CIVIL War Libby Prison Richmond Virginia Occupation Commander Letter 1865

Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia was the Prison Camp that held Union Officers most of the War, as well as some enlisted men and became infamous in the last years of the War due to overcrowding and food shortages. On April 3, 1865 the Union Army liberated the POWs and former Confederate officers were imprisoned there until January, 1866. An Original Civil War Letter from Captain JM Schoonmaker at Depot of Distribution, Libby Prison Richmond, Virginia, June 24, 1865 as Captain, Commanding the Prison, to Captain E. A Minnich as Provost Marshal Cavalry Division, forwarding Privates John Powers and Simon Keiho, both of the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry back to their regiment. Comes w service info for Captain Edward A Minnich who served with the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry. The only reference of Captain Schoonmaker to the War appears in The Richmond Examiner issue for January 17, 1866 reporting Captain Schoonmaker the former commander of the Military Prison is replaced by Lieutenant Hinton, 12 US Infantry. Comes w service info- Privates Simon Kehoe and John Powers both enlisted in 1864 with the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry in the Florida & Virginia Campaigns of 1864, both members of Company G. The 1p 8 x 11 Letter in black ink on lined gray heavy paper stock has age stains, smears, folds, but Overall VG. This is the only such Libby Prison Occupation Letter I have seen. General Orders and other imprints. All items are unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic and in the condition as described.

I have been a longtime member of the Company of Military Historians, the New England Antique Arms Association, the Ephemera Society of America & the Civil War Veterans Historical Assn. I SELL ONLY ORIGINAL ITEMS. PLEASE READ DETAILS OF THE ITEM DESCRIPTION. I TRY TO DESCRIBE ALL ITEMS ACCURATELY.

---