CDV of artillery camp at Civil War prison in Elmira, NY. Outdoor image

  
Original Civil War era CDV of the guard and artillery camp at Elmira Prison. The prison was located in Elmira, New York during the Civil War. The photo shows Union artillery and may have been taken shortly after the prison opened in July 1864.

A similar version of this photo is shown in the book "Elmira Prison Camp" by Clayton Wood Holmes. New York Governor Seymour ordered the 54th NY National Guard, militia, and artillery units to the prison in July and August 1864. By mid-August, the prison rolls had swelled to over 9,000. During the 15 months the site was used as a POW camp, more than 12,000 Confederate soldiers were incarcerated there.

Nearly 25% (2,963) died from a combination of malnutrition, continued exposure to harsh winter weather, and disease from the poor sanitary conditions on Foster's Pond. The prisoners also suffered from a lack of medical care. The camp's dead were prepared for burial and laid to rest by the sexton, an ex-slave named John W.

At the end of the war, each prisoner was required to take a loyalty oath and given a train ticket home. The last prisoner left the camp on September 27, 1865. An excerpt from Holmes' book relates the experiences of one of the guards: I was a member of the 54th Regiment, N. Of Rochester, and on duty at the prison camp for four months in the Summer and Fall of 1864. We of the guard were sometimes glad to get on detail inside the prison pen in order to have a good meal with the'Johnnies'.

Those of the prisoners who worked at carpentering, etc. Were given extra rations, tobacco, etc. I used to slyly give the prisoners a doughnut out of my haversack, and have seen them sit down on the ground and cry over it. Some of them said they were better off there than in their army.

Nearly every'reb' that I helped to examine on arrival had a small Bible, and most of them carried a toothbrush in loops on the front of their coat... Teams of the different states used to play baseball to the edification of the guards.

There was a stagnant pool of water in the middle of the prison ground, which was responsible for much of the sickness and mortality. Upon the lower ground nearest to the river there were hundreds of tents, and it was a lonely walk for the patrol at night in the high grass down that way. We were always in danger from nervous guards on the fence if we did not promptly answer the challenge.

In a particularly dark place behind the hospital, the dead of the night were laid to await the wagon at sunrise. This used to give me'a chill' on my round.

Condition of the CDV is excellent with no creases. Slight wear at the corners. Some light fading to the gold-colored border on the mount. Overall size is approximately 2-3/8" x 4". The item "CDV of artillery camp at Civil War prison in Elmira, NY.

Outdoor image" is in sale since Thursday, April 21, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Photographs". The seller is "lou-muh" and is located in Buffalo, New York. This item can be shipped to United States.