I am trying to clarify the Fort Delaware Society database entry for Private William P. HUGHES, Co. B/E, 1st Virginia Cavalry. We have the following confusing bits of information:
(1) CMSR: Roll of POWs at Fort Delaware shows a Private William HUGHES, Co. E, 1st Regiment, Virginia Cavarly was "desirous of entering the service of the U. S., August 30, 1863". Record card states that he "gave up" at Gettysburg on 6 JUL 1863 telling his captors that he was a conscript born in England.
(2) CMSR: A register of POWs at Fort Delaware shows that Private William P. HUGHES, Co. B, 1st Regiment, Virginia Cavalry was received from Camp Chase at Fort Delaware on 2 MAR 1864.
(3) NARA Microfilm Tape 45 shows that Private William P. HUGHES, Co. B, 1st Virginia Cavalry was captured at Gettysburg on 6 JUL 1863 and housed in Division 18, a barracks room in the POW pen on Pea Patch Island. A previous Society researcher had checked a regimental history of the 1st Virginia Cavalry that contained this name, but did not clarify who this man was other than to state that he "wished to join the U. S. army."
(4) NARA Tape 47 shows a William HUGHES who was a member of Howard's Squad in the citizens barracks but nothing about him. These squads in the citizens barracks consisted of Confederate POWs who had asked to take the oath but were not willing, or perhaps allowed, to join the Union army. They were separated from the loyal Confederates for their personal safety.
Any help will be appreciated!!
Hugh Simmons
Fort Delaware Society
Website: www.fortdelaware.org
E-mail: society@fortdelaware.org