Maine Memory Network

Contributed by Maine Historical Society

Description

Lt. James U. Childs of Co. H of the 16th Maine wrote from Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, where he was being held prisoner, seeking various food items sent to him.

His letter is addressed to Leonard Watson of the Maine Agency Sanitary Commission in Washington, D.C. Childs writes that he would have a $20 payment sent to Watson when the box was shipped.

He asked for a ham, sausages, canned milk and salmon, Shaker applesauce, sardines, butter, cranberry sauce, coffee, and other items.

Childs, of Farmington, enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 as a sergeant. He was promoted to 2nd lieutenant, then 1st lieutenant and was mustered out on June 5, 1865.

His father was Capt. E. Childs.

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Transcription

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About This Item

• Title: POW letter requesting food, Richmond, Va., 1863
• Creator: James U. Childs
• Creation Date: 1863-10-26
• Subject Date: 1863
• Locations:
  • Farmington, Franklin County, ME
  • Petersburg, VA
• Media: Ink on paper
• Dimensions: 20.3 cm x 12.7 cm
• Local Code: Coll. 1533, Box 1/2
• Collection: Maine Agency Sanitary Commission records
• Object Type: Text

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Cross Reference Searches

Standardized Subject Headings

• Maine Agency Sanitary Commission
• Maine--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
• United States. Army. Maine--Infantry regiment, 16th (1861-1865)
• United States Sanitary Commission
• Libby Prison
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Prisoners and prisons
• Prisoners of war
• United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Civilian relief

People

• Childs, James U.

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For more information about this item, contact:

Maine Historical Society
485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website

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