The Virginia in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Culpeper Co. VA
In Response To: Re: Culpeper Co. VA ()

Camp Morton was located on the site of the Indiana State Fair Grounds, and was first used as a recruit depot when Indiana units were raised for Federal service in 1861. It was turned into a Prisoenr of War camp by 1862, and functioned as such for the remainder of the war. Compared to the more notoriosu Federal prisons, it was not a bad place to be, but that term is relative only, for the prisoners died at a rate well over 10%. Pneumonia and dysentery seems to be the chief culprits, but inadwequate food, clothing, shelter, and medical supplies and care were the primary causes, as elsewhere. Still, compared with such hell-holes as Rock Island, Elmira, and Point Lookout, it wasn't quite so bad. The Confederates are decently buried in a section of the National Cemetery in Indianapolis. There are a number of superficial sites on the internet which can get you started; www.mycivilwar.com/pow/in-morton is as good as any. I also noted a book on Amazon.com by Hattie Lou Winslow, et al., Camp Morton 1861-1865: Indianapolis Prison Camp. I'm not familiar with it, but the price looked OK.

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