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The Portal to Hell.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:60.00 USD Estimated At:120.00 - 150.00 USD
The Portal to Hell.
Manuscript pass issued by Capt. M. Cassleman, signed for him by Col. Comdg. William H. Christian, 2nd Regt., '26th N.Y. Infantry], Barracks No. 3, Elmira (N.Y.), May 13, 1861, 5 x 7 3/4. "The Bearer Daniel R. Phelps is hereby permitted to go to Utica to be absent 10 days, at the end of which time...he will report himself at the Barracks No. 3 at Elmira or be considered a deserter." "Barracks No. 3" became widely known - and dreaded - as another designation for the Elmira P.O.W. camp. Docketed. Interesting blind-embossed stationer's crest; evidently the Union offices here had not yet received delivery of stationery, and were using locally-procured plain paper. Light parallel folds for carrying in pocket, else fine. Excessively early Elmira military usage - in fact, records show that Christian did not enlist until four days after the date of this document (modern copy, with photograph, accompany). He was Breveted Brig. Gen. in 1865. The eponymous prison camp became known as the "Portal to Hell," rivaling Andersonville and other forsaken destinations. Elmira had the highest death rate of any prison camp in the North, almost 25 percent. Comparatively, the overall death rate of all Northern prison camps was just over 11 percent; in the South...15 percent. Clearly, something went wrong in Elmira..."--Review of Elmira: Death Camp of the North, by Michael Horigan. Very scarce thus.