Bessonies, Father Augustus, Indianapolis, Indiana, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1865 January 17

Bessonies acknowledges Purcell's letter in relation to Confederate prisoners. They have all been released by taking the oath of allegiance. Some went home to Louisiana and others for want of means and working. After their arrival at Camp Morton, Bessonies gave them services for a while but was soon refused admittance. Application for admission was made to the Secretary of War, the Honorable Edwin Stanton by Bessonies' friend, Father E.R. Kilroy at Washington City, but this was refused. Governor A.P. Morton and Colonel Baker got him in to see the dying but only under guard. Colonel Stevens and Major Gozzam were kind enough to allow him to see four "Northern Bounty Jumpers" who were sentenced to be shot. :: II-5-c A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.