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Martinsburgh Gazette
Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
Extract of a letter from an American captain in Dartmouth Prison, England, dated Sept. 28, 1814, complaining about unfair prisoner exchanges during the War of 1812. He and 350 others have languished 18-20 months while recent captives are released. Total 3800 American POWs in England, with unsuccessful escape attempts.
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Extract of a letter from an American Capt. to his friend in this city, dated DARTMOUTH PRISON, September 28th, 1814.
"When I wrote to you last I was on board the Nassau prison ship, lying in Chatham river, but was ordered round to this prison for greater security. I have no hopes of being exchanged, owing to the conduct either of our agent or government. They pick out such as they think proper to send home, without regard to the length of their confinement. Myself, and 350 more, taken in merchant vessels and privateers, have been suffered to languish 18 or 20 months--whilst others, recently captured, have been released.
"There are now in England 3800 prisoners, all of them (excepting about 300, who are at Chatham) in this prison. We have made several unsuccessful attempts to escape. It is a pity, in a political point of view, that our country, in her present situation, should lose the services of so many of her most active citizens, some of whom assisted in the war for independence."
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Dartmouth Prison, England
Event Date
September 28th, 1814
Key Persons
Outcome
350 prisoners languishing 18-20 months; unsuccessful escape attempts; 3800 american pows in england
Event Details
American captain reports transfer from Nassau prison ship in Chatham river to Dartmouth Prison; no hope of exchange due to agent or government conduct; selective releases favoring recent captives; prisoners taken in merchant vessels and privateers; political loss of active citizens including War of Independence veterans.