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I came across the following in the Gallipolis [Ohio] Journal newspaper dated March 24, 1864, and thought it might be of interest.
The following communication furnishes important information:
To the Friends of the Union Prisoners now in the hands of the enemy
Fortress Monroe, March 8. The undersigned, members of the Board of Distribution," {note: there is no opening quotation mark} lately confined in Libby Prison, feel that the greatest favor they can confer on their unfortunate comrades is to call the attention of their friends and families in the North, to the following suggestions:
First -- Boxes should not exceed twelve cubic feet, or two feet square and three feet long.
Second -- They should invariably be stoutly and securely bound with iron hoops.
Third -- Coffee, tea, sugar, flour, toabacco and articles of like character should be put in stout paper or canvas bags.
Fourth -- All perishable articles be excluded as tending to injure the remaining contents.
Fifth -- Under no circumstances should articles of a contraband nature, such as liquors, wine, money or citizens' clothes be sent. The prohibition is imperative and the scrutiny most thorough. Every box in which they are discovered is liable to confiscation.
To the friends of the enlisted man we would most emphatically say, send nothing excepting letters.
In making this recommendation we would not be understood as charging the Confederate authorities with want of faith or disposition to carry out their pledges, but owing to the scarcity of transportation and uncertainty as to the whereabouts of the person addressed, it is almost an impossibility to secure the proper delivery of any package.
James S. Sanderson, Lieut.-Col. and C.S. 1st A.C.
Alex Von Schrader, Lieut.-Col. and A.I.G. 14th A.C.
S.M. Archr {sic}, Lieut.-Col. 17th Iowa Infantry.
How to Send Supplies to Union Prisoners.
The following communication furnishes important information:
To the Friends of the Union Prisoners now in the hands of the enemy
Fortress Monroe, March 8. The undersigned, members of the Board of Distribution," {note: there is no opening quotation mark} lately confined in Libby Prison, feel that the greatest favor they can confer on their unfortunate comrades is to call the attention of their friends and families in the North, to the following suggestions:
First -- Boxes should not exceed twelve cubic feet, or two feet square and three feet long.
Second -- They should invariably be stoutly and securely bound with iron hoops.
Third -- Coffee, tea, sugar, flour, toabacco and articles of like character should be put in stout paper or canvas bags.
Fourth -- All perishable articles be excluded as tending to injure the remaining contents.
Fifth -- Under no circumstances should articles of a contraband nature, such as liquors, wine, money or citizens' clothes be sent. The prohibition is imperative and the scrutiny most thorough. Every box in which they are discovered is liable to confiscation.
To the friends of the enlisted man we would most emphatically say, send nothing excepting letters.
In making this recommendation we would not be understood as charging the Confederate authorities with want of faith or disposition to carry out their pledges, but owing to the scarcity of transportation and uncertainty as to the whereabouts of the person addressed, it is almost an impossibility to secure the proper delivery of any package.
James S. Sanderson, Lieut.-Col. and C.S. 1st A.C.
Alex Von Schrader, Lieut.-Col. and A.I.G. 14th A.C.
S.M. Archr {sic}, Lieut.-Col. 17th Iowa Infantry.