HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF S0UTHEAST MISSOURI,
Cairo, December 19, 1861.

OFFICER IN COMMAND OF MILITARY PRISON,

Columbus, Ohio:

Inclosed you will find copy of an order* this day received from headquarters Department of the Missouri. By forwardeig the said prisoner John Groves at once a speedy exchange could be effected.,

* * * * * * *

U. S. GRANT,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Columbus, Ky., December 22, 1861.

General U. S. GRANT, U. S. Army,

Commanding, Cairo.

GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date # and of the list of the list of Camp Jackson prisoners.

I perceive there are at Columbus, Ohio, a number of Confederate prisoners which I now make overtures to exchange grade for grade and man for man for the Federal prisoners now in my possession say ninety; officers to be exchanged for men at rates to be agreed upon.

I am also informed there are eight or ten prisoners at Paducah which I would prefer to have included in the list to be returned to me.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. POLK,

Major-General, Commanding.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO, Numbers 26.
Cairo, December 28, 1861.

Whereas, there are now at Cape Girardeau, Paducah, Smithland and Cave in Rock, places within this military district, many persons who have been driven fromt their homes and deprived of the means of subsistence by the acts of disloyal citizens of Kentucky and Missouri and their substance taken for the support of a rebellion against this Government; humanity dictates that these people should be comfortably supported and justice demands that the calss of persons who have caused their sufferings should bear the expense of the same:

It is ordered therefore that at the place named suitable quarters shal be provided and contributions collected for their support and acconted for in the manner perescrided in General Orders, Numbers 24,##