INDIANAPOLIS, February 21, 1863.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

I am informed that it is the intention of the War Department to send the paroled prisoners of Western regiments to some Western camp. I would respectfully suggest that those belonging to Indiana regiments be sent here if no others, and beg leave to call your attention to the satisfactory manner in which the camps have been conducted here.

O. P. MORTON,

Governor.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., February 21, 1863.

Honorable L. W. POWELL, U. S. Senate, Washington.

DEAR SIR: The Secretary of War directs that no guerrillas or citizens charged with aiding them be released except on the recommendation of the Governor of the State in which they reside. Such recommendation will insure their immediate release. This order covers all the cases which you have presented to me and their release awaits the recommendation of the Governor of Kentucky.

I am, very truly, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

(Same to Honorable George H. Yeaman, Honorable Robert Mallory, Honorable C. A. Wickliffe, members of Congress, Washington, D. C.)

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., February 21, 1863.

Colonel T. P. ANDREWS,

Paymaster-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.

COLONEL: I have this moment learned from General Cooper, commander, that the exchanged troops at Camp Chase have been under orders for the field for a month. They are detained there waiting payment. Will you please give orders for their immediate payment?

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, February 21, 1863.

Colonel ROBERT ALLEN,

Quartermaster, U. S. Army, Saint Louis, Mo.

COLONEL: Your telegram of the 5th instant and that of General Curtis of the same date relating to the erection of barracks for prisoners was referred to Colonel Hoffman, commissary-general of prisoners, who reports that "barracks for prisoners are required at Cairo to receive those sent there on the way to Vicksburg for exchange. They are at times assembled there in small parties till enough are collected to load a boat or more. They are not to be held there permanently and the barracks are intended only for transient prisoners passing up or down. "

M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General.

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