The report of Colonel Fry is approved, and forwarded as the reply of this Department.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL., January 26, 1864.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

I respectfully ask that I have power to appoint officers for the negro regiments. We have four companies, and no officers.

RICHD. YATES,

Governor.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington City, January 27, 1864.

Governor YATES,

Springfield, Ill.:

The system of organization for colored troops required that the officers be appointed by the President under the act of Congress authorizing their employment. If you will nominate suitable officers, they will be appointed on your recommendation.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPT., PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, D. C., January 27, 1864.

His Excellency SAMUEL CONY,

Governor of Maine:

All men raised beyond the quota will be credited on next call. The question of drafting in delinquent towns where the State has furnished her quota on account of excess in liberal and patriotic towns is now being legislated upon in Congress.

JAMES B. FRY,

Provost-Marshal-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, D. C., January 27, 1864.

GEORGE BLISS, Jr., Esq.,

Numbers 50 Wall Street, New York:

SIR: In reply to your letter of this date, stating that the Twenty-sixth Regiment U. S. Colored Troops is recruited to the maximum, and requesting that the Union League Club be authorized to raise another colored regiment in the State of New York, I am directed to say that your request is granted; and the regiment will be known and designated as the Thirty-first Regiment U. S. Colored Troops. The instructions contained in Department letter of December 3, 1863, addressed to you, will govern in the organization of this regiment.

I have the honor to be, & c.,

C. W. FOSTER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.