During the early parts of the Civil War authorities
created two distinct prisons, Old Capitol in Washington, D.C.
and Castle Thunder in Richmond, Virginia. These institutions
were reactions to an increase in prisoners of state.
Confederate and Union officials established these prisons for
this particular group: the disloyal.
Although both structures held prisoners of war, the most
vocal and prominent group of prisoners were civilians. The
variety and character of both of these prisons are entirely
unique in the annals of the war. The conglomeration of the
young and old, rich and poor, male and female forced atypical
social settings and class antagonisms.
For the most part, governmental authorities took added
interest in Old Capitol and Castle Thunder because of the
distinctive characters of these prisons and the concurrent
feelings that civil liberties should be preserved. Under
constant scrutiny, both Congresses, along with prison and
military officials, attempted to make sure the prisoners in
these two capitals received good treatment.
Inmates at these two prisons did receive above average
treatment. In some instances, life in these institutions did not resemble incarceration. The heightened awareness of
officials and prison superintendents were the primary reason
for this good treatment.
Yet officials in each state understood that these
treasonous persons could be dangerous to each respective
government. These feelings were not unwarranted, because many
deserved confinement and punishment for their traitorous ways.
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