COLUMBIA, January 20, 1865.
General S. COOPER:
I am at a loss to know where to send prisoners from Florence. In one direction the enemy are in the way. In the other the question of supplies presents an insuperable barrier. I again urge paroling the prisoners and sending them home. I have consulted the Governor and General Cheanut, who both urge that they be paroled. The guard is very weak and insufficient to take care. At once give full instructions.
J. H. WINDER,
Brigadier-General.
Tucker, Spence, Amiss, board of surgeons. Report of permanently disabled men (Federal prisoners) in hospital and barracks.
[Indorsement.]
JANUARY 20, 1865.
Returned to Honorable Secretary of War.
I expect to send the disabled officers and men by next flag of truce. I am satisfied that an agreement to unconditionally release all disabled men would result to our disadvantage, simply because the enemy would not carry it out in good faith. They would, perhaps, make the agreement, but would not execute it.
There has existed for some time some such understanding. To unconditionally release the Federal disabled would be to surrender the advantage of charging them in account. Nay, more, we would not receive the few in similar condition that under present arrangements are sent to us. If the medical director knew as much of Yankee bad faith as I do, he would not entertain his proposition a moment.
[RO. OULD.]
[OR Ser. 2, Vol. 8, pp. 96/7]