CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - CONFEDERATE.

NASHVILLE, July 26,1861. (via CHATTANOOGA, 27th.)

General S. COOPER:

Your order received. Will go to Knoxville to-morrow.

F.K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C.S.A.,

Richmond, July 26,1861.

G. GANTT, Esq., Richmond, Va.:

SIR: Your letter of July 23, written on behalf of the governor of Tennessee, has been received.

With regard to the question of the transfer of the Provisional Army of Tennessee to the Confederate States, that transfer must take place in the manner prescribed by law, and the army so transferred becomes at once in every respect subject to the organization and regulations of the Confederate Army. The simple act of transfer of the army may be effected by the mere inspection of the muster rolls, and by the transfer of the same under the proper officers. So far as possible, it would be the policy of this Department to retain such officers in commission as had been appointed under the State organization, but such officers as are not recognized under the army organization of the Confederate States must, of course, cease to exist. Such are those to which you refer-adjutant-general, quartermaster-general, surgeon-general, inspector-general, and commissary-general, with their assistants. These appointees must, therefore, necessarily be displaced by the transfer; but in making such corresponding appointments as may under the new organization be necessary, this Department will be happy to consider in each case the claims of the gentlemen previously appointed, it being the policy of the Department to consult in every case, so far as possible, the interests and the wishes of the State in question. Governor Harris has already been requested, in a letter from the President, to present his recommendations for these appointments. In the transfer by regiments the field officers of the regiments must be already elected. In the transfer by companies or by battalions, to be afterward organized into regiments, the appointment of field officers is reserved to the President.

The army stores referred to in your letter, which have been collected and paid for the State of Tennessee, will be included in the transfer. They will be receipted for by the proper departments, and this Government will become responsible for their purchase and for all the expenses properly incidental.

The dept incurred by the State of Tennessee for war purpose will be assumed by the Government of the Confederate States according to the terms agreed upon, but it is not in the power of this Department at present to enter fully into arrangements for that object. The account inclosed in your letter will be referred to the property authority, and will receive due attention.

With reference to the future appointment of brigadier-generals, Governor Harris has been already assured, in the letter from the President previously referred to, that his recommendations and the public sentiment of the people of Tennessee shall be consulted in this particular so far as the interests of the public service may permit.

The suggestion of the governor with regard to the establishment of