from Warrenton, and is supposed to have been captured or killed by the Confederate soldiers. I wish you to ascertain where he is, or what has become of him, for the sake of his father, who is a personal friend of mine.

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

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
Fort Monroe, December 25, 1863.

Honorable ROBERT OULD,

Commissioner of Exchange of the Confederate Authorities:

SIR: I take leave to send you inclosed an extract furnished me by General Hitchcock from the statement of Surgeon Forrester, Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, in regard to Captain McKee. *

If that statement is correct I know that you will see to it that proper proceedings are had, either to procure for Captain McKee a trial or promote his release.

May I ask a favorable reply, stating your action in the premises.

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

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,

Fort Monroe, December 25, 1863.

Honorable ROBERT OULD, Commissioner of Exchange, Richmond:

I beg leave to submit for your consideration the papers in the case of two Ohio prisoners now in the hands of the Confederate authorities- Lieutenant E. H. Mason, Company B, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteers, and Private John Wollam, Company C, Thirty-third Ohio Volunteers. Do me the favor to report where they are, in what condition, and if they cannot be exchanged, the reasons that lead to that conclusion. Allow me to remark that I do not share in the apprehension expressed by the agent of Ohio, that any wrong has or will be done them.

Please return the papers with your communication.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding, and Commissioner of Exchange.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF VA. AND N. CAROLINA, Numbers 158.
Fort Monroe, December 25, 1863.

* * * * *

V. Brigadier General S. A. Meredith is hereby relieved from duty in this department as commissioner of exchange, and will not carry on any correspondence with any Confederate authorities until further orders.

By command of Major-General Butler:

R. S. DAVIS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

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* Extract not found; but see Forrester to Editors, p. 752.

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