Thirteen thousand dejected Confederate defenders of Fort Donelson huddled here against the cold on February 16, 1862. They had fought long and hard against Grant's forces and did not consider themselves defeated. They had been surrendered against their will and now waited to be transported north. Never before in the Civil War had so many prisoners been taken, and the poorly clad Confederates could only guess what awaited them. After being issued two day's rations and allowed to keep "their clothing, blankets, and such personal property as may be carried about the person," the prisoners were shipped 120 miles to Cairo, Illinois. From there trains carried them to prison camps in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Massachusetts. In September 1862 most of the prisoners were exchanged for Union soldiers being held in Confederate prison camps.

Where did they go?

Most of the enlisted men were taken to prison camps in Illinois and Indiana; most of the officers went to camps in Ohio and Massachusetts:

• Camps Douglas & Butler

Chicago & Springfield, Illinois

• Camp Morton

Indianapolis, Indiana

• Camp Chase & Johnson's Island

Columbus & Sandusky, Ohio

• Fort Warren

Boston, Massachusetts

Marker is on Petty Street, on the right when traveling north.

Courtesy hmdb.org

Credits and Sources: