In and Out of Rebel Prisons

by A. (Alonzo) Cooper

"In and Out of Rebel Prisons" by A. Cooper is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book chronicles the author's experiences as a Union officer during the American Civil War, specifically focusing on his time as a prisoner of war in Confederate prisons. The narrative emphasizes the conditions faced by Union officers in various prisons and recounts the author's observations of battles, the prison system, and the overall plight of soldiers during this tumultuous period. The opening of this work introduces readers to the author's dedication to a comrade and provides a frame of reference for the various prisons mentioned throughout the text. A Cooper explains his experiences with a somewhat optimistic lens, contrasting the suffering experienced by rank-and-file soldiers with the relatively better conditions faced by officers. He sets the stage by detailing scenes from his imprisonment, along with descriptions of the immediate environment, military operations, and the psychological challenges that he and his fellow prisoners faced. The narrative begins by highlighting the circumstances surrounding the Battle of Plymouth, revealing the onset of hardships as the author transitions from an officer to a prisoner, establishing a backdrop for the accounts that follow.