Historic Fort Norfolk Logo

John H. Winder letter September 7, 1863

HEADQARTERS DEPARTMENT OF HENRICO,
Richmond, September 7, 1863.
Col. A. D. Streight, U. S. Army, Present:
Colonel: A reply to your communication of August 31, 1863, to the honorable Secretary of War, Confederate States of America, has been withheld for the remarks of Robert Ould, esq., commissioner of exchange.
Your statement has been submitted to Mr. Ould, and I herewith inclose his reply. In addition to the facts stated by Mr. Ould we have official information of cruel treatment of Confederate prisoners confined at Fort Delaware and Point Lookout that surpasses in enormity the horrible outrages detailed by him. At the first-named post Confederate prisoners are prevented from receiving either supplies or money from their friends. At the latter place our prisoners are required to perform hard labor, and in case of refusal are tied up by the thumbs and other wise cruelly treated. These known facts, corroborated as they are by those set forth in the inclosed printed statement taken from your own printed papers, cannot fail to convince you that a system of treatment has been inaugurated by the United States Government to Confederate prisoners infinitely worse, more inhuman, uncivilized, and barbarous than any to which you and the officers confined with you have been subjected.
With reference to the seizure of moneys found upon your person, permit me to call your attention to my letter upon that subject, bearing date June 10, 1863, wherein the following language is used:
Your own Government has, in orders published to the world, declared that any unusual quantity of money found on the person of those captured should be considered as public property, and as such should be taken possession of for the use of the United States.
This rule applies to your case, and under it the money found in your possession will be turned over to the Confederate States as public property. Your communication to General Forrest has been communicated to him, but no answer has been received, and I see no reason at present to change my views as above expressed.
Relative to the charge contained in your communication of the rations furnished you "being insufficient to sustain life," &c, I would state that the question is now under examination, and any misapplication of your rations or mismanagement in the manner in which they are furnished will be corrected.
Very respectfully,
JNO. H. WINDER,
Brigadier-General.
[Inclosnre.]
Richmond, Va., September 3, 1863.
Brig. Gen. John H. Winder:
Sir: As to 'Colonel Streight's complaint about want of room, I beg to state that full and satisfactory evidence was presented to me that as many as fifteen of our officers were confined at Fort Norfolk in a room about fifteen feet square, with no window, but only a simple slit in the wall; that they were not allowed to go out of that room at all, but were compelled to perform the operations of nature there in a tub, which was only removed once in twenty-four hours. Scarcely a day passes that I do not receive accounts of inhumanity and barbarity practiced upon our prisoners at the North, and especially at Fort Delaware and Point Lookout. At the latter place they are compelled to perform all kinds of work, and if they refuse they are mercilessly punished. I saw a man a few days ago who had received brutal punishment for refusing to work. Our officers and citizens are often compelled to do regularly the most disgusting and filthy labor, such as cleaning prison ships, privies, &c. A ball and chain for them is a common thing. I have also received many complaints as to the quantity and quality of provisions furnished to our men. It is a very common thing to take away their money and never return it; in some instances they take away good money and return counterfeit.
No man is more opposed to the harsh treatment of prisoners than I am. I think it very questionable if retaliation should ever be allowed to take that form.
Although our own people have been subjected to the indignities and outrages I have named, I am opposed to overcrowding or semi-starving the men who have invaded our land for the purpose of subjugation. I think that Colonel Straight must have exaggerated the matter very much. Even if he has not, we have more than a precedent in the treatment of our prisoners by our enemies. I have no doubt you will make due inquiry into the subject and correct any abuses which may exist.
Colonel Straight can at least congratulate himself in one respect — he has not been shaved and dressed in convict's clothes. The Federals have so treated General Morgan and his officers, who are alleged to be held as hostages for Colonel Straight and his command. I have official evidence in my possession which I can furnish to Colonel Straight that General Morgan and his officers have been so treated. To what baseness and inhumanity would not an enemy descend who could so causelessly inflict such an indignity upon a brave and gallant gentleman? " Semi-starvation" is nothing to it. I have been told by persons whom I know to be truthful gentlemen that they have been compelled to go a whole day without any food.
As to the refusal to allow Colonel Straight to appropriate money for purchases, I beg leave to state that a recent order emanating from Federal authority prevents our prisoners from receiving food or clothing from their friends.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
RO. OULD,
Agent of Exchange.

Fort Norfolk Documents

Before 1794, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865

Source of Information

55th Congress 3d Session House of Representatives Document No. 312
The War of the Rebellion: A compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies.
Published under the direction of the Hon. Russell A. Alger, Secretary of War,
By Brig. Gen. Fred C. Ainsworth, Chief of the record and pension office, war department, and Mr. Joseph W. Kirkley.
Series II – Volume VI.
Washington: Government printing office.
1899