Grover S. Wormer to William Hoffman, May 15, 1862

Fort Mackinac, May 15, 1862.

Col. WILLIAM HOFFMAN, U. S. Army,
Commissary-General of Prisoners, Detroit.

DEAR SIR: I have been placed in command of this post with my company, Stanton Guards, for the purpose of guarding this post and state prisoners of war. I received per orders of Col. J. E. Smith, U. S. Army, Messrs. Barrow, Guild and Harding as prisoners of war. I would like some instructions in regard to the liberty, &c., that I am to extend to them. Col. C. A. Waite, U. S. Army, informs me that I am to receive my instructions from you.

Your obedient servant,

G. S. WORMER,
Captain, Commanding Stanton Guards.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 537

William Hoffman to Grover S. Wormer, May 24, 1862

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,
Detroit, Mich., May 24 1862.

Capt. G. S. WORMER, Commanding Fort Mackinac, Mich.

CAPTAIN: In reply to your letter of the 15th instant asking for instructions in relation to the prisoners of war in your charge I have to say that you may permit [them] to walk about the island as often during the week as the post surgeon may think necessary for their health, not oftener than every other day, provided they pledge themselves to hold no communication with any person whatever verbally or in writing nor to go beyond the limits you prescribe, and further that they will make no attempt directly or indirectly to escape.

You will limit the time during which they maybe absent from the fort to not over three hours per day. You may permit them to write and receive letters subject to your inspection to see that they contain nothing which it would be improper for a good loyal citizen to write, and you may allow them to receive books and newspapers. These privileges will be withheld for any improper conduct on the part of the prisoners. Any money sent to them by their friends must be held in your hands subject to their checks for such purchases as they may make. Give them receipts for any money you may retain and keep their accounts in a book subject to my inspection. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,
Lieut. Col. Eighth Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 591-2

William Hoffman to Grover S. Wormer, May 26, 1862

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,
Detroit, Mich., May 26, 1862.

Capt. G. S. WORMER, Commanding Fort Mackinac, Mich.

CAPTAIN: I think it advisable to add some further instructions to those given in my letter of the 24th instant. You should in the first place put your company in a perfect state of instruction and discipline by at least two — better three — drills a day, and by a close observance of all the garrison duties laid down in the Army Regulations. The duties prescribed for guards should be particularly observed and in every detail the Regulations should be as clearly adhered to as possible. From guard mounting until sunset the prisoners under your charge may have the limits of the interior of the fort, but during the remainder of the day (twenty-four hours) they must be confined to their quarters under surveillance of the guard, with such orders as to insure their safety. Until arrangements are perfected for their messing in their own quarters you will make such provisions for them as may be convenient consistent with their safety. When cooking utensils are furnished on the estimates already forwarded you may permit them to hire a man to cook for them who must give satisfactory evidence of his loyalty. Direct your quartermaster to purchase such cheap table furniture as may be absolutely necessary for their use. Permit them to purchase for themselves what articles for the table or furniture they please, but not liquors of any kind. While the prisoners are granted the freedom of the fort during the day they must be on their parole of honor not to attempt to escape nor to violate any rule you may prescribe for them. Withhold from them privileges of all kinds unless your orders are strictly complied with. Report to me by letter twice a month, on the 15th and the last day, the state of things at your post.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,
Lieut. Col. Eighth Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 598-9

Grover S. Wormer to William Hoffman, June 3, 1862

Fort Mackinac, [Mich.,] June 3,1862.

Col. W. HOFFMAN, U. S. Army,
Commissary-General of Prisoners, Detroit, Mich,

COLONEL: Yours of the 24th and 26th came duly to hand and contents noted. Your instructions shall be strictly adhered to and carried out. The prisoners which I have in my charge are Washington Barrow, William G. Harding and Joseph C. Guild, state prisoners of war sent from Tennessee. On my arrival here from Detroit I allowed them to go to the hotel to board and lodge, under guard of one sergeant and three men (and on parole), who guarded the house both day and night, and when they took a walk about the island they always went with them. About ten days ago their quarters were completed and since that time I have had them sleep and remain in the fort except to go to their meals, which I gave them one and a half hours to walk and take, which is equal to four and a half hours per day. They are always guarded by three armed men. I have received a cooking stove for the prisoners' quarters without furniture, not even a spider. I have this day bought what furniture will answer them, also some cheap table furniture, and will have the prisoners live in their quarters this week. They are very anxious to know whether they will be permitted to have their families here, which you will see by the inclosed note* addressed to me. I will write. I will do as you desired.

I remain, your obedient servant,

G. S. WORMER, Captain, Commanding Post.

* Not found.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 636

Carlos A. Waite to Lorenzo Thomas, June 3, 1862

DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS, Plattsburg, N.Y., June 3, 1862.

General L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-General U.S. Army, Washington.

SIR: I have the honor to report that in compliance with the directions of the Secretary of War contained in a telegram (without date) received from you on the 15th of April last I have visited Fort Mackinac and made arrangements for the reception and safe-keeping of some fourteen or fifteen state prisoners of war. Two one-story buildings have been selected for their quarters. One was formerly used as a hospital and the other as quarters for officers. A hasty sketch† of the ground floor of these buildings herewith inclosed will show the space allowed for their accommodation. I also inclose a copy of my instructions to Captain Wormer, the officer in command of Fort Mackinac.

I am, general, with much respect, your obedient servant,

C. A. WAITE,
Colonel of First Infantry.

† Not found.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 634-5

Carlos A. Waite to Grover S. Wormer, May 25, 1862

FORT MACKINAC, May 25, 1862.

Capt. G. S. WORMER, Commanding Post of Fort Mackinac.

SIR: In addition to the ordinary duties of commanding officer of Fort Mackinac you are charged with the duty of guarding and safe-keeping Washington Barrow, William G. Harding and Joseph C Guild, citizens of Tennessee, state prisoners of war, now under your control, and it is enjoined upon you to adopt all such measures as may be necessary to retain these persons in your custody. For this purpose the company of volunteers under your command were mustered into the service of the United States. It is presumed that Colonel Hoffman, U.S. Army, commissary-general of prisoners, will give you all necessary instructions in relation to the manner the prisoners are to be treated, the restrictions to be placed on their intercourse with citizens, either personal or through the mail, and the liberty that may be allowed them to take exercise, &c.

I am, captain, with much respect, your obedient servant,

C. A. WAITE,
Colonel of First Infantry, Commanding District.

SOURCE: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies During the War of the Rebellion, Series II, Volume 3, p. 635