HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
OFFICE OF AGENT OF EXCHANGE,

New orleans, January 341, 1865.

Major JAMES R. URELL,

Assistant Agent of Exchange, Mobile, Al:

MAJOR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 20th instant making inquiries in regard to Messrs. James Campbell, A. J. Ruguley, and E. Montgomery,denominated private citizens, lately captured by our forces and held as prisoners. The name of James Campbell does not appear on the books of the commissary of prisoners of this military division, nor has that officer any knowledge of the man. An inquiry addressed to the commanding officer of the naval forces by which he was captured may elicit the desired information. Mr. A. J. Ruguley was captured on the Mississippi River some months since. He is described in an official communication of Major Ig. Szymanski, agent of exchange for the Trans- Mississippi Department, . S. Army, as belonging to the Iron, Niter and Mining Bureau of the Confederate States. He is held as a prisoner of war. Mr. E. Montgomery is also held as a prisoner of war. He is described in an official communication of Lieutenant Colonel N. G. Watts, your agent of exchange, as a captain in the CS. Navy,a nd he also adds that designation to his own signature to a paper lately transmitted from the military prison in which he is confined.

The prisoners of the garrison of Fort Gaines who were retained on account of sickness at the time of the exchange of their comrades will be delivered with the naval prisoners, which I now hope may be very soon.

I had the honor to write you yesterday inclosing a permission for the children of Mrs. Cobb to come within our lines, also informing you that Admiral Buchanan's exchange is conceded.

I am, major, very respectfully,

CHAS. C. DWIGHT,

Colonel, &c.

CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT,

Richmond, Va., January 31, 1865.

General BRADLEY T. JOHNSON, Salisbury, N. C.:

I have information, probably correct, that within the next ten or twenty days desperate efforts at escape will be made by the prisoners at Salisbury. They may probably be aided by attempted raids. Be on your guard.

J. . A SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT,

Richmond, Va., January 31, 1865.

General BRADLEY TO. JOHNSON, Salisbury, N. C.:

I have later information that a raid is about to be made by Stoneman from East Tennessee to release the prisoners at Salisbury. Take and confer with your superior officers as to proper precautions.

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.