be next to impossible to procure the necessary labor, and if procured would cost the Government an enormous sum. The following is the estimate of the saving to the Government for one year at Camp Sumter, by employing prisoners of war, viz:

200 men as laborers per day, at $3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600

100 days to the month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800

------

Total per day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,400

30 days to the month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

--------

Total per month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,000

---------

---------

150 hospital attendants and nurses per day, at $3. . . . . . . 450

30 days to the month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

-------

Total per month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,500

--------

--------

Amount per month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55,500

12 months to the year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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Total amount per year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 666,000

Since making the above estimate the chief surgeon informs me that he cannot do without at least 500 nurses and attendants, which will increase the sum to over a million, if the orders of General Taylor are enforced. You will at once see the effect. I have not yet seen any inconvenience arising from it. I don't forward these documents by way of remonstrance, but to ask further instructions. The surplus prisoners at Cahaba ordered by you to be brought to this post have been, by order of General Taylor, sent to Meridian.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO H. WINDER,

Brigadier-General.

[First indorsement.]

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,

November 11, 1864.

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.

H. L. CLAY.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Second indorsement.]

NOVEMBER 15, 1864.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL:

Has General Winder been ordered to take general supervision of prisoners and prisoners? And if so, who has been assigned to his present duties?

J. A. S.

[Inclosure.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. ALA., MISS., AND E. LA., No. . 127.
Selma, Ala., October 9, 1864.

I. The attention of commands of posts and all other officers having charge of prisoners of war is called to the laxity with which prisoners are guarded and the improper privileges which are extended to them.

II. While undue rigor and severity in the keeping and treatment of prisoners are to be avoided, it is expected and required that prisoners of war will be confined within properly restricted bounds, and intercourse with citizens and negroes forbidden and prevented.