No doubt letters were everything for the prisoners and their families. The CSA prisoner letters home were of course all examined and censored by the army before leaving Camp Douglas. The necessary US postage paid to get it to Fortress Monroe,Va. Then a Flag of Truce boat to City Point,Va.and the CSA postage stamps or postage due paid by the recepient to get home. Similar for a Federal prisoner or relative in the south to the north. CS postage to Va. and then US postage or postage due paid by the recepient. This as you can imagine made for interesting cancellation postmarks by the two postal departments. Even civilian letters between the US and CSA were allowed. Letters to and from Europe and the Confederacy via blockade runners are even more fascinating.

I to have often wondered how a prisoners family became aware that a relative was captured. If they were fortunate perhaps a letter home and shared with the community by a fellow soldier,officer or Chaplain that was not captured. But most likely,after weeks or months of anxiety,a letter would finally arrive from the prisoner himself. I have seen a few casualty and captured lists in period newspapers.

If any others out there can add to the subject please let us know.

Mike