The trench is some fifty or sixty feet in length and must be several feet below the surface to pass under the foundation of the wall. The work has probably been progressing for many weeks. Large knives were found at the outside hole which appear to have been used in digging through the clay and loam. Among the prisoners who have escaped are Colonel Magoffin* and his two sons, Colonel Murrell and Captain Sweeney, a one-armed man. I have sent out several parties to scour the country in the vicinity with the hope that some of them will be captured. Many have undoubtedly crossed the river at this place, as several skiffs are missing.

I have telegraphed the provost-marshal-general at saint Louis and the commanding officer at Saint Charles, Mo.

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

F. F. FLINT,

Major Sixteenth Regiment, Commanding.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Detroit, Mich., July 31, 1862.

General M. C. MEIGS,

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

GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose herewith requisitions+ for clothing for prisoners of war at Camp Chase and at the military prison at Alton, Ill., and I request an order may be given immediately for the issue.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Detroit, Mich., July 31, 1862.

COMMANDING OFFICER, Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill.

SIR: Pursuant to General Orders, Numbers 90, current series, from the War Department, all chaplains in your charge as prisoners of war will be immediately and unconditionally released.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

(Copies of above letters have been mailed this day, July 31, to the following commanding officers: Camp Butler, Springfield, Ill. ; military prison, Alton; Camp Morton, Indianapolis; depot of prisoners of war, Sandusky, Ohio; Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio.)

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Detroit, Mich., July 31, 1862.

Colonel J. H. TUCKER, Commanding Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill.

COLONEL: A general exchange of prisoners of war is expected to take place immediately, and for this purpose you will prepare a roll of all prisoners of war in your charge which will include all those absent on parole. This roll must be made up within four days and if you cannot detail a sufficient number of competent clerks for this duty from

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* See Vol. I, this Series, p. 292, et seq., for trial of Ebenezer Magoffin.

+ Not found.

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