RICHMOND, VA., May 20, 1864.

General WILLIAM E. JONES,

Dublin Depot:

Retain Vaughn's brigade in your command.

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF ALA., MISS., AND E. LA.,

No. 75. Meridian, Miss., May 20, 1864.

The discretionary power given to officers to destroy railroads and railroad stock that are in danger of falling into the possession of the enemy having been greatly abused, it is hereby ordered that no officer in this department, without express orders from these headquarters, shall destroy any railroad or stock thereon, unless the same is actually in use and possession of the enemy.

By command of Major-General Lee:

WM. ELLIOTT,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[MAY 20, 1864. -For Lee to Forrest, in reference to movement into Middle Tennessee and operations in MISSISSIPPI and Alabama, see Vol. XXXVIII, Part IV, p. 729.]

HEADQUARTERS FORREST'S CAVALRY,
Tupelo, May 20, 1864.

[Brigadier-General CHALMERS:]

GENERAL: I am instructed by the major-general commanding to say that you will at once transmit the following orders to Colonel Duckworth, at Oxford: He wishes him to get up three days' rations of corn for at least 1,500 horses at Oxford; also two days' rations of forage at Panola for a portion of General Gholson's brigade, say 400 or 500 horses. He will also get up two days' rations of corn and forage for his command to move with to this point; also two days' rations of provisions for Gholson's command, say 1,500, at Oxford. The above orders are given with a view of returning the forces under him to his own DIVISION, Brigadier- General Gholson's command being intended to take its place. You will further instruct him to put the railroad in good running repair from Oxford to Abbeville, if not in that condition now.

Very respectfully, general,

W. H. BRAND,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

COTTON-GIN, MISS., May 20, 1864.

Major-General FORREST:

GENERAL: I am in receipt of your order of 12th instant, received yesterday; am also in receipt of an order from General Lee, of the 15th instant. The following is a true copy of General Lee's order:

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ALA., MISS., AND EAST LA.,

No. 7. Demopolis, May 15, 1864.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

V. Captain F. M. Armstrong will report with his unattached cavalry company to Lieutenant Colonel M. T. Polk, commanding post Aberdeen, for provost duty.

By command of Major-General Lee:

P. ELLIS, Jr.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.