T. J. Pickett to Richard Yates

Rock Island, Ills.,

April 30, 1862.

Heon. Richard Yates:

Dear Sir= The Island of Rock Island (of which I am agent of the Q. M. Dept.) is just the place to send a thousand rebel prisoners. It is healthy, and in every respect well adapted for the purpose. A portion of the buildings of Fort Armstrong are still standing. The quarters for officers are in a good state of preservation and capable of accommodating a guard of fifty men. All that would be necessary to make it the finest spot in the North for keeping prisoners is the necessary barrack room, and the material of Camps McClellan and Holt, not now in use could be obtained and every put in good shape for the reception of the secesh within a week after the order came for it to be done. Not knowing the proper person to address on the subject I thought best to drop you a line, and if not within your province, you will oblige me by having the subject brought to the attention of the proper authorities, either by a note from yourself or the forwarding of this letter.

Yours truly,

T. J. Pickett.

T. J. Picket

Rock Island

April 30th 1862

Place for Rebel Prisoners.

Send a copy of this letter to Gen Halleck also one to Gen Strong together with endorsement of Picket as a very honorable man & recommendation that 1000 prisoners be sent there, & then write Picket what we have done. Say to Picket that this letter did not come to my notice until my last return from Pittsburg

all attended to--M.