HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE DEPARTMENT,
Baltimore, Md., April 23, 1862.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

SIR: I have the honor to inclose a letter* from one of the prisoners of war in custody in this city showing that a considerable number of them were forced into the service of the insurgents and are anxious to take the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. DIX,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Saint Louis, April 23, 1862.

Colonel JAMES A. MULLIGAN.

Commanding Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill.

SIR: The release of the prisoners of war+ referred by you to these headquarters cannot be effected at present however deserving of consideration they may be.

Respectfully, yours,

J. C. KELTON.

Assistant Adjutant-General.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE.

Washington, April 23, 1862.

Lieutenant Colonel WILLIAM HOFFMAN,

Commissary-General of Prisoners, Detroit, Mich.

COLONEL: The annexed copy of a letter from Honorable James W. Grimes, U. S. Senator from Iowa, to the Secretary of War with accompanying copy of a telegram received by him from Mr. French as to accommodations for rebel prisoners at Davenport, Iowa is respectfully transmitted for your information.

By order:

E. S. SIBLEY,

Brevet Colonel, U. S. Army, Deputy Quartermaster-General.

[Inclosure.]

WASHINGTON, April 11, 1862.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

DEAR SIR: I inclose you a dispatch from the mayor of Davenport, Iowa concerning the accommodations there for prisoners of war. Davenport as you are aware is in steamboat communication with all points on the lower rivers.

JAMES W. GRIMES,

[Sub-inclosure.]

WASHINGTON, April 11, 1862.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

DEAR SIR: I inclose you a dispatch from the mayor of Davenport, Iowa, concerning the accommodations there for prisoners of war. Davenport as you are aware is in steamboat communication with all points on the lower rivers.

JAMES W. GRIMES.

[Sub-inclosure.]

DAVENPORT, April 9, 1862

Honorable JAMES W. GRIMES.

SENATOR: We have empty barracks for 3,000 rebels. Have them sent here.

GEO. H. FRENCH.

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*Not found.

+Reference to Parke and others; see petition of April 17, p. 459.

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