PRISONERS OF WAR

Few civilian-soldiers ever envisioned capture, or the nightmarish existence as a prisoner of war, when they enlisted in the Union and Confederate armies. Yet, 408,000 Civil War soldiers fell into the hands of the enemy, and over 56,000 of that number died neglected in the remote and makeshift compounds of the North and South.
During the war, 18 known descendants of James Veitch were either captured and held for a short time, or simply imprisoned for the majority of the war, approximately 8% of those who served. Of this number, however, only one would die a prisoner of war. Below are the men who were captured during the war. It is believed, however, that the list may indeed be larger. I welcome anyone with additional information concerning these men, or others not listed, to write me. The following is how the numbers breakdown:

Veach= 6
Veatch= 4
Veitch= 4
Veech= 0
Kempers= 1
Other Surnames= 3

Bentley, Martin (WeV2, P162) 171st NJ Inf., captured at Keller's Bridge. Paroled, 8/20/1864.

Dobson, George (WeV1, P787) 16th IL Cav. According to one record, he was captured and held prisoner in Libby Prison in Virginia. However, military records don't mention it. Additionally, Libby Prison was used to house Union officers exclusively, not enlisted men. If he was captured, it was likely at Jonesville, VA., where most of his regiment was captured and later sent to Andersonville Prison, GA.

Kemper, James L. (Kem., P75, 115) Brigadier General, CSA, Longstreet's Corps, Pickett's Div., wounded and captured, 7/3/1863, Gettysburg, PA. Exhanged, 1864.

Sonneron, Joseph (WeV2, P778) 10th VA Inf., captured 5/12/1864, Spotsylvania Court House, VA., and held at Point Lookout, MD. He was later transferred to Elmira Prison, NY, 8/2/1864. He was released, 6/19/1865.

Veach, Abijah (WeV1, P659) 120th IL Inf., captured, unknown location.

Veach, David H. (WeV3, P1119) 17th IA Inf., captured, likely at Tilton, GA., 10/13/1864. Held in Andersonville Prison, GA.

Veach, George M. (WeV2, P370) 12th IN Inf., captured, 8/30/1862, Richmond, KY. Paroled in the fall of 1862.

Veach, Joel T. (WeV2, P369) 26th IN Inf., wounded and captured, unknown location.

Veach, Lucius D. (WeV1, P251, V2, P393) 22d IN Inf., captured, unknown location.

Veach, Patrick H. (WeV1, P252, V2, P393) 6th IN Cav., captured, likely 12/28/1863, Muldaugh's Hill, KY. Paroled, 8/28/1863.

Veatch, Columbus W. (WeV3, P924) 30th IN Inf., captured, likely during the Atlanta Campaign, 1864, and held in Andersonville Prison, GA.

Veatch, Henry C. (WeV1, P225, V2, P369) 5th IN Cav., captured, 10/11/1863, Rheatown, TN. Paroled with pneumonia and sent to Annapolis Military Hospital.

Veatch, James C. (WeV1, P352) Col., 25th IN Inf., captured, 1861. According to his personal papers, folder 1860-1864, James Clifford Veatch, Indiana Historical Society, he became ill during a campaign in Missouri and was captured near Warrensburg, MO., by soldiers commanded by Cpt. Warren of Gen. Price's Army. The following day, he convinced the soldiers that they had no right or authority to arrest him and that they were surrounded by Federal troops. They released him and he returned to his regiment.

Veatch, Jesse (WeV1, P316, V2, P590) 2d MD PHB, captured, c1864, and held in Andersonville Prison GA. Died, prisoner of war, 9/23/1864.

Veatch, John S. (WeV2, P361) 11th IN Inf., court-martialed and imprisoned in Ft. McHenry. Released, 10/10/1865.

Veitch, George W. (WeV2, P37) 6th VA Cav., captured, 5/30/1862, Front Royal, VA. hospital. Exchanged, 8/5/1862 at Ft. Delaware. Captured, exchanged, 9/21/1862. Captured, 6/11/1864, Louisa Court House. Paroled, 6/16/1865.

Veitch, Isaac (WeV2, P37) 6th VA Cav., captured, 5/12/1864, Spotsylvania Court House, VA., held at Elmira Prison, NY. Paroled, 7/11/1865.

Veitch, Richard A.(WeV2, P37) 6th VA Cav., captured, 2/22/1864, Snickersville. Imprisoned at Ft. Delaware. Paroled, 6/16/1865.

Veitch, William F. (WeV2, P77) Detailed to Selma Iron Works, AL., captured, 9/19/1864, Tinson Parish, AL. Imprisoned in NY., released, 5/15/1865.

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