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This print of Libby Prison, as it appeared on August
23, 1863, was donated to the Sandusky Library by Mrs. I.F. Mack. Sandusky’s
well known newspaper editor, Isaac F. Mack, was imprisoned in Libby Prison and two other Southern
prison camps during the Civil War. Fortunately he survived the war and had a very
successful newspaper career with the Sandusky
Register.
Many other area men spent time at Libby Prison, including Fred Frey,
Jr., Delos Ransom, Foster Neill, Frank Colver, William B. Rice, Wilbur F.
Cowles, and John M. Butler, the son
in law of Jay Cooke. In December of 1863, the Ladies Aid Society from Sandusky
sent packages of food which were distributed to local men who were imprisoned
at the prison in Richmond, Virginia. Captains C.H. Riggs and O.H. Rosenbaum,
with the 123rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, sent a letter of thanks to
the Ladies Aid Society, to the attention of Mrs. T.D. West, the Society’s
secretary-treasurer. The men were thrilled to have such a package from
their hometown in the midst of a dismal prison setting. The letter appeared in the January 30, 1864
issue of the Sandusky Register, and
read in part:
“To
the ladies, first, (God bless them) we tender our most grateful thanks;
secondly, to all others who in any way contributed thereto. Such form the
bright spots in our life in Libby. Though irksome our stay in prison, we are of
good cheer. Having been blessed with good health, we have no fault to find;
full of confidence in the integrity of our Government, well assured that our interest
are not forgotten there, and that, as soon as an exchange can be effected compatible
with best interest of all, we will be released, we cheerfully submit. In
conclusion, allow us to again thank the ladies and them our best wishes for
their perfect success in the human work in which they are engaged, alleviating
the sufferings of the sick, the sorrowful, &c. Colonel Wilson wishes to be
especially remembered, and, with the other members of “Mess 32” will ever
cherish in his heart of hearts the memory of the Ladies of Sandusky.”
To learn more about area men who served during the
Civil War, visit the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center. Many sources, both
online and in print, can aid in searching for information about Civil War
soldiers.
