J Q H. Forno to John H. Winder, January 27, 1865

Brig. Gen. J. H. WINDER, Commissary-General of Military Prisons:

GENERAL: In obedience to Special Orders, No. 15, òf January 23, I have the honor to report the results of an inspection made by me of the military prison at Florence, S. C.:

The general discipline is perfectly satisfactory; everything in the interior of the stockade exhibits great energy and tact. The hospital department is ample and comfortable, and the patients are well cared for. The subsistence department is entirely deficient, and the ration issued daily amounts almost to starvation. There has been but two issues of meat in the last two months and scarcely ever sirup. This will be better explained by document marked A, from LieutenantColonel Iverson, commanding prison.

There is no officer of the Quartermaster’s Department at this prison nor any transportation, and the laborers (prisoners) are compelled to carry the timber for the construction of buildings necessary for the public use on their shoulders full one mile.

I would most respectfully suggest that an assistant quartermaster be sent to the prison as soon as possible, and he be supplied with transportation sufficient for their use.

The books are well and neatly kept, and any prisoner can be found or accounted for in a moment.

The number of prisoners are as follows:

Thi (ELS BUDA sado Voces Sabo rosas Sd 5 55 eae nooo essa psa bo pco anto odo 6, 845 Pared Eo ONOR E a a a toalla e ae dol

li INOSOMWEN nono vantaccoboop aso Gers SoU sooUd ooo uno BSP L ops ro oa aer Ro uso

The mortality among the prisoners is an average of six per day, and the prevailing disease diarrhea, Some few cases of smallpox and typhoid fever. , ee

The guard force inefficient and without proper discipline, and are composed of reserves and about ninety men of the Fifty-fifth Georgia Volunteers.

All of which is

respectfully submitted.