matter inquired into and stopped at once unless authorized under special reasons, in which case he desires to be informed of those reasons.

Very respectfully, your obedient servnat,

A. R. C[HISOLM,]

Aide-de-Camp.

FORT WARREN, Boston Harbor, May 17, 1862.

Honorable G. W. RANDOLPH, Secretary of War.

SIR: The undersigned has the honor to inclose a letter from Colonel Justin Dimick, U. S. Army, commanding this post, and to request you most respectfully to consent to my exchange for Captain Alfred Gibbs, Third Cavalry, U. S. Army, now on parole at Detroit. An educated officer, I have held in succession the position of engineer-in-chief on that staff of Generals Polk, Zollicoffer and Crittenden. After the engagement in Fishing Creek was charaged by General A. S. Johnston with the defenses of Cumberland River just below Nashville, and afterwards appointed engineer on the staff of General Mackall when he was ordered to Island Numbers 10. I am most anxious to be speedily exchanged and take the field again, and have the honor to refer you to the letters written in my behalf to the War Department by Generals McCown, Pillow, Polk, Mackall, Zollicoffer and A. S. Johnston; to the generals of the Western Department; to Major J. F. Gilmer; also to Hons. Charles M. Conrad, D. F. Kenner, H. S. Foote, T. C. Reynolds and E. M. Bruce.

I have the honor to be, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,

V. SHELIHA,

Captain and Staff Engineer, General Mackall.

[Inclosure.]

HEADQUARTERS, Fort Warren, May 17, 1862.

Captain V. SHELIHSA, C. S. Army.

CAPTAIN: I am authorized to assure your relase and being forwarded through the lines of our forces on your obtaining in writing from competent authority the relase from parole of Captain Alfred Gibbs, Third U. S. Cavalry.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servnat,
J. DIMICK,

Colonel First Artillery, Commanding Post.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,

Knoxville, May 19, 1862.

Brigadier-General FORNEY,

Commanding, &c., Mobile, Ala.:

The Federal surgeons on parole can pass line at Chattanooga.

J. F. BELTON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, May 19, 1862.

Honorable THOMAS C. REYNOLDS,

Lieutenant-Governor of Missosuri, Columbia, S. C.

SIR: In reply to your letter on the 4th instant you are respectfully informed the Government has ceased to grant individual exchanges at