Edwin M. Stanton to 310 OPERATIONS IN KY., TENN., N. ALA., AND S.W. VA. [Char. XVII, July 5, 1809

Richmond, July 5, 1809.

GENERAL: Your communication of the 21st ultimo having been considered by the President, I am instructed to inform you that your suspension has never been considered an accusation, but as preliminary to an investigation which the circumstances of the Fort Donelson affair rendered necessary. ‘The President regrets that the detention of the Fort Donelson prisoners renders such investigation impossible at present, but as this detention could not be foreseen, but, on the contrary, was in violation of an agreement made with General Wool for an exchange of prisoners, neither the President nor the War Department is responsible tor the delay which has occurred.

General Wool has again announced his readiness to agree to a general exchange, and negotiations are about to be commenced which no doubt willlead to that result. So soon as the actors in the Fort Donelson surrender are at liberty the matter will receive thorough investigation and justice be done. I am quite sure, general, that you desire nothing else, and I very much regret that the Department could not, with due regard to the absent. parties, order an investigation which necessarily

implicates them.

Very respectfully, G. W. R i PH

. . D

Secretary of War.

OXFORD, Miss., July 20,1862.

Secretary of War, Richmond, Vas

Your reply of the 5th instant to my communication of the 21st ultimo

to the President is acknowledged. In this communication you say: