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.--#15

LIBBY PRISON, Richmond, October 6, 1863.

Brig. Gen. S. A. MEREDITH:

SIR: Our men held as prisoners here are suffering and dying from exposure for the want of necessary clothing, and their condition is daily becoming worse and worse. Some are without hats, some without shoes, nearly all without stockings, blankets, or overcoats, and all needing shirts. Many of our officers are lying on bare floors, and none of them sufficiently provided with blankets. These articles the Confederate authorities frankly say they cannot furnish, but will allow them to be furnished by our authorities and to be distributed by any one of our officers that may be designated for that purpose. Blank clothing accounts should be furnished with the clothing. Any one of the officers here will gladly be charged with the duty of distribution·

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

WM. IRVINE,
Lieutenant-Colonel Tenth New York Cavalry.

[Indorsement.]

I respectfully recommend that orders be sent to the quartermaster at Fort Monroe to issue on the requisition of General Meredith such clothing (in kind and amount) as he may certify that, in his opinion, may be necessary for the comfort of our men in prison at Richmond, to be receipted for by a designated Union officer, and by him issued to the men receipting for it, under such directions as General Meredith may direct, under the sanction of the agent from Richmond.

E. A. HITCHCOCK,
Major-General of Volunteers.

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