HDQRS. MIL. PRISONS EAST OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER,
Columbia, S. C., January 31, 1865.

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General:

GENERAL: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram directing the release of all Federal prisoners held in close confinement or in irons, which has been carried into effect.

There is in Richland Jail, at this place, a prisoner styled Colonel Ackworth, a citizen of Georgia, of conscript age, who had been exempt as a practicing physician, and one, Captain Shad. Harris, whose case is fully explained in the accompanying papers. I respectfully ask instructions as to the course to be adopted in these two cases.

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

JNO H. WINDER,

Brigadier-General.

[First indorsement.]

FEBRUARY 6, 1865.

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.

Nothing is known in this office of the case of Colonel Ackworth. The statement in reference to Captain Harris is substantially correct. The record of the court- martial proceedings in his case is on file in the Judge- Advocate's office.

JH. L. CLAY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Second indorsement.]

FEBRUARY 11, 1865.

ADJUTANT- GENERAL:

Let them be held as prisoners.

By order:

J. A. CAMPBELL,

Assistant Secretary of War.

[Third indorsement.]

FEBRUARY 14, 1865.

Respectfully referred to Brigadier-General Gardner.

Please see indorsement of the Secretary of War.

By command of Secretary of War:

HJ. L. CLAY,

Assistant adjutant-General.

HDQRS. MIL. PRISONS EAST OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER,
Columbia, S. C., January 31, 1865.

Captain WITHERSPOON,

Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, Columbia, S. C.:

CAPTAIN; The brigadier-general commanding desires me to say to you that under the instructions from the commanding general, sent through Major Guerin,either meat or sirup is to be issued to the prisoners of war. The brigadier- general commanding is informed that neither is issued, and directs me to call on your for an explanation for the reasons for the failure to issue.

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

WM. G. BARTH,

Assistant Adjutant-General.