QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, February 22, 1862.

Captain J. A. POTTER,

Assistant Quartermaster, Chicago, Ill.:

The prisoners are the prisoners to the Unitd States. The supplies to be issued are the property of the United States. You are an officer of the United States. The State of Illinois has no more right to give your orders than the State of Massachusetts. State authorities are entitled to respectful attention and consideration but they have no right to give orders to an officer of the United States.

M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General.

INDIANAPOLIS, February 22, 1862.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL:

Buckner and staff en route for this place via Jeffersonville. Preparations for prisoners of war complete at small expense. Expected to-day.

JAS. A. EKIN,

Assistant Quartermaster.

INDIANAPOLIS, February 22, 1862.

Major-General HALLECK:

Five trains prisoners arrived safety and now comfortably quartered. Sixth train ordered into quarters at Terre Haute and everything readly.

LAZ. NOBLE,

Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, February 22, 1862.

Brit. General A. E. BURNSIDE,

Commanding Department of North Carolina.

GENERAL: General McClellan directs me to says that they copy of your letter to Major-General Huger has been laid before the Secretary of War and in consideration of the limited means of transportation in your possession you action is fully approved.

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

A. V. COLBURN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA,
Fort Monroe, Va., February 23, 1862.

Honorable EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

SIR: I have the honor to inform you that I have this day had an interview with Brigadier General Howell Cobb, of the rebel army, on the subject of the exchange of prisoners, &c. We agreed very well upon most points except one, as follows: He proposed "that prisoners be dischaged or paroled within ten days after their capture, and to be delivered on