The Sun. — 1862-12-09 (London, England)

RELEASE OF PRISONERS.  "War Department, Washington, Nov. 22.  " Ordered, first, that all persons now in military custody who have been arrested for discouraging volunteer enlistments, opposing the draught, or for otherwise giving aid and comfort to the enemy in States where the draught has been made, or the quota of volunteers and militia has been furnished, shall be discharged from further military restraint. " Second, that persons who by authority of the military commander or governors in rebel States have been arrested and sent from such States for disloyalty or hostility to the Government of the United States, and are now in military custody, may also be discharged upon giving their parole to do no act of hostility against the Government of the United States, nor render aid to its enemies ; but such persons shall remain subject to military surveillance and liable to arrest on breach of their parole ; and if any such persons shall prefer to leave the loyal States on condition of their not returning again during the war, or until special leave for that purpose be obtained from the President, then such person shall, at his option, be released, and depart from the United States, or be conveyed beyond the military lines of the United States forces. " This order shall not operate to discharge any person who has been in arms against the Government, or by force and arms has resisted or attempted to resist the draught, nor relieve any person from liability to trial and punishment by civil tribunals, or by court-martials, or military commission, who may be amenable to such tribunals for offences committed.  " By order of the Secretary of War,  " E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant- General."  A Washington Letter in the .2Vew York, World refers thus to the forthcoming report of the Secretary of War : " A rumour has been current in private circles that Mr. Stanton is disposed to give an inside view of the Peninsular campaign, and explain la's 2elations towards General M'Clellan and the army under his command. He is aware that the reports of General M'Clellan will be called for early in the session, and has stated to his friends that it is due to him that his side of the controversy should be presented at the same time. It is further reported here that President Lincoln is somewhat dubious as to the Propriety of permitting Mr. Stanton to present his report to Congress without having first seen it himself, and in some way or other will insist upon its passing under his supervision before it is given to the country. This, it will be remembered, was done in the case of Secretary Cameron, a much more discreet politician than Secretary Stanton. The Secretary of War writes well, whatever may be his other faults, and, if not interfered with, will present a most exciting and interesting military budget to the country," The execution of Confederate prisoners of war at Palmyra has elicited the following order from President Davis, which appears in the _Richmond Enquirer of the 22d : " Executive-office, Richmond, Virginia, Nov. 17. General,—Enclosed you will find a slip from the Memphis Daily Appeal of the 3d inst., containing an account purporting to be derived .from the Palmyra (Missouri) Courier a Federal journal, of the murder of ten Confederate citizens of Missouri, by order of Gen. M'Neil, of the United States army.  You will communicate by flag of truce with the Federal officer commanding that department, and ascertain if the facts are as stated; and if they be so, you will demand the immediate surrender of General bl'Neil to the Confederate authorities. And, if this demand is not complied with, you will inform the same commanding officer that you are ordered to execute the first ten United States officers who may be captured and fall into your hands. " Very respectfully yours,  "