sight of, I think it proper to remind you that while the work is in progress the greatest care must be taken to prevent the prisoners appropriating tools or lumber which they could make use of in effecting their escape. You are expected to take all proper precautions to guard against any escape.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry and Commissary-General of Prisoners.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., July 28, 1864.

Bvt. Major General M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date in relation to clothing issued to prisoners of war at the Lincoln General Hospital, and I beg to inform you, in reply, that the surgeon in charge has been directed to issue only inferior clothing, for which he is required to make proper requisitions. We have now about 60,000 prisoners of war on hand, for one-third of whom it may be expected we will have to furnish coats, pants, shirts, socks, shoes, and blankets. The number of prisoners on hand will probably increase, and I respectfully suggest that a sufficient supply of the above named articles of inferior quality for 35,000 prisoners may be provided. I am informed that there are large amounts of unclaimed clothing at some of the general hospitals, and I wound respectfully suggest that it may be issued to prisoners

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

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry and Commissary-General of Prisoners.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., July 28, 1864

Lieutenant Colonel S. EASTMAN,

Commanding Depot Prisoners of War, Elmira, N. Y.:

COLONEL: Your letter of the 25th instant is received. You are authorized to lease a half-acre lot in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira, as a burying ground for deceased prisoners of war, to be used during the war, at the price named by you ($300), and you are also authorized to employ a laborer at $40 per month to dig the graves. Your recommendation that the running gear of a wagon be purchased, to be converted into a hearse, is approved.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry and Commissary-General of Prisoners.

DAVENPORT, IOWA, July 28, 1864.

Colonel W. HOFFMAN, U. S. Army,

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

COLONEL: Inclosed I have the honor to transmit report of inspection of camp and hospital for prisoners of was at Rock Island, Ill. The Camp is well managed. Colonel Caraher, Veteran Reserve Corps,