| Headquarters Florida Light Artillery |
| Camp Sumter, July 5, 1864 |
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| Capt. W. S. Winder |
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| Captain, |
| In obedience to instructions
dated "Camp Sumter, Ga., June 27, 1864," to proceed at
once to Cahaba, Ala., and afterward to Union Springs, in the same
State, and examine thoroughly into the merits of the places for the
establishment of a military prison," I visited Union Springs
for the purpose indicated, *** and beg leave to report the following
as the result: |
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First. Union Springs is a small village of some 700
inhabitants; is the present terminus of the Mobile & Girard
Railroad, and is fifty four miles from Columbus, Ga. A suitable
location for a prison is found not nearer than one mile from the
railroad depot; but this location would be suitable only so far as
ground is concerned. The name of the village would indicate
abundance of water, so desirable in the selection of a site for a
stockade. But this is a mistake. The springs are numerous, but are
so scattered and are of such small capacity as to be totally
unreliable for the purpose required. Nor are there running streams
that would be available, for these during the rainy season swell
rapidly, and, on the other hand, during protracted dry seasons cease
to run altogether. Should, therefore, a stockade be erected at this
point, reliance can alone be had on wells for the necessary water.
These are the chief dependence of the people of the village, but
furnish an abundant supply. |
| Second. Timber for stockade:
There is no timber suitable for the purpose within a less distance
than three miles of the village. Within that distance there is a
small belt of pine timber, but not sufficient for the purpose. Two
miles beyond this grove, or five miles from the village, an abundant
supply is found. By locating the stockade at the point mentioned in
paragraph 1, the distance required for hauling will be lessened one
mile. |
| Third. Transportation at the
place and labor: There are at present thirteen Government wagons and
mules at Union Springs, which number will be increased to eighteen
during the present week. These wagons are now being employed in
hauling corn from the adjacent counties, but could be doubtless used
temporarily in erecting the stockade. When the crops are laid by,
which will be the case in some two weeks, I was assured by
intelligent citizens that there would be no difficulty in obtaining
all the transportation that might be required. The same remark is
true as to labor. In two or three weeks any number of negro laborers
can be had. Resort, however, must be had to impressment for both
transportation and labor, the planters preferring this mode of
supplying the demand as the most equitable and just. |
| Fourth. Present state of the
surrounding country in reference to provisions: On this important
point I was necessarily compelled to rely much on information
obtained from Maj. A.M. Allen, commissary of subsistence, of
Columbus, Ga., who, from his position, has the best means of forming
a judgment. In answer to inquiries made by him, he furnished me, at
my request, with a written reply, which I beg to inclose herewith.
Major Allen says "20,000 men could be subsisted there (Union
Springs) from country directly tributary to it." On my return
Major Allen reiterated this opinion, adding with emphasis, he knew
the supply to be abundant. I learned, further, that there is a large
number of beef-cattle in the counties tributary to the springs,
especially in Henry, Coffee, and Dale. Numbers of these cattle have
already been purchased for the Government, and agents are now
engaged in securing others, so that from the information given by
Major Allen, and from such as I was able to gather from other
sources, I was satisfied that with the aid of the beef-cattle now
being collected there is a present supply of provisions in the
surrounding counties ample for the purpose. |
| *** |
| Inasmuch as my instructions
directed inquiry and report upon "every fact bearing directly
or indirectly upon the question," I beg to call your attention
to the condition of the Mobile & Girard Railroad. From Girard,
the starting point of the road, on the west bank of the
Chattahoochee River, opposite Columbus, to Silver Run, a distance of
twenty miles, the road is laid with the T rail and is in good
condition, but from Silver Run to Union Springs the superstructure
and iron are of the most inferior description. |
| The iron is of the old flange
pattern and is very much worn, and the cross-ties and stringers
greatly decayed. Steps should be at once taken to have the necessary
repairs made, otherwise there is reason to fear that the road will
not be in condition to move the next crop. The transportation
facilities of the road are likewise greatly deficient. The motive
power consists of four engines and the rolling-stock of twenty-four
box and thirty platform cars. When it is borne in mind that the
river at Columbus is not spanned by a railroad bridge, and that the
Girard road is so cut off as to render it impossible for the trains
of other roads to pass over it, it is a matter of grave doubt
whether the transportation of the road is sufficient to answer the
demands that may be made upon it. This deficiency, however, will not
be of so great importance, provided the prison is located at a point
nearer Columbus. With a view of a possible location at some other
point, though outside of my instructions, I devoted a day to the
examination of the country at Silver Run, and found it admirably
adapted to the purpose required. Timber, water, everything requisite
is at hand, directly on the railroad. The run is a small stream of
clear water, having its source in a multitude of springs and never
has been known to go dry. It passes through a slight depression
between two hills, which furnish a most desirable site for a
stockade. The surrounding country is elevated and abounds in pine
timber. I have seen no place more desirable for a military prison.
The only disadvantage connected with it as a location consists in
its distance (thirty-four miles) from Union Springs, but this
disadvantage is overcome when the condition of the railroad is
considered, the transportation facilities of which might very well
serve to carry provisions up the road, but which would be altogether
too limited to transport the prisoners down, especially when
arriving in bodies of 800 and 1,200. Besides, from the distance from
Columbus to the Springs, fifty-four miles, and the condition of the
road from Silver Run down, not more than one trip a day could be
made, whereas Silver Run, being only twenty miles from Columbus, and
the road being comparatively good, the limited transportation would
not prove so great an evil. Again, between Silver Run and Union
Springs there are two Government depots for tax in kind, and, on
inquiry, I found that each of these depots received nearly as much
tithe bacon and other supplies as the depot at Union Springs, so
that the disadvantage referred to is trifling compared with the
advantage found in water, timber, &c. In view, therefore, of all
the circumstances, I beg most respectfully to recommend Silver Run
as the most desirable location. |
| Bearing also upon the question,
I beg to add that seventeen miles below Silver Run there is an
excellent grain mill, with capacity to grind 300 bushels per day.
There is also a mill at Union Springs with a similar capacity, and
also that on the line of the railroad there are four steam saw-mills
in constant operation. |
| Very respectfully, &c., |
| C. E. Dyke |
| Captain, Florida Light Artillery |
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