Libby Prison Signed Prisoner Report by Thomas Turner, with 31 Negroes

1p, measuring 8.5" x 4.5", Richmond, dated January 7, 1865. A prisoner report for the Confederate Military Prison signed "Th. P. Turner." Reporting a total of 3159 prisoners, including 31 negroes (presumably escaped slaves or freedmen), 65 officers, 2 Chaplains, and 10 Surgeons. Sent to Major J.H. Carrington, Provost Marshal. The report has flattened folds, toning, and a spike hole at the center - affecting no text. Boldly signed by Turner.

Confederate major Thomas P. Turner served as the wartime Commandant of the infamous Libby Prison in Richmond, which housed Union prisoners of war. The prison was a three-building shipping sully, grocers, and tobacco warehouse complex that had been converted at the beginning of the war. Prisoners faced horrific conditions, with men sleeping on the cold floor packed like sardines. Men were also not allowed outside for fresh air or exercise, and the rations consisted of rotten meat, rock-hard bread, and insect-infested broths. Turner was known to be an especially sadistic warden and fled to Cuba after the war due to fear of prosecution by the government. At this point in the war, the Confederates knew Richmond would soon be occupied by the Federal Army, and most Union prisoners had been shipped out of Libby the previous year. The prison was instead used as a temporary holding area before prisoners could be shipped further south.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!