turous expedition, and, without the sanction of your judgment, I should hesitate to grant the permission. His own special command (represented as a small brigade of cavalry) is stated to be in irregular and rather disorderly force, and if he could be permanently detached, sent with it to cut Sherman's communication, and required to report to General Wheeler, so that he and his men could be brought under the discipline and control of a regular army organization, I have no doubt it would be advantageous to the service. I fear, however, such disposition of his force at this time would not be expedient, and certainly not unless it meet the approval of your judgment, and the substitution of some other force in Southwestern Virginia could be provided. I shall give no instructions in answer to General Morgan's telegram, but submit his movements to your discretion and control.

Very truly, yours,

JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

Abstract from tabular statement of troops serving in the Department of Western Virginia and East Tennessee, Brigadier General John H. Morgan commanding, August 1, 1864; headquarters Abingdon, Va.

Command Effective Aggregate Aggregate Remarks

total present present and

present absent

Department 2 8 8

staff

First 732 842 1,090 Near

Brigade, Rogersville,

Colonel Tenn

Giltner

Second 656 751 1,220 Gladeville,

Brigade, Va.

Lieutenant-

Colonel

Martin

Vaughn's 504 600 729 Near Bull's

brigade Gap, Tenn.,

(detachment) and

, Colonel Abingdon,

Bradford. Va.

Jones' 761 876 1,432 Near Liberty

brigade Hill, VA.

(detached)

Thirteenth . . . . . 2 398 Saltville,

Battalion . Va.

Virginia

Reserves

Three 267 280 322 Saltville,

batteries Va., and

and lead mines,

detachment Va.

artillery

Total 2,922 3,359 5,199

Organization of troops in the Department of Western Virginia and East Tennessee, Brigadier General John H. Morgan commanding, August 1, 1864.

INFANTRY.

13th Battalion Virginia Reserves, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Smith.

CAVALRY.

First Brigade.

Colonel Henry L. GILTNER.

6th Confederate, Captain W. Monfort.

4th Kentucky Cavalry, Captain William D. Ray.

10th Kentucky Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Trimble.

1st Battalion Kentucky Rifles, Captain Peter M. Everett.

2nd Battalion Kentucky Rifles, Captain John T. Williams.

10th Battalion Kentucky Rifles, Major J. Thomas Chenoweth.

Second Brigade.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert M. Martin.

1st Battalion Kentucky Cavalry, Lieutenant Colonel R. A. Alston.

2nd Battalion Kentucky Cavalry, Major Jacob T. Cassell.

7th Confederate, Lieutenant Colonel Clarence J. Prentice.