prison at Alton, Ill. They were received by the second in command while I was reconnoitering. I endeavored to get Flag-Officer Davis to take them back but he refused. Will send by first boat all the papers and correspondence.

JNO B. VILLEPIGUE,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, May 23, 1862.

CONNOLLY F. TRIGG, Commissioner, &c.

SIR: In reply to your note of the 6th instant to the Secretary of War desiring to know his decision in reference to the release of certain prisoners of war from Tennessee now confined in Camp Chase, in Ohio, I am directed to say that no prisoners can be released for the present. The result of the expected battle on the line of operations of Major-General Halleck must be ascertained before any decided policy can be adopted.

By order of the Secretary of War:

C. P. BUCKINGHAM,

Brigadier-General and Assistant Adjutant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, May 23, 1862.

Brigadier-General WADSWORTH,

Military Governor District of Columbia.

SIR: The Secretary of War has authorized transportation in kind to be given to the prisoners of war taken on the peninsula near Yorktown, Va., and lately released to their homes in Kentucky.

I am, sir, &c.,

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

COLUMBUS, May 23, 1862.

Major-General HALLECK:

Please advise me what has been done toward effecting the exchange of Colonel Joel A. Battle. General Grant by whom he was captured had special charge of the matter.

DAVID TOD,

Governor of Ohio.

[Indorsement.]

General Beauregard has refused to exchange officers unless all are exchanged.

H. W. HALLECK.

HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE DEPARTMENT,
Baltimore, Md., May 23, 1862.

Honorable H. H. GOLDSBOROUGH.

DEAR SIR: I send four officers who are summoned as witnesses in your case. I also send Mr. McPhail and three policemen, well armed. It