HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., November 10, 1864.

Lieutenant General W. J. HARDEE,

Commanding Confederate Forces, S. C., Ga., and Fla.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 7th instant*, in which you state that my proposition in my letter of the 2nd instant "meets with my (your) approval." Without wishing to be considered hypercritical, I deem it proper to bring to your notice that such expressions are ordinarily used by superiors in reference to acts or propositions of an inferior officers of equal command.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., November 12, 1864.

Lieutenant Ge. W. J . HARDEE,

Commanding Confederate Forces, S. C., Ga., and Fla.:

GENERAL: In reply to your letter of October 13, proposing an exchange of the prisoners of war in our several departments, I have the honor to inform you that I have received information from Washington that no exchanges will be made (except on the field of battle, as provided in the cartel) without special authority therefor from the War Department.

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST SEPARATE BRIGADE,
NORTHERN DISTRICT, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH,

Morris Island, S. C., November 12, 1864.

Captain W. L. M. BURGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of the South:

SIR: I have the honor to forward, for the information of the major-general commanding, the following extracts from morning reports received this day at these headquarters.

Captain Nutt, Fifty-fifth Massachusetts, commanding at Long Island, reports:

The cars were running in and out of Charleston constantly during the night. Several musket shots were heard in the direction of Secessionville.

Captain Pope, Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, commanding at Black Island, reports:

The bells in Charleston were ringing for nearly an hour in the first part of the night. About 9, considerable musketry firing took place at the upper end of James Island, within the enemy's lines.

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*Not found.

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