Cahaba in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Castle Morgan & Jesse Hawes

Photographed by Tim Carr, August 15, 2009

1. Castle Morgan & Jesse Hawes Marker

Inscription.
The Union soldiers held captive in Cahaba's Civil War Prison, called the place Castle Morgan in honor of a daring Confederate raider. In 1888 Jesse Hawes published a book about his imprisonment in Castle Morgan. He drew this diagram from memory.

The water closet was located in the depressed area to the right of this sign. Hawes illustrates it as a six hole outhouse that was constantly flushed into the Alabama River by artesian well water. Jesse Hawes and two other prisoners escaped through the latrine once. After two days on the run, they were caught and returned to Castle Morgan.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 32° 18.984′ N, 87° 5.76′ W. Marker is in Cahaba, Alabama, in Dallas County. It can be reached from Capitol Avenue near Vine Avenue. In a park area at the end of Capitol Avenue. About 100 yards southeast of the Cahaba First State Capital stone marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Orrville AL 36767, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Major Hiram Solon Hanchett (here, next to this marker); A Prison Chimney? (here, next to this marker); Civil War Prison (here, next to this marker); Captive Boys in Blue

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Cahawba - circa 1500 (within shouting distance of this marker); Footprint of a Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mound at Old Cahawba Archaeological Park (about 400 feet away); Railroad Depot and Commissary (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cahaba.

Other markers no longer nearby. St. Luke's Episcopal Church (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Vine Street (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Commissary - R.R. Depot (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. Marker located on the south side of the Chimney.

Also see . . . Old Cahawba, "Alabama's most famous Ghost Town". (Submitted on September 23, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)

Photographed by Tim Carr

2. Castle Morgan & Jesse Hawes Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,813 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 23, 2009, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.