rain continues until a flood or good rise is produced in the James River, 1,000 men with axes could, in a few days, cut from the banks of that river and float together trees enough to sweep the Yankee fleet out into the Atlantic Ocean, and leave Grant's army without pontoons, communications, or base of supplies, and without the support of gun-boats, perhaps we might drive his army into the river. The freshets in the James River are, I understand, powerful in volume of water and swiftness of current; the trees cut and floated together before a rise could be strongly united, forming almost a solid mass, and no power or Yankee ingenuity could withstand the crushing power of this raft, hurled down the stream by the accumulated torrents of the river. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CAMP ENGINEER TROOPS, Col. W. H. STEVENS, Chief Engineer, &c.: COLONEL: At Colquitt's salient the gallery was extended up to 8 p. m. on the 18th a distance of 7 feet 6 inches, and by the night detachment an additional distance of 2 feet 9 inches, a distance of 10 feet 3 inches for the day's work, and a total distance of 45 feet 6 inches from the entrance. In consequence of the accumulation of the earth during the day which had to be removed at night, the night detachment made less progress in the execution of the gallery. I hope after to-day to be able to increase the strength of the detachments from the fifty additional men ordered to report by Major-General Johnson, so that the work in the gallery can be carried on at night without any delay. I experimented last night in this gallery with an auger in boring; used a 2-inch auger; found it answered an excellent purpose; had an iron scraper prepared to clean out the hole and will continue to test the presence of the enemy by the use of the auger and will also introduce the same in the galleries at Pegram's salient. I have had a wheelbarrow made and used it at Colquitt's gallery last night; will have others made to-day for the mines at Pegram's; find they are much more convenient than baskets or handbarrows. At Pegram's salient, No. 1, extended 3 feet up to 8 p. m. on the 18th, and by the night detachment an additional distance of 4 feet, a distance of 7 feet for the day's work, and a total distance of 46 feet from the entrance. At mine No. 2 worked only half reliefs, the detachments not being full; made for the day's work 2 feet 2 inches, a total distance of 37 feet 10 inches. A total distance for the day's work was made at all the mines of 19 feet 5 inches. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, HUGH THOS. DOUGLAS, Captain, Commanding Engineer Troops, in Charge Mining, &c. CAMP ENGINEER TROOPS, Col. W. H. STEVENS, Chief Engineer, &c.: COLONEL: I would respectfully ask that whisky rations be furnished to the men under my command engaged in mining operations. These men are working night and day without cessation, and are constantly exposed to the weather and the dampness arising from the ground incident to mining operations. I think that the work would be facilitated and the men benefited if a moderate whisky ration were issued to them. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, HUGH THOS. DOUGLAS, Captain, Commanding Engineer Troops, in Charge Mining, &c. HEADQUARTERS, Lieutenant-Colonel TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant-General: COLONEL: Your order of the 16th instant deciding that "the captured flags are the property of the Confederate States and should be turned in to be forwarded to the Department," has just been received. In accordance with that order I have the honor to turn in the two accompanying flags. Very respectfully, yours, [Indorsement.] I consider Colonel Beale had no authority to present to General Hampton the colors in question, nor have I authority to confirm his gift. They are therefore forwarded to the honorable Secretary of War. I should be gratified, if it is not deemed improper, that the honorable Secretary of War would present them to General Hampton. It would be a worthy compliment to a gallant officer and meritorious patriot. R. E. LEE, General. P. S.-I would recommend that an order be issued by the Department prohibiting officers and soldiers into whose hands captured colors fall from presenting them to individuals. R. E. LEE, General. HDQRS. DEPT. OF N. CAROLINA AND SOUTHERN VA., July 19, 1864. Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. Army, Richmond, Va.: GENERAL: From many sources of reliable information I am satisfied that there are many desertions from the Federal army. The country in rear of the enemy's lines is filled with them. I am confident that this tendency to desertion could be increased by an order from the War Department, or an Executive proclamation, advising all dissatisfied and drafted persons in that army to come into our lines, where they will be kindly received, furnished with rations, and sent as early as practicable, at the expense of the Confederate Government, to such 50 R R-VOL XL, PT III points of the Confederacy nearest their homes, or wherever they might elect to go. Should, however, any of them be skilled workmen and prefer remaining, they will be permitted to remain, and employed at fair wages. All arms, horses, and accouterments which they may bring to be purchased at liberal prices. I have the honor respectfully to recommend to the Government the adoption of a policy indicated in the above suggestions. Respectfully, your obedient servant, G. T. BEAUREGARD, Respectfully submitted for the consideration of the President. While it is very desirable to encourage these desertions, the deserters themselves are very unacceptable, and difficult to dispose of among our population. I cannot recommend giving such promise to them as General B. proposes. [Third indorsement.] J. A. SEDDON, Secretary. JULY 25, 1864. SECRETARY OF WAR: It is not proper to offer such terms, and in such manner, as is proposed. On the other hand we certainly should do nothing to restrain desertions from the enemy. Whatever can be done consistently to receive and employ deserters is both proper and politic; but there are many considerations not to be neglected in selecting positions for their employment. J. D. HEADQUARTERS, General S. CoOPER, Near Petersburg, July 19, 1864. Adjutant and Inspector General: General Baker telegraphs as follows: The commandant of conscripts in North Carolina has orders to send all free negroes conscripted to Wilmington. I wish to have those from Halifax and Northampton sent to Weldon, where they are much needed for two or three weeks. The works there are too extensive for my forces, and I am constructing inner works. Can his instructions be changed so that they can be sent to Weldon? Can General Baker retain these negroes? G. T. BEAUREGARD, . General S. COOPER, DUNN'S HILL, July 19, 1864. GENERAL: General Martin is now commanding forces defending bridges on the Danville and South Side Railroads. His services are needed. Cannot he remain there? I recommend that Special Orders, No. 164, paragraph III, be revoked or suspended. G. T. BEAUREGARD, General. General W. H. C. WHITING, WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Wilmington, N. C.: Governor Vance, by letter, remonstrates strongly against breaking up State salt-works, near Wilmington. In lieu he proposes to place adequate guard there to prevent all communications, to be under your command. Will not this effect your purpose and yet avoid conflict with the State or disturbance of useful industry? General R. E. LEE, Petersburg, Va. : J. A. SEDDON, RICHMOND, VA., July 20, 1864. Maj. Gen. M. L. Smith has this day been assigned as chief engineer to Army of Tennessee, with directions to report in person to the commander of that army without delay. Please reiterate the orders to General Smith. General M. L. Smith has been relieved from duty with this army and ordered to report to General Hood. R. E. LEE. SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, July 20, 1864. * IV. Maj. Gen. M. L. Smith, having been assigned to duty as chief engineer of the Army of Tennessee, is, in accordance with instructions from the honorable Secretary of War, relieved from duty in this department and will report in person to the commander of that army without delay. The commanding general takes this occasion to express his high appreciation of the zealous and efficient manner in which MajorGeneral Smith has performed all the duties which devolved upon him as chief engineer of the Army of Northern Virginia. By command of General R. E. Lee: W. H. TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant-General. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, No. 50. July 20, 1864. Col. W. H. Stevens, Provisional Army, C. S., is announced as chief engineer of this army, and will be respected accordingly. By command of General R. E. Lee: W. H. TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant-General. SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, XVIII. Maj. C. L. Randolph, quartermaster, &c., is assigned to duty as chief quartermaster of Maj. Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson's division, and will report accordingly. * XLIX. Paragraph III, Special Orders, No. 164, current series, is so modified as to place Brig. Gen. J. G. Martin, Provisional Army, C. S., in command of the reserves of the District of Western North Carolina. He will report to Lieut. Gen. T. H. Holmes, commanding, &c. Col. J. B. Palmer, commanding Western District of North Carolina, will report to Brigadier-General Martin with such forces as he may have in his present command. * * * By command of the Secretary of War: SAML. W. MELTON, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Lieut. Gen. R. S. EWELL, Commanding, &c.: GENERAL: I regret to learn from Captain Bryan that his boats and torpedoes were captured a few nights since by a gun-boat of the enemy. You may not be aware that signal stations have been located by the enemy at convenient points on the south bank of James River, from which they observe the opposite shore and signal to their gun-boats all that occurs of importance. Parties operating on the north bank should, therefore, be careful not to reveal their operations, and conceal themselves from their signal men as well as their steamers. Unless points can be found on the river below City Point where heavy guns could be placed able to contend with their iron-clads I fear little more |