Lieutenant- General to Office Commissioner Of Exchange, January 19, 1865

January 19, 1865.

January 19, 1865. Col. R. OULD, Agent of Exchange:

SIR: Inclosed I send you the names of a number of gentlemen who have been selected by the U. S. Christian Commission to go South for the purpose of visiting such prisons as they may be allowed to visit. containing Federal prisoners of war, and to see, for the body of which they are members and for the public generally, their condition and circumstances. Three of these gentlemen are now here awaiting your action. I will state that any privilege you will grant in this matter will be extended to an equal number of gentlemen sent from the South for similiar purposes. Should this favor be granted it will probably serve to satisfy the friends of prisoners, both North and South, of the exaggeration of the reports of suffering so rife in both sections. ;

I would respectfully ask a reply to this at your earliest convenience.

Very respectfully, yours

a pein U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant- General.

January 19, 1865.

The Honorable SECRETARY OF WAR:

In obedience to the telegram I have the honor to transmit herewith

copies of all the correspondence that remains in the office of the Commissioner of Exchange of Prisoners relating to that subject.*

Action having been taken thereon by the Secretary of the Navy, by