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Official Army Records

Miscellaneous-2 1861-1865

HEADQUARTERS ROCK ISLAND BARRACKS,

Rock Island, III., May 9, 1864.

Col. WILLIAM HOFFMAN, U.S. Army,

Commissary. General of Prisoners:

COLONEL: I have the honor to make the following report on that portion of your letter of

instructions dated April 16, 1864, that refers to occupying the prison barracks for other than the

purpose for which they were originally intended. Inclosed I hand you plan of west half of prison

inclosure. Though very rough, it will answer the present purpose. There is one error in or a

misunderstanding of Surgeon Clark's report in regard to the use of three barracks within the

prison inclosure for distributing quartermaster's and commissary stores. One barrack is used for

issuing commissary stores to the prisoners. The stores are hauled from the commissary building

outside of the west front on days of issue to the issuing barrack to the right on entering the inner

gate. In a conversation with Surgeon Clark subsequent to the receipt of your letter of the 16th

ultimo he told me that he considered this a good arrangement. This plan was adopted both for

safety and convenience. It obviates the necessity of a long double line of guards, extending from

the inner gate to the commissary building on the west front. Under the old mode for issuing not

only a heavy detail for guard was required, but the passage-way from the inner to the outer gate

was blocked to a great extent for two out of every ten days, interfering with the teams passing in

for fuel, police purposes, and with passing out and in of the various details of prisoners for work

outside of the prison. Generally the issues of clothing are made to small squads under guard at

the provost-marshal's office. Occasionally, when there is a large number to receive clothing, it is

taken inside and issued from an empty barrack. I had designed using the first barrack to the right

on entering the outer gate for issuing commissary stores after the hospital and temporary fences

are removed. With the above explanations I trust it will meet with your approval. Every effort

has been and is now being made with a view to the removal of the troops and the hospital outside

of the prison inclosure. The difficulty of obtaining lumber has been a serious one, and it may still

delay the removal of the hospitals. The barracks for the Thirty-seventh Iowa Volunteers are just

now ready, and they are moving in them. Surgeon Clark suggested that the seven barracks they

had been occupying remain fenced off, and that they be used to quarantine, not allowing

communication between the newly arrived prisoners and the others until we are satisfied that

they are free from contagious diseases. It met my hearty approval and I hope it will meet with

your approbation. There is a fair prospect that the new prisoners' hospital will be completed

within two weeks from this date. That will clear the thirteen barracks in the prison inclosure that

are now used for hospital wards. The cases of variola are decreasing rapidly and the prospects

are good for a comparatively healthy camp in a short time.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. J. JOHNSON,

Colonel Fourth Regt., Veteran Reserve Corps, Comdg. Post.

HEADQUARTERS ROCK ISLAND BARRACKS,

Rock Island, Ill., May 31, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded to Col. William Hoffman, Commissary-General of Prisoners, with

the remark that I have just returned from a careful inspection of the prison. I find the police and

everything in excellent condition. The grounds outside the prison inclosure are being improved

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as fast as practicable. Received Friday morning 179 prisoners from Little Rock, per steamer, via

Saint Louis; Saturday, 331 from Louisville per rail: all very dirty and badly clothed. Health of

the Louisville squint, good; of the Little Rock squad, bad. A few cases of measles among the

sick. The Thirty-seventh Iowa Regiment is ordered away; a 100-days' Illinois regiment is to take

their place. This change will occur in a day or two. When it takes place this depot will be better

garrisoned than at present.

A. J. JOHNSON,

Colonel -Fourth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, Comdg. Post.

CAMP FORD, June 7, 1864.

General E. KIRBY SMITH, C. S. Army:

GENERAL: We respectfully inclose to you two communications addressed to the U. S.

officer commanding the Department of the Gulf and to Rear-Admiral Farragut, U.S. Navy, and at

the same time request that the supplies therein asked for be allowed to come through your lines,

and that the communications be forwarded with that assurance. In view of the urgent necessity

existing for these supplies, of the protracted confinement of these prisoners, of the official delay

always attendant on such applications, of the great distance which the supplies must be

transported, if permitted, we would suggest the propriety of allowing some one of the officers

confined here to accompany the application to New Orleans, on parole, and return with the

supplies here.

Such a permission would be the highest assurance of your desire to provide for the prisoners

within your department, and could not but be universally appreciated as honorable liberality on

your part.

We remain, general, very respectfully, &c.,

CHARLES C. NOTT,

Colonel 176th New York Volunteers.

J. B. LEAKE,

Lieutenant-Colonel Twentieth Iowa Infantry.

JOHN COWAN,

Lieutenant-Colonel Nineteenth Kentucky Infantry.

E. B. HALL,

Capt. and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Department of the Gulf

CAMP FORD, TEX., June 7, 1864.

GENERAL COMDG. U. S. FORCES, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF:

SIR: By permission of the Confederate authorities' we transmit to you the following

statement, viz: There are now here 831 U.S. prisoners, captured at various times, ranging from

January 1, 1863, to September 29, 1863. These men, who have been prisoners from eight to

seventeen months, are in the greatest destitution. Many have been without a change of

underclothing upward of half a year, a large part are without shoes, numbers are naked from the

waist, and some have nothing but their ragged blankets girt about them in the place of trousers.

No great city presents scenes of more squalid destitution than they afford. At the same time we

find that while these prisoners have been apparently neglected and overlooked supplies have

been sent by their Government, both of subsistence and clothing, to the prisoners at Richmond,

and exchanges are daily made from men much more recently captured. The Confederate

authorities inform us that they are unable to fill requisitions for clothing at this time or to afford

these wretched men relief. We have consequently to seek it through them of our own

Government. There are also here 3,696 prisoners captured during the past spring. Most of these

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were taken on the battle-field and a considerable number have lost knapsacks, blankets, &c. For

the first-class (old prisoners) an entire suit of clothing is needed to each man, for the second

(those captured in the spring) a supply of underclothing and shoes. In the course of a few months

these last will require also an entire suit per man. You can best determine what to send them.

There has also been much sickness among the old prisoners and it is now rapidly increasing

among all. A supply of medicine is needed immediately, which cannot be procured here and

without which great mortality during the summer months is almost certain to occur. We annex a

schedule of the supplies asked for and most earnestly and strenuously beg that, without

postponement or delay, they be forwarded to us.

We remain, sir, very respectfully, &c.,

CHARLES C. NOTT,

Colonel 176th New York Volunteers.

J. B. LEAKE,

Lieutenant-Colonel Twentieth Iowa Infantry.

A. D. ROSE,

Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteers.

JOHN COWAN,

Lieutenant-Colonel Nineteenth Kentucky Volunteer -Infantry.

E. B. HALL,

Capt. and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Department of the Gulf.

CINCINNATI, OHIO, June 2, 1864.

Col. J. P. SANDERSON:

SIR: I have the honor to communicate to you the following as the result of my day's

investigation: I have formed the acquaintance of a Mr. Wiehl, of Lexington, Ky. I met him

yesterday, having previously seen him in company with Shepherd. He promises from

appearances to be of much use to me here, and I shall therefore offer a synopsis of his

antecedents. He was raised in Butler County, Iowa, and went to Kentucky, abolition in

sentiments, but soon found slavery a blessing, and in the outset of the rebellion arrayed himself

against his Government. He was taken prisoner, and says he has twice taken the oath of

allegiance. He is still an uncompromising black-hearted traitor, says the Government has ruined

him in property, but she can never rob him of his principles. With all this seeming confidence in

me I think he has yet misgivings, and until I eradicate it thoroughly I shall not gain his profound

secrets. A rebel trusts you by degrees. The longer you are with him the more suspicious or

confidential he grows. He says the Kentucky rebels must know a man before they will confide in

him; that detectives have been all through Kentucky and have ruined many of its best citizens.

He says he has heard hints in Lexington of this secret organization, but thinks it does not exist

there; that he is not a member; says it exists in Illinois, Indiana, and in this city; says the

Democratic party of Illinois are well armed; intimated to me that there is trouble brewing in

Kentucky; that there will be fighting there, and he wishes to remain near in order to participate in

it. He pointed out to me Colonel Grigsby, who formerly commanded in the Federal service a

Kentucky regiment; says that Colonel Wolford, commanding a Kentucky regiment of Federal

troops, told the rebels that his regiment should shed every drop of its blood in defense of slavery

in Kentucky. This was some time ago, but he thinks the colonel has modified his conversation.

This man Wiehl says there is a negro man at the Burnet House who ran away from a gentleman

in Lexington, Ky., and who will take $100 for the black man; says the negro told him for to buy

him of his master and he would refund him the money. W. having told the negro that his master

would take nothing less than $300, he expects to swindle the negro out of $200, you see; told me

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of an old lady in Missouri in whom the Federals have the utmost confidence, but who cooks for

and secretes Quantrill's men. She was in Kentucky this spring, and told her rebel friends she

must go back to Missouri, as she loved the bushwhackers better than any other class of men. She

gives Quantrill most of his information, and brags that she has enabled him to kill many Federal

officers and men. She resides probably in Buchanan or Platte County. I will get her name.

Respectfully,

E. F. H.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,

Hilton Head, S. C., August 17 [19], 1864.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff U.S. Armies, Washington, D.C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose the original and the transcribed copy of a document

received this day from some of our officers in Charleston. It is addressed to the President of the

United States, and signed by Major-General Stoneman, Col. T. J. Harrison, Eighth Indiana

Cavalry, and Col. J. B. Dorr, Eighth Iowa Cavalry. It gives a heartrending account of the

condition of our private soldiers now prisoners of war at Andersonville, Ga. This document was

received by the hands of Private Prescott Tracy, Eighty-second New York Volunteers. Private

Tracy was exchanged yesterday at Port Royal Ferry, to make up a small deficiency due at the last

exchange at Charleston Harbor. Upon the proposed subject of exchange I have written fully in

another letter.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

C. S. PRISON, Charleston, S. C., August 14, 1864.

The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:

The condition of the enlisted men belonging to the Federal armies now prisoners to the

Confederate rebel forces is such that it be, comes our duty, and the duty of every commissioned

officer, to make known the facts in the case to the Government of the United States and to use

every honorable effort to secure a general exchange of prisoners, thereby relieving thousands of

our comrades from the horrors now surrounding them. For some time past there has been a

concentration of prisoners from all parts of the rebel territory to the State of Georgia, the

commissioned officers being confined at Macon and the enlisted men at Andersonville. Recent

movements of the Federal armies by General Sherman have compelled the removal of the

prisoners to other points, and it is now understood they will be removed to Savannah, Ga., and

Columbia and Charleston, S. C., but no change of this kind holds out any prospect of relief to our

poor men. Indeed, as the localities selected are far more unhealthy, there must be an increase

rather than a diminution of suffering.

Colonel Hill, provost-marshal-general, C. S. Army, at Atlanta, stated to one of the

undersigned that there were 35,000 prisoners at Andersonville, and by all accounts from the U.S.

soldiers who have been confined there the number is not overstated by him. These 35,000 are

confined in a field of some thirty acres inclosed by a board fence, heavily guarded; about onethird

have various kinds of indifferent shelter, but upward of 20,000 are wholly without shelter

or shade of any kind and are exposed to the storms and rains which are of almost daily

occurrence. The cold dews of night and the more terrible effects of the sun striking with almost

tropical fierceness upon their unprotected heads, this mass of men jostle and crowd each other up

and down the limits of their inclosure in storm or sun, and then lie down on the pitiless earth at

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night with no other covering than the clothing upon their backs, few of them having even a

blanket.

Upon entering the prison, every man is deliberately stripped of money and other property,

and as no clothing or blankets are ever supplied to their prisoners by the C. S. A. authorities, the

condition of the apparel of soldiers just from an active campaign can be easily imagined.

Thousands are without pants or coats, and hundreds without even a pair of drawers to cover their

nakedness. To these men, as indeed to all prisoners, there is issued three-fourths of a pound of

bread or meal, and one eighth of a pound of meat per day; this is the entire ration, and upon it the

prisoner must live or die. The meal is often unsifted and sour, and the meat such as in the North

is consigned to the soap-maker. Such are the rations upon which Union soldiers are fed by the

rebel authorities and by which they are barely holding on to life. But to starvation and exposure,

to sun and storm, add the sickness which prevails to a most alarming and terrible extent, on an

average 100 die daily. It is impossible that any Union soldier should know all the facts pertaining

to this terrible mortality, as they are not paraded by the rebel authorities.

Such statements as the following made by Sergeant Hindman, Ninety-eighth Ohio Infantry,

speak eloquent testimony. Said the sergeant: "Of twelve of us who were captured, six died, four

are in the hospital--I never expect to see them again--there are but two of us left."

In 1862 at Montgomery, Ala., under far more favorable circumstances, the prisoners being

protected by sheds, from 150 to 200 were sick from diarrhea and chills out of 700; the same

percentage would give 7,000 sick at Andersonville. It needs no comment, no efforts at wordpainting

to make such a picture stand out boldly in most horrible colors, nor is this all. Among

the ill-fated of the many who have suffered amputation in consequence of injuries received

before capture, sent from rebel hospitals before their wounds were healed; they are eloquent

witnesses against the barbarities of which they are victims. If to these facts is added this, that

nothing more demoralizes soldiers and develops the evil passions of man than starvation, the

terrible condition of Union prisoners at Andersonville can be readily imagined. They are fast

losing hope and becoming utterly reckless of life. Numbers crazed by their sufferings wander

about in a state of idiocy; others deliberately cross the "dead-line" and are remorselessly shot

down. In behalf of these men we most earnestly appeal to the President of the United States.

Few of them have been captured except in the front of battle in the deadly encounter, and

only when overpowered by numbers; they constitute as gallant a portion of our armies as carry

our banner anywhere. If released they would soon return to again do vigorous battle for our

cause. We are told that the only obstacle in the way of exchange is the status of enlisted negroes

captured from our armies; the United States claiming that the cartel covers all who serve under

its flag and the Confederate States refusing to consider the negro soldiers, heretofore slaves, as

prisoners of war. We beg leave to suggest some facts bearing upon the question of exchange

which we would urge upon this consideration.

Is it not consistent with the national honor, without waiving the claim that the negro soldiers

shall be treated as prisoners of war, yet to effect an exchange of the white soldiers? The two

classes are treated differently by the enemy, the white is confined in such prisons as Libby and

Andersonville, starved and treated with barbarism unknown to civilized nations, the black, on the

contrary, is seldom imprisoned; they are distributed among the citizens or employed upon

Government works. Under these circumstances they receive enough to eat and are worked no

harder than accustomed to; they are neither starved nor killed off by the pestilence in the

dungeons of Richmond and Charleston. It is true they are again made slaves, but their slavery is

freedom and happiness compared with the cruel existence imposed upon our gallant men. They

are not bereft of hope, as are the Union soldiers dying by inches. Their chances of escape are

tenfold greater than those of the white soldiers, and their condition, viewed in all its lights, is

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tolerable in comparison with that of the prisoners of war now languishing in the dens and pens of

"Secession."

While, therefore, believing the claims of our Government in matters of exchange to be just,

we yet are profoundly impressed with the conviction that the circumstances of the classes of

soldiers are so widely different that the Government can honorably consent to an exchange,

waiting for a time to establish the principle justly claimed to be applicable in the case.

Let 35,000 suffering, starving, and dying enlisted men aid this appeal to the Chief Magistrate

of the Republic for prompt and decisive action in their behalf; 35,000 heroes will be made happy.

For the 1,800 commissioned officers, now prisoners, we urge nothing. Although desirous of

returning to our duty, we can bear imprisonment with more fortitude if the enlisted men, whose

sufferings we know to be intolerable, were restored to liberty and life.

J. B. DORR,

Colonel Eighth Iowa Cavalry.

T. J. HARRISON,

Colonel Eighth Indiana Cavalry.

GEORGE STONEMAN,

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS ROCK ISLAND BARRACKS, ILL.,

September 11, 1861.

Respectfully forwarded to Col. William Hoffman, U.S. Army, Commissary-General of

Prisoners.

The condition of the prison is as herein stated. The One hundred and thirty-third Illinois (100.

days' men) left on the 12th instant. We have now here the One hundred and ninety-seventh

Pennsylvania, four companies of the Forty-eighth Iowa (both 100-days' men), and the three

companies Second Battalion. Circular 65, current series, Adjutant-General's Office, will cause a

further depletion of the garrison--though General Paine, district commander, has promised us

more troops, and they are expected daily.

A. J. JOHNSON,

Colonel Fourth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, Comdg. Post.

MANSFIELD, OHIO, September 26, 1864.

Hon. E. M. STANTON:

DEAR SIR: Allow me again to urge your aid to get a special exchange for Maj. W. Stanhope

Marshall, of the Fifth (I think) Iowa Volunteers. He is now at Charleston, S. C. Aside from his

merits as an officer, and his long imprisonment, there is this additional reason for an exchange:

His father, John S. Marshall, of this county, is very feeble, and will probably not live two

months, and will leave a large property, the care of which and of his mother and family will

devolve on Colonel Marshall. The family is in deep distress, and I sincerely trust you will send

this note with such a request to General Foster as will secure the exchange of Colonel Marshall. I

shall feel personally grateful for this favor.

Very truly, yours,

JOHN SHERMAN.

NEW YORK, October 26, 1864.

General THOMAS:

GENERAL: I am a paroled prisoner of war just arrived from Rich-mend, Va., and previous

to that from Charleston, S. C. We were confined in the jail yard of the latter place several weeks.

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While there I learned that two of your scouts were in solitary confinement in jail, kept on one

meal of mush and a little meat per day. I found means to communicate with them through a

negro boy that took their food to them. They gave their names as James Pike, Fourth Ohio

Volunteer Cavalry, Company A; Charles R. Gray, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, Company D, and say they

were taken on the 5th of June near Augusta, Ga., in uniform and under arms, and narrowly

escaped being hanged. They are suffering very much, not being allowed to wash themselves or

clothes but seldom, and, in spite of all, are true as steel and breathe vengeance against the rebels

when they get out. They were much disappointed that they did not go with those who were

exchanged last month according to arrangements made between Generals Hood and Sherman.

Trusting you will be able to do something for their release,

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOS. B. STOKES,

Ensign, U. S. Navy.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Nashville, Tenn., November 1, 1864.

Respectfully referred to the Commissary-General of Prisoners, with request that two rebel

prisoners of war be selected as hostages for the within-named men, viz, Corpl. James Pike,

Company A, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and Private Charles R. Gray, Company D, Fifth

Iowa Cavalry, two scouts sent by me into the country occupied by the rebel army in May last. I

would also request that the rebel authorities be informed that hostages have been selected and

will be subjected to the same treatment as they inflict upon the two soldiers named.

By command of Major-General Thomas:

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Brigadier-General and Assistant Adjutant-General.

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 1, 1864.

Maj. Gen. B. F. BUTLER,

Commissioner for Exchange of Prisoners, Fort Monroe, Va.:

GENERAL: By authority of the Secretary of War and in the absence of General Wessells,

Inspector and Commissary. General of Prisoners, I have the honor to inform you that Corpl. R.

H. Curry, Company F, and Private W. J. Neeley, Company H, Twelfth South Carolina Regiment,

prisoners of war confined at Fort Delaware, have been selected as hostages for Corpl. James

Pike, Company A, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and Private Charles R. Gray, Company D,

Fifth Iowa Cavalry, two scouts sent into the country occupied by the rebel army in May last by

William D. Whipple, brigadier-general and assistant adjutant-general, headquarters Army of the

Cumberland.

It is respectfully requested that the rebel authorities may be informed that said hostages have

been selected, and that they will be subjected to the same treatment as they inflict upon the two

soldiers named.

Inclosed please find copy of the order from this office authorizing the selection of the

hostages, and of communication from General Schoepf, commanding Fort Delaware, reporting

the execution of the order.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. T. HARTZ,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

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HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,

OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER FOR EXCHANGE,

Port Monroe, Va. December 9, 1864.

Hon. ROBERT OULD,

Confederate Commissioner for Exchange:

I have the honor to forward you copies of communications regarding the confinement as

hostages of Corpl. R. H. Curry, Company F, and Private W. J. Neeley, Company H, Twelfth

South Carolina Regiment, prisoners of war, at Fort Delaware, for Corpl. James Pike, Company

A, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and Private Charles R. Gray, Company D, Fifth Iowa

Cavalry, two scouts sent into the country occupied by the rebel army in May last, by William D.

Whipple, brigadier-general and assistant adjutant-general, Army of the Cumberland.

I have the honor to inform you that these hostages will be subjected to the same treatment as

your authorities may inflict upon Corpl. James Pike and Private Charles R. Gray.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General and Commissioner for Exchange.

Evidence elicited at the headquarters of the post concerning the mutiny in Federal prison,

Cahaba, Ala., January 20, between the hours [of] 3 and 4 a.m.

Arrest--George Schellar, alias Captain Hanchett, called. Was told by commandant that he

would not be required to give evidence against himself, but that if he had any voluntary

statement to make to proceed. Said he is captain of Company M, Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry. At

time captured was acting assistant adjutant-general Colonel Capron's staff, commanding brigade.

The inducement for him to pass himself as a citizen was that Colonel Kofer said that the citizens

would be passed through the lines immediately. Was not the instigator of the mutiny, but took

part in it.

Arrest-Private Robert Cox, Company G, One hundred and fifteenth Ohio, called. Does not

know anything about the mutiny. Heard a noise and got up and walked toward the front entrance,

and Captain Hanchett grabbed him by the arm, handed him a musket, and told him to take it,

which he did, and set it down about two paces from the place where he received it. Captain

Hanchett continued to run to and fro from the entrance of the prison, calling for 100 men, and

when he failed to get them ordered everybody to their bunks. Does not know how many were

engaged in the mutiny. Heard the men speaking of the attempt to break out one week before, but

does not remember any names. He recognized Captain Hanchett as the man who placed the

musket in his hands.

Witness--Francis M. Prim, M, Nineteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, called. Recognizes Robert

Cox, One hundred and fifteenth Ohio, as one of three men who charged up to the entrance with a

musket in his hand. When they charged the guard they ran. Recognizes Captain Hanchett as the

man who ran over him in returning from the main entrance to the middle of the prison, as also he

who called for 100 men.

Arrest--Private John W. Lightbody, Company D, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, called. Knew

nothing about the mutiny until the alarm was given. When he got up saw three muskets lying

between the bunks at the entrance. Knew nothing about the plan to capture the guards. Knows

nothing about Captain Hanchett. Heard men crying out "the guard has been captured," and "get

up." Captain Hanchett had on citizens' clothes and wore a heavy beard.

Witness--Private George [W] Salter, D, Third Iowa Cavalry, called. Recognizes Captain

Hanchett and Private Cox as being the two men who charged the guard at the entrance with

muskets. Mentions that John W. Lightbody, Eighteenth Ohio, told him the evening before the

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mutiny that it was the purpose of the prisoners to break out that night. Recognizes Lightbody as

the man who was busily engaged in the middle of the prison when 100 men were called for.

Heard him say, "Come on, boys," and when they did not respond Captain Hanchett said, "Let

them go; they are a damned set of cowards."

Witness--Citizen Jacob E. Lachler, passenger on steamer Prairie State, citizen of

Pennsylvania, called. Belongs to same mess as Captain Hanchett. Knew nothing of mutiny until

he heard a guard halloo. Captain Hanchett represented himself as a citizen. Did not tell his mess

of the intended mutiny.

Citizen E. McCullough, pilot steamer Prairie State, plying between Nashville and Saint

Louis, stated substantially the same as Lachler.

Witness--Citizen E. Baker, New York, captured on the turnpike, five miles from Nashville,

called. In Government employ. First he knew of the disturbance was that he heard some one

hallooing. Captain Hanchett messes with him, but did not inform the mess of the mutiny. It was

the prevalent opinion among the prisoners that Captain H. was the instigator of the plot.

Recognizes Hanchett as the man who went into the prison under the name of George Schellar.

Recognizes Hanchett and Schellar as identical.

Arrest--George W. Riley, corporal, Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry, called. Knows nothing

at all about the mutiny.

Arrest--Private G. Hammarberg, H, Ninth Minnesota Infantry, called. Told George Salter, D,

Third Iowa Cavalry, that George Riley told him that a certain whistle would blow, and if he

heard another whistle he must get up and give help. Then asked him if they thought they could

get out of prison. Replied, "did not think they could;" "have seen so many trials made at it."

Recognizes G. W. Riley, corporal, Twenty-seventh Illinois, as the man who told him about the

whistle. Says he did not hear the second whistle. Did not see Riley during the disturbance. First

he knew of the riot was when the Confederate officer came in the prison and demanded the

muskets of the prisoners. Heard that there was a captain of the U.S. Army who was "playing off

citizen" in prison. Heard some one call for 100 men a short time before the Confederate officer

came into the prison, and as he entered he heard some one say "Lay down."

Witness--Private George Sherman, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, called. Says a man by the name

of Becker he saw running through the prison calling for 100 men. Saw James Morrison running

through prison with a gun. George Heft, one of the instigators -

Arrest--Private Thompson Hanson, E, Ninth Ohio Cavalry, called. Knew nothing about the

plot of the prisoners to get out.

Arrest--Martin A. Becker, Company D, Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry, cook for sick in

prison, called. Said:

Didn't get out of my bunk night of riot but once, and that to go to spring. About half-past 4

a.m. was aroused by a noise in the middle of prison, when I raised up in my bunk and saw four or

five men holding a man, whom they said had been stealing blankets. I immediately afterward

heard a man call for 100 men, and say, "The guards are captured." Soon after I heard a man say.

"Lay down." I deny that I am one of those who called for 100 men. It was the prevailing opinion

in the prison that Captain Hanchett was one of the leaders in the disturbance.

Arrest--James Morrison, Company G, Nineteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, cook for sick in

prison, called. First he knew of the disturbance was when the men were ordered back by a

Confederate officer. Then said:

The first I heard of the disturbance was some one calling out, "He will never steal another

blanket." Shortly afterward I saw several men running through the prison with guns, and heard

one of them crying out for 100 men.

Arrest---Osmond F. Foster, I, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, called, said:

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Did not get off my bunk the night of the disturbance. First I knew of it heard Borne one say

something about stealing a blanket. Captain Hanchett, under his assumed name of George

Schellar, was introduced to me on his arrival at prison, and was represented to be a steward on a

steam-boat; shortly after heard he was a captain in the U.S. Army. Never told any person that

Becker was the leader of a previous plan in which 200 men were enlisted, but which was not

executed, nor that he was one of the participants in this mutiny. Recognize Becker as the man

who is now under arrest. Knew nothing about the mutiny beforehand. It was the prevailing

opinion of the prisoners that Captain Hanchett was the leader of the mutiny Recognize him as

one of the men now under arrest. Heard since the riot that about twenty or twenty-five were

engaged in it. Do not know the intention of the reel in case they succeeded. Was not a

participant, and knew nothing of it before it occurred.

Arrest--George H. Heft, F, One hundred and fourteenth Illinois Infantry:

Knew nothing of the riot until I saw a piece of artillery in the door of the prison and bearing

upon my bunk, when I got down and went inside the main bunk room. The first I knew of the riot

was I heard some one cry, "Steal another blanket, will you?" Also one calling out for 100 men. I

raised up from my bunk and saw a Confederate officer standing in the door with a piece of

artillery, in demanding the muskets taken from the guards. I then got down from my bunk and

went to another part of the prison on which the cannon was not bearing. I thought the plot to get

out a very foolish one. I could not myself have escaped, as I was wounded.

Doctor Whitfield, surgeon of the prison, was here called in to examine the prisoner, to see if

he was physically disabled to make a march, and testified that he is capable of making a march

any distance, and "not at all incapacitated from his wound."

Prisoner recalled:

I did not know a single man engaged in the plot, but said that I would remain in prison 122

days before I would inform on the mutineers, if I knew.

Arrest--Patrick Ponsonby, G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry:

About 8 o'clock the night of the riot I was sitting on my bunk when one of the men came to

me and asked if I knew anything about the break they intended to make that night. I told him that

I did not, and that it would be very foolish as I once broke out of prison at Meridian and

afterward gave myself up, knowing I could not make our lines. Miller was the name of the man

who asked me if I knew anything about the plot. The next morning I was awakened by men

crying out "He will not steal another blanket." Shortly after I heard some one calling for 100

men. So far as I could see there was no response to the call, but many of the prisoners cried out,

"Lay down. Lay down." About ten minutes afterward a Confederate officer came to the door of

the prison with a cannon and demanded of the prisoners the guns. Was told that Captain

Hanchett came into the prison as a citizen, but heard that after the riot he changed his citizens'

clothes and said that he was a captain in the U.S. Army. It was the prevailing opinion of the

prisoners that Captain Hanchett was a captain in the U.S. Army and that he was the instigator of

the mutiny.

Witness--George Sherman, recalled:

I know Martin A. Becker; saw him running about the prison and calling for 100 men;

attention drawn to him by his cries for men. This was after it had been announced that the guards

had been captured. Becker said, "The guards have all been mugged--and my God, boys, ain't you

going to stand by me?" (Identified Becker under arrest as the man.) Prisoner said, "Lay down;

did you never see a crazy man?" and did not manifest a disposition to join him. Becker went to

the back part of the prison and I saw no more of him. Thompson Hanson told me that Becker was

one of the instigators of the mutiny. I was informed that only twenty men attacked the guards and

that they depended on others joining them. I know James Morrison; I saw him before the men

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were ordered back by Confederate officers, running from the front entrance with a gun. This was

before 100 men were called for. Shortly after leaving the entrance two men turned off to the right

and went down the dead-line, and Morrison moved in the direction of the privy. This the last I

saw of him. I know Osmond F. Foster; did not see him the night of the disturbance; I saw him

after and he told me that "we got up a plan before in which a large number were engaged, and

before the time occurred some one turned traitor and the scheme was abandoned. This time we

thought it best to have only twenty." Foster admitted to me that he was a participator. I know

George H. Heft. Did not see him on the night of the riot; he told me the next morning that there

was a major-general in there who got up the mutiny. Said he knew who the mutineers were, but

that he would stay in prison 122 days and fast before he would give any information. Did not say

that he had anything to do with it. I know Patrick Ponsonby; was sitting on a bunk with

Thompson Hanson and Ponsonby passed; Hanson pointed to him and remarked, "There is a man

who was engaged in the mutiny?"

H. A. M. HENDERSON,

Captain, Commanding Prison.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY STATION,

Alton, Ill., January 24, 1865.

Brig. Gen. H. W. WESSELLS,

Commissary-General of Prisoners, Washington, D.C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith a special roll of prisoners belonging to

various regiments in the service of the United States who enlisted in the Tenth Tennessee (rebel)

Regiment while held by the rebel authorities as prisoners of war at Andersonville, Ga.. and were

captured by the U.S. forces at Egypt Station, Miss., in General Grierson's late expedition. These

men were received here with other prisoners of war on January 17, 1865, and were duly reported

as such, but special rolls corresponding with the accompanying were received at the same time

from the authorities sending the prisoners The remarks on the rolls and the accompanying letter

of Colonel Noble Third Iowa Cavalry, will explain the status and history of these men as far as

known at these headquarters.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ROY STONE,

Brevet Brigadier-General, Comdg. Military Prison and Post.

STEAMER E. H. FAIRCHILD,

En Route for Cairo, Ill., January 13, 1865.

Lieut. JOHN S. LYTLE,

Eighth Iowa Infantry Volunteers,

In Charge of Rebel Prisoners of War on Board:

SIR: At the request of Capt. Samuel Wilson, provost-marshal, post Memphis, Tenn.,

communicated to me by yourself, I have to make the following statement touching the prisoners

of war now in your custody and whose names are set forth on the roll to which this paper is

attached: These men were captured by the First Brigade of Brigadier-General Grierson's troops,

under command of Colonel Kargé, Second New Jersey Cavalry, at Egypt Station (Mobile and

Ohio Railroad), on the morning of the 28th of December, 1864, with several hundred more

prisoners belonging to the rebel army, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Burke, of the

rebel service, and have, as they claim, been formerly in the service of the United States in the

various regiments designated opposite their names on the roll. On the evening previous to the

engagement at Egypt several of these men designated on the rolls deserted the rebels and,

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coming into our lines, gave information of the force opposed to us and reported that many of

these men would not resist us in battle. In the engagement which ensued in the morning this

proved true in many instances, although the fight was a severe one and required great valor on

the part of Colonel Kargé's cavalry to gain the victory. The general report of these men to me

during the time they were under my charge from Vicksburg to Memphis agrees in the following

particulars: That they were prisoners of war at Andersonville, Ga., when they enlisted in the

Confederate service; that at the time they were in great want of food, fuel, and clothing, which,

with exposure to weather, rendered disease and death imminent to them all, and that many dead

were carried from among the prisoners daily; that they were told there would be no exchange of

prisoners, and if they would enlist in the Confederate service they would be received, taken from

prison and treated like other Confederate troops; that these (on the rolls) were enlisted by

Lieutenant-Colonel Burke, now a prisoner on board, and have been under his command since;

that they were enlisted under an oath they do not now remember and many of them claim with

the design and determination on their part to rejoin our ranks at the first opportunity, and that

they did avail themselves of the only opportunity that had presented itself; that they were never

fully trusted by the Confederates, being deprived of many privileges extended to other troops,

kept under strict camp guard and unarmed; that they were given muskets on the day before the

affair in which they were captured, and ammunition; but on the night before that foreigners were

first solicited, but many others finally taken, and that they now wish to be sent to their old

regiments to fight for the Union. These statements will not apply universally but generally to this

class of prisoners.

My regiment was not in the engagement when these men were captured, nor do I know of my

own knowledge their acts before and in the fight, but state that in this particular--which was

communicated to me by officers on the march, this communication being given on the request

before mentioned and to form the foundation for further inquiry by the authorities of the

Government if' deemed important---from my intercourse with these men, I believe that most of

them are worthy of clemency, a few of special favor, but many at the same time are not to be

trusted. As to the more general effect of the treatment of these men upon other prisoners in the

rebel prisons, and again upon the rebel Government, I am not called upon to express, and

Brigadier-General Grierson (now under orders to report to Louisville, Ky.), Colonel Kargé,

Second New Jersey Cavalry, at Memphis, Tenn., and Capt. S. L. Woodward, assistant adjutantgeneral

on General Grierson's staff, can give more definite information in reference to the

peculiar status of these men and the acts of particular individuals than is within my knowledge.

Very respectfully, yours,

JOHN W. NOBLE,

Colonel Third Iowa Cavalry.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Eastport, February 1, 1865.

General J. B. HOOD, O. S. Army,

Commanding Confederate Forces :

GENERAL: On the evening of the 1st of November, 1864, while the U.S. forces under the

command of Major-General Howard, known as the Army and Department of the Tennessee,

were near Powder Springs, Ga., three enlisted men belonging to that command were captured by

a band of guerrillas commanded by a captain, and two of them brutally murdered in cold blood

by those guerrillas, and the other one shot at twice and was wounded each time, but succeeded in

making his escape, and has made sworn statements as to the manner of death of his comrades,

with the additional statement that the rebel captain informed him that he would kill all Federal

13

prisoners captured by his command. The names of the men who were captured are as follows:

Corpl. Charles E. Ellis, Privates George Ford and Joseph Phillips. The corporal was killed

instantly; the other two were taken ten miles in the country and then were shot at by a party of

these guerrillas. At the first volley Private Ford was murdered, and while Phillips was wounded

another volley was fired which again wounded Private Phillips, who then ran and jumped down a

bank into a stream of water, where he concealed himself until the guerrillas left and then came

into our lines. This statement is forwarded by Brigadier-General Woods, commanding a division

in Major-General Howard's army, with the recommendation that Private Milton Dotson, of

Ferguson's command (Perrin's regiment), be either shot or hung in retaliation for one of the

murdered Union soldiers, which recommendation met the approval of Major-General Howard in

these words:

Private Dotson has been sent as a prisoner of war to Chattanooga. I would respectfully

recommend that he be shot in retaliation for the cold-blooded murder of Private George Ford,

Company G, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, herein described, and that action be published so as to come to

the notice of parties interested.

I have the honor to inform you that the prisoner Dotson is now under guard at Louisville, Ky.

The papers in this case have been returned to General Howard with the information that the

prisoner is held subject to his disposal, and will be sent to him on his application.

This letter was originally intended for General Hood, but as there was at the date of this letter

no other business requiring a flag of truce to be sent up, it has been retained until the present

time, and is now sent (February 18, 1865, the letter being entered according to date) to Major-

General Forrest, as the successor in command to General Hood. This by direction of Major-

General Thomas.

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff

CAMP OF NATIONAL PRISONERS,

Near Tyler, Tex., February 11, 1865.

Maj. Gen. E. R. S. CANBY,

Commanding Military Division of West Mississippi:

GENERAL: The undersigned, officers of the U.S. Army, held as prisoners of war at this

camp, take the liberty of addressing you, desiring to call your attention to the fact that there are

officers of our army now held at this place and at the guard-house in Shreveport who we are

assured are held by the Confederate authorities as punishment for attempting to escape to our

own lines. We have always supposed that it was the right and duty of a prisoner of war to make

his own escape when possible, and that it was contrary to all rules and usages of civilized

warfare to punish him for so doing. Major Bering and Lieutenant Srofe, of the Forty-eighth Ohio

Infantry, are among the oldest prisoners in camp. They were in Shreveport when their regiment

passed through Shreveport for exchange in October last. Major McCauley, of the First Indiana

[Cavalry], and Lieutenants Flemming and Fulton, of the Seventy-seventh Ohio Infantry, are now

and have been for some time in the guardhouse at Shreveport for attempting to escape. Their

regiments are now going forward for exchange, but the agent of exchange refuses to send them

forward. Being the oldest prisoners here we expected to have gone on this exchange, as we

supposed it was the rule of our Government to exchange the oldest captures first, but, as it seems

not to be, we would endeavor to exchange ourselves, cheerfully undergoing all the hardships and

dangers of an attempt to travel some 400 miles through the enemy's country were we assured that

we would be protected in so doing by our authorities. It is poor encouragement if we know that

when recaptured and our regiments are exchanged we are retained in prison. We are sure it is

14

only necessary to call your attention to the matter to have it corrected. We shall look anxiously

for the action of our Government in the cases referred to.

Respectfully,

J. A. Bering, major Forty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; William Prescott,

captain, One hundred and thirtieth Illinois Volunteers; John W. Watts, captain, One hundred and

thirtieth Illinois Volunteers; P. H. White, captain Mercantile Battery; J. H. Stevison, captain,

Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry; Elias Fraunfelter, captain, One hundred and twentieth Ohio

Infantry; Thomas Hughes, first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster, Twenty-eighth Iowa

Infantry; William B. Milliken, first lieutenant, One hundred and twentieth Ohio Infantry; Harvey

Applegate, first lieutenant, One hundred and twentieth Ohio Infantry; Samuel P. Dill, captain,

One hundred and seventy-third Regiment New York Volunteers; Henry J. Wyman, first

lieutenant, Seventy-seventh Illinois; Charles Nolton, first lieutenant, One hundred and seventythird

New York Volunteers; A. H. Hazlett, first lieutenant, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry; J. M.

McCulloch, captain, Seventy-seventh Illinois Infantry; Thomas Sheridan, captain Company K,

Eighty-seventh Illinois; David Mefford, captain, Sixth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry; John M.

Defriese, second lieutenant, Sixth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry; T. S. O'Conner, first lieutenant,

Second Indian Regiment; Gaza Haraszthy, Company B, Eighteenth New York Cavalry; G. S.

Goodwin, first lieutenant, Seventh Missouri Cavalry; B. Hitchcock, first lieutenant, First Kansas

Colored Volunteer Infantry; S.S. Edwards, first lieutenant, Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteers;

C. W. Johnson, first lieutenant, One hundred and thirtieth Illinois Volunteers; George W.

Huston, first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster, Fourteenth Kansas Cavalry; R. S. Taylor,

first lieutenant, One hundred and thirtieth Illinois Volunteers; J. W. Paulen, first lieutenant, One

hundred and thirtieth Illinois Volunteers; W. C. Harned, first lieutenant, One hundred and

thirtieth Illinois Volunteers; W. C. Pool, first lieutenant, One hundred and thirtieth Illinois

Volunteers; C. A. Payne, first lieutenant, Eighteenth New York Cavalry; P. S. Cone, lieutenant,

Chicago Mercantile Battery; C. F. McCulloch, second lieutenant, Seventy-seventh Illinois; W. J.

Srofe, first lieutenant, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY EAST TENNESSEE,

Bristol, February 11, 1865.

Brig. Gen. ALVAN C. GILLEM, U.S. Army:

GENERAL: There are several officers of your command confined in the different military

prisons in the South. I am willing to give any captain that belongs to your command that the

Confederate authorities hold for Captain Reynolds, who is confined at Knoxville in irons.

Your early reply is earnestly solicited.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN C. VAUGHN,

Brigadier-General, C. S. Army

FLAG-OF-TRUCE BOAT LIBERTY,

Mouth of Red River, May 27, 1865.

For the purpose of exchanging such Confederate prisoners of war as belong to the Trans-

Mississippi Department and who may be for exchange in the Military Division of West

Mississippi, it is agreed between the undersigned, in consequence of the uncertainty of obtaining

transportation from the Confederate Government for such men to their homes, that a meeting

take place at the city of New Orleans, and that Maj. I. Szymanski, agent of exchange of C. S.

Army, be furnished free transportation and safe conduct for that purpose to and from New

Orleans at such time as he may find it convenient and proper to effect the exchange.

15

IG. SZYMANSKI,

Assistant Adjutant-General and Assistant Agent of Exchange.

WM. McE. DYE,

Col. Twentieth Iowa Vols. and Agent of Exchange, U.S. Army.

OFFICE AGENT OF EXCHANGE,

MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,

New Orleans, La., June 6, 1865.

Brig. Gen. W. HOFFMAN,

Commissary-General of Prisoners,