GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 7. 
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, 
Adjutant General’s Office, 
Washington, January 29, 1862. 
By direction of the Secretary of War, private letters received by 
officers of the Army for transmittal through the lines of the United 
States troops to persons living in the enemy’s country, will not here- 
after be forwarded, but will be sent to the Dead Letter Office, in the 
city of Washington. Exception to this rule is made in favor of letters 
addressed to officers and men detained as prisoners by the insxrrgents. 
By command of Major General McClellan: 
L. THOMAS, 
Adjutant General, 
Official: 
Assistant Adjutant General.