HDQRS. C. S. MIL. PRISONS EAST OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER,
Columbia, S. C., February 12, 1865.

Lieutenant Colonel J. M. OTEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the West:

COLONEL: Rumors are rife of a raid by the enemy upon this place, and I have been unable to procure any definite information to guide me in the course of action to adopt. There are 1,200 Federal officers, prisoners of war, in the Asylum prison at this place, respecting whose safe-keeping I am exceedingly anxious. I respectfully request that you will submit this letter to General Beauregard and solicit the general's advise as to the course to be adopted for the security of the prisoners.

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

H. FORNO,

Colonel, Commanding.

COLUMBIA, February 12, 1865.

Brigadier General B. T. JOHNSON:

General Beauregard advises instant removal of prisoners from Florence and this place to Southwestern Georgia. Telegraph your orders.

H. FORNO,

Colonel, Commanding Prisoners.

HDQRS. C. S. MIL. PRISONS EAST OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER,
Columbia, S. C., February 12, 1865.

Captain G. W. BOOTH,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Salisbury, N. C.:

CAPTAIN: Your telegram from Salisbury announcing that General B. T. Johnson has been assigned to command of the prisons in South Carolina has been received and answered by telegraph. I would desire to state that under the direction of the Secretary of War a prison is being constructed at Killian's Mills, eleven miles from here, on the Charlotte Railroad. The work is being urged forward as rapidly as possible, and the prison will be ready for the reception of over 15,000 prisoners in ten days.

I am endeavoring to remove the prisoners from Florence to this point, but cannot at present do so for want of troops to guard them in transitu. There are 7,000 enlisted men there under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Iverson, and nearly 1,200 officers here under command of Major E. Griswold. I am at present exercising command over both.

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

H. FORNO,

Colonel, Commanding.

HDQRS. C. S. MIL. PRISONS EAST OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER,
Columbia, S. C., February 12, 1865.

Doctor STEVENSON, In charge Camp Maxcy Gregg:

DOCTOR: Colonel Forno desires that you cease work on the stockade and prepare everything for an immediate move. You will be called on for the impressed negroes by General Wade Hampton, and will turn over with them the tools and cooking utensils needed. The Yankee negroes will be put to work getting wood to railroad for use by