I have been writing about Charles Gratoit in my War of 1812 blog "Not So Forgotten" the last two days. I found out there was a prison in St. Louis named after him, so did some more research. There is also a Gratoit Street in St. Louis.
Charles Gratoit was born in St. Louis and appointed to the USMA by Thomas Jefferson and one of the first graduates of it. During the War of 1812 and after that he served as a military engineer involved in the construction of many forts and defenses, including North Carolina's Fort Hampton which was the subject of my posts in that blog.
From Civil War St. Louis:
Gratoit Military Prison held not only Confederate prisoners (most on there was to other prisons), but also spies, guerrillas and civilians suspected of being disloyal. Also, even federal troops accused of crime or misbehavior..
It was in a large brick building with two wings. Abutting the northern end was the Christian Brothers Academy. There was even a round room for female prisoners.
--Old Secesh
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