I am quite sure I shall not be able to effect his release. I write therefore to learn from General McClellan whether if I fail to obtain the release of Colonel Willcox I cannot be absolved from my parole by sending the discharge from his parole of Bvt. Lieutenant Colonel I. V. D. Reeve, or by obtaining the release of a number of privates U. S. Army now held prisoners of war by the Confederates. Please send me an immediate reply to Barnum's Hotel, Baltimore.

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

JNO PEGRAM,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Provosional Army, C. S.

SENATE, January 6, 1862.

Honorable S. CAMERON, Secretary of War.

SIR: Will you please send me the formal consent of the Department to the exchange mentioned in General Wool's letter, or if you prefer send to General Wool direct.

Captain Sprague is a gallant officer and is worth any ten traitors in our possession.

The arrangement has the assent of the President.

With great respect,

JOHN SHERMAN.

[Inclosure.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, &c.,
Fort Monroe, January 3, 1862.

Honorable JOHN SHERMAN, U. S. Senator, Washington, D. C.

MY DEAR SIR: Herewith you will receive the copy of a letter* from Major General B. Huger at Norfolk by which you will perceive that agreeably to your request I have effected a change of prisoners, viz: Captain John W. Sprague for Captain Lucius J. Johnson, Seventh [Seventeenth] North Carolina Regiment. Captain Sprague will be here in a day or two. I hope you will be able to obtain the assent of the War Department for the release of Captain Johnson, for which purpose I send you General Huger's letter which you will please to submit accordingly.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, yours,

JOHN E. WOOL,

Major-General.

HDQRS. OF THE ARMY, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, January 6, 1862.

Colonel J. DIMICK, U. S. Army,

Commanding Fort Warren, Boston, Mass.

SIR: The General-in-Chief directs that you release Captain Lucius J. Johnson, of North Carolina, held as a prisoner taken in arms against the United States, who will be exchanged for Captain John W. Sprague, Seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteers, held a prisoner at Charleston, S. C., according to agreement with General Huger.

I am, sir, &c.,

L. THOMAS,

Adjutant-General.

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* Omitted here; Huger to Wool, January 2, ante.

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