HEADQUARTERS SAINT LOUIS DISTRICT,
Saint Louis, January 14, 1862.

Surg. J. J. B. WRIGHT, Medical Director:

The officer in charge of the prisoners of war at McDowell's College represents that he is not satisfied with the attention given by the surgeon in charge of the prisoners. I inclose a pass* which will admit you whenever you desire to visit them, and beg leave to request you will do so at your earliest convenience as I deem it one of our first duties to see that every amelioration of the condition of the prisoners of war is rendered to their unhappy lot that enlightened humanity and a due regard to their safe-keeping will permit.

I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SCHUYLER HAMILTON,

Brigadier General of Vols., U. S. Army, Commanding Saint Louis District.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 15, 1862.

Hons. JOHN LAW, D. W. VOORHEES, JAMES A. CRAVENS, R. MALLORY, J. J. CRITTENDEN, A. HARDING, G. W. DUNLAP, W. S. HOLMAN,

House of Representatives.

GENTLEMEN: I have had the honor to receive your letter+ of the 13th instant respecting Captain George Austin, a prisoner of war at Columbia, S. C., and have commended the case to the immediate attention of the Commander-in-Chief.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, January 15, 1862.

Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Washington.

GENERAL: I inclose a letter to me of the 13th instant from sundry members of the House of Representatives, and commend the case of Captain George Austin, a prisoner of war at Columbia, S. C., to which the letter relates to your early attention.

I am, general, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

HDQRS. OF THE ARMY, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, January 16, 1862.

Honorable GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy.

SIR: In reply to your letter of the 10th instant I have the honor to inform you that the exchange of Lieutenant W. G. Jones and Assistant Surgeon Lynde, U. S. Army, will be agreeable to the War Department. With the papers inclosed in your letter herewith returned at your request I respectfully forward a copy of a letter + to Colonel Dimick of the 10th instant in relation to the exchange of Lieutenant Dalton, late U. S. Navy, and Captain Tansill and Lieutenant Tattnall, late U. S. Marine Corps.

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

L. THOMAS,

Adjutant-General.

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* Omitted.

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+ Not found.

+ Omitted here; Thomas to Dimick, January 10, p. 188.