This correspondence has been furnished by General Meredith down to the period when Major-General Butler entered upon duty in connection with the subject of exchanges and since then by General Butler himself.

I have added a copy of the instructions to General butler on the subject, dated Fort Monroe, December 17, 1863, signed by myself, in conformity with your orders of the previous day, a copy of which is also annexed, and I have added as copy of the cartel so frequently referred to in this correspondence.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. A. HITCHCOCK,

Major-General of Volunteers, Commissioner for Exchanges.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
Fort Monroe, Va., February 4, 1863.

Major General E. A. HITCHCOCK, commissioner of Exchange:

SIR: I have already forwarded a captain in exchange for Captain William H. Irving, so that everybody delivered to us prior to the 20th of January has been duly exchanged, and there is no reason why the declaration should not be made. Please answer what are the objections to the declarations of exchange.

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

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

major-General, Commanding.

OFFICE COMMISSIONER FOR EXCHANGE,

Fort Monroe, Va., February 4, 1863.

Honorable ROBERT OULD, Agent for Exchange, Richmond, Va.:

SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the proposal to exchange ordered from Johnson's Island and will be reported to you as soon as possible. He will be delivered at City Point for Colonel Powell, who is already here.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, &c.,

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General and Commissioner for Exchange.

*October 2, 1863, p. 336; Meredith to Hitchcock,, October 8, 1863 (two papers), p. 361; Exchange Notice No. 7, p. 388; Meredith to Ould, October 17, 1863, p. 388; Ould to Meredith, October 20, 1863, p. 401; Ould to Meredith, October 27, 1863 (two papers), p. 428 and (beginning "I inclose to you a memorandum") p. 430; tabular statement of paroled prisoners (October 27, 1863), p. 431; Meredith to Ould, October 29, 1863, p. 441; Hitchcock to Meredith, October 30, 1863, p. 444; Ould to Meredith, October 31, 1863 (two papers), p. 452; Hitchcock to Meredith, November 6, 1863, p. 471; Meredith to Ould, November 7, 1863, P. 481; Meredith to Ould, November 12, 1863, p. 504; Ould to Meredith, November 21, 1863, p. 549; Meredith to Hitchcock, November 25, 1863, p. 565; Hitchcock to Meredith, November 23, 1863, p. 552; Hitchcock to Meredith, November 28, 1863, p. 590; Hitchcock to Butler, December 17, 1863, p. 711; Stanton to Hitchcock, December 16, 1863, p. 709; General Orders, Numbers 142 (announcing Dix-Hill cartel) Vol. IV, this series, p. 555; Butler to Stanton, February 2, 1864, p. 906, ante; Butler to Ould, December 1, 1863, p. 658; Ould to Butler, December 9, 1863, p. 683; Butler to Ould, December 25, 1863, p. 752; Hitchcock to Butler, December 17, 1863, p. 712; Butler to Ould, December 25, 1863 (four papers), pp. 754, 756 (first two communications), and (beginning "I beg leave to submit"), p. 757; Ould to Mulford, December 27, 1863, p. 769; Ould to Hitchcock, December 27, 1863, p. 768; Butler to Ould, January 12, 1864 (five papers), pp. 836, 837.