HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, Col. T. S. BOWERS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.: Under the ruling of Attorney-General Speed paroled prisoners of war cannot return to their former homes in the loyal States. The paroles of the men, however, make no exceptions, and they think they are entitled to go to their homes by the terms of the surrender of the rebel armies. Many of them arrive at this point daily, destitute, expecting to go to Missouri, Kentucky, and elsewhere, and have been told by officers that transportation would be furnished by the Govern ment. While it is true that they are not entitled to transportation or subsistence by the Government, yet I would respectfully submit the question if it would not be better to send them home than that they should be allowed to encumber and depredate upon the community, which their destitute condition will compel them to do if not assisted. It is true they might be billeted on the people here-rebel sympathizers, if you please-but this would not be just, as nearly all have complied with the conditions imposed by Government. I respectfully ask if all who are not excepted in the late proclamation who desire to go to the loyal States may not be permitted to do so by taking the oath of allegiance, and the Quartermaster's Department furnish transportation for those who are destitute. The policy or regulations for the changed condition of the negro should be taken into serious consideration. The most serious difficulty is compensation for his services. This necessarily must be left discretionary with the employer, but something should be done by which the employer can be protected as well as the employé. This in time will regulate itself, but in the present embryo state of the negro, most of whom think freedom means that they are no longer required to work and have a right to appropriate to themselves all they can get, I would respectfully suggest that all contracts for labor at present be made on the part of the negro by the superintendent of freedmen, whose duty it would be to protect both parties. Respectfully, &c., [Indorsement.] JNO. E. SMITH, HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, Respectfully returned. So much of this communication as relates to freedmen has been referred to General Howard, Commissioner of the Bureau of Freedmen, &c. Under the agreement made by General Canby, paroled prisoners of war are entitled to transportation to the nearest practicable points to their homes, and you are authorized and directed to furnish them transportation accordingly. By command of Lieutenant-General Grant: T. S. BOWERS, Assistant Adjutant-General. [JUNE 13, 1865.-For Lee to Grant and Grant's reply (June 20) in relation to indictment of paroled prisoners by grand jury at Norfolk, Va., see Series I, Vol. XLVI, Part III, pp. 1275, 1286.] WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Bvt. Brig. Gen. MARTIN BURKE, U. S. Army, Commanding Fort Lafayette, New York Harbor: (Through Headquarters Department of the East, New York City.) SIR: In reply to the request of Messrs. Mallory and Hill, dated the 7th instant, not to be confined separately in Fort Lafayette, the Secretary of War directs me to say that he has no objection to their being in the same room, provided their safe custody is insured and that they have no communication with persons outside. I am, sir, &c., E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General. [JUNE 13, 1865.- For order directing arrest of L. B. Northrop, see Series I, Vol. XLVI, Part III, p. 1276.] HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE JAMES, Major-General SCHOFIELD, Raleigh: You will arrest Col. William Norris, late Confederate commissioner of exchange, and send him to provost-marshal at this place. He is supposed to have had money in his possession which belonged to our prisoners of war. This should be secured if possible and an account sent here. Also send here all books and papers of Captain Morfit turned over or found there. The whole matter is being investigated by a commission.* H. W. HALLECK, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Maj. Gen. E. A. HITCHCOCK, Commissioner for the Exchange of Prisoners, Washington, D. C.: SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communica tion of the 5th instant relating to two colored boys who accompanied the Forty-second Massachusetts Volunteers from Boston, were captured during the expedition to the Sabine River in the spring of 1864, and subsequently sold into slavery at Houston, Tex. În my stipulations for exchange with the insurgents west of the Mississippi I have always made it a rule to require that persous of this character should be regarded as prisoners of war, and I know of no individual cases in which this has been complied with. As Texas is now within the limits of General Sheridan's command, I have referred your communication for his action. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ED. R. S. CANBY, Major-General, Commanding. *For correspondence relating to Colonel Norris not published in this series, see Series I, Vol. XLVII, Part III. OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS, Brigadier-General RICHARDSON, Commanding Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio: Send all rebel officers who are not to be released under General Orders, No. 109, to Johnson's Island under suitable guard. W. HOFFMAN, Commissary-General of Prisoners. RICHMOND, VA., June 14, 1865. Major-General SCHOFIELD, Raleigh: Send here all prisoners, papers, and witnesses connected with the disposition of funds, &c., sent to our prisoners of war through Richmond. H. W. HALLECK, Major-General, Commanding. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, June 15, 1865-11.30 a. m. Major-General MILES, Commanding at Fort Monroe: By order of General Grant, General Dix has arrested John Mitchel, at New York, and sent him to Fort Monroe, to be delivered to your charge. You will keep him a close prisoner, allowing him communication with no one. Inform this Department when he arrives at the fort. He is on board the steamer Henry Burden. Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT, EDWIN M. STANTON, WASHINGTON, D. 'C., June 16, 1865. Comdg. Armies of the United States, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: I have the honor to return herewith the reports of Major Davis upon the condition of the prison depot at Johnson's Island, Ohio, and Rock Island, Ill., with the following remarks:* The report of Major Davis doubtless gives a very fair view of the state of the command at Johnson's Island. The undersigned deems the One hundred and twenty eighth Ohio Volunteers as ample guard for the depot, and he concurs with Major Davis in the belief that the other regiment, Sixth Veteran Reserves, may with propriety be ordered to other service. The forts were not erected on the recommendation of the undersigned, and they are not now necessary for the defense of the island. The hospital reported by Major Davis as recently erected was authorized by the Secretary of War in September last, and the barracks were ordered by Major General Hooker in November. The plan in use for the safe-keeping and disbursement of the private funds of prisoners has been found by experience to be a very good one; very few cases have occurred where money of prisoners in the hands of the commanding officer has not been properly accounted for. To put it in the bands of a prisoner would be to place it beyond the reach of responsibility, and to require the accounts to pass through this office *Davis' reports omitted. would occasion much expense and labor for a matter purely for the private benefit of prisoners of war, but with very little advantage to them. Any excess of employés or means of transportation will be dispensed with. The report of Major Davis in regard to Rock Island is doubtless also correct. The relief of the One hundred and eighth Colored Infantry would have been recommended ere this, but the size of the camp is such that a small number of prisoners require nearly as many men to guard them as a large number. In view of the speedy release of all prisoners at Rock Island it is now recommended that this regiment be assigned to other duty. The remarks in reference to private funds of prisoners at Johnson's Island apply equally well to Rock Island. Money sent to prisoners has perhaps been too often kept from them by the dishonesty of those who had the examining of their letters, but when funds are once in the hands of the commanding officer there is rarely any loss, and it is believed that in the few cases where such things have unavoidably occurred the money has been made good to the prisoners. The post fund is accounted for under the Army Regulations to the Adjutant-General and not to this office. The account of the prison fund is rendered to this office, and the amount shows that it is well administered. The weekly report made to this office of the condition of the depot shows a better state of police than is reported by Major Davis. The depot at Rock Island is too large to be occupied by a small number of prisoners, and for such as may remain in custody it is respectfully recommended that Fort Delaware be used in preference. If it is desirable to relieve the fort of the presence of prisoners, Camp Chase is recommended as being next most convenient, it being very central and being divided into three prisons, where officers, soldiers, and citizens may be confined separately. The barracks at Rock Island for guard and prisoners are very good, and the inclosure may be so divided at no great cost as to make it convenient to hold a small or large number of prisoners there. There will probably not be over 250 officers to be held after the execution of General Orders, No. 109. I respectfully suggest that Capt. Matthew H. Kollock, of the One hundred and eighth U. S. Colored Troops, reported as deserted from the naval service, is unfit to hold a commission in the army. I deem it proper in this place respectfully to suggest that quite extensive works having been erected on Johnson's Island, it would be advisable before returning it to its owner to decide the question as to the propriety of securing it for the location of a naval station for the defense of the northern frontier. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Bot. Brig. Gen., U. S. Army, Commissary-General of Prisoners. OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS, Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Commanding U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose herewith lists of citizen pris. oners in confinement at various military prisons without charges or not *Omitted. under sentence. Some at Nashville are awaiting sentence. I respectfully suggest that all who are not charged with any offense, and those against whom there are no serious charges upon which they may be immediately tried, be at once released on their taking the oath of allegiance. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Bvt. Brig. Gen., U. S. Army, Commissary-General of Prisoners. HDQRS. MILITARY DISTRICT OF FORT MONROE, Brig. Gen. E. D. TOWNSEND, Fort Monroe, Va., June 16, 1865. Assistant Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.: GENERAL: Inclosed I have the honor to forward the corrected letter of the prisoner Davis to Charles O'Conor, New York City. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, NELSON A. MILES, Brevet Major-General, Commanding. [Inclosure.] FORTRESS MONROE, VA., June 15, 1865. CHARLES O'CONOR, Esq., &c., New York, N. Y.: MY DEAR SIR: On the 7th instant I addressed you a letter and sent it to the commanding officer at this place for transmission; it has this day been returned to me because of objection made at Washington to a sentence in regard to those who you informed me had taken notice of my case. That sentence being omitted, the following is a copy of the letter above referred to : CHARLES O'CONOR, Esq., &c.: FORTRESS MONROE, VA., June 7, 1865. MY DEAR SIR: Yours of the 2d instant was laid before me yesterday, and to-day permission has been granted to me to make a specific reply to your offer. Formally, then, I accept your tender of services as my counsel and offer my grateful acknowl edgments for your kindness. * * * After my capture as a prisoner of war the proclamation publicly accusing me and offering a reward for my arrest reached the section where I then was. Since my arrival here all knowledge of passing events has been so rigorously excluded that I am quite ignorant as to any proceedings instituted against me, as well as the character of the evidence on which they could have been founded, and consequently cannot judge what kind of testimony will be required for my vindication. Though reluctant to tax you with the labor of coming here, I must, for the considerations indicated, request you to obtain the requisite authority to visit me for the purpose of a full conference. Again tendering to you my sincere thanks, I am, very respectfully and truly, yours, JEFF'N DAVIS. I have adhered to the former mode of expression rather than any which might more fully present my wishes, because it is not likely to be regarded objectionable, the only matter excepted to having been omitted, and hope this may reach you at an early day and satisfactorily explain the delay of my reply to your magnanimous interposition in my behalf. I am, very sincerely, yours, JEFF'N DAVIS. |