HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORFOLK,
October 28, 1861.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.

SIR: I inclose a copy of a letter received from Commodore Forrest and beg you to lay it before the Secretary of War that he may if he pleases give me instructions what to do with such persons. There will be many of them here. I will not let these men go by a flag of truce, and General Wool saves me the trouble of prohibiting them at present by refusing to receive a flag. The law of Congress and the proclamation of the President gave a certain time for all who desire to do so to leave; that time has elapsed. Who is to determine who are our enemies amongst us, and who is to arrest them and how are they to be punished? My time is fully occupied attending to our enemies elsewhere, and I see no one who has or takes any authority to carry out the law above referred to.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

BENJ. HUGER,

Major-General, Commanding.

[Indorsement.]

OCTOBER 30, 1861.

Respectfully submitted to Secretary of War.

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

Answer that as whereas enemies have had ample time to leave we now put them all in prison as prisoners of war and to send the men here as such. Write to same effect to passport clerk. Show me the letters.

J. P. B.

[Inclosure.]

FLAG-OFFICER'S OFFICE, DOCK YARD,

Gosport, Va., October 26, 1861.

Major-General HUGER, Commanding Forces, Norfolk.

SIR: I herewith send you the names of some of the men desiring to leave this place for the North, and who have been employed in this yard since April 21, 1861, with rates of pay, &c., and respectfully recommend that they be prohibited from leaving by the next flag of truce:

James Hayesl Laborer, $1. 25; John Fletcher, carpenter, $2. 50; Medad Rodgers, carpenter, $2. 50; "William Stewart, caulker, $2. 50; John Bourke, laborer, $1. 25; Owen Riley, laborer, $1. 25; Michael Badger, laborer, $1. 25; John Guildray, laborer, $1. 25; John Riley, laborer, $1. 25; Joseph Maskell, laborer, $1. 25; Jesse Browne, laborer, $1. 25; John Smith, laborer, $1. 25; Charles Moody, boiler maker, $2. 25; George Bailey, caulker, $2. 50; George Butt, carpenter, $2. 50; John Harris, laborer, $1. 25; John Flemming, laborer, $1. 25 William Coleman, blacksmith, $2. 50; James Ross, laborer, $1. 25; Patrick Henry, laborer, $1. 25; Philip Bly, laborer, $1. 25.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

F. FORREST,

Flag-Office, &c.

P. S. -I would also say that a man named Edgar on your published list is a notorious character, adverse to Southern interests, and holds Black Republican meetings at his house.

F. F.