Geo. E. Cooper to CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION AND CONFEDERATE. 5T, January 12, 1865

MEDICAL DIRECTOR’S OFFICE,

January 12, 1865.

January 12, 1865. Bvt. Brig. Gen. W. HOFFMAN, U.S. Army, Commissary-General of Prisoners :

Sir: The information you have received concerning the collecting together the wounded rebel prisoners at Columbia and Pulaski, Tenn., and to which you refer in the communication of the 2d instant, and which has been referred to me, is correct. In consequence of these towns being on the line of Hood’s retreat, many of the prisoners who had been wounded at Franklin and were being carried to the rear were left there. These were augmented in number by the wounded brought in from the rear guard of the rebel army. As soon as it was learned that wounded rebels in any number were at Columbia and Pulaski Surg. O. Q. Herrick, superintendent of transportation of sick and wounded, was directed to have them removed to Nashville as so n as the railroad would be opened. On December 19, 1864, Surgeon Brinton, U. S. Volunteers, superintendent and director U.S. general hospitals at Nashville, was ordered by telegram to designate and set aside for the reception of the rebel wounded a hospital of capacity sufficient for the whole number, and directions were at the same time sent prohibiting the entrance of visitors. On the same day a telegram was sent to the superintendent: of sick and wounded to scour the country from Brentwood Heights to Spring Hill and bring into Franklin and Nashville such as would bear transportation. On the 22d of December, 1864, Surgeon Herrick was telegraphed to remove to Nashville, as soon as the road would be opened, all the rebel wounded at Columbia, as well as to collect all from the surrounding country and bring them in. On the -8th ultimo Surgeon Herrick received similar instructions regarding the wounded rebels at Pulaski. On the 30th of December, 186t, Surgeon Brinton, superintendent of hospitals at Nashville, was directed to make use of such of the rebel surgeons as he might require in the treatment of the rebel wounded, being informed at the same time that, previous to putting them on duty, it was absolutely necessary for them to be put upon their written parole by the provost-marshal-general Department of the Cumberland. From all this it may be observed that everything was done in order to have the rebels properly cared for, both as sick men and prisoners of war. As soon as the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad shall be opened every wounded rebel in our possession whose life will not be endangered by so doing will be brought to Nashville, and not only those in the hospitals but those, too, who are scattered in the farm-houses through the country.

your obedient servant,

Surgeon, U. S. Army, Medical Director.

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION AND CONFEDERATE. 5T

IN THE FIELD, January 12, 1865.

Judge ROBERT OULD, Agent of Exchange, O. S. Army:

Ihave the honor to inform you that General Canby telegraphs to

Washington that a steamship was sent to Mobile on the 16th ultimo

for the cotton, and that the delay has resulted from the neglect of