The Daily Dispatch: August 8, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Flags of truce.

‘ Messrs. Gorman, Applegate, and Sterling, left Washington on Thursday, with a flag of truce, bearing a communication from the Secretary of War, having for its object the recovery of the body of his brother, Col. Cameron. They yesterday returned without success, owing, it appears, to the communication having been addressed, ‘"To whom it may concern, "’ and not to some particular prominent officer in the Confederate army. This objection removed, there is no doubt that the body can be recovered, as the place of interment is marked, and every facility promised to accomplish that purpose.

The gentlemen carrying the flag speak in high terms of the courteous and kind manner in which they were treated by Col. Stewart, commanding the First Virginia Regiment, and other officers within the field of his operations. They, however, were not permitted to approach directly to Fairfax Court-House. Whatever they may have seen of interest in the neighborhood, they have the prudence to conceal, having gone thither on an errand of mercy, and not for reconnoitering purposes.

One of the communications recently sent hither under a flag of truce from General Johnston, was, it is understood, in relation to a report which had reached the Confederates, that some of their prisoners had been hung by order of our military authorities. As no such executions have taken place, it may certainly be inferred that General McDowell replied in accordance with this fact.

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