Autograph page from Libby Prison signed by 8 soldiers. Richmond, Virginia, [21 November 1863]. 2 pages, 8vo. With photocopy of autograph book’s front page. 

WITH Outdoor view of Libby Prison, silver gelatin photograph. View of Libby along the James River in Richmond.

A page featuring 8 autographs from prisoners of war at Libby Prison in the fall of 1863. The signatures on this page include: 

1. Captain Henry W. Gimber, Co. F, 150th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was captured on 1 July 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg. 

2. Captain Cornelius C. Widdis, Co. A, 150th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was captured on 1 July 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg. 

3. First Lieutenant Tattnall Paulding, 6th U.S. Regular Army Cavalry. He was captured on 9 June 1863 during the Battle of Brandy Station. 

4. Captain George A. Crocker, Field & Staff, 6th New York Cavalry. He was captured on 11 October 1863 at Bristoe Station, Virginia. 

5. Captain Ralph O. Ives, Co. A, 10th Massachusetts Infantry. He was captured on 3 September 1863 at Warrenton, Virginia. 

6. Captain Frederick Barton, Co. E, 10th Massachusetts Infantry. He was captured on 15 October 1863 at Bristoe Station, Virginia. 

7. Captain George G. Davis, Co. F, 4th Maine Infantry. He was captured on 2 July 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg. 

8. Captain Julius B. Litchfield, Co. B, 4th Maine Infantry. He was captured on 2 July 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg. 

Notably, half of the signatures are from soldiers captured at the Battle of Gettysburg: Gimber and Widdis from the 150th Pennsylvania, and Davis and Litchfield from the 4th Maine. The 150th Pennsylvania fought near Chambersburg Pike and Emmitsburg Road, resulting in 53 killed or mortally wounded, 134 wounded, and 77 captured or missing out of the 397 present. Two members of the 150th’s Company H, Lieutenant Colonel Henry S. Huidekoper and Corporal J. Monroe Reisinger, received Medals of Honor for their service during the battle. 

The 10th Massachusetts was also present at the Battle of Gettysburg, so it is likely that Captains Ives and Barton were a part of the 35-mile march completed in 18 hours to support the regiments at the Round Tops. 

[Civil War, Union, Confederate] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Prisoner of War, POW, Andersonville, Libby Prison]