Libby Prison & Beyond: A Union Staff Officer in the East, 1862-1865

In 1862, Robert T. Cornwell closed the preparatory school he had established and joined the 67th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as a captain. He was captured by the Confederates in June 1863, and spent almost one year in Richmond's infamous Libby Prison at the height of its overcrowding.

He returned to duty on the staff of Brigadier General James B. Ricketts of the Union VI Corps in time to be involved with defense of Washington against Early's raid. Cornwell then participated in the battles of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley campaign, including Cedar Creek.

Cornwell vividly describes his life as an officer in a series of some 262 literate and highly detailed letters to his wife and entries in his personal journals. Approximately half of the writings were made in Libby Prison; the others, equally as interesting, depict his early days as a new volunteer and later service as an experienced staff officer in combat.

Civil War historian, Thomas M. Boaz, skillfully blends Cornwell's writings with extensive background information about the men and events described in them. The result is a fascinating view of Libby Prison and Sheridan's campaign in the Valley.