WHEELING, January 9, [1862].

Captain G. L. HARTSUFF, [Assistant] Adjutant-General.

SIR: I have the honor to inclose a list* of prisoner of war now at CAmp Chase, Ohio, captured in arms against the United States Government and subject to exchange for those of our troops taken by the rebels in Western Virginia.

I presume that arrangements can be made by the proper Department at Washington City for the exchange, or it might be advisable to effect it through a flag of truce sent to Winchester or some other post in Virginia in possession of the rebels.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOSEPH DARR, Jr.,

Major First [West] Virginia Cavalry, Provost-Marshal.

WHEELING, January 9, [1862].

Captain G. L. HARTSUFF, [Assistant] Adjutant-General.

SIR: The list of prisoners for exchange comprises two first lieutenants, one second liuetenant and ninety-two privates.

Second Lieutenant Hurt, of the Pittsylvania Cavalry, informed me at Camp Chase that he felt confident his connections in Virginia had influence enough with the rebel leaders at Richmond to effect his exchange for Lieutenant Merrill, captured at Cheat Mountain.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOSEPH DARR, Jr.,

Major First [West] Virginia Cavalry, Provost-Marshal.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 10, 1862.

Colonel E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General, U. S. Army:

I transmit herewith dispatch Numbers 124 of Flag-Officer Goldsborough with its inclosure + from General Huger and invite your attention to so much of it as relates to the release of army officers. When you return the papers will you please to inform me what answer I shall make to Flag-Officer Goldsborough in reply to his inquiry respecting Lieutenant W. G. Jones and Assistant Surgeon Lynde of the Army.

I am, respectfully,

GIDEON WELLES.

[Inclosure.] Numbers 124.] U. S. FLAG-SHIP MINNESOTA, Hampton Roads, Va., January 5, 1862.

Honorable GIDEON WELLES,

Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of a letter dated the 2nd instant from General Huger, together with copies of the papers it contained.

As I know nothing about the case of Lieutenant Sayre, of the C. S. Marine Corps, nor that of Dr. R. D. Lynde, assistant surgeon, U. S. Army, I beg to ask if I am at liberty to accept the propositions concerning them.

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* Omitted.

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+ Reference to Huger to Goldsborough, January 2, p. 176.