This collection contains the papers of the family of Alfred Hughes, a doctor, Confederate sympathizer, and political prisoner held at Camp Chase, a Union prison camp in Columbus, Ohio, in 1862 during the American Civil War.

In Hughes's letter to his wife, he provides updates on his parole, expresses the importance of letters from loved ones, and warns his wife that their letters are being examined. (The collection contains a transcription of this letter.) Two letters are from Eliza C. Hughes to Alfred about the health of patients and mentions the family of other prisoners at Camp Chase. One letter expresses her opinions about where he is being held and racist opinions about Black people. There are also 3 envelopes addressed to Hughes in Columbus, Ohio, presumably after being paroled. Most of the envelopes are marked as examined by an official at the prison or addressed to D. B. Tiffany, the prison postmaster.

A pass issued by Ohio Governor, David Tod, grants Alfred Hughes permission to visit Camp Chase after his parole on Nov. 21, 1862. There is also an undated newspaper clipping about an order made on November 22, 1862 by U.S. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to release people imprisoned for discouraging enlistment or opposing the draft in the Union.