Olmstead, Charles H. (1837-1926) to Edwin M. Stanton
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00319.01 Author/Creator: Olmstead, Charles H. (1837-1926) Place Written: Fort Columbus, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 June 1862 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Olmstead, a Confederate officer who surrendered Fort Pulaski and was taken as a prisoner of war at Fort Columbus, writes to Union Secretary of War Stanton. Olmstead is concerned that the Union is violating the prisoner of war terms signed by General Quincy A. Gillmore and himself at the surrender. The surrender terms stated that the Confederate sick and wounded should be sent up to the Confederate lines. Olmstead has found out that instead of these sick and wounded men being allowed to return home, they were kept and arrangements were made for them to be exchanged for Federal prisoners in Confederate General Alexander Lawton's control. Olmstead informs that he wrote to Gilmore who assured him that the prisoners were only kept because of the dangerous condition of the wounded. But Olmstead then received a letter from a prisoner of war he supposed was already at home, but was really still in captivity. Olmstead requests assistance from Stanton in procuring justice for these men. Olmstead signs as Col. 1st Vol. Reg. of CSA, Prisoner of War.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.