| As was the case for many prisoners of war, both Confederate and Union, James was moved from one prison to another at a brief moment's notice. There was a loss of friends and associates and a break-up of one's so-called residences, however tenuous they might have been. With the relocation to a total of five different prisons, the death of friends, separation of other friends to other locations, James was moved to record the impact of all this in his diary on June 26th, 1864: "Began to mess by myself today." |
 |
The Prison Journey Having been captured at Fort Sumter on the night of September 8, 1963, Frederic Augustus James was held in a temporary prison at the Fort that first night. On September 9, he was transferred to a number of prisons in South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, and finally to Georgia. |
September 8/9, 1863
Fort Sumter
Charleston Harbor, South Carolina
|
"I was captured at Fort Sumter upon the night of Sept. 8 1863 having landed there as one of a storming party from the U.S. Blockading Fleet off Charleston... Wednesday the 9th we spent in Fort Sumter." |
September 10-14, 1863
Charleston
City Jail
Charleston, South Carolina
| The Charleston City Jail was a four-story large octagonal brick building surmounted by a 40-foot tower. It was often the first stop of Union prisoners newly arrived in Charleston before being transferred to other locations. A 12-foot high wall surrounded a one acre enclosure. |  |
|
"Was held in "Charleston Jail" until Monday, Sept 14..." |
September 14 - November 14, 1863
The Richland District Jail
Columbia, South Carolina
 |
Richland was a regular County Jail for Richland County, located on Washington Street in the heart of Columbia, SC. It was a three story building under the command of Captain Rufus D. Senn at the time of James' confinement. |
"Upon the 14th we were sent to Columbia S.C. by rail, where we were quartered in barracks in the Richland (district) Jailyard, until the 14th of Nov... Capt. Senn, the officer in command, treated us in the best manner." |
 |
November 16-December 28, 1863 The Crew's Building
Night of December 28, 1863 Libby Prison and the Crews Building at the rear |
Richmond, Virginia
The Crew's Building, formerly a tobacco factory, was located on 21st & Carey Streets. It was a four story building, each floor measuring 100x25 feet.
The Libby Prison, located on 20th & Carey Streets, was formerly designated as Libby & Son Ship Chandlers & Grocers. The front of the building was three stories high, the first for officers, the second for enlisted men, and the third for citizens. The building had a fourth story in the rear, facing the canal. Each floor measured 90x135 feet and was divided into three areas.
"Left Columbia upon the cars on Nov 14, and arrived in Richmond on Monday the 16th and were quartered in "Crew's Building" nearly opposite the old "Libby", where we remained until Dec 28, when 15 of us were selected to be held as hostages...and were quartered for the night in the "Libby". |
December 30, 1863 - May 27, 1864
Salisbury
Military Prison
Salisbury, North Carolina
| The prison was formerly a cotton factory known as Maxwell Chambers Factory located in Rowan County. It consisted of a four-story brick building, 40x100 feet, together with six smaller buildings. A board fence surrounded these buildings making an enclosure of approximately 16 acres. |  |
| "At 5 o'clock the next morning [December 29] we
started for Salisbury, N.C., Capts. Kendall, Chase & Litchfield of
the Army being sent with us. Arrived at Salisbury on the 30th.
The weather was cold & blustering when we arrived at Salisbury, & as our quarters were in the fourth or upper story of an old brick woolen factory, & about half of the glass was broken out, while we had no fire, we suffered a good deal during the first few days. At last however we were allowed to have a rough fireplace built, and the weather having moderated, & our broken windows having been boarded up, we were able to live more comfortably. Our room is much the pleasantest one in the building." |
June 1, 1864 until his death on September 15, 1864
Andersonville Military Prison
Andersonville, Georgia
|
|
|
"We were informed about noon [May 27, 1864] that we were going to start for GA [Andersonville] this evening." "June 1, 1864 |
 |
|
Frederic Augustus James died in Andersonville Prison on September 15, 1864. His grave number is 8858. |
To return to home page, click here