B. F. Tracy to Henry W. Wessells, January 5, 1865

Brig. Gen. H. W. WESSELLS, Commissary-General of Prisoners, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to state that I forwarded from these headquarters December 1, 1864, a requisition for clothing for issue to prisoners of war. About December 7 we received a quantity of clothing, partly filling the requisition, which was issued to prisoners. December 12 we received a communication from Brig. Gen. H. E. Paine, U. S. Volunteers, inclosing communication from Brigadier-General Beall, agent for rebel authorities, addressed to prisoners of war at this depot, notifying them of an arrangement between the United States Government and rebel authorities, by which each was to supply its own prisoners with necessary supplies, and requesting the prisoners to select three officers to receive and issue to them the supplies on their arrival. This request was complied with and report forwarded through General Paine December 17. December 14 we received a communication from your office advising us of the fact that, by a mutual agreement between the United States Government and rebel authorities, a large amount of

* For other correspondence in relation to the arrest and banishment of Jacob see Series I, Vol. XLV, Part II, pp. 387, 402, 504.

cotton had been shipped for New York to be sold, the proceeds to be applied to the purchase of clothing for prisoners of war, and that in view of this fact it was not deemed advisable to provide any more clothing for prisoners than was absolutely demanded by the ordinary dictates of humanity. December 18 we received a communication from your office directing that, in pursuance of the arrangement between the United States and rebel authorities, commanding officers of military prisons will afford every necessary and proper facility for the purpose upon the request of Brigadier-General Paine. We have heard nothing further in relation to the subject since. A number of prisoners will soon be destitute of trousers and other articles of clothing. There are still due upon requisition of December 1 1,000 jackets, 2,500 shirts, 3,000 pair trousers, 8,000 drawers, 4,000 bootees, 7,000 socks, 1,500 caps, and I would respectfully request that these amounts of jackets, trousers, shirts, bootees, socks, caps, and 4,000 pair of drawers be furnished immediately for issue to prisoners, unless the Department is advised that supplies will be speedily forwarded by the rebel authorities. I am, general,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,