UNION & CONFED.
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE
FROM APRIL 1, 1864, TO DECEMBER 31, 1864.--#35
HEADQUARTERS POST AND C. S. MILITARY PRISONS, Richmond, September 24, 1864.
Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR:
SIR: Upon the representation of Major Carrington,
provost-marshal, and Major Turner, commanding military prison, that they
were apprehensive of an émeute among the Federal prisoners on
Belle Isle, on account of their suffering from want of any shelter and
destitution of blankets or other covering, I issued the within order to
Captain Morfit, assistant quartermaster, to make provision for them.
From his indorsements and inclosures you will see that it cannot be
complied with. The same endeavors have been made before with the same
want of success--the quartermaster's department being unable to fill the
requisitions.
The guard on the island is composed of convalescent soldiers and
officers from the various hospitals in the city, and numbers this
morning 327 men and 9 commissioned officers. Number of prisoners on the
island about 6,000. I see no prospect of the speedy completion of the
prison at Columbia, S.C.
Captain Richardson, the quartermaster on duty there, writes that he
cannot obtain funds, material, transportation, or labor, and has just
asked for instructions on these points. I submitted his letter to the
Quartermaster-General, and informed him (Captain Richardson) how to go
about getting money and transportation. Yankee prisoners could do the
labor if we could get a guard of 180 men to watch them, but all the
reserves have been ordered to Charleston from Columbia, and General Sam.
Jones cannot spare the men.
A large number of negroes have been impressed in South Carolina for
labor upon the works on the coast. Application was made to General Jones
for the temporary use of some of them, but he replied that he could not
spare them. Captain Richardson suggests that lumber may be obtained by
impressing some mills near the city, and that labor might also be
obtained by impressment. I left these points to be submitted to you by
General Gardner, now absent on duty, upon his return.
Captain Richardson also stated that the engineer officer, Captain
Hayden, would not undertake the construction of the works until he had
submitted his plan to the Chief of the Engineer Bureau here and received
his approval of it. General Gardner, I presume, will not delay for this
purpose, but commence the building as soon as the quartermaster is
ready.
I write this to inform you of the present state of affairs. When
General Gardner returns from his tour of inspection he will have the
honor to make any necessary suggestions. In his absence,
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GARNETT ANDREWS, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
P. S.--Since writing the above I have made temporary provision for the
prisoners referred to on Belle Isle by sending 600 to Danville (which
fills that establishment to its utmost capacity) and by procuring a few
<ar120_871> old tents from the hospital department. Major Parkhill,
quartermaster, has been instructed to use the utmost endeavors to
procure lumber for winter quarters.
[ Inclosure No. 1. ]
HEADQUARTERS POST AND C. S. MILITARY PRISONS, Richmond, September 23, 1864.
Capt. C. MORFIT, Assistant Quartermaster:
CAPTAIN: The sufferings of the prisoners of war on Belle
Isle for want of protection from the weather are so great that they may
lead to serious consequences. The brigadier-general commanding therefore
directs that you will at once provide either tents or the necessary
material for building them winter quarters, and have the latter erected
at once, the prisoners themselves performing the labor.
By command of General Gardner:
GARNETT ANDREWS, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
There is no shelter for the guard on Belle Isle (i.e., the daily
guard of 100 men detailed from the battalion on duty there). You will
make the same provision for them.
By command of General Gardner:
GARNETT ANDREWS, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.
[Inclosure No. 2.]
RICHMOND, VA., September 24, 1864.
Maj. GARNETT ANDREWS,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Richmond, Va.:
MAJOR: I find that I can neither get a sufficient number of
tents nor the material for building quarters for the prisoners at Belle
Isle. Major Bentley has only been able to furnish twenty-five tents and
Major Parkhill can only furnish fifty more. This closes out the stock of
tents.
The supply of lumber here is very limited and the heavier timbers
required for a house cannot be had at all. Neither Major Parkhill nor
Captain Weisiger can meet my requisitions, as will be seen from the
accompanying communications.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. MORFIT, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.
[Inclosure No. 3.]
RICHMOND, VA., September 23, 1864.
Capt. W. W. WEISIGER,
Assistant Quartermaster, Richmond, Va.:
CAPTAIN: I am ordered by General Gardner to provide shelter
for the prisoners at Belle Isle and will have to put up houses, as tents
cannot be had.
Can you furnish about 100,000 feet of lumber for this purpose,
embracing plank, rafters, joists, scantling, &c.? It will be needed
immediately.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. MORFIT, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.
<ar120_872>
ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE, Richmond, September 24, 1864.
Captain MORFIT:
The Secretary of War refuses my application for details of
contractors to furnish lumber, and says I must impress it. I have not
more than 120,000 feet on hand. Major Parkhill has a saw-mill and may be
able to supply you. I have requisitions for more than I have.
Very respectfully,
W. W. WEISIGER, Assistant Quartermaster.
[Inclosure No. 4 ]
RICHMOND, VA., September 24, 1864.
[Major PARKHILL :]
MAJOR: Please let me know how many tents and how much lumber you
can supply me with immediately. The tents are for the prisoners at Belle
Isle and the lumber (say 200,000 feet) to put up permanent sheds at the
same place.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. MORFIT, Captain and Assistant Quartermaster.
[Indorsement.]
QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE, Richmond, September 24, 1864.
Respectfully returned to Captain Morfit, assistant quartermaster.
I can furnish fifty tents. There are tents needed up the Valley for our
wounded brought back from General Early's army, so I cannot spare many
just now. I cannot supply you with any lumber, having none on hand. I
cannot say when I will have any to spare, even when I begin to receive
it, as it is required for repairs and building the hospitals.
