have stoves for each tent and I recommend that they be furnished as soon as practicable. Generally they are sufficiently supplied with clothing, but there are some cases where a garment or two is needed, and these are being supplied as fast as possible. Provisions of good quality, except beans, are furnished in a superabundance. No greatcoats are issued except to the sick, because there are not enough for all, and as yet there has been no special necessity for them. An issue will be made as soon as they are obtained. The sick are in tents, not as comfortably provided for as they should be. Their great want is stoves and these have been estimated for. They require also kind treatment, which in my judgment the surgeon-in-charge does not appreciate, and I respectfully recommend that a medical officer pecul iarly fitted for such a position be ordered there. The police of the camp is generally good inside, but there is room for improvement; much of the ground outside is used by the men for the demands of nature, which can only be prevented by the erection of suitable sinks, which I will order immediately. The troops in this camp have nothing to complain of except so far as the hospital is concerned, which they can remedy by a little industry on their own part. The condition of the paroled men would be much better if it were not for the absence or inefficiency of their officers, and there would be a better state of discipline but for their bad examples and promptings. Many officers and men are absent from the camp without authority, and I respectfully ask how they are to be treated. There are a great many paroled officers and men scattered through the different States, absent from their regiments without authority, and it is a matter of much consequence to the service that it should be determined whether they are to be treated as deserters or whether the absence is to be tolerated at the pleasure of the absentees. The guard consists of a detachment of about 300 men, six companies, detailed from the troops in Annapolis, but the number is quite insufficient, and as they are at the camp only temporarily the duty is not done as thoroughly nor as efficiently as it should be, and I recommend that a guard of 500 men be detailed to be permanently at the camp, forming a part of the command. I propose to give instructions immediately which will improve the condition of things at the camp in every particular. As a first necessity an efficient guard is absolutely required, and I respectfully request that General Wool be instructed to order the detail. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. HOFFMAN, Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners. OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS, Washington, D. C., November 7, 1862. Maj. PETER ZINN, Commanding Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio. MAJOR: Your letter of the 1st is received. My instructions of the 22d ultimo referred only to prisoners of war belonging to the Confederate Army-such as are held for exchange. This does not of course embrace guerrillas and other irregular organizations. You were right in not releasing the men you refer to, and they will be held for exchange if they are recognized by the rebel authorities as belonging to their army. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. HOFFMAN, Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners. WAR DEPARTMENT, November 7, 1862. [Colonel HOFFMAN, Commissary-General of Prisoners.] COLONEL: The Secretary of War says that Mr. Soulé is not subject to exchange at present. Very respectfully, ED. R. S. CANBY, Brigadier-General. HEADQUARTERS, Baltimore, November 7, 1862. COMMANDING OFFICER, Frederick, Md. SIR: The major-general commanding the Eighth Army Corps directs that you take measures to prevent for the future any rebel prisoners of war, whether sick, wounded or in health, coming to this city from Frederick without being enrolled and in charge of an officer who will report their arrival to these headquarters. All prisoners of war who may come to this city without such enrollment, whether paroled or not, will be sent back to Frederick, and if any expense is incurred it will be charged to the officer who authorized their coming. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. D. WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Col. J. C. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant-General, Headquarters of the Army. SIR: The inclosed papers* are sent to you for the purpose of drawing your attention to the cases of a number of officers who were taken prisoners at Wilson's Creek, and who having been subjected during the command of General Frémont to some informal exchange of which no record can be found here are becoming impatient to learn their real status. It seems necessary to resort to the memory of those who were acquainted with this transaction at the time to obtain the facts, and Major Sturgis (now general) having been the officer conducting the exchange on our side his statement is particularly desirable. It is necessary to know what number of prisoners were exchanged, who they were and where the papers are referring to the matter. This was before the exchange under agreement between Price and Frémont. If it proves impossible to ascertain whether these officers have been exchanged and to give them certificates to that effect they will have to be exchanged now and should in justice be placed at the top of the present lists, having so long suffered from being off duty. By command of Major-General Curtis: N. P. CHIPMAN, Colonel and Chief of Staff. [First indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, November 13, 1862. Respectfully referred to the commissioner for the exchange of pris oners. By order of Major-General Halleck: * Omitted. J. C. KELTON, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Second indorsement.] Upon examination of the records of this office it is found that four of the officers referred to are exchanged, viz: Lieut. Col. Joseph Conrad, Fifteenth Missouri Volunteers, exchanged November 10, 1862; Capt. W. Mittmann, Twelfth Missouri Volunteers, exchanged November 10, 1862; Capt. John Kayser, Twelfth Missouri Volunteers, exchanged November 10, 1862; Capt. Charles Mann, First Missouri Light Artillery, exchanged November 10, 1862. The names of the others, viz, written Captain [Geo.] Schuster, Third Missouri; written Lieutenant [Otto C.] Lademann, Third Missouri; written Lieutenant [John C. A.] Fischer, Third Missouri, are not on file, and in all probability are not exchanged, but the names have been sent to Colonel Ludlow for exchange. General CURTIS: [W. HOFFMAN.] GRATIOT STREET PRISON, November 7, 1862. Yesterday I was called before the provost-marshal-general and was told that there was nothing in the way of my exchange, but was denied a parole and am still confined in prison. I see from the public prints that a flag-of-truce party had returned from Little Rock and that all differences between yourself and General Holmes had been satisfactorily adjusted, and also that all Federal prisoners and cotton speculators had been released and returned from Little Rock and the prisoners captured in the same skirmish in which I was had been paroled. Why is it that when my Government observes the cartel that I and my men are denied the benefits of it? I again, in behalf of myself and members of the Twenty-first Texas Cavalry, demand our exchange or parole in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the two Governments. Respectfully, yours, D. C. GIDDINGS, Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-first Texas Cavalry, C. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS PAROLED FORCES, Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. SIR: I have the honor to report that no more paroled men can be accommodated in this camp unless tents can be supplied (which I understand will be difficult, if not entirely impracticable) or barracks erected. The last of the tents in the quartermaster's hands were issued several days ago and requisitions are still coming in as additional prisoners arrive. I have been crowding the newly arrived men into tents already filled to their full capacity according to the regulations, but this shift will answer no longer and I am compelled to submit the subject to your consideration. In Camp Chase there are still as I am informed a number of unoccupied barracks erected a year ago; but the ground is so low and flat that during the open and wet weather of winter and early spring it is almost impracticable to pass along the streets and avenues on which the buildings have been erected. This camp (Camp Wallace) for the most part is no better, although it occupies the highest and most easily drained land in the vicinity of Columbus. The ground occupied by a single regiment is so elevated as to be rendered tolerable by ditching, &c., but the residue is covered with water during the open weather of winter and spring and is too low and flat to be ditched. I am informed that the only eligible winter camp in Ohio is Camp Dennison, where there are still accommodations for a large force, twice or thrice the number at Camp Wallace. I would respectfully sug gest that by ordering the paroled force now here to Camp Dennison better quarters would be secured and the expense of erecting barracks obviated. Awaiting your orders, I am, with the greatest respect, your obedient, humble servant, JAMES COOPER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Paroled Forces, Columbus, Ohio. OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS, Surg. JOSIAH SIMPSON, Medical Director Middle Department, Baltimore, Md. SIR: I have just returned from an inspection of the hospital at Camp Parole, near Annapolis, which I did not find in as comfortable a condition as I think it should be. In part this grows out of the want of stoves, which I was informed you had ordered. But save putting the sick on cots in tents I could see little that was done to alleviate the many privations which sick men in camp are exposed to; nor do I think the surgeon in charge appreciates the importance of not only prescrib ing for the sick, but also as far as in his power of providing for the many wants which must be met to diminish their sufferings and insure a speedy recovery. A surgeon of experience is required for this posi tion; one who, besides prescribing medicines for the sick, will devise the means and use every effort to put them in force for giving his patients every possible comfort, and I urge it on you to send such a medical officer there with at least two good assistants. It would be impossible for me to give minute instructions in this matter and they would be of little use unless the surgeon is the right person for the place. On inquiry I found there was no morning report of the hospital kept and there was nothing to show the number of sick but the regis ter. There did not seem to be any hospital fund, though the rations undrawn due the hospital amounted to several hundred dollars. I inclose herewith a report* which I called for, made by Doctor Norval and indorsed by the colonel commanding. According to each great improprieties have been committed in sending sick men from hospitals to this camp who were almost in a dying condition. Such things I am sure do not meet your approval and I would be glad to be informed who it is who has been so reckless of his duty. One stove in three tents I am afraid will make the middle one too hot, while the other two would not be warmed, and I therefore suggested to you by telegram to use two small stoves. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. HOFFMAN, Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners. *Not found. HDQRS. HOWARD AND RANDOLPH REGIMENT, Brig. Gen. LEWIS MERRILL, Commanding Northeast District, Macon City, Mo. GENERAL: I am gratified to be able to report that the efforts of the Enrolled Militia since their organization in this county have resulted in the restoration of peace and apparent good feeling amongst our people, and to guarantee a continuance of this state of affairs for the future I beg to suggest that after consultation with my officers and influential Union men in this county the following active and persevering rebels should be banished to some loyal State, there to take their abode during the continuance of the war. This done and I feel confident that permanent peace will speedily ensue, viz: Gerard Robinson, Wade M. Jackson (brother of ex-Governor), Rev. David Fisher, James S. Thomson, Alex. Aldridge, Dr. J. C. Heberling, Dr. William C. Harvey, Thomas E. Birch, Richard H. Robinson, Stephen Bynum, John S. Haden. Lieutenant-Colonel Green, Lieutenant McNair and myself expect to start to Brunswick to-morrow in compliance with your special order. Your obedient servant, TH. J. BARTHOLOW, Make order for banishment. Colonel, Commanding. [Indorsement.] LEWIS MERRILL, HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Maj. Gen. H. G. WRIGHT, Cincinnati. GENERAL: It is officially reported that the rebel generals in Kentucky paroled men as prisoners of war who have never borne arms and are not of suitable age so to do. No such prisoners will be recognized or exchanged as prisoners of war. Again it is reported that certain conditions not included in the cartel have been introduced into the paroles. Such conditions are not binding and will not be observed. The terms and meaning of the parole are fixed by the cartel and cannot be varied from. The parole is virtually given by the Government and not by individuals, and where individuals see fit to incur obligations not authorized by the Government and which the enemy have no right to impose such obligations will not be recognized by the Government. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, H. W. HALLECK. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, November 10, 1862. His Excellency Governor E. SALOMON, Madison, Wis. SIR: In reply to yours of October 20 calling attention to alleged illtreatment of paroled prisoners from Wisconsin I am directed by the |