The Alabama in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Capture of Yankee Recruiting Officers

It would appear to me, he must have been tasked with forming the 3rd West Tenn. Cav. as he himself
addresses the President as Colonel of that regiment. If he had served previously, there is no record.

NATIONAL HOTEL, Washington, February 21, 1864.
His Excellency President A. LINCOLN:
In addressing you personally I offer as an excuse a request from friends to do so. My object is to bring the subject of the imprisonment and condition of my fellow-officers at Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., and the extreme suffering of our enlisted men on Belle Isle (that rebel hell) before you. Having recently escaped from Libby with others, I can speak advisedly. So far as the officers are concerned their treatment can be tolerated, though it is indeed bad, but the enlisted men are treated brutally, cruelly. Many have frozen this winter; many more have died from actual starvation. From the causes above mentioned about twenty per day are dying, and should they remain during the spring and summer in confinement I am satisfied more than one-half will never again be fit for duty. These men are our best and bravest soldiers, very few being skulkers. Can not, ought not, something to be done for these brave fellows? Should any question of policy stand in the way of their release? Something ought to be done, if consistent with the honor of our Government and the advancement of our common cause. I was requested by Lieutenant Colonel R. S. Northcott, of West Virginia, who is a prisoner at Libby, to call at the Executive Mansion and see you in regard to his condition. He desired me to see you because he knew you to have a warm, sympathetic heart. Colonel Northcott, Twelfth Virginia, has been confined in Libby since about the 20th day of June and would have escaped with me but that his health was too bad to undertake it. The colonel's health, if he remains much longer in Libby, will be wholly destroyed, and should he be soon released I think he could soon recruit his health and enter the field again, which he greatly desires. I would humbly petition you for the purpose of preserving a valuable life to the country, for humanity's sake, for all that is sacred, have Colonel Northcott released by special exchange, if it can not be done otherwise. Colonel Northcott begged this favor of me, but do not think that I have forgotten my other fellow-officers. Although I have through great trials, dangers, and difficulties restored myself to liberty, which is appreciated fully by me, I can not forget my brother officers and fellow-soldiers yet in bonds. Excuse this liberty.
Yours, truly,
W. P. KENDRICK,
Colonel Third West Tennessee Cavalry.
OR Ser. II, V6, pp. 977/8

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Capture of Yankee Recruiting Officers
Re: Capture of Yankee Recruiting Officers
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Re: Capture of Yankee Recruiting Officers
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Re: Capture of Yankee Recruiting Officers
Re: Capture of Yankee Recruiting Officers
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Re: Capture of Yankee Recruiting Officers
Re: Capture of Yankee Recruiting Officers