a communication from General McDowell, a copy of which I have the honor to inclose herewith.

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

JOS. R. ANDERSON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE RAPPAHANNOCK,
May 24, 1862.

Brigadier General JOSEPH R. ANDERSON,

Commanding near Massaponax.

GENERAL: I have just received the following from the Secretary of War:

You may answer that Generals Buckner and Tilghman are not cofined in dungeons. I have directed a specific report to be made to how they are confined, which when received will be transmitted to you.

I have only to add that when that report shall be received I will lose no time in communicating with you again on the subject.

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, general, your most obedient servnat,

IRVIN McDOWELL,

Major-General, Commanding.

NOTE. - Being ordered from the Rappahanock I had no opportunity to receive further communications from General McDowell if he had them to make on this subject.

J. R. A.

DREWRY'S BLUFF, May 27, 1862.

SECRETARY OF WAR:

Shall I write General Wood the answer I proposed in my letter to you of yesterday?

BENJ. HUGER,

Major-General.

RICHMOND, May 27, 1862.

Major General BENJAMIN HUGER, Drewry's Bluff:

I am only waiting for a list of the persons lately held as hostages to communicate with you by letter. I shall probably do so to-day. You are aware that there are no longer any hostages in our hands, the persons so treated having been considered as other prisoners of war since the privateersmen received the same consideration from the enemy. An equivalent for the privateersmen will be furnished from the persons who were hostages according to the cartel agreed on. Until you know the number and rank of the officers among the privateersmen I do not see how that equivalent can be determined.

G. W. RANDOLPH,

Secretary of War.