Transcript:
Navy Department
Washington, 19th Apr. 1865
Com. J.B. Montgomery
Comdr. Navy Yard
Washington. D.C.
Until otherwise ordered, permit no persons to see (or hold communications with) the prisoners confined upon gunboat without a pass signed jointly by the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy. Give this order to officers of the vessel without delay.
Gideon Welles
Secy of the Navy
Citation: Gideon Welles (1802-1878), telegram to John B. Montgomery. Washington, D.C.; 19 April 1865. AMs 476/19