Today in History:

777 Series II Volume IV- Serial 117 - Prisoners of War

Page 777 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. -CONFEDERATE.


HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF HENRICO.

Richmond, June 17, 1862.

Honorable G. W. RANDOLPH, Richmond, Va.

SIR: I have the honor to send you herewith the names of the Federal prisoners (assistant surgeons) selected to be held as hostages* in the case of Asst. Surgs. T. S. Foster and Newton Vowles, who are to be put to death by the enemy. The names of the officers selected are George D. Slocum, assistant surgeon, U. S. Navy, and John B. Huffman, assistant surgeon, U. S. Army.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO H. WINDER,

Brigadier-General.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Richmond, June 17, 1862.

Honorable G. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War.

SIR: A telegram received to-day from Captain McCormick, assistant quartermaster at Lynchburg, states that it is almost impossible to obtain supplies to feed the prisoners of war at that place. I deem it my duty to submit that the difficulty of maintaining prisoners is most serious and that the growing deficiency in the resources of the Confederacy, so far as commissary stores are concerned, will render the speedy exchange of prisoners of war or their disposal otherwise absolutely necessary.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. C. MYERS,

Quartermaster-General.

[First indorsement.]

COMMISSARY-GENERAL:

What has the quartermaster at Lynchburg to do with feeding prisoners? I have reason to expect a speedy exchange and do not wish to incur unnecessary expense in moving the prisoners about.

[G. W. R.]

[Second indorsement.]

RICHMOND, June 20, 1862.

By law of Congress (see act Numbers 181, section 1, page 61, first session of Congress) subsisting prisoners is made the duty of the Quartermaster's Department.

Respectfully,

L. B. NORTHROP,

Commissary-General of Subsistence.


HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Tupelo, June 17, 1862.

Colonel C. J. POLIGNAC, Assistant Inspector-General.

COLONEL: The general commanding directs that you will cause Captain Graham to proceed without delay to Selma, tuscaloosa and Atlanta. He will at Selma and Tuscaloosa see that all prisoners of war are seedily removed to Atlanta, Ga.

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*See indorsement upon letter of Harris to Randolph June 10, 1862, Vol. III, this Series, p. 896.

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Page 777 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. -CONFEDERATE.