OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., March 29, 1865.

Honorable SAMUEL GALLOWAY,

Special Commissioner, Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio;

SIR: Your report (Numbers 1989) in the case of Lewis H. Barker, a prisoner of war at Camp Chase, recommending his release on taking the oath of allegiance, together with your not of February 9, 1865, addressed to his brother, in which you instruct him what course to take in order to secure favorable action on the report, have been laid before the Secretary of War and the discharge is not granted. I am directed by the War Department, through Major General Hitchcock, to instruct you not to examine or report upon the case of any military prisoner which has not been submitted to you for examination by the War Department, In any case, you are not expected to take any personal interest in the matters brought before you, but simply to report the facts for the information of the Secretary of War.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Bvt. Brigadier General, U. S. Army, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
FOURTH SEPARATE BRIGADE, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH,

Jacksonville, Fla., March 29, 1865.

Major General SAM. JONES,

Commanding Confederate Forces in Florida:

GENERAL: Although I have received no instructions in reference to exchanges, I will not hesitate to receive the prisoners whom you propose to parole for exchange, and receipt thereof.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. P. SCAMMON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
FOURTH SEPARATE BRIGADE, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH,

Jacksonville, Fla., March 29, 1865.

Captain BURGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the South:

SIR: I inclose copies of letters received by flag of truce this morning* and my reply thereto+. I trust I have not gone wrong in the reply sent to General Jones.

If the Andersonville prisoners are received here it will be necessary send commissary stores and clothing to this place at once.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. P. SCAMMON,

Brigadier-General.

[Indorsement.]

APRIL 3, 1865.

Respectfully forwarded to Lieutenant-General Grant and attention invited to a copy of my reply to Brigadier-General Scammon, herewith inclosed++. Instructions concerning this matter are requested.

Q. A. GILLMORE,

Major-General, Commanding.

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* See Pillow to commanding officer, &c., March 24, p. 427, and Jones to Scammon, March 27, p. 436.

+ Next, ante.

++ See April 3, p. 465.

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