[Inclosure.]

FORT CRAIG, N. MEX., December 21, 1861.

Colonel J. R. BAYLOR, Commanding Texas Forces, Arizona.

COLONEL: I am still in confinement at this post, yet I am most kindly treated and respected as far as could be expepcted. We have been furnished clothing, &c., by the officers of the post which makes us quite comfortable. I have been on parole during the past two weeks; can ride to the distance of some six or eight miles from the post.

A proposition has been made to me that an exchange be made of myself and one of my men for a lieutenant now on parole and a man who is now in New Mexico. I am very desirous that this proposition be complied with as I am very anxious to join my company.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM SIMMONS.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA,
Fort Monroe, Va., December 22, 1861.

Major General B. HUGER, Commanding At Norfolk, Va.

GENERAL: I inclose herewith a roll* of 249 prisoners of war forwarded to Norfolk this day by flag of truce on parole.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN E. WOOL,

Major-General.

HDQRS. TWENTY-EIGHTH Regiment PENNSYLVANIA VOLS.,
Point of Rocks, Md., December 22, 1861.

Major R. MORRIS COPELAND, Assistant Adjutant-General.

SIR: I herewith forward a communication from J. P. Benjamin, so-called Secretary of War of the Confederate States of America, to Mrs. Sarah A. Dawson relative to the exchange of her son Arthur for Corporal Pratt, of Company A, of my regiment, an excellent soldier. If James E. Murphy, John H. Cusick, Robert Drane, Arthur Dawson, Rev. N. G. North and J. L. Orrison are sent to me at once I can have them satisfactorily exchanged for valuable soldiers of our Army. Please give me the earleist information that I can communicate the acceptance through Mrs. Dawson. Do me the favor to return the letter of the Secretary of War, as Mrs. Dawson is desirous to have it again.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO W. GEARY,

Colonel Twenty-eight Regiment Pennsylvania Vols., Commanding Post.

[Inclosure.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,

Richmond, Va., December 17, 1861.

Mrs. SARAH A. DAWSON, Goresville, Loudoun County, Va.

MADAM: I have received application for the exchange of your son, Arthur Dawson, a prisoner of war now in Fort Warren, for one Pratt, of Company A, Twenty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers,

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* Omitted.

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