[First indorsement.]

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

January 15, 1862.

Respectfully referred to the General-in-Chief.

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

[Second indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, January 15, 1863.

Respectfully returned to Colonel Hoffman, inquiring what unauthorized exchanges have been made by the commanding officer of U. S. forces at Forts henry, &c.

By order of Major-General Halleck:

J. C. KELTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Third indorsement.]

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

January 15, 1863.

Respectfully returned, with the letters which gave rise to the question.

W. HOFFMAN,

Colonel Third Infantry, Commissary-General of Prisoners.

[Fourth indorsement.]

General Grant could not confer upon Colonel Lowe the authority he attempts to exercise.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

[Inclosure Numbers 1 to third indorsement.]

HDQRS. U. S. FORCES, FORTS HENRY, HEIMAN AND DONELSON,
November 30, 1862.

Brigadier-General CURTIS, Saint Louis, Mo.

GENERAL: As I know have a considerable excess of rebel prisoners and have received authority to make exchanges I have the honor to request that the following men of my regiment, paroled and now on duty at Benton Barracks, be returned here as soon as possible to be exchanged: Sergts. James H. Wing, George McLeane; Corpl. George Loppin; Privates C. S. Franklin, O. H. Bowman, R. Braschinsky, P. A. Bevington, P. McGeary, George R. Travor, Company B., Iowa paroled prisoners, Barracks Numbers 61, Benton Barracks.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

W. W. LOWE,

Colonel, Commanding.

[Inclosure Numbers 2. to third indorsement.]

OFFICE COMMISSARY-GENERAL OF PRISONERS,

Washington, D. C., December 22, 1862.

Major General S. R. CURTIS,

Commanding Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.

GENERAL: In reply to the letter of Colonel W. W. Lowe, commanding Fort Henry, of the 30th ultimo, referred by you to the Adjutant-General, I have the honor to state that by the cartel for the exchange