Correspondence, 1861 December 16-28

The collection contains the correspondence of Dr. John Hanson Thomas sent during his imprisonment during the Civil War. Dr. Thomas and his wife, Annie Campbell Thomas wrote each other almost every day during his time as a prisoner of war from September 1861 to February 1862, and letters between the couple make up the majority of the collection. These letters discuss daily life in the prison camp, political views, current events, and family matters. Annie Thomas often complained of the lack of news about the war, as the newspapers had been censored and was not shy of voicing her support of the South. They both often refer to mail censorship, and a few letters have sections cut out, most likely done by the censors. Annie Thomas would also enclose letters from family members, friends, and business associates with her own.