effected some exchanges, and that while they were in progress the Richmond papers contained many paragraphs averring that the exchanges were not man for man on their side, but that the number sent by them was less than that sent by General Butler, in the proportion of the number of prisoners held in the South against those held in the North. While this matter was in progress Lieutenant-General Grant assumed command of the army and received, as I understood, some instruction from yourself to communicate with General Butler on the subject of exchanges, since which time I have received no reports from General Butler, being his junior officer; but I am under the impression that the precise difficulties which stood in the way of exchanges a year ago are in full operation at this time, and that the fault is not with this Government, but with the rebel authorities.

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

E. A. HITCHCOCK,

Major General of Vols., Commissioner for Exchange of Prisoners.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., August 27, 1864.

Major General B. F. BUTLER,

Commissioner for Exchange, Fort Monroe, Va.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that pursuant to instructions from the War Department Captain W. G. Stewart, Company A, Fifth South Carolina Cavalry [Infantry], a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware, has been placed in close confinement in a cell in retaliation for similar confinement of Captain E. Frey, of the Eighty-second Illinois, by the rebel authorities at Richmond.

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

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry and Commissary-General of Prisoners.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., August 27, 1864.

Brigadier General A. SCHOEPF, Commanding Fort Delaware, Del.:

GENERAL: By direction of the Secretary of War you will please place Captain W. G. Stewart, Fifth South Carolina Cavalry [Infantry], Company A, in close confinement in a cell, in retaliation for similar confinement of Captain E. Frey, Eighty-second Illinois, by the rebel authorities at Richmond. He will be permitted to have no communication with any person except those who visit his cell officially. If it should be necessary to remove him from his cell on account of sickness you will please report the fact.

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

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry and Commissary-General of Prisoners.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., August 27, 1864.

Brigadier General A. SCHOEPF, Commanding Fort Delaware, Del.:

GENERAL: Your letter of the 21st instant, communicating the recommendation of Doctor Goddard that the barracks of the prison be fumigated, is received, and in reply I beg to say that it is not practicable to