HEADQUARTERS WEST'S BUILDINGS HOSPITAL,
Baltimore, Md., January 7, 1865.

Surg. A. CHAPEL, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding Hospital:

SIR: I have the honor to transmit the following inspection report of the condition of prisoners of war at this station for the week ending January 7, 1865:

Conduct-good. Cleanliness-good. Clothing-sufficient, requisition having been filled and received. Bedding-good. State of quarters-good. State of mess-houses-good. State of kitchen-good. Food,quality of-good. Food, quantity of-sufficient. Water-good. Sinks-good. Police of grounds-good. Drainage-good. Police of hospital-good. Attendance of sick-excellent. Hospital diet-good. General health of prisoners-good as could be expected from the nature of their wounds and diseases. Vigilance of guard-good.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HORATIO ROBERTS,

Second Lieutenant, Veteran Reserve Corps, and Inspecting Officer.

BRISTOL, R. I., January 7, 1865.

COMMISSARY-GENERAL U. S. ARMY, Washington, D. C.:

SIR: I hand you the inclosed slips from the New York Daily News of the 3rd instant. I have resided the past year at Alton, Ill., and I know the prisoners there were well treated, and I have no doubt they were at Rock Island. This article and comments are intended to give aid and comfort to the enemies of the Government, and I felt you would be glad to know of the same.

Asking pardon if I have intruded on your valuable time,

I am, respectfully, yours, &c.,

A. J. BURBANK.

[First indorsement.]

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF SUBSISTENCE,

January 11, 1865.

Respectfully referred to Brigadier General H. W. Wessells, Commissary-General of Prisoners, with the suggestion that if, after a full and careful investigation, there shall be found no foundation for such statements as are here inclosed, there should be made, for the eye of the public and over an official signature, a proper counter statement.

A. B. EATON,

Commissary-General of Subsistence.

[Second indorsement.]

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., January 11, 1865.

Respectfully referred to Colonel A. J. Johnson, commanding Rock Island, for remarks.

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

W. T. HARTZ,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.