Dover in Stewart County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

13,000 Prisoners

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 4, 2010

1. 13,000 Prisoners Marker

In the lower left is an illustration captioned Camp Douglas was originally used as a Union training camp.

Inscription. Thirteen thousand dejected Confederate defenders of Fort Donelson huddled here against the cold on February 16, 1862. They had fought long and hard against Grant's forces and did not consider themselves defeated. They had been surrendered against their will and now waited to be transported north. Never before in the Civil War had so many prisoners been taken, and the poorly clad Confederates could only guess what awaited them. After being issued two day's rations and allowed to keep "their clothing, blankets, and such personal property as may be carried about the person," the prisoners were shipped 120 miles to Cairo, Illinois. From there trains carried them to prison camps in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Massachusetts. In September 1862 most of the prisoners were exchanged for Union soldiers being held in Confederate prison camps.

Where did they go?
Most of the enlisted men were taken to prison camps in Illinois and Indiana; most of the officers went to camps in Ohio and Massachusetts:

• Camps Douglas & Butler
Chicago & Springfield, Illinois

• Camp Morton
Indianapolis, Indiana

• Camp Chase & Johnson's Island
Columbus & Sandusky, Ohio

• Fort Warren
Boston, Massachusetts

Erected by Fort Donelson National Battlefield

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- National Park Service - Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is February 16, 1862.

Location. 36° 29.344′ N, 87° 50.182′ W. Marker is in Dover, Tennessee, in Stewart County. Marker is on Petty Street, on the right when traveling north. Located at stop ten, Dover Hotel, of the driving tour of Fort Donelson National Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dover TN 37058, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Dover Hotel (a few steps from this marker); C.S.A. Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Rice House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Rice House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Surrender House (about 500 feet away); Dover Under Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); To All Who Served (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of the Stewart County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Map Showing Location of Prisons image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 4, 2010

2. Map Showing Location of Prisons

Marker at Tour Stop Ten image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 4, 2010

3. Marker at Tour Stop Ten

Landing at the Cumberland River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 4, 2010

4. Landing at the Cumberland River

With the creation of Lake Barkley, the shoreline is higher than during the Civil War.

View of the Cumberland River from the 13,000 Prisoners Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, February 7, 2021

5. View of the Cumberland River from the 13,000 Prisoners Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 925 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 6, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.