stop desertions at once. If we could only get a few hundred for each division the men would take new life and hope as soon as they see that they are getting re-enforcements. I believe that much of the despondency is due to the fact that our men do not see any prospect of getting help. The exchanged prisoners will be quite as well satisfied in two weeks as they would be with their proper companies, and probably better. They will surely be better satisfied if we can gain some little success. I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, General S. COOPER, FORT CLIFTON, March 6, 1865. Adjutant and Inspector General C. S. Army: SIR: If it meets the approbation of the general-in-chief and the department, I respectfully ask that my command be changed to cavalry and organized into a regiment. The command now constitutes a light artillery battalion, with organization and strength as follows: There are officers enough to give two to each company, besides four vacancies which can be filled without interfering with the rank of the other officers now in prison. Both officers and men are extremely anxious for this change, and will do their best to render themselves useful and reliable in this branch of the service. We have the advantage of a discipline that very few commands can compare with, and the men have learned to give that attention to their horses without which no cavalry can remain efficient. If the Government cannot furnish horses we propose to send a part of the command, say one-third, to the Valley, and there separate into small squads for the purpose of capturing horses from the enemy. We have reliable officers who are men of judg ment, having been in the service as officers from the commencement of the war, and from a perfect acquaintance with this part of the country, can conduct such business with dispatch and success. Our object in seeking this change is to get into mounted service with a more active life. Our past service as light artillery gives us some claim, and I am sure the opinions of superiors officers as to the conduct of officers and men on the field must have some weight as a recommendation. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HEADQUARTERS DIVISION, Maj. R. P. DUNCAN: March 6, 1865. MAJOR: I have to report two desertions from Ransom's and three from Elliott's brigade to the enemy. A deserter from the enemy states that the troops, commencing at the Appomattox, are posted as follows: The Eighteenth Corps, Ninth, Sixth, and Second, and that the Ninth and Sixth have one division in front and two in reserve, and that the Eighteenth also, perhaps, two divisions in reserve. He also states that four nights ago the Ninth Corps was under marching orders but did not move. Two batteries moved toward our right night before last, and that for a week troops have been moving up from City Point to our right. Officer of the day reports that on yesterday two trains passed toward City Point heavily loaded with troops. Very respectfully, yours, B. R. JOHNSON, His Excellency WILLIAM SMITH, RICHMOND, VA., March 7, 1865. Governor of Virginia : SIR: I have to request that you will, if practicable, furnish a force at least of 5,000 men, to relieve a division of the C. S. Army now on the intrenched line covering this city. General Lee desires immediately to withdraw that division for operations in the field. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JEFF'N DAVIS. RICHMOND, March 7, 1865. Hon. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, Secretary of War, Richmond: General Early reports enemy at Charlottesville divided his forces yesterday, and one part moved toward Lynchburg, the other down the Rivanna. He is probably going to Scottsville or Columbia, and may be making for south side of the James River. Will you have the different bureaus notified that they may save their property. Lomax is at Lynchburg, and all troops under Generals H. H. Walker and Echols have been sent there. Fitz Lee is ordered up the James with all his cavalry. The want of forage and provisions paralyzes us. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. LEE. [Indorsement.] ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE The different bureaus have been notified. JOHN W. RIELY, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. HOUSE OF DELEGATES, March 7, SIR: The inclosed resolution was adopted by the House of Delegates upon the representations made of the great injury and wanton destruction of property in all parts of this commonwealth traversed by the wagon trains in procuring supplies for the army. I am instructed by the committee to ask an interview at such time and place as shall be agreeable and may suit your convenience. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, [Inclosure.] H. B. TOMLIN, Chairman of the Committee. Resolved, That a select committee be appointed with instructions to urge upon the Secretary of War the adoption of such regulations or measures as will protect from destruction the inclosures and property of the people of the commonwealth by wagon-masters and others connected with the army. Agreed to by House of Delegates March 7, 1865. WM. F. GORDON, JR., Respectfully referred to General Lee, and commended to his special consideration. It is The committee represent the matters herein referred to as very grievous, and as calling for special and guarded regulations. referred for whatever action the facts may warrant. By command of the Secretary of War: SAML. W. MELTON, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. [Second indorsement.] HEADQUARTERS, Respectfully referred to Colonel Corley, with the request that he will do everything in his power to prevent the depredations complained of. Orders on the subject have been renewed, and I should be glad of any suggestions on the subject. Commanders of trains must be held strictly responsible for the conduct of their men. R. E. LEE, General. Respectfully returned. [Third indorsement.] MARCH 28, 1865. The evil complained of can be put an end to if citizens will report the person offending and put themselves to the trouble of giving evidence in the case. Sometime ago I published a notice in the Richmond and Petersburg papers asking magistrates to report to me any cases that came under their notice. I have never received a report from anyone. [Fourth indorsement.] JAS. L. CORLEY, Chief Quartermaster. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, March 28, 1865. Respectfully returned to the honorable Secretary of War. Every exertion has been made to correct the evil complained of. Copies of orders on this subject issued from the headquarters at different times are inclosed.* In view of the increasing importance of the farming interests to the army and the families of soldiers, the following general order is republished: The commanding general again calls the attention of officers and soldiers of this army to the importance of aiding the farmers of the country in raising their crops, by abstaining from destruction of fences and avoiding injury to fields of growing grain. The failure of the crops in districts occupied by the army will detract from our supplies and render a large population heretofore contributing to our support dependent upon other portions of the country. The fortitude of citizens in districts which have suffered from our presence and the inroads of the enemy appeals to the sympathy of their defenders. The contracted limits of cultivated country renders it more difficult to procure subsistence, and self-preservation requires that protection and every aid be given to the production of the necessaries of life. Commanders of troops will cause all orders relating to this subject to be read to their commands at least once a week until all are fully informed, and will give personal attention to their observance, especially General Orders, No. 10, series of 1864. The protection of the agricultural interests of the country is committed to the army. Officers and soldiers are called upon to give the farmers all the aid in their power in the preservation of their fences and crops from injury. They will thus increase our own supplies and alleviate the sufferings of those who look to us as their defenders. R. E. LEE, General. CONFIDENTIAL.] Hon. JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, TREDEGAR IRON-WORKS, Secretary of War: SIR: We regret to see by the removal of Government supplies from this city that its evacuation must be a contingency which the Government feels it necessary or prudent to provide for. Under these circumstances we trust you will pardon us for asking that the Government will inform us (in confidence) what disposition in such an event will be *For inclosures Nos. 1 and 2, see Vol. XXV, Part II, p. 708, and Vol. XXXIII, p. made of these works. Since the war began they have been placed at the disposal of the Government, but it is presumed that it will not be considered proper that our forces should destroy them, unless they may be of considerable use to the enemy, as it would involve a loss of a large sum to the Government. On this point our judgment is convinced. The enemy have more iron-works than are necessary to supply their munitions of war, and they could more cheaply and expeditiously manufacture them in their own works and bring them here than transport the material and make them in these works. be In view also of danger of forced evacuation, we ask that we may paid upon the work in progress for the Government as much as we have expended upon it. This is necessary to discharge the obligations we have contracted for the Government work, as in consequence of the rapid depreciation in the currency it has cost us much more than we have received for it in the past two years. As our contract is jointly with the War and Navy Departments, may we ask the favor of you to confer with the honorable Secretary of the Navy and give us the result of your joint decision. We have the honor to be, your most obedient servant, Hand to Secretary of Navy for his perusal and remarks. Secretary of War. [Second indorsement.] MARCH Respectfully returned to the honorable Secretary of War. 1865. If we abandon Richmond it will be done, I presume, without hope of recovery; and in doing so we should, in my judgment, see that these works are not left to do the enemy service. Without some preparation in advance of an abandonment they could not and would not be destroyed; and any such preparation should be made and would be best made with the aid and advice of the company owning them. My suggestion, then, is that preparations be made to destroy these works, in which preparations the aid of the company will be looked to, that the Government assume to pay for them. S. R. MALLORY, [Third indorsement.] WAR DEPARTMENT, 1865. Respectfully referred to Chief of Ordnance Bureau for remarks. By command of Secretary of War: |