E. R. P. Shurly to CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION AND CONFEDERATE. 45, January 8, 1865

Chicago, Ill., January 8, 1865.

Col. B. J. SWEET, Commanding Camp Douglas, TU :

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following inspection report of the condition of the prisoners of war at this station for the week ending January 8, 1865:

Conduct—good. Cleanliness—good. Clothing—the majority are comfortably clothed. Bedding—many of the prisoners are destitute of beds ofany kind. State of quarters—excellent. State of mess-houses— good. Stateof kitchen—excellent, perfectly clean. Food, quality of— sufficient to sustain life; good. Food, quantity of—barely sufficient in this climate. Water—plenty. Sinks—in good condition. Police of grounds—good. Drainage—good, considering the grounds. Police ot hospital—fair. Attendance of sick—good. Hospital diet—good. General health of prisoners—fair. Vigilance of guard—good.

Remarks and suggestions.—I would earnestly recommend that the ration be increased, or that the sutler be allowed to sell flour and potatoes in limited quantities, under the direction of the commanding officer of the post. 1 am well satisfied from experience that if the sutler in the prison square was allowed to sell all articles enumerated and allowed to be sent by the friends of prisoners, as provided by General Orders, No. 299, Adjutant-General’s Office, 1864, the Government would save largely in the cost of medicines. Antiscorbutics are indispensably necessary to save life. Cooking-stoves would be much cheaper to use in the kitchens than the Farmer boilers now there.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain, Eighth Regt. Vet. Reserve Corps, and Insp. Officer.

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION AND CONFEDERATE.

GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRs. MIL. Diy. oF WEST MISSISSIPPI,

No. 5. New Orleans, La., January 8, 1865.

1, All the officers and enlisted men, prisoners of war, who were

delivered on parole to Col. Charles O. Dwight, agent of exchange for

this military division, at Red River Landing, La., June 17, 1864, not