Camp Chase and the Evolution of Union Prison Policy

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments It may be a tired cliché, but it is also an accurate one: nobody produces a book like this by himself, and in writing this one I have incurred numerous debts. Among those to whom I owe thanks are the staff members at the institutions where research for this work was conducted.They were uniformly polite, professional, and most of all, patient. Among those who were particularly helpful are Stuart Butler (now retired from the National Archives); Jeff Flannery (Library of Congress); David Simmons (Ohio Historical Society); Nan Card (Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center); Gregory Stoner (Virginia Historical Society); Rebecca Rice and Jim Holmberg (Filson Historical Society); Naomi Nelson (Emory University); Carlos Torres (Western Reserve Historical Society ); Janie Morris (Duke University); Merilyn Hughes (Tennessee State Library and Archives); and Ed Frank (University of Memphis). At other institutions I dealt with individuals too numerous to list, but to them also I offer gratitude. The memory of Camp Chase remains strong in the Columbus area thanks to a number of local historians. Two of them, Lois Neff and Paul Clay, provided valuable assistance and encouragement. Another Columbus resident, Dr. Rick Nelson of the Ohio State University Hospitals, answered medical questions I encountered. Mary Lou Podlasiak, Gary S. Williams, and Ken Williams, all of the Noble County, Ohio Authors’ Guild, each read the entire manuscript. All made significant contributions to the final product. Equally important, all understood what I was going through, having been there themselves. I am very fortunate to work in the Noble County School District, and I am particularly blessed to work at Shenandoah Elementary School. Every day at work I remember how thankful I am to have landed in the elementary building, where I am surrounded by professional and supportive colleagues. Deserving special mention is English teacher David Arbenz. Dave has proofread virtually everything I have ever submitted for publication , and his assistance with this project was especially helpful. Although now retired from teaching, he remains an active, albeit unpaid, freelance proofreader. My thanks also go to principals Mike Romick and Sandy Goff for their tremendous support. Finally, I am grateful to my family. My sister and brother-in-law, Jill and Gene Stuckey, always offer moral support. On a more practical level, their residence in the heart of the Confederacy was an appreciated base of operations. Similarly, work in the Washington, DC area was made more enjoyable by the opportunity to visit stepdaughters Anya Crum and Jocelyn Brooks and son-in-law Patrick Brooks. I must confess, however, that the birth of Parker Diane Brooks has made it a lot tougher to leave for a day’s work at the National Archives. My mother, Fern Pickenpaugh, also served as a keen proofreader and eager supporter. Having a mother with a darkroom is also a tremendous asset for any writer who includes photos in his work. And then there is Marion. She was with me on virtually every research trip. My wife likens research to a treasure hunt, and she dives in with tireless enthusiasm. Her patience and persistence have led her to many sources I would have missed. Beyond that, she is a proofreader, an indexer, and a patient listener as I spout out incoherent ideas about every book. Above all else, she is my friend. xii / Acknowledgments Camp Chase and the Evolution of Union Prison Policy ...