liberty, and will be expected to avail tehselves of the liberty to return home at the earliest period permitted by their wounds.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. W. MACKALL,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Eichmond, February 7, 1862.

Lieutenant JOHN L. HURT, Pittsylvania Court- House, Va.

SIR: On the 24th ultimo I received a letter from Major-General Huger informing me that General Wool had offered you in exchange for Lieutenant D. S. Gordon, Seceond Cavalry, U. S . Army. Viewing this propsal as unequal I declined it, expressing at the same time my willingness to exchagne a volunteer officer of equal rank for you. I have received no other offer for you except Lietu. D. S. Gordon and whenever an equal one is tendered I will cheerfuly acept it. I expect soon to succeed.

Your obedient servant,

J. P. BENJAMIN, S

ecretary of War.

HEAUDQARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTHERN VIRGINAI,

Centerville, Febraury 7, 1862.

Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War.

SIR: I had thehonor toreceive your letter of the 3rd instant by the last mail. On the 2nd instant I sent Lieutenatn-Colonel Harrison, Virginia cavrly, with a propsition to Major-GenerL McClellan for an exchagne of prisoenrs of war. That officer was stopped byt ehe enemy's pickets near Falls Church and his dispatches carried to Brigadier-General Wadsworth at Arlington. That officer informed Lieutenatn-Colonel Harrison that they were promptly forwarded to General LMcClellan. He waited for the answer till yesterday, when being informed by Brigadier-General Wadsworth that he could from no opinion as to the time whenit might be expected he returned.

* * * *

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. E. JOHNSTON,

General.

HEAUDQARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORFOLK,

Norfolk, Va., Febraury 8, 1862.

Honorable J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War.

SRI: I inclose herwithcopies of letters* received from General Wool yesterday afternoon.

Veryrespectfully, your obedient servant,

BENJ,. HUGER,

Major-General, Commanding.

HALL OF CONGRESS, Febraury 8, 1862.

Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretry of War.

DEAR SIR: I beg to call your attention to a fact that has recently been brought to my notice by a returned Hatteras prisoner. It is thie: While our Government trasports at its won expense and without

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*Omittedhere; Wool to Huger, Febraury 7, three letters, p. 244.

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