but once. The letters were registered at the post-office and all were received. Please inquire into this.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Detroit, Mich., August 4, 1862.

Major JOSEPH DARR, Jr.,

Provost-Marshal-General, Wheeling, Va.

MAJOR: An exchange of prisoners of war is expected to take place immediately, and for this purpose I wish you to have prepared immediately rolls of all military prisoners held in the Middle Department, including those on parole. Make out a roll of those belonging to no military organizations, though taken in arms. Whenever petitions for release or parole are presenter please let it appear distinctly whether the person is a soldier or only partly military.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Detroit, Mich., August 4, 1862.

Major W. S. PIERSON,

Commanding Depot of Prisoners of War, Sandusky, Ohio.

MAJOR: please say to Mr. Carter, a prisoner of war, that his petition to be released has been referred to the newspapers that a number of prisoners of war who were confined at Fort Delaware were released on their taking the oath of allegiance just as they were preparing to embark for James River to be exchanged. If that policy is carried out when other exchanged are made there are doubtless many at the depot who would be permitted to remain at the North on the same terms. I have not yet received any instructions in relation to the exchange and do not know when or how it will take place.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Detroit, Mich., August 4, 1862.

Captain G. S. WORMER,

Commanding Fort Mackinac, Mackinac, Mich.

CAPTAIN: From what I hear from persons who have visited Mackinac I am led to believe that my instructions in relation to the care of prisoners under your charge are neglected or willfully disobeyed. I hope this is not the case. I must call your attention to my instructions of the 24th and 26th of May and I require you to be governed by them strictly. I give you no discretion to deviate from them. If there should be occasion to [do so] if should be referred to me. They are permitted to walk outside [the fort] not more than three days a week,