H. W. Wessells to Canby, at New Orleans, for his decision whether he will forward, January 21, 1865

Washington, D. C., January 21, 1865.

GENERAL: I am authorized to request that the following-named officers and enlisted men of the rebel army, who are said to be in close confinement in cells at Helena, Ark., be immediately released and forwarded, under proper guard, to Lieut. Col. John E. Mulford, agent for exchange of prisoners, Fort Monroe, Va., viz: Lieut. John H. Yerby, Lieutenant Casteel, Lieutenant Thomas, Privates Thomas A. Quarles, Thomas Stoneham, and John [G.] Smith. Please report your action.

Iam, general,

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brig. Gen., U. S. Volunteers, Inspector and Commissary-General of Prisoners.

and in compliance with it send five of the prisoners first named, and

also Capt. John R. Swan, of Dobbin’s brigade, who has been guilty

of the same oftenses charged to the others, but captured since then, to

General Canby, at New Orleans, for his decision whether he will forward

them to Fortress Monroe, as requested by General Wessells, or make

other disposition of them. A long time ago I sent J. G. Smith, with