Vouchers, letters, passes, receipts, 1864-1865
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of hand-written letters to and from Captain Pettit regarding the prisons and prisoners in Alexandria, military orders, supply lists and ration orders, receipts, and prison reports Pettit drafted for his superiors. The five prisons in Alexandria were Alexandria Jail, Odd Fellow's Hall Prison, Slave Pen Guard House, Washington Street Military Prison, and Prince Street Military Prison. These prisons were used primarily to confine deserters from Union armies.
Topics include: military prisons, Union deserters, court-martials, supplies, rations, leave passes.
Items of note: There is a letter signed by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton dated February 6, 1864 to Pettit appointing him a Captain in the Invalid Corps.
Dates
- 1863-1865
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Fragile handwritten documents. Handle with care.
Extent
From the Collection: .69 Cubic Feet (1 legal box, 1 half-size legal box)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Digital Materials
Creator
- From the Collection: Pettit, Rufus D. , 1825-1891 (Person)
- TypeCollection
Repository Details
Part of the Local History and Special Collections Branch, Alexandria Library Repository