Louisville, for confiscation. If they are not contraband will you please instruct that officer to forward them to me wherever you may order me? I prefer being exchanged there and joining those with whom I was captured.

Believe me, respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. R. ROSS,

Confederate Prisoner.

[Indorsement.]

Respectfully referred to Adjutant-General Thomas, commissioner for exchange of prisoners of war. Captured arms and equipments are public property.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, August 15, 1862.

JAMES A. EKIN, Quartermaster:

I am hourly expecting General Thomas from James River where he has been making exchanges. I desire General Campbell to remain at Indianapolis until he arrives and I can then give instructions.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, DEAD-LETTER OFFICE, Washington, August 15, 1862.

Major General J. A. DIX, Commanding Fort Monroe, Va.

SIR: I send you herewith another package of sixty-five letters destined for Southern States and emanating chiefly from Southern prisoners of war. Be pleased to inform me whether I shall continue to send such letters to you and oblige,

Your obedient servant,

A. N. ZEVELY,

Third Assistant Postmaster-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 107.
Washington, August 15, 1862.

* * * * * *

II. The oath of allegiance will not be administered to any person against his own will; it must in all cases be a voluntary act on his part. Nor will any compulsory parole of honor be received. But oaths taken and paroles given to avoid arrest, detention, imprisonment or expulsion are voluntary or free acts and cannot be regarded as compulsory. All persons guilty of violating such oaths or paroles will be punished according to the laws and usages of war.

* * * * * *

By command of Major-General Halleck, General-in-Chief of the Army:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.