CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, December 19, 1863.

Brigadier General S. A. MEREDITH, Agent of Exchange:

SIR: Authentic information has been communicated to our authorities that Robert Hunt, Thomas Butters, and Francis Traner, seamen, captured on board the Tacony, under the command of Lieutenant Charles W. Read, C. S. Navy, are now confined in the Portland jail. I will thank you to inform me why these men are separated from the rest of the crew, and whether they are treated as prisoners of war.

Respectfully, &c.,

RO. OULD,

Agent of Exchange.

HEADQUARTERS GREEN'S CAVALRY DIVISION, Vermilionsville, December 19, 1863.

Colonel E. L. MOLINEUX,
Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General, U. S. Army,

General W. B. Franklin's Staff:

COLONEL: The general commanding instructs me to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 18th instant, and in reply would state that he is satisfied that the officers were not cognizant to any of the outrages committed, and did all in their power to repress anything of the kind. Stragglers and skulkers undoubtedly committed the acts. Romulus McBride and Johnr. Creighton were citizens of this town; also Louis Couret, taken up the 12th of October. Their families are in great distress, and the general trusts that they will be returned.

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

E. R. WELLS,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, New Orleans, December 19, 1863.

Major General W. B. FRANKLIN,
Commanding Troops in Western Louisiana, New Iberia:

GENERAL: The cartel of exchange was received last night late. It has been approved by the commanding general, who also agrees to having the excess of prisoners paroled according to conditions stated. Do you want the prisoners sent up?

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. P. STONE,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS FORT McHENRY, December 19, 1863.

Colonel WILLIAM HOFFMAN, Commissary-General of Prisoners:

COLONEL: In reply to your indorsement on the communication of the Confederate surgeons, received December 17, I have the honor to report as follows: The general treatment intended for prisoners of war at this post will best be gathered from post orders. General Orders, No. 49, October 11, 1863, says:

The circular issued by Commissary-General of Prisoners, dated Detroit, Mich., July 7, 1862, will be regarded as the organic law for the government of prisoners of war