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One page, manuscript circular, 7 7/8 x 9 ½, from the Office of Commissary General of Prisoners, Washington, DC. July 8th, 1865, signed by WILLIAM HOFFMAN, Commissary General seeking an accounting of all political and military prisoners a few months after the Civil War ended. While Jefferson Davis is not mentioned in this document, the accounting would have included Davis, who was captured by Union forces in Irwinville, Georgia, on May 10, 1865. Davis was imprisoned at Fortress Monroe in Virginia in July 1865 for two years accused of treason and complicity in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He was released from custody in May 1867 but never tried for treason.
Hoffman writes, “As soon as all Military and political prisoners confined at the several prison stations are disposed of, the commanding officers of the several stations are requested to forward to this office a final return made on the Blank of the monthly return of military and political prisoners. Signed W. Hoffman”
Also signed by Lt. Col. ALBERT ORDWAY, of the 24th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry.
During the Civil War, the Union held both military and political prisoners, in notable camps like Fort Delaware, Camp Douglas, and Fort McHenry, and political prisoners were also held in camps like Camp Butler and Camp Chase.
By July 1865, military and political prisoners were held in various locations with some being paroled or exchanged while others faced imprisonment or trial. Some Confederate prisoners were tried for treason and some were executed.
WILLIAM HOFFMAN served as the Commissary-General of Prisoners in Washington, DC. Col. Hoffman traveled from camp to camp to oversee the departure of Confederate captives. This occurred throughout the war. The Office of the Commissary General of Prisoners in Washington, DC, primarily handled business with Confederate authorities regarding prisoners of war, supervised Confederate prisoners and civilians in U.S. prisons.
Folds. Ghosting from the removal of previous collector’s notes. Document is very readable and much darker than the scan version.
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