EVENT DETAILS:
Robert I. Girardi: The Union Prisoners of War at Camp Douglas
5:30 p.m. – Registration/Social Hour
6:30 p.m. – Dinner
7:30 p.m. – Program
Cost: $30 by reservation, please
(Note: Jackets required for the dining room)
RSVP:
Please contact Paul Eilbes at 262.376.0568 or peilbes@gmail.com to RSVP by Monday, January 9. We hope to see you there!
ABOUT THE EVENT:
Camp Douglas, on the south side of Chicago, was Illinois’ largest training camp. More than 40,000 volunteers mustered here. In February 1862, the camp was converted to accommodate Confederate Prisoners of War. About 24,000 Confederates were held there during the war, of which 6,000 died. The story is well-told. Yet lesser known is the story of the thousands of Union POWs who were held in the camp awaiting exchange. After the surrender of Harpers Ferry in September 1862 the paroled Union soldiers were interred in parole camps. More than 8,000 of them were sent to Camp Douglas.
Our January speaker, Rob Girardi, will present an account of their troublesome experiences in Chicago.