I beg leave to return you my thanks for your prompt compliance with my request to release Messrs. Butt and DAlton on parole, and

I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

BENJ. HUGER,

Major-General, Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, December 24, 1861.

Major General JOHN E. WOOL,

Commanding Department of Virginia, Fort Monroe.

DEAR SIR: The Sanitary Committee desire to send medical supplies to our prisoners at Richmond. I have said to them that articles they may forward to you with funds to pay transportation from Norfolk to destination would receive prompt attention as opportunity would offer by flag of truce.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

THOMAS A. SCOTT,

Assistant Secretary of War.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, December 24, 1861.

Lieutenant Colonel W. HOFFMAN,

Commissary-General of Prisoners, Sandusky, Ohio.

COLONEL: Your letter of the 13th of November inclosing the lease for the land to be occupied on Johnson's Island for the depot of prisoners of war, also the contracts and bond for the erectio of the buildings for this purpose, have been received.

By order:

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. S. SIBLEY,

Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army, Deputy Quartermaster-General.

SAINT LOUIS, December 25, 1861.

Brigadier General L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General:

I have between 2,000 and 3,000 prisoners of war. No proper building here for keeping them. If Governor of Illinois consents to use of State Prison at Alton, now nearly unoccupied, will the General-in-Chief authorize me to fit it up and use it as a military prison?

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General, Commanding.

U. S. FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA,

Hampton Roads, Va., December 25, 1861.

Major General BENJAMIN HUGER,

Commanding Department, &c., Norfolk, Va.

SIR: I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 23rd instant releasing Acting Master's Mate Abbott from his parole. As a consequence Mr. Hilary Cenas is now similarly released and you are at full liberty to notify him accordingly.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH,

Flag-Officer, Commanding North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.