In pursuing this course it is conveived that Mr. Ashton committed a serious indiscretion at least which deserves and I trust will received a proper reprimand from you.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

HDQRS. OF THE AMRY, ADJUTANT - GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, November 29, 1861.

Major - General WOOL, U. S. Army,

Commanding Department of Virginia, Fort Monroe, Va.

SIR: Iinclose herewith Special Orders, Numbers 316, of this date, and a copy of a letter to Colonel Dimick, both relating to the release of certain prisoners of war who shall be sent to Fort Monroe. The General - in - Chief desires you to oermit them to go through our lines to Norfolk, or if prefer to Hatteras; also to make known to them that if any one of them shall procure the release of one of our prisoners of like grade in the hands of the enemy he may be considered as relieved from the oath not to bear arms against the United State which they all have taken.

I am, sir, &c.,

L. THOMAS,

Adjutant - General.

[Inclosure Numbers 1.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY, ADJT. GEN'S OFFICE, Numbers 316.
Washington, November 29, 1861.

* * * * * * * *

III. The following - named prisoners of war confined in this city will be sent to Fort Monroe, and thence under a flag of truce through the U. S. lines and released on taking an oath not to engage in arms against the United States. *

* * * * * * * *

By command of Major - General McClellan:

L. THOMAS,
Adjutant - General.

[Inclosure Numbers 2.]

HDQRS. OF THE ARMY, ADJUTANT - GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, November 29, 1861.

Colonel J. DIMICK,

First Artillery, U. S. Army, Fort Warren, Boston, Mass.

SIR: The General - in - Chief directs that the 250 prisoners of war named on the list inclosed in your letter of the 13th instant be sent by sea to Fort Monroe, Va., and thence by a flag of truce to Norfolk, on condition that they take the oath not to bear arms against the United States according to the form + inclosed herewith. It may be understood that should any of our officers or men now prisoners in the hands of the enemy be set free in consequence of this action a like number and of the same grade of the prisoners herein referred to may be released from their parole.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. THOMAS,

Adjutant - General.

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* Lost of thirty -t wo names omitted.

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+ Not found.