James N. Thurston, CSMC-- Part 2-- Attended the Citadel

From the Military Wiki.  "List of alumni The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina."

JAMES N. THURSTON

James N. Thurston (1861). First graduate to serve in the Confederate States Marine Corps (CSMC).  As a cadet, was a member of the Star of the West Battery that fired the first shots of the Civil War..

One of 22 officers selected to be the initial cadre of the CSMC.  As a prisoner of war, he made a daring escape from Fort Delaware.  (This is in disagreement with the previous post which said he escaped from Fort Warren.  Fort Warren was often used to house Confederate officers, so this is most likely where he escaped.)

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There were six other Citadel graduates who had high positions in the Confederacy:

Col. Charles C. Tew

Colonel William J. Magill

Brig. Gen. Johnson Hagood  (who was near Fort Fisher and the Wilmington Campaign in 1865)

Brig. Gen. Micah  Jenkins

Maj. Gen. Evander M. Law

Brig. Gen. Thomas Huguenin

--Old B-Runner

After Fort Fisher, Prisoners-- Part 2: To Elmira

All seriously wounded Confederates were sent to Union Army hospitals at Point Lookout in Maryland, Fort Monroe Prison in Virginia, and Fort Delaware in Delaware.

The journey of the Fort Fisher prisoners to Elmira began with boarding them on steamers bound for New York Harbor at the port of Jersey City, New Jersey, across from New York City.  Sadly for the Confederates, when they were captured, they were without their winter clothing and blankets due to the fact that they had not fought wearing those clothes and due to the fact that their barracks had been burned during the naval bombardment.  And, it did not get warmer as they went north.

After arriving at Jersey City, they were put on Erie Rail Road prison trains for a 273 mile trip to Elmira, New York.  There were two arrivals of Fort Fisher prisoners.  The first arrival came on January 30, 1865, 15 days after the fort fell and consisted of 501 men.

The second arrival was on February 1, 1865, and had 653 men.  A total of 1,154 Fort Fisher prisoners went to Elmira Prison.

--Old B-Runner

After Fort Fisher: Prisoners

From the North Carolina Civil War and Reconstruction History Center:  "From Fort Fisher to Elmira" byccwinslow394, submitted by Tom Fagart.

When Fort Fisher fell, the exact number of  Confederates captured is not known, but it is known that the majority of them, 1,154 men, were sent to Elmira Prison in New York.

Other Union prisons also received those captured at Fort Fisher:

639 to Point Lookout Prison, Maryland

97 to Fort Columbus Prison in New York Harbor  (Officers)

61 to Fort Delaware Prison in Delaware

22 to Fort Morgan Prison in Virginia  (I am unable to find this place.)

The Union Navy ships used to transport the prisoners north were the California, DeMolay, General Lyon and North Point.  (I could only find additional information on these ships on the tragedy of the General Lyon.)

--Old B-Runner

You Can Now Cruise the Delaware River to View Historic Forts Along the New Jersey Coast

From the September 7, 2020, NJ.com.

Fort Delaware State Park will start offering Delaware River cruises starting this Friday, September 11.

Fort Delaware, which is on Pea Patch Island  is in the middle of the river, about half way between Fort DuPont in Delaware and Fort Mott in Pennsville, New Jersey.  Fort Delaware once house Confederate prisoners during the Civil War.

Friday cruises are slated for Sept. 11, 18 and 25, include one-hour trips at 4:30 and 5:45 pm for $15 and 90-minute sunset tours at 7 pm for $25.

The cruises depart the Fort Delaware ticket office in Delaware City, travel around the southern end of Pea Patch Island and head toward Fort Mott before returning.  Two park staffers will be on board to highlight points of interest along the way.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, a maximum of 24 visitors will be allowed on board to ensure social distancing and masks are required.

Well, too late for this year.  Maybe next year.

--Old B-Runner