HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES,
Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio, June 20, 1864

Col. W. HOFFMAN,

Commissary. General of Prisoners, Washington City, D.C.: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that we have the new prison inclosed, parapet completed, wells slid sinks finished. The prisoners will be removed to it in the morning and will be temporarily in tents, for we have to use the old buildings and fence in erecting the new ones. The quartermaster has on hand a large number of wall-tents, very good ones, which we will use until the barracks are built. With the amount of prison labor we have I think the whole will be completed within ten days. We can now safely keep a much larger number of prisoners than we have ever had at this post. The capacity of the prison will, when completed, be about 7,000, but a larger number might be kept if necessary. I have adopted a plan for sinks by which the contents will be discharged outside the prison and can be kept thoroughly washed and clean at all times. If you desire it I will report the particulars in regard to this matter. I have worked a large force (not prisoners) in constructing drains by which the prisons and camp will be thoroughly drained and one of the greatest inconveniences at this post avoided. I am also about changing the form of the camp, putting the barracks on three sides of a square, rendering it more compact and easily guarded. Heretofore it has been impossible with the garrison stationed at this post to keep up a camp guard, but with the change I am making it will be easily done. Hoping my action will meet with your approval,
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. P. RICHARDSON,
Colonel Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, Commanding