CHAP. XIII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

Major Cannon can give more full and clear explanations on the above and other points of public interest, for which I respectfully refer you to him.

With considerations of high respect, I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN E. WOOL, Major-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, September 20, 1861.

Major General JOHN E. WOOL, Commanding, Fort Monroe, Va.:

GENERAL: Your communications of the 17th* and 18th are received. In regard to the letters sent or received by flags of truce, I would suggest that for the present they be examined by volunteer officers whom you might detail for that purpose. I would much prefer that this examination should be made under the direction of the Post-Office Department, and will endeavor to effect some arrangement that will relieve you from this labor.

I am also informed by the Adjutant-General that he has already sent you two aides-de-camp. Ordnance officers are much needed, and for this reason I cannot consent to the appointment of Lieutenant Harris as your aide, unless it is absolutely necessary that you should have his services in that capacity. I send herewith the appointment of William P. Jones as an aide, in accordance with you recommendation. Captain Whipple has been assigned to you as assistant adjutant-general.

The state prisoners now in your custody should be sent at once to Fort Lafayette, New York Harbor. You will, as early as practicable, send to General McClellan at this place all negro men capable of performing labor, accompanied by their families. They can be usefully employed on the military works in this vicinity. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, Fort Monroe, September 22, 1861.

HonorableSIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War:

SIR: I have received this morning your communication of the 20th instant. In regard to the examination of letters by flags of truce I would state that I have no volunteer officers to spare for this duty, and none that would perform it efficiently. I have received a letter from the Assistant Postmaster-General on this subject approving of their transmission to the Post-Office Department. As I have 1,500 letters waiting examination I shall, without attempting to examine them, await instructions from the Postmaster-General.

The two aides whom I suppose you refer to as sent me by the Adjutant-General are my personal friends, who came here to relieve me, at my request, when I was without assistance and pressed by a heavy official correspondence in addition to my other duties. They have declined pay or emoluments, and bear their own expenses, thus making no charge to the Government. They are distinguished for capability, efficiency, and promptness, but I may be deprived of the relief they

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*Not found.

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