and SALISBURY PRISONS by Kathy Dhalle Before Elmira, New York
was noted for its prison camp, it was a Military
Depot...designated as such on July 30, 1861 by then Governor
Edwin B. Morgan. By 1863, the town was known as the "Elmira
Military Draft Rendezvous," chosen because of its superb
transportation network. Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry units
came from as far away as Michigan to train on her grounds. There
were three barracks at the original camp along with two military
hospitals, a military police barracks, military warehouses,
artillery ranges and drill fields...all the necessities to run a
proper training camp. Approximately 34 Civil War regiments (over
20,796 officers and men) were enrolled, equipped and trained at
Elmira. But, with the war winding down, by early 1864, many of
the barracks stood empty. Prisoner exchanges at this time had
more or less come to a standstill, and the U.S. Government was
looking for places to put Rebel prisoners to alleviate the
overcrowding in other prisons. Lt. Colonel