men; soap, 4 pounds per 100 men; salt, 2 quarts per 100 men; vinegar, 3 quarts per men; molasses, 1 quart per 100 men; potatoes, 15 pounds per 100 men. I also recommend that ration of sugar and coffee, as above fixed, be issued only every other day.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry and Commissary-General of Prisoners.

[First indorsement.]

MAY 19, 1864.

The within recommendation is referred to the Chief of Staff, the Commissary-General and Commissary-General of Prisoners, and Surgeon-General for report.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

[Second indorsement.]

MAY 19, 1864.

Respectfully referred as above directed. Why not dispense with tea, coffee, and sugar and reduce the ration to that issued by the rebel Government to their own troops?

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

[Third indorsement.]

I concur with the views expressed by Major-General Halleck.

J. P. TAYLOR,

Commissary-General of Subsistence.

[Fourth indorsement.]

I respectfully approve of the reduction of the ration as suggested by Major-General Halleck.

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry and Commissary-General of Prisoners.

[Fifth indorsement.]

SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, May 19, 1864.

The reduction proposed by Major-General Halleck could be carried out with the exception of the ration for the sick and wounded, who would require that proposed by Colonel Hoffman or more than its equivalent in medicine and hospital items.

Very respectfully,

J. K. BARNES,

Acting Surgeon-General.

[Sixth indorsement.]

MAY 27, 1864.

Proposed ratio, except that sick and wounded are to have tea, coffee, and sugar, approved.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General and Chief of Staff.

[Seventh indorsement.]

The ration approved by the Chief of Staff and Surgeon-General approved.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.