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Charleston, S. C, July 1, 1864.

Maj.-Gen. J. G. , Commanding Department of South, Hilton Head.

General: I send with this a letter addressed by five general officers of the United States Army, now prisoners of war in this city, to Brig.-Gen. L. Thomas, Adjutant-General United States Army, recommending and asking an exchange of prisoners of war. I fully concur in opinion with the officers who have signed the letter that there should be an exchange of prisoners of war and, although I am not instructed by my government to enter into negotiations for that purpose, I have no doubt it is willing and desirous now, as it has ever been, to exchange prisoners of war with your government on just and honorable plans. Our difficulty in the way of carrying out the cartel of exchange agreed upon between the two governments would not exist, that I am aware of, if the exchange was conducted between you and myself. If, therefore, you think proper to communicate on the subject with your government I will, without delay, communicate with mine, and it may be that we can enter into an agreement, subject to approval of our respective governments, by which the