[Inclosure.]

PAROLED CAMP,

Benton Barracks, Mo., December 15, 1864.

Brigadier General L. THOMAS,

Adjutant-General U. S. Army:

GENERAL: I most respectfully request that a court of inquiry be convened as soon as practicable to inquire into the circumstances attending the surrender of U. S. forces at Athens, on September 24, 1864, by myself, to Major General N. B. Forrest, of C. S. Army.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WALLACE CAMPBELL,

Colonel 110th U. S. Colored Infantry,

Late Commanding U. S. Forces, Athens, Ala.

[First indorsement.]

HDQRS. U. S. COLORED TROOPS IN STATE OF TENNESSEE,
Memphis, January 2, 1864 [1865].

Respectfully forwarded.

A. L. CHETLAIN,

Brigadier-General.

[Second indorsement.]

LOUISVILLE, KY., January 10, 1865.

Respectfully referred to Major General G. H. Thomas.

I have received no instructions to investigate this matter.

L. THOMAS,

Adjutant-General.

[THIRD indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Eastport, Miss., January 21, 1865.

Respectfully returned to Brigadier General L. Thomas, Adjutant- General U. S. Army.

If Colonel W. Campbell will return to this department, where he can be reached, a court of inquiry will be ordered in his case.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S. Army, Commanding.

[Fourth indorsement.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

February 7, 1865.

Respectfully referred to Major General W. T. Sherman, U. S. Army commanding Military DIVISION of the Mississippi, via Hilton Head, S. C., and his attention invited to official copy of letter of this date to Major-General Thomas, which is herewith. *

By order of the Secretary of War:

C. W. FOSTER,

Assistant Adjutant-General of Volunteers.

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*See Foster to Thomas, February 6, post.

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34 R R-VOL XXXIX, PT I