O.R.--SERIES II--VOLUME VI [S# 119]

UNION AND CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, ETC., RELATING TO PRISONERS OF WAR AND STATE FROM JUNE 11, 1863, TO MARCH 31, 1864.--#3

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, June 30, 1863.

Colonel LUDLOW, Fortress Monroe:

The Richmond Dispatch of the 26th (Friday) of June states that eleven Yankee ladies captured at Winchester have been taken to Richmond and imprisoned in Castle Thunder. Please ascertain immediately from the authorities at Richmond whether this statement be true. This Government has just made arrangement for sending some hundreds of rebel ladies to their homes at their own request and the wives of rebel officers have lived among us without molestation. If the statement of the Dispatch be true the Government must hold rebel ladies as hostages for the Yankee ladies. Please answer early as the boat was to start from Annapolis to-morrow.

EDWIN M. STANTON.

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FORT MONROE, June 30, 1863.

Hon. E. M. STANTON:

I will immediately ascertain from the Richmond authorities whether our women captured at Winchester have been imprisoned in Castle Thunder. An answer cannot be obtained before the 3d or 4th of July, as three days are always required for communications to and replies from Richmond by flag-of-truce boat.

WM. H. LUDLOW,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Agent for Exchange of-Prisoners.

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, June 30, 1863.

Major TURNER, Annapolis:

For reasons that have just been brought to the notice of this Department you will not leave Annapolis until further order and will keep <ar119_63> the boat until you hear from me to-morrow. Acknowledge the receipt of this telegram. I have just learned that the rebels have taken some loyal women to Richmond and imprisoned them in Castle Thunder. It may become necessary to take hostages for their safe return.

EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, July 1, 1863.

Major-General SCHENCK, Baltimore:

I knew that Mrs. Milroy was not taken prisoner. But the Richmond Dispatch of Friday states that eleven Yankee ladies were taken from Winchester to Richmond and that they are imprisoned in Castle Thunder. I have called for an explanation from the Richmond authorities. Whoever they are it is the design of the Government to protect them.

EDWIN M.STANTON,
Secretary of War.

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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, July 2, 1863.

Major TURNER, Judge-Advocate, Annapolis :

Your telegram of this date received. No order has yet been sent you because I am waiting and expect to hear to-day from Richmond respecting the female prisoners held in Castle Thunder. The action of this Government in respect to the persons you have in charge may be influenced by the answer from Richmond. I sent you this morning a telegram respecting contraband baggage. You will remain with your boat at Annapolis until further orders.

EDWIN M. STANTON.

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