You will take measures to have the prisoners in the East transferred for exchange at Aiken's, on the James River, and those in the West to be exchanged at or near Vicksburg as agreed upon.

You will communicate with General McClellan and inform him of your directions and the measures you are taking to execute the agreement.

By order of the President;

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, July 27, 1862.

Brigadier-General MEIGS,

Quartermaster-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.

SIR: The Secretary of War directs that you provide to-day if possible transports to take the prisoners of war from Fort Delaware to Aiken's, on the James River, to be exchanged. There are from 3,000 to 4,000.

I am, sir, &c.,

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Camp near Harrison's Landing, July 27, 1862.

Brigadier General L. THOMAS,

Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a communication from General R. E. Lee dated the 24th instant, received by a flag of truce, together with a copy of my reply, and I respectfully request that the War Department will furnish me at the earliest possible moment with the information necessary to answer General Lee's inquiries respecting the confinement of Captain Walker, lately commanding the steamer Theodora, who is said to be in irons.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

[GEO. B. McCLELLAN,]

Major-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure Numbers 1.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
July 24, 1862.

Major General GEORGE B. McCLELLAN,

Commanding Army of the Potomac.

GENERAL: Information of a trustworthy character has been received that Captain George D. Walker, of Wilmington, N. C., lately commanding the steamer Theodora, who was captured with his vessel and a cargo of arms and ammunition by the U. S. Blockading Squadron off Cape Fear, is kept in irons in Fort Columbus. Having no knowledge of the case beyond this report I am directed to request that you will cause inquiry to be made and give me information of the facts. The arms and ammunition on board the Theodora were intended for the use of the Government of the Confederate States.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General, Commanding.