at this post, including what are usually political prisoners. Every officer connected officially with such prisoners, on permanent or daily duty, will make himself familiar with the contents of that circular, and will strictly carry out its orders in letter and spirit. He will report to the commander of the post any deviations from the above circular in order that they may be remedied in the public interests and for the protection of all engaged in duties of great difficulty and responsibility.

Special Orders, No. 247, November 6, says:

Articles of food or clothing intended for prisoners of war, or Union prisoners, will be left at the exterior gate in charge of the officer of the guard, carefully labeled.

Special Orders, No. 252, says:

The articles left for prisoners at the exterior gate are subject at all times to the orders of the provost-marshal.

A receipt book was placed in charge of the officer of the exterior gate for the registry of articles left for prisoners of war, and as several articles miscarried an order of November 27 enjoins on the provost-marshal "to procure the receipts of the prisoners on the delivery of the articles. " This has been done. Special Orders, No. 215, October 1, says:

In pursuance of the recommendation of the post surgeon the prisoners confined in the interior (under charges of being spies, etc.) will be allowed to exercise in the open air for half an hour each day under guard.

A similar order was issued on December 13 in regard to other prisoners of the same class. An order of the same date says:

The provost-marshal, in pursuance of Paragraph IV, circular of Commissary-General of Prisoners, will give notice of any clothing needed for prisoners of war in order that the proper requisitions may be made at these headquarters.

I add the abstracts of provisions issued by the post commissary for two months:

October.

(Average of 313 prisoners of war,

including political prisoners.)

3,307 rations of pork.

3,453 rations of fresh beef.

3,307 rations of salt beef.

386 rations of flour.

9,625 rations of hard bread.

9,780 rations of beans.

386 rations of molasses.

7,251 rations of rice.

10,008 rations of pepper.

10,008 rations of coffee.

10,008 rations of potatoes.

10,008 rations of sugar.

10,008 rations of vinegar.

10,008 rations of adamantine candles.

10,008 rations of soap.

10,008 rations of salt.

10,008 rations of onions.

November.

(Average of 256 prisoners of war,

including political prisoners.)

2,967 rations of pork.

2,259 rations of salt beef.

2,480 rations of fresh beef.

389 rations of flour.

7,587 rations of hard bread.

7,850 rations of beans.

1,861 rations of onions.

6,215 rations of rice.

7,976 rations of adamantine candles.

7,967 rations of soap.

7,976 rations of salt.

7,967 rations of potatoes.

389 rations of molasses.

7,967 rations of pepper.

7,967 rations of coffee.

7,967 rations of sugar.

7,967 rations of vinegar.

Such were the general directions and regulations, the execution of which was confided to a provost-marshal who is described by the accusing surgeons as "deserving all praise. " He declares the food to have been good and well prepared, the coffee better than that used by several companies of the garrison. He confesses judgment in the matter of knives and forks and plates. He also acknowledge that water for bathing was not furnished the prisoners. Two brick buildings, formerly stables, 120 by 30 feet, with an upper and lower floor, and two rooms in the interior of the fort were used for the accommodation of an average

46 R R-SERIES II, VOL VI