HDQRS. OF THE ARMY, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, February 18, 1862.

Major General JOHN A. DIX, U. S. Army,
Commanding, &c., Baltimore, Md.

SIR: Your letter of the 14th of February inclosing a number of the newspaper called The South was submitted to the Secretary of War. I now inclose an official copy of his order in the case sent by telegraph the receipt of which you have already acknowledged. I am directed by the Secretary of War to say that he was not a little suprised you should have waited for specific orders under the circumstances stated in your letter. There is a strong desire among the Union men of the city to have the print suppressed, which desire is certainly most consistent with a proper view of the public safety if the leading editorial of the number forwarded by you is a fair sample of its original articles. You are not likely to err by any vigorous effort to suppress treason of so malignant a nature as is manifested by that paper.

I am, sir, &c.,

L. THOMAS,

Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS, Baltimore, Md., February 26, 1862.

Colonel W. W. MORRIS:

Colonel Morris will allow Mrs. S. S. Mills and Mrs. John Mills to see their husbands, prisoners at the fort, in the presence of an officer.

By command of Major-General Dix:

JOHN A. BOLLES,
Aide-de-Camp.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, March 8, 1862.

Major General JOHN A. DIX and

Hon. EDWARDS PIERREPONT, Esq., &c.

GENTLEMAN: I inclose herewith a letter* from Mr. Samuel Sands relative to Mr. Mills, who is a prisoner at Fort McHenry. Will you have the kindness to examine the case in accordance with Executive Order, No. 1, in relation to state prisoners and report to this Department what proceedings ought to be adopted? Please return these inclosures.

I am, gentleman,&c.,

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

COMMISSION RELATING TO STATE PRISONERS, New York, April 30, 1862.

Colonel W. W. MORRIS, &c., Baltimore.

COLONEL: You will please release Thomas S. Piggott and Samuel R. Mills upon their giving their written parole of honor not to render aid or comfort to enemies in hostility to the Government of the United States.

Very respectfully, yours,

JOHN A. DIX,

EDWARDS PIERRREPONT,

Commissioners.

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*Not found.

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