try to get a second ration. The Assistant that they did not wish to see the rebel prisoners treated as they had been. Surgeon told me that the one I had seen dead had eaten three rations which he had obtained from his comrades. The prisoners on board the boats stated that their diseases and sufferings, such as I witnessed, were caused by want of protection from wet and cold, and by insufficient and bad food; this was their invariable state ment. The Union prisoners were not at all vindictive, and expressed a desire to have the rebel prisoners well clothed and fed; this was the case with all the men I spoke to on the subject on the three boats. I have been on the battle-field and in hospitals and witnessed much suffering, but never did I experience so sad and deplorable a condition of human beings, as that of the pa roled Union prisoners just from Belle Island, and the rebel prisons of the South, emaciated by starvation, with impaired minds, vision, powers of speech and hearing, occasioned by want of sufficiency of wholesome food, exposure to the cold and inclement storms of wind and rain. I believe from what I have seen and experienced among our unfortunate prisoners on board the flag-of-truce boats, that their barbarous treatment and sufferings which they endured while confined in the military prisons of the South can hardly be J. B. ABBOTT. My reason for making this inquiry was the remark of the Union prisoners in regard to the healthy condition of the rebel prisoners who were exchanged. Some of them re-exaggerated. marked that it would make the condition of the Union prisoners worse if they attempted to retaliate, and would do no good. The general idea as expressed by the men was, Sworn and subscribed before me at Washing- QUARTERLY REPORT Of the Hospitals for the Federal prisoners, Richmond, Va., furnished by Surgeon-General, C. S. A., April 1, 1864. Obtained by a paroled and returned Federal prisoner. EVIDENCE RELATING TO UNITED STATES STATIONS FOR REBEL PRISONERS Letter from Quartermaster-General, M. C. Meigs, United States Army. WASHINGTON, D. C., July 6th, 1864. In reply, you are respectfully informed that such prisoners are treated with all the consideration and kindness that might be expected of a humane and Christian people. The rations allowed to them are ample and of good quality. The reduction recently made in the prisoner's ration was for the purpose of bringing it nearer to what the rebel authorities profess to allow their soldiers, and no complaint has been heard of its insufficiency. Suitable provision has been made by the Government for supplying the prisoners with all necessary clothing and blankets; and at each depot there is a sutler, authorized to sell to them, at reasonable rates, certain prescribed articles of comfort and convenience, such as our soldiers desire to purchase. Fuel is provided by the army regulations, and is liberally furnished. Potatoes 1 pound per man, three times per week. When beans were issued, hominy or rice not issued. Shelter is not denied to any "during the inclement and cold season," and for those These were the rations to which the priswho require them, comfortable hospital ac-oners were entitled. Bread was issued, in commodations, and skilful medical and surgical attention are provided. The Commissary-General of Prisoners informs me that he has heard of no order to shoot prisoners for being at the windows or near them, and he does not believe that orders of that character have any where been given. He has heard of no prisoners being shot under such circustances. point of fact, and not corn meal. Fresh beef was issued, during this time, four times a week. When we had to give them hard bread they received a pound. When fresh beef was given, a pound and a quarter was given, and a less proportion of salt meat. This was done by orders of the commanding officer, with a view to the sanitary condition of the men. General Butler did, in the early part of According to instructions for the Commisthis year, offer to exchange prisoners, grade sary-General of Prisoners, a fund was creat for grade, and man for man, of those at Point ed by selling all surplus rations, under reguLookout, and two other places, but the pro-lations, and with this fund were purchased position was not acceded to by the rebel au- vegetables in addition to the regular rations. thorities. The order referred to, under which this course was adopted, was as follows: Your inquiries are thus substantially an swered. I enclose copies of the orders of the Commissary-General of Prisoners, regulating the conduct and treatment of prisoners of war, and the rations they now receive.* I am, very respectfully, * Printed in this Appendix. CIRCULAR. * * "V. A general fund, for the benefit of the prisoner, will be made by withholding from their rations all that can be spared without inconvenience to them, and selling this surplus, under existing regulations, to the Commissary, who will hold the funds in his hands, portion of it on the table. A large amount of bread has been found stowed away by them in the barracks. The rations are precisely the same as that used for garrison, and of very good quality. My expenditures for vegetables alone, for the use of the prisoners, out of the fund arising from the sale of the surplus rations, amounted, at times, as high as from $2,000 to $3,000 a month. For instance, I would buy extra quantities of potatoes and onions, turnips, cabbage, pickles, carrots. and be acountable for them, subject to the commanding officer's order to cover purchases. The purchases with the fund will be made by or through the Quartermaster, with the approval or order of the commanding officer, the bills being paid by the Commissary, who will keep an account book, in which will be carefully entered all receipts and payments, with the vouchers; and he will keep the commanding officer advised, from time to time, of the amount of this fund. At the end of the month he will furnish the commanding officer with an account of the fund for the month, showing the receipts and disbursements, which account will be forwarded to the Commissary-General of Prisoners, with the remarks of the commanding officer. With this fund will be purchased all such articles as may be necessary for the health and comfort of the prisoners, and which would otherwise have to be purchased by the Government: among these articles are all table furniture and cooking utensils, articles for policing purposes, bedticks and straw, the means of improving or enlarging ed the same as before. The amount given the barracks accommodation, extra pay to was reduced to the following quantity, by clerks who have charge of the camp, post-order of the Secretary of War: office, and who keep the accounts of moneys deposited with the commanding officer, &c., &c." The provisions, according to my return, actually issued, were the same as for the garrison troops. The rations detailed above were the rations actually given to the men. The amount drawn on the books, for their account, was larger- and as large as that issued to the garrison, with the exception of flour or bread, which was eighteen ounces instead of twenty-two ounces. When I say actually issued, I mean when entered on my returns as issued. The difference between the amount thus issued, and the amount given as above, was sold and converted into a fund for the benefit of the prisoners, as I have stated, according to the order of which I have given an extract. This fund was expended and applied for their use in the purchase of extra vegetables and articles of comfort. This course is pursued towards our own troops in camp and garrison; the surplus which they do not use being sold for their benefit to the Commissary of Subsistence, and regularly entered, and the proceeds applied to their use. The surplus rations sold for the prisoners were about the same as those sold for the garrison at the same time, showing that the amount actually consumed by the prisoners was about the same, per man, as that consumed by the garrison. When hard bread is issued, prisoners not unfrequently leave a I have frequently asked my overseers if the prisoners complained of not having enough, and if they did, to give them more, and to let no man want, as I could afford to do from the savings. During all the t'me I have been here, I have scarcely heard a complaint. No material change was made in the rations given to the prisoners till the first of this month, (June '64); since this date, the following has been the ration given the prisoners: The rations issued on the returns remain "B." Sugar and coffee, or tea, will be issued only to the sick and wounded, on the recommendation of the surgeon in charge, at the rate of twelve (12) pounds of sugar, five (5) pounds of ground or seven (7) pounds of green coffee, or one (1) pound of tea, to the one hundred rations. This part of the ration will be allowed only for every other day." The difference between the ration given and the ration issued continues to be sold, and the proceeds applied to the benefit of the prisoners, as before. The consequence is that the surplus fund for their use is larger. I refer to the circulars issued by the War Department, April 20th, 1864, and June 1st, 1864, as containing the regulations under which I am now acting, hereto appended, an accurate list to be made. When prismarked "A" and "B." oners are forwarded for exchange, duplicate The bread, as now issued, is made one-parole rolls, signed by the prisoners, will be fifth of corn meal and four-fifths of flour. This change was made at the request of the prisoners. I use the same quality of bread. GILBERT S. CLARK, Captain and C. S. Vol. By authority of the War Department, the following Regulations will be observed at all stations where prisoners of war and political or State prisoners are held. The regulations will supersede those issued from this office July 7, 1861: sent with them, and an ordinary roll will be sent to the Commissary-General of Prisoners. When they are transferred from one station to another, an ordinary roll will be sent with them, and a copy of it to the Commissary-General of Prisoners. In all cases, the officer charged with conducting prisoners will report to the officer under whose orders he acts, the execution of his service, furnishing a receipt for the prisoners delivdelivered; which report will be forwarded, ered, and accounting by name for those not without delay, to the Commissary-General of Prisoners. III. The hospital will be under the immediate charge of the senior Medical Officer present, who will be held responsible to the Commanding Officer for its good order and the proper treatment of the sick. A fund I. The Commanding Officer at each sta- for this hospital will be created as for other tion is held accountable for the discipline hospitals. It will be kept separate from the and good order of his command, and for the fund of the hospital for the troops, and will security of the prisoners, and will take such be expended for the objects specified, and in measures, with the means placed at his dis- the manner prescribed in paragraph 1212, posal, as will best secure these results. He Revised Regulations for the Army of 1863, will divide the prisoners into companies, and except that the requisition of the Medical will cause written reports to be made to him Officer in charge, and the bill of purchase, of their condition every morning, showing before payment, shall be approved by the the changes made during the preceding Commanding Officer. When this "fund” twenty-four hours, giving the names of the is sufficiently large, it may be expended "joined," "transferred," "deaths," &c. also for shirts and drawers for the sick, the At the end of every month Commanders expense of washing clothes, articles for poliwill send to the Commissary-General of cing purposes, and all articles and objects Prisoners a Return of Prisoners, giving indispensably necessary to promote the saninames and details to explain "alterations." tary condition of the hospital. If rolls of "joined or "transferred " IV. Surgeons in charge of hospitals have been forwarded during the month, it will be sufficient to refer to them on the return according to forms furnished. II. On the arrival of any prisoners at any station, a careful comparison of them with the rol's which accompany them will be made, and all errors on the rolls will be corrected. When no roll accompanies the prisoners, one will immediately be made out, containing all the information required, as correct as can be, from the statements of prisoners themselves. When the prisoners are citizens, the town, county and State from which they come will be given on the rolls under the headings - Rank, Regiment, and Company. At stations where prisoners are received frequently, and in small parties, a list will be furnished every fifth day last one in the month may be for six days of all prisoners received during the preceding five days. Immediately on their arrival, prisoners will be required to give up all arms and weapons of every description, of which the Commanding Officer will require the -- where there are prisoners of war will make to the Commissary-General of Prisoners, through the Commanding Officer, semimonthly reports of deaths, giving names, rank, regiment, and company; date and place of capture; date and cause of death; place of interment, and No. of grave. Effects of deceased prisoners will be taken possession of by the Commanding Officer, the money and valuables to be reported to this office (see note on blank reports), the clothing of any value to be given to such prisoners as require it. Money left by deceased prisoners, or accruing from the sale of their effects, will be placed in the Prison Fund. V. A fund to be called "The Prison Fund," and to be applied in procuring such articles as may be necessary for the health and convenience of the prisoners, not expressly provided for by General Army Regulations, 1863, will be made by withholding from their rations such parts thereof as can be conveniently dispensed with. The Ab stract of Issues to Prisoners, and Statement tures specified in preceding paragraph, acof the Prison Fund, shall be made out, com- companied by vouchers, and will endorse mencing with the month of May, 1864, in thereon, or convey in letter of transmittal, the same manner as is prescribed for the such remarks as the matter may seem to reAbstract of Issues to Hospital and Statement quire. of the Hospital Fund, (see paragraphs 1209, 1215, and 1246, and Form 5, Subsistence Department, Army Regulations, 1863), with such modifications in language as may be necessary. The ration for issue to prisoners will be composed as follows, viz.: Hard Bread, Hominy or Rice, 14 oz. per one ration, or 18 oz. Soft tion. 18 oz. per one ration. 14 " 66 6 qts. per 100 men. 8 lbs. 14" 66 66 66 VIII. The Prison Fund is a credit with the Subsistence Department, and at the request of the Commissary-General of Prisoners, may be transferred by the CommissaryGeneral of Subsistence in manner prescribed by existing Regulations for the transfer of Hospital Fund. IX. With the Prison Fund may be purchased such articles not provided for by regulations as may be necessary for the health and proper condition of the prisoners, such as table furniture, cooking utensils, articles for policing, straw, the means for improving or enlarging the barracks or hospitals, &c. It will also be used to pay clerks, and other employees engaged in labors connected with 5 lbs. ground, or 7 prisoners. No barracks or other structures will be erected or enlarged, and no alterations made, without first submitting a plan and estimate of the cost to the CommissaryGeneral of Prisoners, to be laid before the Secretary of War for his approval; and in no case will the services of clerks or of other employees be paid for without the sanction of the Commissary-General of Prisoners. Soldiers employed with such sanction will be allowed 40 cents per day when employed as clerks, stewards, or mechanics; 25 cents a day when employed as labores. lbs. raw, per 100 10 " Beans, Sugar, R. Coffee, or Tea, Soap, 66 men. 18 oz. per 100 men. 1 qt. 30 lbs. 66 per 100 66 66 When beans are issued, hominy or rice will not be. If at any time it should seem advisable to make any change in this scale, the circumstances will be reported to the Commissary-General of Prisoners for his con sideration. VI. Disbursements to be charged against the Prison Fund will be made by the Commissary of Subsistence, on the order of the .Commanding Officer; and all such expenditures of funds will be accounted for by the Commissary, in the manner prescribed for the disbursements of the Hospital Fund. When in any month the items of expenditures on account of the Prison Fund cannot be conveniently entered on the Abstract of Issues to Prisoners, a list of the articles and quantities purchased, prices paid, statement of services rendered, &c., certified by the Commissary as correct, and approved by the Commanding Officer, will accompany the Abstract. In such cases it will only be necessary to enter on the Abstract of Issues the total amount of funds thus expended. VII. At the end of each calendar month, the Commanding Officer will transmit to the Commissary-General of Prisoners a copy of the "Statement of the Prison Fund," as shown in the Abstract of Issues for that month, with a copy of the list of expendi X. It is made the duty of the Quartermaster, or, when there is none, the Commissary, under the orders of the Commanding Officer, to procure all articles required for the prisoners, and to hire clerks or other employees. Ail bills for service, or for articles purchased, will be certified by the Quartermaster, and will be paid by the Commissary on the order of the Commanding Officer, who is held responsible that all expenditures are for authorized purposes. XI. The Quartermaster will be held accountable for all property purchased with the Prison Fund, and he will make a return of it to the Commissary-General of Prisoners at the end of each calendar month, which will show the articles on hand on the first day of the month; the articles purchased, issued and expended during the month; and the articles remaining on hand. The return will be supported by abstracts of the articles purchased, issued, and expended, certified by the Quartermaster, and approved by the Commanding Officer. XII. The Commanding Officer will cause requisitions to be made by his Quartermas ter for such clothing as may be absolutely necessary for the prisoners, which requisition will be approved by him, after a careful in |