GENERAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 118.
Washington, May 9, 1863.

Paragraph 1, of General Orders, Numbers 81, War Department, September 19, 1861, so far as it sets forth that the actual traveling expenses of volunteers 'sent out to recruit for their regiments," when not furnished transportation in kind, shall be paid out of tho fund for recruiting and equipping volunteers, is not intended to apply to the transportation of officers and enlisted men when first proceeding to join the recruiting service, or when returning to their regiments, after having been relieved from the recruiting to their regiments,after having been relieved from the recruiting service. Such transportation is a proper charge against the appropriation for the Quartermaster's Department.

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, May 11, 1863.

Major General JOHN A. DIX,

Commanding Dept. of Virginia, Fortes Monroe, Va.:

GENERAL: The Secretary of War directs me to transmit for your information the inclosed copies of two letters, with his indorsement thereon, relating to correspondence with the rebel States.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. H. WATSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure Numbers 1.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, May 9, 1863.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: I inclosure herewith a transcript of a letter of yesterday's date, from Mr. Dresel, consul at Wurteemberg, &c., at Baltimore, and will thank you to inform me whether the correspondence he refers to can be transmitted through the War Department.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

[Indorsement.]

MAY 9, 1863.

The War Department has not and will not authorize the transmission of any correspondence the military lines of the United States.

EDWIN M. STANTON.

[Inclosure Numbers 2.]

POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, FINANCE OFFICE, Washington, May 7, 1863.

P. H. WATSON, Esq.,

Assistant Secretary of War:

SIR: Be letter from Major-General Dix, of date 2nd April last, this Department was informed that no letters would be sent by flag of truce from Fort Monroe unless accompanied by a permit from the War Department.