WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, December 10, 1865-2.40 p. m.

Major General N. A. MILES, Commanding, Fort Monroe, Va.:

Rev. Charles Minnigerode, of Richmond, has permission from the Secretary of War to visit Jefferson Davis, and the order is sufficient for you to admit him.

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DISTRICT OF FORT MONROE,
Fortress, Monroe, Va., December 12, 1865.

General E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report the prisoners Davis and Clay as well as usual.* The Rev. Charles Minnigerode was in consultation with Davis six hours yesterday. Last evening he administered the sacrament to him. The conversation was principally on religious matters.

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

NELSON A. MILES,

Major-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT, BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE,

December 12, 1865.

Major General A. H. TERRY,

Commanding Department of Virginia, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: In the case of R. B. Winder, a prisoner lately forwarded to you from the Department of Washington to be tried at Richmond for violation of the laws of war, in cruel treatment of Federal prisoners, &c., I am instructed by the honorable Secretary of War to request you not to proceed with the trial until you shall be furnished with such testimony in the case as is in the possession of the Government, as well as with the specific charges, in case it shall be determined to prepare the same at this Bureau.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. HOLT,

Judge-Advocate-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE,

December 13, 1865.

Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War.+

The careful investigation which, as appears from the within papers, has been made of the circumstances surrounding, the disappearance and probable murder of Captain Hiram S. Hanchett, Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, on or about April 2 last, while a prisoner of war in the enemy's hands, induces unquestionably the conclusion, which has been adopted by those charged with the inquiry, that this officer, while pretended to be transported to the place at which he was assured that he would be exchanged, was foully dealt with the Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, of the

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* Through the months of November and December, 1865, General Miles' daily reports represent Mr. Davis as "well."

+ See Boggs to Magee, November 12, p. 794.

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