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Prison Life in the Old Capitol: And Reminiscences of the Civil War
"It is not my intention in my prison diary to discuss the constitutional or legal question of arbitrary arrests and imprisonment of non-combatants, but to present to my readers a picture of the daily routine of prison life as I saw it, together with incidents related to me by fellow-prisoners..."
Originally published in 1911, James J. Williamson's Prison Life in the Old Capitol tracks his time served as a prisoner in the Old Capitol Prison in Washington D.C during the time of the American Civil War. Throughout this memoir, Williamson presents a true picture of the daily life and routine observed by those in the prison as William himself saw it. William’s diary of prison life is given added scope through his appended facts concerning the treatment of prisoners of war during the period, claiming that in giving a frank and honest account prejudice and hostile feeling may be overcome and a reunion may be achieved by ‘all those who have the peace and prosperity of the country at heart’. Were these the true intentions of the memoir? Or did Williamson pen the work as a propagandist celebration of the Confederate lives lost and a damnation of the North’s actions following their victory? Read on, and decide for yourself…
James J. Williamson was one of Mosby's Rangers in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, who was arrested and imprisoned for a stint in Old Capitol prison. His other works include the often studied part-Confederate memoir, part-biography of the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, Mosby’s Rangers.
Albion Press is an imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
Originally published in 1911, James J. Williamson's Prison Life in the Old Capitol tracks his time served as a prisoner in the Old Capitol Prison in Washington D.C during the time of the American Civil War. Throughout this memoir, Williamson presents a true picture of the daily life and routine observed by those in the prison as William himself saw it. William’s diary of prison life is given added scope through his appended facts concerning the treatment of prisoners of war during the period, claiming that in giving a frank and honest account prejudice and hostile feeling may be overcome and a reunion may be achieved by ‘all those who have the peace and prosperity of the country at heart’. Were these the true intentions of the memoir? Or did Williamson pen the work as a propagandist celebration of the Confederate lives lost and a damnation of the North’s actions following their victory? Read on, and decide for yourself…
James J. Williamson was one of Mosby's Rangers in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, who was arrested and imprisoned for a stint in Old Capitol prison. His other works include the often studied part-Confederate memoir, part-biography of the 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry, Mosby’s Rangers.
Albion Press is an imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on Twitter: @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via http://on.fb.me/1HweQV7. We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
170 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 17, 2017
History is many times told best through the eyes of those who personally experienced it. James J. Williamson was a citizen whose sympathies fell on the side of the Confederate States of America. His crime was running the blockade on the Potomac River so he could return with his family and continue his printing career, which was based in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Patterson’s time in the Old Capitol Prison was only a matter of months, but it is interesting to note his belief that the motivations of people aligned with the Southern cause were not much different than those of the North. The author explains in his Preface: “We fought for what we considered our rights, and lost. Yet our men, who fought and lost, and those who died in the struggle, were just as brave and as honest as the men who wore the blue. They fought for the Union, we fought for our homes, for our wives and our loved ones. For those of our dead who were consigned to death and ignominy we do not ask pity, but only for that justice which was denied them in life – that the blot upon their reputations be effaced and their names stand out clear and stainless.”
Mr. Patterson is referring not only to himself, but also to others like Major Henry Wirz, C.S.A. Major Wirz was put on trial for murder, though after reading the information in the last third of the book, one would question the fairness of the trial as well as the efforts to remove the monument (erected in 1909) when viewed in light of all the facts presented. At the very least, the historical documents and actions taken by others involved on both sides of the conflict should present enough to give one time to pause and reflect.
Extremely well-written, these first-hand accounts deserve a place in the history of America. Five stars.
Mr. Patterson’s time in the Old Capitol Prison was only a matter of months, but it is interesting to note his belief that the motivations of people aligned with the Southern cause were not much different than those of the North. The author explains in his Preface: “We fought for what we considered our rights, and lost. Yet our men, who fought and lost, and those who died in the struggle, were just as brave and as honest as the men who wore the blue. They fought for the Union, we fought for our homes, for our wives and our loved ones. For those of our dead who were consigned to death and ignominy we do not ask pity, but only for that justice which was denied them in life – that the blot upon their reputations be effaced and their names stand out clear and stainless.”
Mr. Patterson is referring not only to himself, but also to others like Major Henry Wirz, C.S.A. Major Wirz was put on trial for murder, though after reading the information in the last third of the book, one would question the fairness of the trial as well as the efforts to remove the monument (erected in 1909) when viewed in light of all the facts presented. At the very least, the historical documents and actions taken by others involved on both sides of the conflict should present enough to give one time to pause and reflect.
Extremely well-written, these first-hand accounts deserve a place in the history of America. Five stars.
May 4, 2024
Wrote an essay on this for war stories. Analyzed themes of masculinity, lost cause and agency.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews