Field return of Northwest Virginia Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. J. D. Imboden. [NOTE]. Of the "absent total," 319 are absent on detached service, 209 absent sick, 90 absent with leave, 71 prisoners of war, 20 absent in arrest; the remainder absent without leave, 8 deserters. O'Ferrall's battalion cavalry, consisting of four companies, not being complete in its organization, and being located in Page County on duty, is not included in this return. Captain Woodson's com pany, numbering about 80 men, on provost-guard duty, Harrisonburg, not reported. Respectfully submitted. J. D. IMBODEN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HAYS' CREEK, ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, VA., February 20, 1864. February 22, 1864. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, Lieut. Gen. R. S. EWELL, Commanding Corps: GENERAL: The general commanding sets out for Richmond this morning, being called thither on business with His Excellency the *Error in addition not explainable. President. He will be absent several days. He directs me to say that General Chilton will remain here in the office, and is instructed to consult with you on all matters of importance connected with the army. Should it become necessary, General Lee desires you either to move up to Orange Court-House or to remove the office to your quarters, as you may think proper. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. S. VENABLE, Major and Aide-de-Camp. HDQRS. ARTILLERY, ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, General R. E. LEE, Commanding Army of Northern Virginia: GENERAL: Although I know you are anxious to secure the promotion of our many meritorious artillery officers I regret, as I do, the obstacles that have hitherto hindered favorable action upon the recommendations in their behalf. I deem it my duty to submit for your consideration some additional facts recently brought to my notice. First. Some of the best officers in this corps, finding how extremely difficult it is to rise in it at all in proportion to service and merit, are making arrangements for more promising positions in other arms; nor can this be wondered at or even objected to as unpatriotic. Men the most devoted must be expected to value rank alike, as an evidence that their services are appreciated, and as an important condition toward more extended service. No man of merit ever disregards the question of promotion, and much as officers may be willing to sacrifice in times like these, they cannot ignore so universal and powerful a sentiment as that associated with martial honor. Second. Even those officers who have no idea of seeking other service, and whose simple sense of duty will keep them steadfast unto the end, in spite of disproportionate reward, are compelled to consider themselves and their commands regarded with less than justice, and after all that can be allowed for high principle we must conclude that it is not in human nature not to be more or less disturbed by such a reflection, nor can such disturbance be without its injurious effects upon the public service. Third. In addition to these considerations, the fact is worthy of particular attention that a number of the battalions have with them only one field officer, so that in contingencies frequently occurring the senior captain, not always well qualified for the charge, has to command a battalion, serious as are the responsibilities belonging to the position. It is certainly important that this difficulty be corrected before the next active campaign. You will I know appreciate the case, and again ask for such action on the part of the President and the Secretary as may be practicable toward remedying the evil indicated. I have the honor to be, general, respectfully, your obedient serv ant, W. N. PENDLETON, SUBSISTENCE OFFICE, Harrisonburg, Va., February 22, 1864. Brig. Gen. J. A. EARLY, GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your instructions of this date. I have to report as follows: On the 8th day of this month Major Ginter, commissary of subsistence, turned over to me, viz: The latter article I sent to General Lee's army on the same day I received it. The soap has been regularly issued to the troops, &c. The candles and pepper have not been disturbed. I will forward the candles in a few days to the chief commissary Army of Northern Virginia. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major, &c., Commissary of Subsistence. HEADQUARTERS NORTHWEST BRIGADE, Hays' Creek, Rockbridge County, Va., February 22, 1864. Maj. Gen. J. A. EARLY, Commanding Valley District: GENERAL: Your letter of this date has been received. I will send a squadron down the valley to-morrow morning to relieve General Rosser's pickets below Woodstock, as directed. I will also move my camp day after to-morrow to my old camp ground, this side of Swoope's Depot. I would move to-morrow, but all my wagons have been sent out 15 miles from camp to-day in search of forage, and will not be in before to-morrow evening. Until Thomas' and Walker's brigades actually move from Rockingham, I presume there is no necessity for me to move the main body of my command to that county; and till that necessity exists it is of the utmost importance for me to remain as far south as possible, on account of forage. I shall be compelled after I go to Rockingham to haul most of my grain from this (Rockbridge) county; therefore every day that I can remain as far south as, say, Swoope's Depot I will save that much in transportation. I scarcely see how it will be possible for me to subsist my horses in Rockingham, when compelled to go there, with the limited transportation allowed by general orders. You are doubtless aware of the fact that Rockingham is nearly exhausted of forage and grain of all kinds, and that Shenandoah and the country below is so completely exhausted that it is with great difficulty and labor, and constant controversies with the people, that even a small picket force can be supplied. My own horses are as much in need of rest as those of any brigade in the army, and I had hoped that for three or four weeks I could rest and feed them here. As that cannot be, however, I will go down to Augusta day after to-morrow, and hope that by furnishing the mounted picket to relieve General Rosser, you will permit me to remain there until orders are received for the return of Generals Thomas and Walker to the Army of Northern Virginia, when I will at once proceed to take my entire command to Rockingham and support it as best I can. If you will notify me the day before the infantry brigades move, I will move down so as to conceal their movements from the knowledge of the enemy. You are mistaken in supposing that the Staunton and Parkersburg road is open and unguarded. There is a guard at McDowell, stopping all persons on that road, under Lieutenant Carpenter, enrolling officer of Highland County, and I have a company besides in the northwestern part of Highland, co-operating with four companies in Pendleton, to clean out the "swamps," arrest deserters, conscripts, and all suspicious parties. These forces cover all the approaches in that direction more effectually than any picket could do where you propose it (east of the Shenandoah Mountain), as there are several routes by which such a picket could be flanked from the valley. When the companies I now have on duty west of the Shenandoah Mountain return next week, I will station a picket permanently on that road, or keep a small force constantly scouting the roads in Highland and Pendleton. I also have four companies on the South Fork and South Branch, scouting, foraging, and gathering up cattle for my own command, sent out from Rockingham before I moved from Mount Crawford. McNeill is also over there, I understand, so that I regard all western outlets from the valley very effectually closed up. If you desire me to move right on to Rockingham, you will find me after to-morrow 7 miles southwest of Staunton, where I was camped last week, near Jacob Baylor's. Respectfully, your obedient servant, J. D. IMBODEN, Brigadier-General. HEADQUARTERS, Wilmington, February 23, 1864. Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond: SIR: I request that you will give me immediate authority to cause the pilots of this port to be enrolled, to put those who refuse to serve as pilots under the regulations of the Department into the ranks of the army, and to detail such as are willing to act for the Government under such regulations and with such wages as may be prescribed. This is a matter of much importance and requires prompt action. The new law does away with the exemptions of pilots as such. They ought to be put under heavy bonds to return to the Confederacy, and they should be entirely subject to military control. As a body they have been guilty of outrageous extortion. I am putting up the lights at the mouth of the harbor, and am in hopes that the services of these men will not be so much needed hereafter, or at any rate may be more useful and successful than heretofore. An early answer is requested. Very respectfully, W. H. C. WHITING, Major-General. [Indorsement.] FEBRUARY 25, 1864. Telegraph the pilots may be enrolled and detailed on conditions, which should, however, give reasonable assurance of speedy return to the Confederacy. J. A. S., } GENERAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, XIII. Maj. Gen. G. E. Pickett will immediately dispatch to Lexington, N. C., a sufficient force to repress the mob and to protect the public property at that place. SURGEON-GENERAL'S OFFICE, C. S. ARMY, Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War: SIR: I beg leave to state that the letter of the general commanding the Army of Northern Virginia, respecting the discontinuance of certain hospitals, has received due attention. Owing to the excellent health of the soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia, many of the hospitals have been closed, and others temporarily, especially those in the city of Richmond. (See letter to Medical Director Carrington on this subject, which is inclosed.) The general is under the impression that the detailed nurses (soldiers) are ablebodied men. This is a great mistake; they are all disabled by reason of disability, and have been detailed for hospital duty on this account. To show that proper measures have been taken by this bureau to return even these soldiers to their commands, I refer to inclosed circular from this office, dated August 11, 1863. In accordance with this circular, 376 detailed hospital attendants have been returned to their commands. The law requiring examining boards to furlough soldiers who will not be fit for duty in thirty days is another cause for the small number of patients; as this law has been modified, it will insure a larger number of patients than are at present in hospitals. If medical officers are required in the Army of Northern Virginia, it is the duty of the medical director to notify me of his wants; they have heretofore received prompt attention. The general must be aware there are other armies that require hospital accommodations. The medical director of General Longstreet's army, for instance, has asked me for 10,000 beds. Where are they to be had if the larger hospitals enumerated by General Lee are closed? It appears to be the impression that hospitals can be put |