should see proper to interfere in such an unimportant matter, knowing, as he well knows, that I would rather lose my life than do anything wrong, or suffer wrong to be done by others under my control, being aware that their actions were wrong.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. WIRZ,

Captain, Commanding Prison.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., October 26, 1864.

Major General B. F. BUTLER,

Commissioner for Exchange of Prisoners, Fort Monroe, Va.:

GENERAL: By direction of the Secretary of War, Captain Clifton H. Smith, assistant adjutant-general, a prisoner of war at Fort Columbus, will be sent to you, to be offered in exchange for Captain B. P. Sloan, Second Pennsylvania Cavalry, who was delivered on parole at Aiken's Landing on the 12th of September, 1864, with the pledge, as is stated, that he would procure the exchange of Captain Smith for himself. Please inform me when the exchange is perfected.

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

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry and Commissary-General of Prisoners.

WASHINGTON, D. C., October 26, 1864.

Major-General BUTLER:

There are probably not 2,500 invalid prisoners at Point Lookout. Will you have the number made up from the well men?

W. HOFFMAN,

Commissary-General of Prisoners.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE JAMES,
October 26, 1864-2. 40 p. m.

Colonel HOFFMAN,

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

My agreement with Ould is that we shall give him all the invalid prisoners on this side, and he is to fill up with well men. I send him no well men until he exchanges the negroes.

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPOT FOR PRISONERS OF WAR,
Elmira, N. Y., October 26, 1864.

Colonel WILLIAM HOFFMAN,

Commissary-General of Prisoners of War:

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following facts in reference to the laying of pipe to conduct the water from the river above the prison camp into the pond within the inclosure, as required in your of the 23d: The material to be excavated is very light soil and easily accomplished; 125 to 150 prisoners can be employed with safety. The quartermaster has on hand, that can be used, a large supply of tools, nearly if