This infamous penitentiary, known for maltreatment, disease and
death, was opened to Confederate loyalist in 1862. The 256 cells
held up to 1500 soldiers (some reports claim 1900 soldiers by
the end of the war) approximately 1300 Union guards (Alton
Telegraph, Nov. 1862). Prisoners were commonly stacked 3 to a
bed. Records were poorly kept and prisoners were clever in their
escapes. Thirty five prisoners escaped through a tunnel August
1862; in 1863 some escaped using a ladder; and a less than
successful attempt of overtaking guards in 1864 resulted in 2
escapees. Of the 80 plus prisoners who escaped, few were
recaptured. Approximately 2000 Confederate detainees escaped the
Alton facility by death from dysentery, malaria, pneumonia and
smallpox. The exact number is unknown, and burial plots were not
identified. The smallpox epidemic killed many of the prisoners
(6-10 per day) in 1863. The actual number of prisoners who
succumbed to the epidemic is unknown; at best guess 1300-1400. -
NARA Military Service in t