Vicksburg: POW Exchange Point

During the summer of 1862, the Dix-Hill Cartel created a system regulating prisoner exchanges.  This included enlisted men (and women), officers, civilians, and civilians employed by the military, such as teamsters and sutlers. You can read the details of the agreement by clicking (HERE).  One element of this system was establishing sites that would serve as exchange points.  City Point was chosen for the east and Vicksburg for the west.

At least one woman was exchanged at Vicksburg under this cartel.  Mary Ann Clark was captured in Kentucky in late 1862.  The unit she was with and the battle where she was taken vary.  Most accounts claim it was Richmond (KY). But I have also seen it listed as Perryville.  And then another source says she was captured by a Federal detachment, which indicates she was serving picket, out on a patrol, or foraging, if this had indeed been the situation when she was taken.

The KGC in Villisca, Iowa and Facts About the Free State of Jones

The Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC) was a secret society that sought to extend slave-holding territory through annexation.  Click (HERE) to read an article I wrote last year about a woman soldier who claimed to be a member of the organization.

Are These Women Soldiers? Part 2!

Last year, I posted some images from the Library of Congress that I thought were interesting.  Click (HERE) to see it.

Mr. Frank Vattelana sent me the following photographs and gave me permission to share them.  The inscriptions are his labels.   What do you think?  Female soldiers?

II Corps, 2nd Division, AOP

114th New York

Benton Barracks, St. Louis

I'll post another batch another time.

Until next formation....rest.