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750. 45 [stamp] A.G.O. [left margin] General E. D. Townsend, Adjutant General U. S. A., General:

                     The great number of Prisoners from this Department confined in the Penitentiary at Baton-Rouge, La, and the severity of the majority of their sentences being greater as I have been accustomed to regard as proportionate to their offences, and the great number of letters received by about every mail from the Prisoners, induced me to send Capt. G. B. Russell, 9th Infy., Actg. Asst. Inspector General of the Department, to Baton-Rouge, to inspect and examine into all the cases there, from this Department.
         I have the honor to enclose herewith, for the information of the Secretary of War, his report of such inspection and examination, with his recommendations, in the cases of certain men, in his opinion deserving relief.   I enclose also copies of Special Orders, taking action in the cases of all the men, whose Regiments are serving in the Department - not feeling authorized to act in the cases of those of the 6th Cavalry and other Regiments - but at the same time respectfully invite the attention of the Department to the recommendations of Capt. Russell thereon.
         As Capt. Russell says, no order can be found here, designating this Penitentiary as a Military Prison, and I have been, at times, in doubt, whether deserters could be properly sent there.
         I respectfully request information, if it is designated and regarded as a Military Prison.
         If arrangements could be made, the Penitentiary in this State made a Military Prison, it would save great expense in transporting Prisoners to Baton-Rouge.
                                                    I am, very respectfully
                                                            Your obdt. servant

6 Enclosures. (Sgd) C. C. Augur 2002. D. T. '72. Brigadier General, U.S.A.

                                                              Commanding.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 782. A.G.O. [left margin] July 27, 1872. General E. D. Townsend, Adjutant General U.S.A., Washington, D. C. General:

                    I enclose you a copy of a telegram received sometime since