Lee Hash of the Wyoming County list recently sent me information on some Civil War prisoners. Included was the following information: "Hardman Dickens -- Native of Raleigh County; no charge; no proof; professes loyalty. The foregoing nine men ought in my opinion to be discharged, and I respectfully suggest that a general order be issued forbidding suspected persons to be brought to Richmond until they have been examined by a colonel at least, who, if he sends them on, shall certify the charge and the evidence. At present the practice is for any scouting party or other party of soldiers to take a man from his home, very often without telling him, and without examination he is sent to Richmond, in some cases a distance of 350 miles, without even a change of clothing, and when the poor creatures are discharged here they are utterly penniless. Such a practice is as it seems to me wholly unjustifiable. It subjects the Government to great unnecessary expense and tends to produce dissatisfaction among the people. I would further suggest that the order should also apprise these people that giving or selling supplies to the enemy or giving them information is treason, and when one is arrested on such a charge and there is proof of it let him be sent to the jail in the district in which he is to be tried. The War Department will thus be saved much trouble, the Government much expense and the people protected from oppression." A couple of researchers of the Dickens surname are inclined to believe that Hardman Dickens may actually be George Harrison Dickens. According to Justin Kirk Dickens' book entitled "The Descendants of Ephraim Dickens (Jr) & Thomas Dickens Brothers of Raleigh County, West Virginia," George Harrison Dickens was the s/o Ephraim Dickens & Hester Ann James, born 7 February 1841, died 21 March 1897 & was married three times. He married Ingabo Allen, a daughter of Carr & Jane Allen of Wyoming County, on 25 September 1859. He married Matilda Alice Darington, d/o William Darlington & Anna Holiday on 17 January 1865 in Kanawha County. He married Louisa Damron, d/o John Damron, on 3 February 1880. George Harrison Dickens also resided in Fayette County, VA/WV. Does anyone have any evidence that could document George Harrison Dickens as "Hardman" Dickens? Also does anyone have any ideas on who the other eight of the "nine men" mentioned could be? Thank you in advance for any information. I look forward to reading your E-mails. Sincerely, Mike Peters [email protected]