[Inclosure.]

SATURDAY, April 19, 1862-10 a.m.

COMMANDING OFFICER OF BRIGADE OF FEDERAL TROOPS IN FRONT:

SIR: I send a flag of truce by Colonel William M. Levy to state to you that many of your dead are lying unburied in front of our works, and to propose oa cessation of hostilities for two hours for the purpose of their interment by us.

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

PAUL J. SEMMES,

Brigadier-General.

SATURDAY, April 19, 1862-2.30 p.m.

GENERAL COMMANDING FORCES OPPOSITE:

I would desire that the bodies of our men on your side of the river be delivered to us at the middle of the dam; if this is impracticable, in the middle of the stream.

By commanding of general commanding forces opposite:

L. D. H. CURRIE.

APRIL 19, 1862-4 p.m.

COMMANDING OFFICER OF BRIGADE OF FEDERAL TROOPS IN FRONT:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your answer to my note of this date, and to state that your proposition to receive the bodies at the middle of the dam is accepted, and that hostilities will be suspended for two hours from receipt of this note.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

PAUL J. SEMMES,

Briagadier-General.

WASHINGTON, April 21, 1862.

Major-General McCLELLAN:

Your dispatach of the 19th was received that day. Fredericksburg is evacuated and the bridges destroyed by the enemy, and a small part of McDowell's command occupies this side of the Rappahannock, opposite the town. He purpose moving his whole force to that point.

A. LINCOLN.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH CORPS, Warwick Court-House, Va., April 21, 1862.

Major J. H. TAYLOR,

Chief of Brigadier-General Sumner's Staff:

SIR: In reply to your telegra, just received, asking to know the best ground on which to concentrate my corps, I respectfully request that I may be allowed to defer my final reply until Brigadier-General Sumner and Major-General McClellan shall have examined the minutes of information derived from three contrabands who came over from the enemy this morning. Their reports correspond so nearly with so many rumors, reports, and appearances which had before come to my