Correspondence relative to the distribution of the Yankee supplies in Richmond.
The following letters are published in the Northern papers as the correspondence which took place in Richmond between the Yankee prisoners and Confederate Quartermaster relative to the supplies sent there from the North:
Quartermaster's Office, C. S. Military Prison,
Having heard a complaint from headquarters that the provisions received from your Government were not issued to the Federal officers confined in this prison, and that your fellow-prisoners with you have suffered in consequence thereof, you will please state the facts of this case — at what time the provisions arrived, when they were received by you, and whether issued in proper quantities. Also, request Col. Boyd to state at what time he saw the provisions issued at Belle Isle.
Your most obedient serv't,
J. Thorner,
Capt. and A. A. Q. M.
Lt.-Col. J. M. Sanderson, Prisoner of War, Richmond, Va.
C. S. Military Prison, Libby, Dec. 3, 1863.
--In answer to your note of this date, I would state that as near as I can recollect, you personally offered on the 22d ult. to distribute to the officers in this prison twenty-seven barrels, containing pork, salt beef, flour and corn meal, sent by the Baltimore American Relief Fund; but having no convenience for issuing it, I declined receiving it. On the following day, however, I inspected it, in company with other officers, and directed Mr. Burnham, your assistant, to issue it in rations of half a pound per man to the two officers acting as commissioners for the prisoners; and can cheerfully state that the instructions have thus far been faithfully complied with, and these provisions have been issued in addition to the regular rations allowed us by the authorities here.
In answer to your communication of this date referring to statements that have been made in regard to the distribution of clothing and rations, sent to Richmond by the United States Government for Federal prisoners of war, the committee in charge of the distribution of clothing desire to submit the following statement:
When the committee entered on their duties, November 10th, a small supply of clothing had been received at Richmond. To secure an equitable distribution of th to those who were most needy, and to ascertain what future consignments would be required for their comfort, it was deemed advisable to make inspection of the clothing of all the prisoners. A careful inspection was therefore made of all the prisoners of war at Belle Isle and in Richmond, and a record made of the condition of each article of their clothing.
While this inspection was in progress, issues of blankets and such clothing as had been received were made to those who were most needy.
Since the arrival of the last of ing, November 22d, two members of the committee had been constantly engaged in the distribution, which is now almost complete.
The committee is unable to prepare a statement of the amount of clothing issued in time for this communication.
Statements in detail will be prepared, however, as soon as possible, of the amount of clothing received and issued, and to whom issued, and the amount required to fully supply the wants of the prisoners now here; a copy of which we respectfully request may be forwarded by flag of truce to the proper United States military authorities.
A shipment of clothing is now being made to Danville sufficient to supply the wants of the prisoners of war at that place.
The committee take pleasure in stating that every facility for the inspection of the prisons and the distribution of the clothing has been afforded them by the Confederate military authorities.
The duties of the committee were limited by the order putting them on duty exclusively to the distribution of clothing.
The fact that rations provided by the United States Government and by aid societies in the North were being issued to prisoners of war on Belle Isle and in the prisons in Richmond has, however, frequently come under the observation of the members of the committee while in the discharge of the duty assigned them.
A. Van Schroder,
Lieut. Col. A. I. G. 14th A. C.
H. B. Hunter,
Lieut.-Col. 123d O. I. V.
J. F. Boyd.
Lieut.-Col. and Quartermaster.
James M. Sanderson,
Lieut.-Col. and C. S. V. A. C.
