Communication from the Secretary of War. February 27, 1863:
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Source Description:
(caption title) Communication from the Secretary of War
Confederate States of America. War Dept.
7p.
Richmond, Va.
[s. n.]
1863.
Call number 1278 Conf. c.2 (Rare Book Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Revision History:

RICHMOND, VA., February 27, 1863.

I herewith transmit a communication from the Secretary of War, covering a list of the civilian prisoners now in custody at the military prison at Salisbury, N. C., in further response to your resolution of the 5th instant, and invite attention to the recommendation in regard to a class of officers to be charged with the special duty of inquiring into the cases of prisoners arrested by military authority. I think such officers would be useful, they being selected for special qualifications, and invested with specific powers.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

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CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA,
War Department,

Richmond, Va., February 27, 1863.

In answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives, I have the honor to enclose a list of the civilian prisoners now in custody in this city and at Salisbury, North Carolina, under military authority. No arrests have been made, at any time, by any specific order or direction of this Department. The persons arrested have been taken either by officers of the army commanding in the field, or by Provost Marshals, exercising authority of a similar nature, and the ground for arrest, is, or ought to be founded upon some necessity, or be justified as a proper precaution against an apparent danger. The Department has had commissioners to examine these persons, with directions "to discharge those against whom no well-grounded cause of suspicion exists of having violated a law or done an act hostile or injurious to the Confederate States."

The Department appointed, in November last, a commissioner to examine prisoners in the South-western Department, embracing a portion of Georgia, Alabama, and a portion of Mississippi. This commission found some obstructions in the performance of his duties, from the Provost Marshals, and some difficulty in obtaining reports from them. He resigned in the latter part of January, without making a report of the prisoners remaining in the department for which he was appointed. These commissioners have been found useful, and I recommend that the Department may be authorized to appoint them for the objects before mentioned, and that they be clothed with the authority of commissioners under the act of the Provisional Congress, No. 273, respecting commissioners appointed by the district courts.

In conclusion, I have to say, that under the examinations that have been made a large number of prisoners have been discharged, and none are retained unless there be a cause of suspicion, supported by testimony rendering it probable that the discharge of the prisoners would be prejudicial to the public interest.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES A. SEDDON,
Secretary of War.

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LIST OF POLITICAL PRISONERS, made in obedience to call of Congress. No.NAMES.RESIDENCE.OCCUPATION.ARRESTED.CHARGES PREFERED.PLACE OF IMPRISONMENT.1Ange, Samuel. . . . .North Carolina.Farmer.Nov. 9, 1862.Disloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N.C.2Ange, J. B.. . . . . " """ " """ " " " "3Allen, A.. . . . ." """ " """ " " " "4Buck, B. T.. . . . ." ""March 19, '62."" " " " "5Buck, John. . . . ." """ " """ " " " "6Bell, Solomon. . . . .Virginia.Shoemaker.April 10, 1862.Northern man, strong union." " " " "7Bailey, A.. . . . .Richmond, Virginia.Law Student.Dec. 1, 1861.English spy." " " " "8Barnes, Edward. . . . .Pocahontas Co., Va.Nov. 20, 1861.No charges preferred." " " " "9Butler, J. W.. . . . .Leesburg, Va.Physician.May 21, "Dangrous. " " " " "10Brown, J. L.. . . . .Cumberland Co., Ten.Distiller.Nov. 5, "Endeavoring to get to the enemy." " " " "11Batty, George. . . . .Fentress Co., Ten.Farmer.April 1, 1862.Disloyalty." " " " "12Billingsly, Geo. M.. . . . .Claborne " "Blacksmith.Aug. 14, "Aiding and supplying stock for ememy at Cumberland Gap." " " " "13Baxley, H.. . . . ." " "Farmer." 13, "Trading with enemy." " " " "14Bryant, Charles. . . . .Cock " ""Sept. 13, "Aiding and feeding stampeders to Ky." " " " "15Beard, L. M.. . . . .Campbell " ""Nov. 1, "Disloyalty." " " " "16Bateman, J. W.. . . . .Washington Co., N. C."" 13, """ " " " "17Bowman, William. . . . .Claborne Co., Ten."" 30, """ " " " "18Beals, J. H.. . . . .Green " ""March 22, '62.One of Fry's bridge burners in E. Ten." " " " "19Cox, W. C. . . . . .Jones Co., N. C.Fisherman." 16, "Union man." " " " "20Cheerers, Peter. . . . .Kinston, N. C.Shoemaker.July 27, "Suspicious character--avowed unionist." " " " "21Curtis, John. . . . .Beaufort, N. C.Farmer.Nov. 9, "Disloyalty." " " " "22Craddock, A.. . . . .Washington Co., N. C.Tailor." " """ " " " "23Collins, C. A. J.. . . . .City Point, Va."July 8, "Spy, giving information to enemy where onr pickets were." " " " "24Carter, W. F.. . . . .Hancock Co., Ten.Farmer.Feb. 19, "Disloyalty." " " " "25Cox, David. . . . .Green " ""March 22, "One of Fry's com. bridge burners, in East Tennessee." " " " "26Cogburn, N. J.. . . . ." " "Carpenter." " "One of Fry's com. bridge burners, in Eeast Tennessee." " " " "27Crabtree, W.. . . . . Fentress " "Farmer.April 1, "Disloyalty." " " " "28Crabtree, C.. . . . . " " """ " """ " " " "29Caton, Thomas. . . . .Cock " "Blacksmith." 13, "Aiding stampeders from Ten. to get to enemy." " " " "30Cox, Eziekel. . . . .Lee Co., Va.Farmer.Aug. 25, "Anxious to show Federals our position." " " " "31Clifton, William. . . . .Bledsoe Co., Ten."Nov. 1, "Disloyalty." " " " "32Delancy, John. . . . .Kentucky."Dec. 27, 1861.No charges preferred." " " " "

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33Davis, J. W.. . . . .Washington Co., N. C.Farmer.Nov. 9, 1862.Disloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.34Davenport, A.. . . . ." " """ " """ " " " "35Darling, R. B.. . . . .Green Co., Ten.Clock Repair'r.March 22, '62."" " " " "36Elliott, R. B.. . . . .Tarborough, N. C.Overseer.Sept. 16, "Spy--trading with enemy." " " " "37Elder, W. R.. . . . .Green Co., Ten.Farmer.March 22, "One of Fry's co. brdge burn's. in E. Ten." " " " "38Fortner, Elija. . . . .Claborne Co., Ten."Aug. 12, 1862.Disloyalty." " " " "39Fellows, Otty. . . . .Fayette Co., Va."" 4, 1861.Avowed unionist." " " " "40Fortner, Soloman. . . . .Claborne Co., Ten."" 12, 1862.Disloyalty." " " " "41Gahagan, N. B.. . . . .Madison " ""March 22, '62.One of Fry's bridge burn's. in E. Ten." " " " "42Hazzard, Samuel. . . . .New York.Sailor.Feb. 6, 1862.Capt schr. "Jenny Hunter," trying to get vessel and cargo to enemy." " " " "43Hatmaker, A.. . . . .Campbell Co., Ten.Farmer.Oct. 1, "Disloyalty." " " " "44Hair, A.. . . . .Washington Co., N. C."Nov. 9, """ " " " "45Jackson, J. E.. . . . ." " """ 13, """ " " " "46Jones, J.. . . . .Hancock Co., Ten.Carpenter.March 21, '62.One of Fry's co. bridgeburn's, in E. Ten." " " " "47Jones, C.. . . . .Green " "Farmer." 22, "Disloyalty." " " " "48Johnson, Andrew J.. . . . ." " "CarpenterNov. 16, """ " " " "49Kennedy, Thomas. . . . .Kinston, N. C.Farmer.Dec. 20, """ " " " "50Kelly, D. H.. . . . .Green Co., Ten."March 22, "One of Fry's co. bridge burn's in E. Ten." " " " "51Kelly, A. W.. . . . ." " """ " "" " " " " " " "" " " " "52Keller, William. . . . ." " """ " "" " " " " " " "" " " " "53King, J. W.. . . . .Cumberland Co., Ten."July 11, 1862.Aiding and abetting enemy." " " " "54Key, J. W.. . . . .Claborne " ""Sept. 8, "Disloyalty." " " " "55Lathinghouse, Wm.. . . . .Craven Co., N. C."April 6, "Avowed union man." " " " "56Leonard, Allen. . . . .Philadelphia, Pa.Engraver.Jan. 2, "Suspicioned of going to enemy U. man." " " " "57Lamb, W. W.. . . . .Washington Co., N. C.Farmer.Nov. 9, "Disloyalty." " " " "58Leary, E.. . . . .Martin Co., N. C.Laborer." " """ " " " "59Luper, William. . . . .Scott Co., Ten.Farmer.April 1, """ " " " "60Ledger, D.. . . . .Grauger Co., Ten."Aug. 19, "Associated with a band of marauders, Renegades, etc." " " " "61Loftin, W. C.. . . . .Craven Co., N. C."Dec. 24, "Disloyalty." " " " "62Mercer, John. . . . .Jones " ""April 1, "Disloyalty--union man." " " " "63Mercer, Louis. . . . ." " """ 7, "" " "" " " " "64Marnex, B. F.. . . . .Williamsburg, Va.Carpenter.Nov. 1, 1861." " "" " " " "65McClelland, John. . . . .Richmond, Va.Sailor.June 2, 1862.Drunkeness, continually in jail, dang'rs." " " " "66McGaha, A.. . . . .Loudon Co., Va.Blacksmith.Dec. 15, 1861.Avowed unionist." " " " "67McDonald, T. C.. . . . .New York.Sept. 2, 1862.No charges preferred." " " " "68Mercer, W. P.. . . . .Jones Co., N. C.Farmer.June 25, 1862.Avowed unionist." " " " "69Mason, Z. A.. . . . .Washington Co., N. C."Nov. 9, "Disloyalty." " " " "70Maxwell, Witley. . . . .Western Virginia."Feb. 28, "Avowed unionist." " " " "71McNair, John. . . . .Washington Co., N. C."Nov. 9, 1862.Disloyalty." " " " "72McGee, Lemuel. . . . .Green Co., Ten."March 22, '62.One of Fry's co. bridge burn's in E. Ten." " " " "

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73Miller, David. . . . .Green Co., Ten.Farmer.July 14,1862.Going to Ky., taken within enemy's linesC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N.C.74Miller, R. B.. . . . .Lee Co., Va.doAug. 13, "Disloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.75Malicote, Calvin. . . . .Campbell Co. Ten.doOct. 11, 1862.doC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.76Morrell. B. F.. . . . .do do dododo do dodoC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.77Miller, Jordan. . . . .do do dodoDec. 1, dodoC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.78Mooneham, James. . . . .do do dododo do dodoC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.79Mealing, John, Sr.. . . . .Union Co., N. C.doFeb. 6, 1863.Aiding, abetting & harboring deserters.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.80Nobles, Kinsey. . . . .Jones do dodoMarch 16, '62.Avowed unionist.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.81Perking, C. G.. . . . .Goldsborough, N. C.Merchant.April 10, 1862.Union man.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.82Pancoast, S. A.. . . . .Hamilton Co., Va.Farmer.Nov. 10, 1861.Dilloyalty.C. S. Militarv Prison, Salisbury, N. C.83Payne, David. . . . .Blunt Co., Ten.doJuly 5, 1862.doC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.84Poor, Edward. . . . .Knox do doTrader.July 16, doGiving information to enemy.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.85Perkins, Richard. . . . .Whitley Co., Ten.Farmer.Oct. 15, doDisloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.86Rich, J. W.. . . . .Pennsylvania.Engineer.June 20, 1861.do and deserted C. S. A.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.87Ryan, Geo. W.. . . . .Wytheville, Va.Blacksmith.March 1, 1862.doC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury. N. C.88Ryder, S. H.. . . . .New York.Tailor.Oct. 11, doTrading with Yankees, and inducing negroes to go to Washington, D. C.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury C. C.89Rogers, N. R.. . . . .Blunt Co., Ten.Farmer.Sept. 10, doBushwacker and renegade.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.90Rogers, W. P.. . . . .do do dododo do dodo do doC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.91Rowe, Alfred. . . . .Campbell Co., Ten.doNov. 1, doDisloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.92Rush, William. . . . .Hawkins Co., Ten.doApril 19, dodo.C[.] S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.93Seeds, J. M.. . . . .Kentucky.Miss. R. Pilot.Nov. 6[,] 1861.Dangerous man.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.94Samnons, J. R.. . . . .Craven Co., N. C.Farmer.April 7, 1862.Avowed unionist.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.95Smith, H. H.. . . . .New York.Printer.Aug. 1, 1861.Dangerous union man.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury. N. C.96Smith, Samuel. . . . .do doFarmer.May 3, 1862.Disloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.97Scully, Daniel. . . . .Pendleton Co., Va.Laborer.Oct. 11, 1861.Union man.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.98Smith, W. M.. . . . .Loudon do doFarmer.Dec. 10, dodo doC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.99Sheets, C. C.. . . . .Winston Co., Ala.Law Student.Oct. 6, 1862.Suspicioned of treasonable conduct.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.100Swanner, Eli. . . . .Beaufort Co., N. C.Farmer.Nov. 9, 1862.Disloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbuy, N. C.101Smith, James. . . . .Washington Co. N.C.dodo do dodoC[.] S[.] Military Prison, Salisbury, N C.102Spruel, A. A.. . . . .do do dododo do dodoC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.103Stepp, John. . . . .Fentress Co., Ten.doApril 1, dodoC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.104Smith, Joseph. . . . .Cumberland Co., TendoSept. 8, dodoC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.105Spears, W. M.. . . . .Hawkins do dodoJuly 17, dodoC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.106Swain, J. W.. . . . .Jefferson do dodoOct. 18, dodoC[.] S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.107Smith, William. . . . .Loudon Co., Va.doDec. 18, 186.Avowed unionist.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.108Smith, Thomas. . . . .Campbell Co., Ten.doNov. 1, 1862.Disloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.

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109Tailor, F.. . . . .Craven Co., N. C.Fisherman.April 20, 1862.Avowed unionist.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.110Thacher, Charles A.. . . . .Green Co., Va.Physician.March 28, '62.do doC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.111Thornhill, Alexander.Jefferson Co. Ten.Farmer.April 17, 1862.Disloyalty.C. C. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.112Tripplt, William. . . . .Green Co., Ten.doMarch 22, '62.One of Fry's co. bridge burn's in E. Ten.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.113Trail[,] James. . . . .Fentress, Co., Ten.doApril 1, 1862.Disloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.114Tompkins, E. A.. . . . .Overton Co., Ten.doApril 1, doProfesses to be a federal soldier--no115evidence of fact.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.116Tillman, Michael. . . . .Lenoir Co., N. C.doDec. 26, 1862.Disloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.117Taylor, Moses. . . . .Jones Co , N. C.doJuly 26, doAvowed unionist.C. S. Military Prison. Salisbury, N. C.118Wesson, Wilson. . . . .Beaufort Co., N. C.doApril 2, dodo doC. S. Military Prison, Slisbury, N. C.119Wiliams, Edward. . . . .Craven Co., N. C.dodo do dodo doC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.120Winne, J. W. . . . .Washington, N. C.Schoolteacher.Nov. 9, doDisloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.121White, Baker. . . . .Edenton, N. C.Waterman.April 4, doSpy and traitor.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.Wood, Isam. . . . .Davidson Co., N. C.Iten. Preacher.do do doTreasonable conduct and practice, exciting122slaves to insurrection.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.123Workman, William. . . . .Boone Co., Va.Farmer.Jan. 11, doAvowed unionist.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.124Wilhight, E.. . . . .Hardy Co., Va.doSept. 30, 1861.Avowed unionist.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.125Watson., G. H.. . . . .Washington, N. C.Laborer.Nov. 9, 1862.Disloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.126Woolsey, G.. . . . .Green Co., Ten.Carpenter.March 22, '62.One of Fry's co. bridge burn's in E. Ten.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.127Walker, Horry. . . . .Hawkins Co., Ten.doApril 19, 1862.Disloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.128Winningham, R. A.. . . . .Fentress Co., Ten.Farmer.do do doProfesses to be a federal soldier, no129evidence of fact.C. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.130Wright, Mitchell. . . . .Fentress Co., Ten.doNov. 1, doDisloyalty.C. S. Military Prison, Sa isbury, N. C.131Walker, Emmet. . . . .Hawkins Co., Ten.doApril 19, dodoC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.132Wiseman, C. W.. . . . .Marion Co., Ten.Printer.April 7, dodoC[.] S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N C.133Yount, Ephram. . . . .Campbell Co., Ten.Farmer.July 14, doGoing to Ky., taken within enemy's linesC. S. Military Prison, Salisbury, N. C.

TABULAR STATEMENT. North Carolina. . . . .41Virginia. . . . .19Tennessee. . . . .60Kentucky. . . . .2New York. . . . .5Pennsylvania. . . . .2Blank. . . . .2Total number of prisoners. . . . .131H. McCOY, Captain commanding

SALISBURY, N. C.,
February 17, 1863.