Esq., of Pittsburgh, is in the same prison, and is wounded in the leg above the knee; he is in good spirits and full of hope. Doing well.

Capt. John Cuthbertson, Co. H, 9th Reserves, wounded in both thighs. He is of New Brighton; carried himself well in the fight. He is apparently doing very well and was in good spirits. Was taken near White Oak Swamp.

Jno. R. Black, Anandale, Butler county, slight wound in thigh; not dangerous and doing well.

Jos. Robertson of Boliver, formerly at Kier’s warehouse, is at Libby’s prison, and entirely well. He acts as attendant.

Jos. Swank of Fayette county, slight wound and doing well.

Liet. Col. McIntyre, 1st R. C. has his left leg amputated, and doing well. Lieut. N. Bowman, same regiment, at same prison, not wounded and in good health; a prisoner.

S. F. Herr, same regiment, buck shot in the thigh.

Robt. Tait, Mt. Jackson, Lawrence county, died at Savage’s Station. He was a Christian. Asked Mr. Brunot to write to his friends, saying that he had tried to do his duty; that he trusted in Christ, and hoped to meet them all in heaven. Mr. Brunot buried his body back of Savage’s House and placed at its head a board marked with his name and date of death, etc.

C. Miller, formerly a clerk with Leech & Hutchinson, at Libby’s; wounded in ankle, but doing well.

J. W. Lawton, citizen, wishes Judge Sterrett to know that he is well, and has been in Libby’s ever since the 13th of June prisoner.

Col. Jas. Simpson, Lieut. Col. Hatch, Maj. Birney, 4th N. Y. and Col. Gallagher, 11th R. C. are in the officer’s prison, with Col. Sweitzer.

The killed and wounded, of the 11th Reserve Corps, reach 195; captured, 300.

About 300 of the 4th N. Y., captured, and known to be killed and wounded 139; 75 are missing.

Lieutenant Wm. Riddle, son of the late R. M. Riddle, is in the officer’s prison, his head was glanced with a bullet which shaved the hair. He is well.

Captain J. B. Moore, 57th Pa., at Libby’s sick but convalescent.

Lieutenant-Colonel Oliphant, of the 8th Reserve Corps, arrived here last evening. He is totally bereft of hearing. This is a remarkable case. He is on his way home on furlough. It is believed his hearing may be restored.

P. A. Johns, of Uniontown, is well and in officer’s prison.

Passing now to the following lists, I have to state that with much care they have been made up by me from the original list of Mr. Brunot, out of which the Pennsylvania soldiers have been selected. Where no wound, or company or regiment, is mentioned, it is because they are not known. The fact of the name alone will be some consolation to friends.
VISITOR.

List of Pennsylvania soldiers at Savage’s Station Hospital, sick or wounded in the battles beginning on the 29th of June; made up to July 4th:

The following were sick at the hospital near the Chickahominy, near Meadow Station, on the 3rd of July. The hospital was under the care of Rev. Dr, J. J. Marks, of Kearney’s Division. [Dr. Marks is son of the late Senator Marks, and resides at East Liberty:]

List of Pennsylvania Soldiers in Hawe’s House and Gaines’ Hospital, near Richmond, from the Battle of 27th June.

List Including Wounded Pennsylvania Soldiers now in Prison No. 4, Richmond, Va.

Sick or Wounded Prisoners of Pennsylvania Regiments in Libby’s Warehouse Hospital, July 10, 1862.

LIST OF DEAD.

List of Pennsylvania Soldiers who have died in Prison Hospital No. 1, Libbey’s Warehouse, Richmond, Va., June 1st to July 10th, 1862:

The mortality in the Libbey Prison was largely on the increase at the date when the above list was made out.