WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., May 21, 1864.

Copy respectfully furnished for the information of Colonel Hoffman, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

The commanding officer at Johnson's Island has been directed to take immediate measures to cause a thorough cleansing of the barracks and prison and to direct his personal attention to the improvement of the discipline and efficiency of his command.

By order of the Secretary of War:

JAS. A. HARDIE,

Colonel and Inspector-General.

HEADQUARTERS ROCK ISLAND BARRACKS,
Rock Island, Ill., May 6, 1864.

Colonel WILLIAM HOFFMAN, U. S. Army,

Com. General of Prisoners, War Department, Washington, D. C.:

COLONEL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of instructions of the 16th ultimo, and in reply to that paragraph relating to the issue of corn bread to the prisoners would respectfully state that your instructions are being strictly carried out. Inclosed please find report of Captain W. Butterfield, commissary of subsistence, on previous issues. I will forward shortly a full report with diagram of prison inclosure showing for what purpose each barrack is used.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. J. JOHNSON,

Colonel Fourth Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps, Commanding Post.

[Inclosure.]

OFFICE DEPOT COMMISSARY OF SUBSISTENCE,

Rock Island, April 23, 1864.

Colonel A. J. JOHNSON,

Vet. Res. Corps, Commanding Rock Island Barracks, Rock Island, Ill.:

COLONEL: In reply to your communication I have to state that from February 1 to this date corn-meal bread has been issued for eleven days to prisoners of war at this station, the ration being the amount as prescribed by schedule from office Commissary-General of Prisoners, viz, twenty ounces. The meal was purchased by Lieutenant-Colonel Small, commissary of subsistence, U. S. Army, was kiln dried, perfectly sweet, and of excellent quality. I am informed that the bread contractor in some instances omitted to scald the meal before mixing the sponge. Attention having been called to the subject it was promptly corrected.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. BUTTERFIELD,

Captain and Commissary of Subsistence.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., May 6, 1864.

Colonel W. P. RICHARDSON,

Commanding Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio:

COLONEL: It is possible that from circumstances which may soon occur more than ordinary vigilance will be required from the troops in