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.--#14

OLD CAPITOL PRISON, Washington, October 5, 1863.

General E. A. HITCHCOCK,
Commissioner for Exchange of Prisoners:

SIR: I take the liberty of stating that I am in possession of recent and reliable information that a number of Pennsylvanians, who were taken prisoners in the recent raid of General Lee in that State, are now incarcerated in Castle Thunder, one of the Richmond prisons; <ar119_349> also, three of the First Maryland Cavalry, who have been in prison over twelve months; Virginians, North Carolinians, Tennesseeans, and others, loyal and true to the United States Government, who have endured similar imprisonment for a long time (over fifteen months). As winter is fast approaching, I deem it my imperative duty to suggest to you the use of every available means to effect the release of these unfortunate fellow-beings from their destitute and deplorable condition and restore them to their respective homes. In furtherance of this object, I respectfully state that I have in my custody several disloyal or Confederate citizens, among whom are Messrs. Granville J. Kelley, A. Nichols, Gustavus B. Wallace, and S. P. Bailey, whom I believe to be men of veracity and fully competent and willing to visit Richmond, Va., and execute such arrangements tending to the release of any equivalent number of our people that may meet the concurrent approbation of our and their military authorities. I therefore ask that the objects of this communication may claim your early and favorable consideration.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM P. WOOD,
Superintendent Old Capitol Prison

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