Series 2, Vol. 5, pp. 222-23
Headquarters, Fort Monroe, January 28, 1863.
Col. W. Hoffman, Commissary-General of Prisoners.
Colonel: I have just received the inclosed communications from Capt. William Gramm and others. They are addressed to the secretary of War and if it be necessary you can hand them to him. The subject-matter has been brought to the attention of the President by Governor Letcher, and I understand that he has directed his private secretary to examine into and report the facts. Will you please furnish me with the facts? I must have them to act understandingly upon and would be glad to receive them as soon as possible. If the Confederate officers are at hard labor as alleged what is the offense?
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Wm. H. Ludlow,
Lieutenant-Colonel and Agent for Exchange of Prisoners.
Penitentiary, Richmond, Va., January 4, 1863.
Hon. Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.
Sir: I have the honor of addressing this communication from out of the penitentiary to you for the purpose of giving you information that myself and Lieut. Isaac A. Wade, both of the Eighth Regiment West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, U. S. Army, are held here in close confinement at hard labor by order of Governor Letcher, of Virginia, as hostages for Capt. Daniel Dusky and Lieut. Jacob Varner, both commissioned by him and reported to be held in close confinement at hard labor in the penitentiary at Washington, D. C. We were taken prisoners of war by Major-General Floyd's command on the 25th day of November while on a reconnoitering expedition into Logan County, W. Va., ordered by Major-General Cox, commanding the District of Kanawha. My command consisted of 70 men and 3 commissioned officers, of which 11 enlisted men, Lieut. Wade and myself were captured. The regiment at the time was stationed at Coalsmouth, Kanawha River, a distance of over fifty miles from the place of our capture. Permit me, Mr. Secretary, to beg of you to order our exchange if possible as soon as practicable, so that we may be released at an early day and enjoy the liberties of freedom once more and have our innocent sufferings ended.
Hoping that you may grant our most earnest request as soon as possible. I remain, Mr. Secretary,
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
Wm. Gramm,
Capt. Co. B Eighth Regt. W. Va. Volunteer Infantry, U. S. Army.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: November 1862