Hayes Lowe
More.
Mon Jul 30 16:25:16 2001


Henderson, was to later become the co-commandant of the prison, and according to later writings by the former prisoners, was a rather beloved figure to them.

This was in sharp contrast to the other co-commander, a Col. Samuel Jones of New Orleans, formerly of the 23rd/22nd La. Infantry. He later became Chief Provost Marshal for the 3rd District [H.Q. in Montgomery]. Then was appointed as co-commander of the prison under very mysterious circumstances. This man was reviled, and said to be guilty of rather harsh treatment of the prisoners.

Howard A.M. Henderson, on the other hand, was a Methodist minister who was from Kentucky. He had been assigned to a church in Demopolis. While at Cahaba Prison, he often conducted services at Cahaba Methodist Church. He joined the Confederate service as organizer of Company E of the 28th Ala. Inf. Thereafter, he became acting provost marshal of Demopolis. Then he made his request to form the guard company for Cahaba.

It would appear that Henderson was commander of the guards, and Jones was the commander of the facility. An odd situation, that received much criticism within the Confederate government.