confinement and in irons at Wheeling, W. Va., by the State government of Western Virginia.

For what cause Gandy and Dusky are in confinement we are not informed. I inclose the written communication from Major Turner, commandant of this prison, stating the cause why we were taken out of the general prison and placed in solitary confinement.

I would further state that we have both of us been general prisoners of war for several months. That we are in consequence greatly debilitated physically; are now quite unable to bear imprisonment of this character. We have been in close confinement for the last six days. Therefore, in view of the great suffering we have already endured, we pray that our Government will not leave us now in our new and greater peril as our physical energies must soon be destroyed, but that we may be speedily released and exchanged and restored to our respective commands.

Your obedient servant,

DANIEL R. BOICE,

Captain E. Company, Third New Jersey Cavalry.

[First indorsement.]

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., January 23, 1865.

Respectfully referred to Colonel J. Washburn, commanding post, Wheeling, W. Va., for report.

By order of Brigadier General H. W. Wessells, Inspector and Commissary-General of Prisoners:

W. T. HARTZ,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Second indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY COMMANDER,
Wheeling, W. Va., January 25, 18645.

Respectfully returned with report. *

JAMES WASHBURN,

Colonel 116th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Military Commander.

[Inclosure.]

OFFICE C. S. MILITARY PRISONS,

Richmond, December 12, 1864.

Captain D. R. BOICE and

Lieutenant W. D. HOFF, Fifteenth West Virginia Infantry:

GENTLEMAN: This is to inform you that you are held in close confinement in retaliation for Lieutenant Gandy and Private George Dusky, who are now in close confinement and in irons at Wheeling, W. Va. The latter-named parties are held by the bogus government of West Virginia.

Your obedient servant,

TH. P. TURNER,

Major, Commanding.

P. S. - You can inform your Government and friends.

T. P. T.

---------------

* See January 25, Vol. VIII, this series, p. 130.

---------------