Eastern Kentucky Prisoners at Mclean Barracks in Cincinnati

In November 1862, the District of Eastern Kentucky was created as part of the Military District of Kentucky which belonged to the Department of the Ohio. It included the state's nine easternmost counties of Lewis, Greenup, Carter, Boyd, Lawrence, Johnson, Magoffin, Floyd, and Pike.

District of Eastern Kentucky Commanders

Col. Jonathan Cranor, 40th OVI, Nov. 17, 1862 - Feb. 5, 1863




Brig. Gen. Julius White, Feb. 5, 1863 - Aug. 1863





Col. George W. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, Aug. 15, 1863 - Nov. 6, 1863


On Nov. 6, 1863, the district's designation changed to the Sub-District of Eastern Kentucky. Colonel George W. Gallup retained command until April 10, 1864, at which point the sub-district was abandoned.

In order to maintain control over such a relatively large area of mostly rugged terrain, which also included a nearly 200 mile long border with Virginia as well as a number of mountain passes, the Union troops engaged in frequent scouts throughout the counties in their district. On some occasions, the union troops operated in areas outside their district when necessary, such as neighboring Wayne and Logan counties, VA or Morgan and Breathitt Counties, KY.

As a rule, most of the captured prisoners were brought to Louisa, held for a short time and then transported by steamboat and train to Camp Chase, Ohio.

Beginning late August 1863, prisoners were taken to McLean Barracks in Cincinnati, a newly established military prison which was only intended for the transient reception of pows. McLean Barracks was located at 264 West Third Street, between Western Row (now Central Ave.) and John Street, near the main downtown area of Cincinnati. It consisted of a large three-story brick building, which, until 1861, had housed the females of the German St. Aloysius Orphan Asylum.


Inspection reports by A. M. Clark, Surgeon and Acting Medical Inspector of Prisoners of War, provide us with a glimpse of the living conditions at McLean Barracks.
The first floor was used as quarters and kitchen for the guard. The second floor contained the office and a room about fifteen by twenty by twelve feet in dimensions, for the detention of prisoners. This room had three windows, and was well heated by a large stove. Bunks for twenty-four men were arranged in three tiers around the room. On this floor was also the prisoners' kitchen, containing a large cooking-stove and an apparatus for heating water. Water was abundant which was supplied by the city water-works. The cooking was done by a detail from the prisoners.

A large room on the third floor, about twenty-five by thirty-five by ten feet in dimensions, provided additional prisoners'quarters. The room was well lit and ventilated by windows on three sides and warmed by two large stoves. Since no bunks were provided, the prisoners spread blankets on the floor to sleep. The sink was located in the small back yard which was a deep vault and very foul smelling. The privy building was in similar filthy condition.

Hospital accomodations were not provided but a medical officer visited the prison daily and attended to patients who required temporary care. More severe cases were transported to Cincinnati's Marine Hospital.

Food was in good supply but nothing extraordinary beyond the standard military rations. Those of more refined tastes were allowed to purchase articles under supervision of the commanding officer.

McLean Barracks had the capacity to house 150 prisoners but rarely did this number exceed half that many. The largest influx of pows occured during the month of November 1863, when 137 prisoners were taken to Mclean Barracks. These arrived daily, in small squads. In general, most of the prisoners did not remain for long - as soon as fifty or seventy-five were collected they were sent off to Camp Chase or some other permanent prison.

Below is a list of prisoners who were captured in Eastern Kentucky and taken to McLean Barracks.

List of prisoners of War confined at McLean Barracks, Cincinnati, O.

Given are first and last name of prisoner, rank and unit, place and date of capture, name of arresting officer, date of confinement, additional remarks.
It may be noted that "released" does not mean the prisoner was free to go. It simply indicates that he left McLean Barracks and was transferred to another prison.

MR = Mounted Rifles
Cav = Cavalry

Oliver A. Patton, Patton's Rangers, Morgan Co. KY, Aug. 15, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Aug. 22, 1863, escaped by some unknown means on the night of Aug. 28, 1863

John ?, private, Co. D, 10th KY Infantry, Lawrence Co. KY, July 20, 1863, by. Col. Dills, confined Sept. 13, 1863, released Sept. 17, 1863, by Special Order

Lemuel Mead, private, Co. A, 3rd KY Cav, Floyd Co. KY, July 25, 1863, by Col. Dills, confined Sept. 13, 1863, released Sept. 17, 1863, by Special Order

Strother Vaughn, private, 5th KY Cav., Floyd Co. KY, Aug. 22, 1863, by State Militia, confined Sept. 13, 1863, released Sept. 25, 1863, claims to be a citizen

James Taylor, private, Col. Breckenridge's Brigade (VA), Logan Co. VA, Sept. 7, 1863, by Capt. Leffingwell, 14th KY, confined Sept. 16, 1863

Lytle Rowan, Lt. (?), Co. C, 4th KY CAV., Louisa, KY, Sept. 18, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY, confined Sept. 16, 1863, released Sept. 25, 1863, by Special Order

Daniel Parsons, private, Co. H, 16th VA MR, Ironton, OH, Aug. 23, 1863, Capt. Haley, 45th KY, Sept. 16, 1863, released Sept. 25, 1863, by Special Order

Edgar C. Elliott, Co. A, 19th VA Cav., Floyd Co. KY, Sept. 8, 1863, Sergt. James George, 14th KY Infantry, Sept. 16, 1863, released Sept. 26, 1863, by Special Order

Charles Burk(t?), private, Col. Breckenridge's Brigade, (VA), Wayne Co. VA, Sept. 3, 1863, Capt. Bartram, 14th Ky Infantry, Sept. 16, 1863, released Sept. 26, 1863, by Special Order

Talton J. Manning, private, Fields' Rangers, McGoffin Co. KY, Sept. 7, 1863, Capt. Patrick, 14th KY Infantry, confined Sept. 16, 1863, released Sept. 26, 1863, by Special Order

James F. Adams, Co. A, 63rd VA Infantry, Louisa, Sept. 5, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Sept. 16, 1863, released Sept. 26, 1863, by Special Order

Wm. P. Adams, private, Co. A, 63rd VA Infantry, Louisa, Sept. 5, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Sept. 16, 1863, released Sept. 26, 1863, by Special Order

John S. Eastland, private, Co. G, 1st TN Infantry, Louisa, Sept. 6, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Sept. 16, 1863, released Sept. 26, 1863, by Special Order

George Weaver (?), private, Co. D, 1st TN Infantry, Louisa, Sept. 5, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Sept. 16, 1863, released Sept. 26, 1863, by Special Order

Joseph Atkins, Captain, Co. B, 5th KY Inf., Morgan Co. KY, Aug. 20, 1863, Lt. Elam, Co. I, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 10, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Levi Wheeler, private, Co. G, 1st KY MR, Lawrence Co., KY, Sept. 20, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 10, 1863, released Nov. 4, 1863, by Special Order

W.m. (O.P.B.) Carpenter (?), private, Co. F, 3rd KY Cav, Lawrence Co. KY, Sept. 20, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 10, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

James Banks, private, Co. A, 3rd KY MR, Louisa, Sept. 26, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 10, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Fielden Adams, Co. B, 3rd KY Mtd, Rifles, Magoffin Co. KY, Sept. 28, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

R. M. Allen, private, Co. A, 3rd KY MR, Floyd Co. KY, Sept. 27, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Henry Buckner, private, Co. A, 5th KY Infantry, Floyd Co. KY, Sept. 26, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Jeremiah Barker, private, Co. B, 5th KY Infantry, Morgan Co. KY, Sept. 29, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

R. E. Bosly, private, 2nd KY Cav., Morgan Co. KY, Sept. 30, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

C. P. Carter, Sergt., Co. B, 5th KY Infantry, Morgan Co. KY, Sept. 29, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Stephen Fitzpatrick, private, Co. A, 3rd KY Cav, Floyd Co. KY. Sept. 27, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

David Feely, private, Co. B, 5th KY Infantry, Morgan Co. KY, Sept. 28, 1863, Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Marquis Fraley, private, Co. B, 5th KY Inf., Morgan Co. KY, Sept. 28, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

A. C. Fraley, private, Co. B, 5th KY Inf., Morgan Co. KY, Sept. 28, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Francis Gillion, private, Co. D, 5th KY Cav., Big Sandy, Sept. 20, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

W. B. Harman, private, Co. A, 3rd KY Cav., Louisa, KY, Sept. 16, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

John Howard, private, Co. B, 5th KY Cav., Morgan Co. KY, Sept. 27, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

David Hanna, private, Co. B, 5th KY Cav., Morgan Co. KY, Sept. 26, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Ira Jackson, private, Co. E, 16th VA Cav., Louisa, Sept. 13, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

William Jones, private, Co. E, 10th KY Infantry, Louisa, Sept. 27, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

James Lafferty, Sergt., Co. A, 3rd KY MR, Louisa, Sept. 21, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Hugh Marshall, private, Co. A, 3rd KY MR, Louisa, Sept. 16, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

James Murphy, private, Co. C, 3rd KY MR, Pike Co. KY, Sept. 16, 1863, by Col. Dills, 39th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Alex Murphy, private, Co. C, 3rd KY MR, Pike Co. KY, Sept. 16, 1863, by Col. Dills, 39th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Isaac Ratcliff, private, Co. D, 2nd KY Cav., Lawrence Co. KY, Sept. 1, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Fountain King, private, Co. D, 10th KY Inf., Pike Co. KY, Sept. 28, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

W. H. Russell, private, Co. C, 1st KY Cav., Magoffin Co. KY, Oct. 3, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

James P. White, private, Co. A, 8th KY MR (?), Floyd Co. KY, Sept. 22, 1863, by Col. Dills, 39th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

W. C. Barnto (?), private, Co. I, 48th Miss. Inf., Louisa, Oct. 4, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

D. R. Howell, private, Co. I, 48th Miss. Inf., Louisa, Oct. 4, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Nov. 4, 1863

A. B. Muirhead (?), private, Co. B, 48th Miss. Inf., Louisa, Oct. 4, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, sent to hospital Nov. 5, 1863

Gilmore Justice, private, Co. C, 3rd KY MR, Pike Co. KY, Oct. 1, 1863, by Col. Dills, 39th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Nov. 11, 1863, by Special Order

Isaiah Coburn, private, Co. F, 3rd KY MR, Buckhannon Co. VA, Sept. 27, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

D. J. McCarty, private, Co. C, 5th KY Inf., Louisa, Oct. 5, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Nelson Hayes, private, 5th KY Inf., Floyd Co. KY, Sept. 26, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

John Hail, private, Co. A, 3rd KY MR, Floyd Co. KY, Sept. 22, 1863, by Col. Gallup, 14th KY Infantry, confined Oct. 11, 1863, released Oct. 16, 1863, by Special Order

Oliver A. Patton, Lt. Col., Pattons Rangers, Morgan Co. KY, Oct. 8, 1863, by Lieut. Nelson, 5th OVC, confined Oct. 15, 1863, released Jan. 27, 1864, sent to Camp Chase

John Keller, private, Co. D, 2nd KY Cav., Morgan Co. KY, Oct. 8, 1863, by Lieut. Nelson, 5th OVC, confined Oct. 15, 1863, released Oct. 21, 1863, by Special Order

John McWhirter, private, Co. H, 2nd Cav., (IC?), Morgan Co. KY, Oct. 8, 1863, by Lieut. Nelson, 5th OVC, confined Oct. 15, 1863, released Oct. 21, 1863, by Special Order

John Gillibaw (?), bushwacker, Morgan Co. KY, Oct. 8, 1863, by Lieut. Nelson, 5th OVC, confined Oct. 15, 1863, released Nov. 11, 1863, by Special Order

John Goodpasteur, private, Co. I, 2nd KY MR, Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 16, 1863, by Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Nov. 28, 1863, released Jan. 14, 1864

James Sharp, private, Co. A, 2nd KY MR, Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 16, 1863, by Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Nov. 8, 1863, released Jan. 14, 1864

J. Howard, private Co. E, 2nd KY MR, Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 8, 1863, by Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Nov. 28, 1863

L. W. Shanagan, private, Co. A, 2nd KY MR, Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 8, 1863, by Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Nov. 28, 1863

David F. Lee, private, Co. B, Owens VA Batt., Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 16, 1863, by Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Nov. 28, 1863, released Dec. 22, 1863

Gilbert Speedwell, private, Co. A, 2nd KY MR, Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 17, 1863, Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Nov. 28, 1863

Wm. Murphy, private, Co. B, ? VA Batt., Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 10, 1863, by Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Nov. 28, 1863, released Dec. 22, 1863, by Special Order

Jordan Hordly/Handby (?), Co. G, ? Va Batt., Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 10, 1863, confined Nov. 28, 1863, released Jan. 14, 1864, by Special Order

John J. Nickell, private, KY Guerrilla, Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 28, 1863, by Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Dec. 10, 1863

Abel Pennington, Lieut., KY Guerrilla, Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 16, 1863, by Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Dec. 10, 1863, sent to Camp Chase Jan. 27, 1864

Wesley Callahan, private, Co. B, 10th KY Cav., Morgan Co. KY, Jan. 21, 1864, confined Feb. 12, 1864, released Feb. 15, 1864

John W. Day, private, Co. B, 10th KY Cav., Morgan Co. KY, Jan. 21, 1864, confined Feb. 12, 1864, released Feb. 15, 1864

Granville Fugett, Sgt., Co. B, 10th KY Cav., Morgan Co. KY, Jan. 21, 1864, confined Feb. 12, 1864, released Feb. 15, 1864

Henry C. Ferguson, private, Co. E, 16th VA Cav., Wayne Co. VA, Feb.5, 1864, confined Feb. 12, 1864, released Feb. 15, 1864

Gilbert Speedwell, private, Co. A, 2nd KY MR, Morgan Co. KY, Nov. 17, 1863, Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Nov. 24, 1863

S. Humphreys, private, 2nd KY MR, Rowan Co. KY, Nov. 28, 1863, Major Ijams (5th OVC), confined Dec. 10, 1863


Aside from military prisoners, Mclean Barracks also housed a number of civilians who had been arrested by the military authorities. The list of names is by no means complete.

Provost Marshall records from McLean Barracks in Cincinnati, OH.
Muster Roll of Prisoners, Citizens - March 31, 1864

Given are the first and last name of prisoner, name of arresting officer, date and place of capture, date of confinement and additional remarks.

Joel Gibson, T. D. Marcum, June 7, 1863, Pike Co. KY, conf. June 17, 1863

Isaac Lewis, Col. Swaine, Dec. 24, 1863, Carter, conf. Feb. 12, 1864

W. D. Mays, Col. Swaine, Jan. 8, 1864, Morgan Co. KY, conf. Feb. 12, 1864

Thomas Martin, Col. Swaine, Jan. 8, 1864, Morgan Co. KY, conf. Feb. 12, 1864

John Rigsby, Col. Swaine, Nov. 1863, Johnson Co. KY, conf. Feb. 12, 1864

Thomas Rigbsy, Col. Swaine, Nov. 1863, Johnson Co. KY, conf. Feb. 12, 1864

George Stevens, Jan. 8, 1864, Morgan Co. KY, conf. Jan. 12, 1864

Harvey Skaggs, Col. Swaine, Nov. 1863, Carter Co. KY, conf. Feb. 12, 1864

William Carr, per Maj. Iressell, Oct. 30, 1863, Morgan Co. KY, conf. Oct. 31, 1863; released



Provost Marshall records from McLean Barracks in Cincinnati, OH.
Muster Roll of Prisoners, Citizens - March 31, 1864

Provost Marshall records from McLean Barracks in Cincinnati, OH.
Muster Roll of Prisoners, Citizens - May 31, 1864

Given are the first and last name of prisoner, place of residence and capture (identical unless noted) date of capture, date of confinement, name of arresting officer, and additional remarks.

Joel Adkins, Morgan Co. KY, Jan. 6, 1864/Feb. 12, 1864, Swaine

John Conley, Carter Co. KY, Dec. 24, 1863/Feb. 12, 1864, Swaine, guerilla

Wm. Conley, Carter Co. KY, Dec. 24, 1863/Feb. 12, 1864, Swaine, guerilla

Joel Gibson, Pike Co. KY, June 17, 1863/June 17, 1863, T. D. Marcum (14th KY Inf.), violation of oath

Isaac Lewis, Carter Co. KY, Dec. 24, 1863/Feb. 12, 1864, Swaine, guerrilla

W. D. Mays, Morgan Co. KY/arrested in Carter Co. KY, Jan. 8, 1864/Feb. 12, 1864, Swaine, guerrilla

Thomas Martin, Morgan Co. KY/arrested in Carter Co. KY, Jan. 8, 1864/Feb. 12, 1864, Swaine, guerrilla

John Rigsby, Johnson Co. KY, Jan. 12, 1864/Feb. 12, 1864, Swaine

Thomas Rigsby, Johnson Co. KY, Jan. 12, 1864/Feb. 12, 1864, Swaine

George Stevens, Morgan Co. KY, Jan. 12, 1864, guerrilla

Harvey Skaggs, Carter Co. KY, Jan. 12, 1864/Feb. 12, 1864, Swaine, spy


Records transcribed from original records on microfilm, and article researched and written by Marlitta H. Perkins. © 2012