exist, nor does it name those which are excepted from its operation and left in charge in General Winder, though some such are excepted.

I have time and again made written application to General Ewell to define the extent of my command and responsibility in this respect, but can get no answer.

I recommend that a new prison be immediately established at Charlotte, N. C., or that the officers' prison at Columbia, S. C., be sufficiently enlarged to accommodate several thousand privates. I do not think it safe to send more to Andersonville.

W. M. GARDNER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Post.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., July 24, 1864.

Brigadier General H. W. WESSELS, U. S. Volunteers,

Prisoners of War, Charleston, S. C.:

GENERAL: I have received your letter of the 20th instant. It will give me great pleasure to meet any of our officer now prisoners of war, and I will do so as soon as the meeting can be arranged, provided the presence of one of the Confederate generals now prisoners of war be not insisted on. I cannot consent to that part of the proposition. Regretting that I cannot comply with your wishes in this respect,

I remain, very truly and sincerely, your friend,

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

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

Fort Monroe, July 24, 1864.

Colonel W. HOFFMAN,

Commissary-General of Prisoners, Washington, D. C.:

COLONEL: I am instructed by Major-General Butler, commissioner for exchange, to inform you that the objection to forwarding the Confederate surgeons now in our hands no longer exist, and he desires them to be placed at my disposal for delivery and exchange. I will notify you by telegraph when we are ready for them.

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

JNO E. MULFORD,

Major and Assistant Agent for Exchange.