STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Columbia, December 8, 1864.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War:

SIR: In accordance with your suggestion in your letter of the 31st of August last, I have this day ordered the negro prisoners in the custody of the sheriff of Charleston District to be turned over to General Sam. Jones, commanding. A few of them, it is supposed, may be slaves, but the State had no means of identifying them or their masters. I have inclosed to General Jones the evidence from which it is supposed that some of them may be slaves, and I make this communication as information to yourself.

Very respectfully, yours,

M. L. BONHAM.

RICHMOND, December 9, 1864.

Lieutenant General U. S. GRANT:

SIR: It seems that General Butler has been informed that my flag-of-truce boat would be at Boulware's Wharf, on James River, to-morrow. It will be impossible for me to be at that point to-morrow, and I cannot now state when I will be.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

RO. OULD,

Agent of Exchange.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER FOR EXCHANGE,
Fort Monroe, Va., December 9, 1864.

Honorable ROBERT OULD,

Confederate Commissioner for Exchange:

I have the honor to forward you copies of communications* regarding the confinement as hostages of Corpl. R. H. Curry, Company F, and Private W. J. Neeley, Company H. Twelfth South Carolina Regiment, prisoners of war, at Fort Delaware, for Corpl. James Pike, Company A, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and Private Charles F. Gray, Company D. Fifth Iowa Cavalry, two scouts sent into the country occupied by the rebel army in May last, by William D. Whipple, brigadier-general and assistant adjutant-general, Army of the Cumberland.

I have the honor to inform you that these hostages will be subjected to the same treatment as your authorities may inflict upon Corpl. James Pike and Private Charles R. Gray.

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

BENJ. F. BUTLER,

Major-General and Commissioner for Exchange.

CIRCULAR.] NEW YORK CITY, December 9, 1864.

Will the commanding officer and superintendent of prisoners of war at --- have the inclosed request of General Beall, Provisional Army, C. S., presented to the prisoners of war, and in forwarding the

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* See Hartz to Butler, December 1, p. 1174.

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