Camp Ford Notable Facts

We are actively seeking war time images of prisoners who were held at Camp Ford. If you have an image, and would like to share it with us, or have an interesting bit of trivia to share, please e-mail it to us.

Medal of Honor recipients held at Camp Ford

• ASTEN, CHARLES
  
  Born: 1834, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  Rank and organization: Quarter Gunner, U.S. Navy
  Accredited to: Illinois
  G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864
  Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864. Proceeding up the Red River, the U.S.S. Signal engaged a large force of enemy field batteries and sharpshooters, returning their fire until the Federal ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was raised. Although on the sick list, Q.G. Asten courageously carried out his duties during the entire engagement. Asten was captured on May 5, and was in the February 22, 1865 exchange.
  
  
• BUTTS, GEORGE
  
  Born: Rome, NY
  Rank and organization: Gunner's Mate, U.S. Navy
  Accredited to: Ohio
  G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864
  Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Signal, Red River, 5 May 1864. Proceeding up the Red River, the U.S.S. Signal engaged a large force of enemy field batteries and sharpshooters, returning their fire until the ship was totally disabled, at which time the white flag was raised. Although entered on the sick list, Butts courageously carried out his duties during the entire engagement. Butts was captured on May 5, and was in the February 22, 1865 exchange.
  
  
• WHITE, PATRICK H.
  
  Born: 1833, Ireland
  Rank and organization: Captain, Chicago Mercantile Battery, Illinois Light Artillery
  Place and date: At Vicksburg, MI, 22 May 1863
  Entered service at: Chicago, IL
  Date of issue: 15 January 1895
  Citation: Carried with others by hand a cannon up to and fired it through an embrasure of the enemy's works. White was captured at Mansfield on April 8, 1864 and was in the final exchange on May 22, 1865.
  
  
• CARMEN, ISAAC H.
  
  Born: Monmouth County, NJ
  Rank and organization: Corporal, Company A, 48th Ohio Infantry
  Place and date: At Vicksburg, MI, 22 May 1863
  Entered service at: ------
  Date of issue: 25 February 1895.
  Citation: Saved his regimental flag; also seized and threw a shell, with burning fuse, from among his comrades. Carmen was captured at Mansfield, La. April 8, 1865, and was in the October 22, 1864 exchange.

Spiegel Brothers at Camp Ford

Joseph Spiegel Courtesy of Jill Spiegel

Marcus Spiegel Courtesy of Jill Spiegel

Joseph Spiegel, founder of merchandising giant Spiegels was the sutler of the 120th Ohio. He was captured on May 3, 1864, when the transport City Belle was ambushed on the Red River, he along with most of the 120th was held at the Camp until final exchange on May 22, 1865.

Joseph's brother Marcus was the colonel of the 120th, and was mortally wounded during the engagement. The family were German Jews who had immigrated to America in the 1840's. Marcus was one of only a handful of Jews in the Union army to reach the rank of Colonel. Their story is exemplary of the melting pot of America.

Other Relatives at Camp Ford

We are finding that a number of the men at the camp were family members. If you have more to add, please contact us.

• Breon brothers, John and Jacob Breon, 36th Iowa, captured Pleasant Hill, 9 April 1864. Jacob died August 24, 1864, and John died September 17, 1864.
• Grim brothers, Armstrong, Charles, Frederick and Thomas, 77th Ohio, captured Marks' Mills, Arkansas on 25 April 1864. Armstrong died July 18, 1864. The rest were paroled February 22, 1865.
• Peden brothers, A.M. and John Randolph, 2nd Kansas cavalry, captured Massard Prairie, Arkansas, 17 September 1864. Paroled May 22, 1865.
• Jonathon Martin and his two sons, James and John P, 130th Illinois Infantry, captured Mansfield, 8 April 1864. Paroled May 22, 1865.