The paroling of Confederate soldiers continues. Among today’s paroled Confederates is Felix Winchester Magee (1845-1924) of Winchester, Texas. The ceremony takes place in Brazos County. At a mere 16 years of age Magee enlisted in Company D, 12th Regiment, Texas Infantry, on January 17, 1862. Discharged five months later once his age was discovered, he…
The Elmira Prison Camp in Elmira, New York opened July 6, 1864. The buildings used by the camp had earlier been utilized for the training of Union troops. The prison quickly became overcrowded. With the onset of winter, many Confederate prisoners yet lived in tents. Unaccustomed to the harsh weather, many became ill or died.…
Today the owner of Ford’s Theater, the former site of the First Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. and the place where former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, agrees to lease the building to the War Department. In reality, the theater has been under the control of the U.S. government since the assassination. Military guards…