Chancellorsville was Peter's second major battle, where he was captured when his officer did not hear the order to retreat. They were marched to Libby Prison.
After a week, Peter was released from Libby Prison and taken by ocean steamer to a parole camp in Annapolis.
He was then marched to a convalescent camp where he waited for months for a furlough and/or prisoner exchange that never happened.
Peter wrote lengthy letters describing the battle and Libby Prison. He sent home a sketch of Libby Prison and a Bible with numerous sketches that was passed down through our family.
Prisoners revolted over the deplorable camp conditions and were punished by being sent to a more heavily guarded camp and having rations cut. Finally they were sent to a better camp, then back to the battlefield.
| B a t t l e s | T h e m e s | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
| 1863-03-23.......ordered to march with only food and blanket, Bright on crutches and other cripples ordered to march, if killed on field bring up children as Christians 03-23-1863s.htm |   | c: |
| 1863-05-17.......sketch made in Libby Prison, details Battle of Chancellorsville, Mud March, Libby Prison experience, names of prisoners, Steamer S.R.Spaulding 05-17-1863s.htm |       | c: |
| 1863-05-19.......short letter, orders to leave Camp Parole, do not send money, tell Fletchers parents not to write until they hear 05-19-1863s.htm |  | c: |
| 1863-05-22.......traveled all over and settled at Convalescent Camp near Alexandria, suffered past weeks, hopes to come home in August, needs money 05-22-1863s.htm |   | c: |
| 1863-05-24.......Convalescent Camp, marched by Rebel Cavalry, horrible Libby Prison conditions and rations, sentry to fire if approach window, delightful camp now 05-24-1863s.html |   | c: |
| 1863-07-12.......ring for Ida, rumor exchange soon, George, Utica Herald, picnic, she was cheated on stockings pay, Fletch photo, Bill Jones, Co A surrender, surrounded 07-12-1863s.htm |   | c: |
| 1863-08-29.......sends picture, discourages hop picking, Utica draft, George, lay awake remembers Chancellorsville, human butchery, in charge Squad No 11 08-29-1863s.htm |   | c: |
| 1863-11-20.......not getting her mail, she lost tooth and hair turns grey, hospital men furlough to vote, Culpeper, Rapidan, another Chancellorsville, no paper or sutler 11-20-1863s.htm |   | c: |