HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA,
Fort Monroe, Va., February 20, 1862.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

SIR: I have the honor to informyou that the first officer, engineer and crew of the British steamer Fingla and the crew of another British sailing vessel have just arrived in the Roads under a flag of truce. Both these vessels ran the blockade and both it is said were loaded with arms for the rebels. The Fingal had a large number of arms with ammunition. Manyprisoners having just arrived (400) and a number of passengers they cannot be sent to Baltimore and there is no accommodation at the hotel, consequently I have been compelled to send the officers and crews back to Norfolk. I shall keep them at Norfolk until I get a reply from you, believing that they ought not to be permitted to pass.

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

JOHN E. WOOL,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA,
Fort Monroe, Va., February 20, 1862.

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

GENERAL: I ma only waiting to know whether the arrangement as suggested* by me will be adopted, and if should be all the cases presented will no doubt be arranged and as I trust satisfactorily.

It would appear that the prisoners from Richmond did not arrive until this morning.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN E. WOOL,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORFOLK,
Norfolk, Va., February 20, 1862.

Major General JOHN E. WOOL,

Commanding Department of Virginia.

SIR: I am directed+ to inform you that General Howell Cobb has been authroized by the Government of the Confederate States to arrange with you concerning the exchange of all prisoners. General Cobb arrived to-day and is ready to meet you at such time and place as you may appoint andproceed at once with the business.

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

B. HUGER,

Major-General, Commanding Department.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Roanoke Island, February 20, 1862.

Brigadier General LORENZO THOMAS,

Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.

GENERAL: * * * I beg to inclose the correspondence++ with General Huger in reference to exchange of prisoners which will explain

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*See Wool to Huger, February 13, p. 259.

+Benjamin to Huger, February 19, p. 802.

++Omitted here; Burnside to Huger, February 16, p. 266; Huger toBurnside, february 17, p. 274; Burnside to Huger, February 20, p. 290; also see Colburn to Burnside, February 22, p. 301.

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19 R R-SERIES II, VOL III