Gideon Welles to E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War, January 30, 1865

Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

SIR: In August last an expedition from the U. S. S. Saratoga captured in McIntosh County, Ga., twenty-five or thirty persons who were engaged in a county meeting ‘called for the purpose of organizing a home guard or to adopt measures for more effective defense. Some of these held prominent civil offices. They claimed to be non-combatants, but in view of the circumstances under which they were captured it was deemed advisable to treat them as prisoners of war. Rear-Admiral Dahlgren was authorized subsequently to offer them in exchange for sick and wounded seamen whose terms of service had expired. He did so and informed the Department that General Hardee accepts the proposition, the exchange to embrace three colored seamen of the U. S. S. Isaac ‘Smith, who were captured two years ago. It would appear that these prisoners have been sent North to some military post for confinement, as RKear-Admiral Dahlgren asks that they may be returned to him for the purpose above indicated. The matter of exchange having been conducted by the War Department, this Department refers this case to it and would recommend favorable action on it. The persons captured in McIntosh County, with but few exceptions, are over the usual age for regular military duty.

Very respectfully, &c.,