OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., April 1, 1863.

Captain E. L. WEBBER,

Commanding Camp Chase Prison, Columbus, Ohio.

CAPTAIN: Orders have been sent to you through the commanding general of the Department of the Ohio to forward all rebel officers to Fort Delaware, on the Delaware River below Philadelphia, and to-day in reply to your telegram of yesterday I telegraphed an order to you to the same effect. This order applies of course to the sick and wounded who are able to travel, but those who are too unwell to be moved will remain at Camp Chase till further orders. It is expect that all the prisoners at Camp Chase will be removed to Johnston's Island in a few days and I am only waiting for the lists of prisoners of all kinds at the camp called for in my letter of the 16th ultimo to give you the necessary orders.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, April 1, 1863.

GARDINER TUFTS, Esq.,

Massachusetts Military Agent, Washington, D. C.

SIR: In reply to your letter to the 26th ultimo addressed to the Adjutant-General in relation to the duties which may be performed by paroled troops I have to inform you that it is the decision of the Secretary of War that it is no more violation of the cartel to employ paroled prisoners of war to construct barracks and sheds for themselves than to pitch their own tents. Such works are not military works nor is such labor military duty in the proper sense of the word.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

HEADQUARTERS CAMP OF INSTRUCTION,
Benton Barracks, Mo., April 1, 1863.

Colonel W. HOFFMAN,

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

COLONEL: Herewith I have the honor to transmit returns of the paroled men at this post for the month of March, 1863, as required by your instructions containing 108 commissioned officers present; 19 commissioned officers absent; 2,132 enlisted men present; 969 enlisted men absent; aggregate present and absent 3,228.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. L. E. BONNEVILLE,

Colonel, U. S. Army, Commanding.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, April 1, [1863.]

Major W. S. PIERSON, Sandusky, Ohio.

MAJOR: Orders have been issued through the headquarters of the Department of the Ohio for all rebel officers, prisoners of war, to be