WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

June 8, 1865.

Bvt. Major General N. A. MILES, U. S. Volunteers,

Commanding District of Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Va.:

SIR: Your letter of the 6th instant has been received, inclosing one addressed, under cover of Colonel Roberts, to Jefferson Davis.

The Secretary of war directs me to say that no authority can be claimed by, or must be accorded to, any person to see Mr. Davis on the score of permission being given by the War Department, unless such permission is exhibited in writing and duly signed by the Secretary or the Adjutant-General. The Secretary desires you not again to admit Rev. Mr. Chevers, chaplain at Old Point, to see Mr. Davis without special instructions to that effect.

I telegraphed in answer to you inquiry concerning writing materials as follows, June 6:

The Secretary of war says you may furnish writing materials to Mr. Davis sufficient for the speccific purpose of accepting or declining Mr. O'Conor's offer.

I am, &c.,

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., June 8, 1865.

Bvt. Brigadier General M. BURKE,

Commanding Fort Lafayette, New York Harbor:

GENERAL: In reply to your letter of the 5th instant, in reference to the rations to be issued to the prisoners of state, I beg to inform you that under the orders of the War Department the reduced rations will be issued.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

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

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, June 8, 1865.

Major General Q. A. GILLMORE, U. S. Volunteers,

Commanding Department of the South, Hilton Head, S. C.:

In reply to your report of the capture of Mr. Yulee the President directs that he be confined until further orders in Fort Pulaski.*

Acknowledge receipt.

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., June 9, 1865.

Brigadier General H. W. WESSELLS,

Commanding Hart's Island, New York Harbor, N. Y.:

GENERAL: In reply to your letter of the 7th instant in reference to the tendency to scurvy among the prisoners of war at Hart's Island I beg to say that General Orders, Numbers 109, inclosed to you yesterday, will very soon relieve you of all the prisoners, and in the meantime, if you find it desirable, you can order the purchase of vegetables from the

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*For other correspondence in relation to the arrest of Mr. Yaulee, see Series I, Vol XLVII, Part III.

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