[First indorsement.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, April 8, 1864.

Respectfully referred to the provost-marshal at Baltimore, Md., for immediate report upon the points suggested within.

By order of the Secretary of War:

JAS. A. HARDIE,

Colonel and Inspector-General.

[Second indorsement.]

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, April 18, 1864.

Respectfully submitted.

W. A. NICHOLS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Third indorsement.]

OFFICE PROVOST-MARSHAL, Baltimore, April 23, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded to W. A. Nichols, assistant adjutant-general, War Department, with information that after careful inquiry in regard to the man W. S. Dooley I find no clew to his ever having held Government position of any character, nor do any of the citizens of his name, "Dooley," in this city know him.

Respectfully, your most obedient servant,

JOHN WOOLEY,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Provost-Marshal.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, April 25, 1864.

Respectfully returned to the War Department.

W. A. NICHOLS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosures.]

HDQRS. FIRST DIV., DEPT. OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Harper's Ferry, VA., March 28, 1864.

Captain MELVIN, Assistant Adjutant-General, Cumberland:

I inclose herewith copies of papers found on the person of Mr. Dooley, who was arrested some time since and carried to Richmond. Two citizens of Winchester were held as hostages, but they declared Dooley had on his person my pass authorizing him to recruit negroes. I informed them that being the case Dooley would have to be considered a prisoner of war, but denied ever having seen Dooley or ever authorizing any one to give such a pass, and requested the proof, promising to release them as hostages if they substantiated their charge. They have sent in these papers, in which I can find nothing that makes Dooley a Government agent.

I respectfully submit the case, but would recommend that at least Mr. Boyd be brought in and held until Mr. Dooley is returned.

I remain, respectfully,

JER. C. SULLIVAN,

Brigadier-General.

WINCHESTER, March 14, 1864.

Colonel ROBERT S. RODGERS:

DEAR SIR: I inclose to you various papers just received from the Confederate authorities in Richmond, through a gentleman sent there expressly for the purpose of obtaining them. As these papers clearly