Libby Prison, Civil War prison in Richmond, United States
The three-building complex on the James River housed Union officers in large open rooms with barred windows across multiple floors.
Originally built as a tobacco warehouse between 1845 and 1852, the structure became a Confederate military prison in 1862 during the American Civil War.
The Libby Chronicle, a newsletter published by prisoners in 1863, documented daily life and included poetry written by the detained Union officers.
The prison experienced severe overcrowding by 1863, with more than 1,000 inmates confined in spaces designed for significantly fewer occupants.
In February 1864, 109 Union officers orchestrated an escape through a tunnel they excavated over several months, though only 59 reached safety.
GPS coordinates: 37.53087,-77.42614
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:43
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