WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, April 30, 1864.

Major General FRANZ SIGEL,

Commanding Department of West Virginia, Cumberland, Md.:

GENERAL: The Secretary of War instructs me to inform you that copies of the papers forwarded by you to the Department on the 4th instant in relation to the case of William S. Dooley, a loyal citizen of Winchester, Va., now held by the rebels in ignominious confinement at Richmond, Va., have been referred to Major General B. F. Butler, at Fortress Monroe, for such favorable action as he may be enabled to take in Dr. Dooley's behalf.

The Secretary of War also directs that you will cause the re-arrest of one of the hostages in the case, or the arrest of some prominent and influential rebel citizen of Winchester or vicinity, to be held in suitable circumstances of confinement until the safe return of Mr. Dooley by our lines, or until further orders.

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

ED. R. S. CANBY,

Brigadier-General and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE COMMISSIONER FOR EXCHANGE,

Fort Monroe, Va., April 30, 1864.

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

SIR: Will you please inform me on what grounds Edward P. Davis, of Loudoun County, Va., is now held as prisoner at Salisbury, N. C.?

He was taken prisoner November 6, 1862.

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

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General and Commissioner for Exchange.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE COMMISSIONER FOR EXCHANGE,

Fort Monroe, Va., April 30, 1864.

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

SIR: I have the honor to request that you will furnish me with a report of the case of Thomas Pettitt, a citizen of Jackson County, Ala., who was forcibly taken from his house on the 24th of August, 1863, by a body of the Seventh Alabama Cavalry, and is now confined in Richmond in irons.

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

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General and Commissioner for Exchange.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE COMMISSIONER FOR EXCHANGE,

Fort Monroe, Va., April 30, 1864.

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

SIR: I have the honor to call your attention to the case of Samuel McLanahan, a citizen of Clear Spring, Washington County, Md., who was taken prisoner while on a visit to his friends, near Winchester, Va., and has since been held as such by your authorities. I have no request