H. A. M. Henderson to Respectfully forwarded for the information of and orders from the, January 23, 1865

Cahaba, Ala., January 23, 1865.

General J. D. IMBODEN, Augusta, Ga.:

GENERAL: On the morning of Friday, January 20, there was a mutiny in the Federal prison under my command. The prisoners simultaneously rushed upon the interior guards, disarmed and captured them. They then placed them under guard in the water-closets. Two sentinels posted at the entrance of the main prison from the stockade sneceeded in making their escape and in giving the alarm to the sentries on the ramparts and the reserve guard. A courier was dispatched to the commanding officer of the troops at the post, who promptly ordered out the battalion under arms. A piece of artillery was brought to bear upon the prisoners, and all was very soon quieted down and inquest made for the ringleaders. I issued an order stopping the rations of the prisoners until the ringleaders were announced. This had the effect of securing five witnesses, whose testimony in the main is concurrent, and led to the detection aud arrest of those most prominent in the affair. The man with whom the scheme originated was one George Schellar, alias Captain Hanchett, and one Robert Cox. This Schellar was captured by General Forrest near Nashville, Tenn., December 3, 1864. He was disguised as a citizen and was so registered and imprisoned by the provost-marshal-general of the Army of Tennessee, and at every post where it became necessary in his transit to this place. You will see by his confession that he declares his object to have been to be speedily sent through the lines. The most probable conjecture is that he dressed himself as a citizen and put

– himselfin position to be captured, for the purpose of obtaining information of the strength and movements of the Confederate forces.

After the defeat of the mutiny I made a demand upon his company in the prison for him, but could get uo satisfaction. I then stationed his messmates along a line and passed all the prisoners, requiring them to identify and point him out as he passed. I did not succeed. I then took the prisoners that I had arrested and placed them on my right. Among these was one of the informers who knew him. I instructed him to put his foot upon mine as he approached. I then again passed the prisoners through a guard at open ranks, and by the strategy indicated above I succeeded in arresting him. He was very much excited, and when I addressed him by his alias he confessed that he was not George Schellar, but Captain Hanchett, of Company M, Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, and at the time of his capture acting assistant adjutant-general on Colonel Caprows staff, commanding a brigade. The prisoner had shaved off his moustache and whiskers, changed his clothes, and otherwise tried to disguise himself. This be did to avoid detection. The investigation was conducted by several officers and myself before the commandant of the post, and from the testimony and his own confession, «c., he is undoubtedly the ringleader of the mutiny and a most unmitigated scoundrel. All of us who were present at this investigation are thoroughly convicted, not only of his guilty leadership in this mutiny, but that he is an exceedingly dangerous and bad man. The colonel commanding post is thoroughly of the opinion that his mission among us was that of a spy. Hence he was securely ironed and with seven of his confederates confined in a dungeon in the county jail.

By reading the inclosed transcript of the testimony elicited in the investigation you will be able to form a pretty correct opinion of the history of this transaction and the degree of guilt which attaches to each particular individual under arrest. During the excitement not a single prisoner effected his escape.

The question which I desire answered is: What course is it proper to pursue with the chiefs of this mutiny and those who were leagued with them? Having no statute, regulation, or precedent to govern us, we are at a loss to know what course to adopt, and I most respectfully ask the instructions of the general commanding.

I am,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain, Commanding.

[Indorsement.]

Post OF CAHABA, ALA., January 25, 1805.

Respectfully forwarded for the information of and orders from the

brigadier-general commanding the prison department.

I an fully convinced that Captain Hanchett, alias Schellar, is a spy

and a dangerous man and deserves a spy’s fate.