This is a drawing of the remains of a covered bridge over the Pearl River, near Jackson, Ms., which the Confederates converted into a prison. Pvt. St. Clair was held here after being captured at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, on December 29, 1862.  Internet research can provide no other image of this interesting "prison" other than that provided by the donor, Michele Krause. See more details on the "bridge prison".

Update 5/31/2012: Thanks to information provided by Mike Dooley, it is now known that several, if not many 16th Ohio soldiers captured at Chickasaw Bayou were held in this "prison". This includes the web author's great great grandfather, Milton Mills, Captain of Company D, who was there for a few days before they moved him, being an officer, to other "accomodations".

The following was transcribed from a General Affadavit taken from Capt. Milton Mills in support of a claim for federal soldier's pension made by William St. Clair:

GENERAL AFFADAVIT

State of Ohio, County of Muskingum.

In the matter of Original Invalid Pension claim No. 602.023 of William St. Clair Co "D" 16th O.V.I.
ON THIS 6th day of April A.D. 1887; personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths Milton Mills aged 55 years, by occupation a miller resident ofZanesville in the County of Muskingum and State of Ohio P.O. #21 South Belknap St. well known to me to be reputabale and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:

I was the Captain of Company "D" 16th Regt. O.V.I. in the war of 1861 and was well acquainted with Wm. St. Clair who was a Pri. in said company. Was slightly acquainted prior to his enlistment and at the time of his enlistment he was a stout heart boy or young man. To the best of my recolection and belief he remained in good health until after we fell into the hands and tender mercies of the enemy at Chicasaw bluffs Miss. in the latter part of Dec. 1862. We were first taken to Vicksburg where we were a short time and from there removed to Jackson Miss. where we were put in a bridge across the Pearl river for a prison; said WIlliam St. Clair while on or in said bridge prison caught a cold from which he complained a great deal and was still afflicted with when I was separated from the boys and taken up into the City. Since his discharge I have personally known him though I only meet him occasionally, perhaps not more than two or three times a year and only know of his disabilities as he tells me them when in conversation with him. I have no doubt but that he is afflicted as alleged and from the effects of said exporsure in rebell prison. I know these facts from being Captain of the company at the time further declare that I have no interest in said case and am not concerned in its prosecution. I am no relation to St. Clair.