E. M. Stanton to Joseph H. Tucker

With Joseph H. Tucker 11/11/62

(Copy)

Head Quarters Illinois Troops Camp Douglas Nov 12 1862

In the latter part of the summer of 1861 His Excellency Governor Yates appointed me to the command of the Northern District of the state of Illinois, with instructions to establish a Camp of instruction and ren- devous for Volunteers at Chicago and to construct barracks for their accomodation.

Under this order I immediately located "Camp Douglas" and commenced the construction of barracks. I continued in command of the Camp until the last of the troops were ordered to the field in February 1862, and during which time the present barracks were all constructed under my direction. Whilst the barracks were being constructed, the U. S. Mustering and Disbursing Officer at Chicago, Captain John Christopher

agreed to assume the payment of the Contracts for construc- tion and did pay them. I think, however, there may be a few thousands of dollars of bills in connection with the con- struction which were paid by the State and have not been paid by Captain Christopher.

The Camp covers an area of from 60 to 70 acres of ground as exhibited upon maps of survey forwarded to the Adjutant General of the Army, to the Surgeon General and to Col. W. Hoffman Comm'g Gen'l of Prisons. Upon these maps occurs a proposed line of sewerage, which, beginning in the North East corner of the grounds, where the Hydrants are placed, passes through the Camp finding outlet into Lake Michigan. This, with the existing surface drainage would keep the grounds dry at all times, and the constant flow of fresh water from the Hydrants through the sewer, would, carrying away all offal, banish miasma. Knowing the influence sewerage would have upon the sanitary condition of the Camp I urgently urged its adoption.

The Estimate for the improvements which was about $7000. was also forwarded to Colonel Hoffman.

In the month of February 1862 and im- mediately after the battle of Fort Donelson I received an order from Maj. General Halleck Commanding the department of the Mississippi, also an order from Colonel Scott Ass't Sec'y of War who was then in St. Louis, through the Adjutant General of the state of Illinois to prepare the Camp for the reception of Prisoners of War which was immediately done. Soon after between 8 & 9 thousand Prisoners were received into the Camp and placed in barracks. I remained in command at this time about a fortnight and was then ordered to turn over the command to Col. Mulligan 23rd Regt Ill Vols. (who had been ordered to re-organize his Regiment) and report at Springfield.

In the early part of June 1862 several three months Regiments were called for from

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this state, two of which were for garrison duty at this Camp in charge of Prisoners of War and I was placed in command of the 69th Reg't Ill. Vols. (one of the two Reg't's referred to), and directed to assume command of the Camp, in which position I continued until relieved by Brig. Gen'l. Tyler on the 30th day of September last on the arrival of the paroled troops from Harper's Ferry.

The barracks as constructed by me were intended to accomodate about 8 thousand troops, with mess halls and quarters complete for Field and Staff and Company Officers, also stables for about 2 thousand horses, and, including hospitals, quarter masters' & commissaries' stores &c. During their occupancy by the Prisoners of War, however, some of the stables were converted into hospitals and temporary barracks for Prisoners and considerable additions made to the fencing about Camp.

With Joseph Tucker 11/11/62 [Nov.12, 1862]

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At the time of the last call for 600 thousand Volunteers by the President and before the Prisoners of War had been sent off for exchange, quarters were much needed here for Illinois Volunteers and Governor Yates directed the Mustering Officer at this place to construct barracks for their accomodation. I had, however, about that time received an intimation from Colonel Hoffman, Comm'g Gen'l of Prisons, that the prisoners would probably be shortly exchanged, and so telegraphed the Governor - who countermanded the order for construction of new barracks and in the mean time I quartered the Volunteers outside of Camp in tents and temporary barracks.

Immediately after the prisoners were sent off for exchange, I received an order to have the Barracks renovated and put in order for Illinois Volunteers, which was being done and rapidly approaching completion when the paroled troops from Harper's Ferry arrived.

On the arrival of the first detachment of the paroled troops, which was without notice to me, and before I was aware that Brig. Gen'l Tyler was in command of them, or that he was coming to Camp Douglas, I telegraphed to the Secretary of War to the effect - that there were not barracks sufficient to quarter them together with the troops I already had in the Camp, to which I received the following reply, viz.

Washington Sepr 29th 1862

Jos. H. Tucker Col. Comdg Camp Douglas.

You will make requisition on the Quarter Master at Chicago for what supplies may be needed for the paroled troops, just arrived, if he cannot furnish tents you will erect sheds and temporary barracks and report to Genl. Halleck.

E. M. Stanton Sec'y War

Upon receipt of this dispatch I secured the Fair grounds just west of the Camp, for use as temporary quarters for a part of the paroled troops a day or two after which Brig. General Tyler arrived and assumed general Command.

Among the troops recruited and organized in and around Camp Douglas amounting to nearly 30 thou- sand, are the following, viz -

9th Cavalry 1035

12th -do- 417

13th -do- 621

German Guides 229

Lyons Color Guard 89

Rock Island Reg't 196

19th Reg't Ill. Vols

23d - do -918

24th - do -

42nd - do -

44th Reg't Ill Vols

45th - do - 920

51st - do - 680

53rd - do - 205

55th - do - 990

56th - do - 1127

57th - do - 970

58th - do - 842

60th - do - 970

65th - do - 184

67th - do - 987

69th - do - 989

71st - do - 934

72nd - do - 940

88th - do - 855

89th Reg't Ill Vols 803

90th - do - 791

93rd - do - 946

105th - do - 854

113th - do - 884

126th - do - 478

127th - do - 863

1st Illinois Artillery 149

Benton's Battery 149

Bolton's - do - 93

Silversparre's - do - 121

Philips - do - 71

Ottawa - do - 153

Mercantile - do - 153

Elgin - do - 135