[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
January 7, 1865.

Respectfully forwarded, with the recommendation that this matter be placed under proper regulations, to insure efficiency of service, and the safety of the vessels. I am unacquainted with the operation.

R. E. LEE,

General.

[Second indorsement.]

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

January 11, 1865.

Respectfully referred to Chief of the Signal Corps for remarks.

By order of the Adjutant and Inspector-General:

H. L. CLAY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Third indorsement.]

SIGNAL BUREAU,

Richmond, January 23, 1865.

Respectfully referred to Adjutant and Inspector General.

The closing of the port of Wilmington renders a further discussion of this question unnecessary.

WM. N. BARKER,

Captain and Chief of Corps.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Wilmington, January 2, 1865.

Brigadier-General BAKER,

Goldborough:

GENERAL: In reply to your telegram of yesterday, relative to the Junior Reserves, the commanding general directs me to say that you must make the best dispositions in your power, bearing in mind his desire that these troops shall be concentrated near the railroad as far as possible, for the purposes of organization and discipline.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, &c.,

ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

RICHMOND, VA., January 3, 1865.

Honorable JAS. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War:

DEAR SIR: Brigadier-General Martin, commanding in western North Carolina, has represented to me a state of things in connection with the conscript service, and the maintenance of order in his district, which leads me to the conclusion that it will be better by special order to direct that the men west of the blue Ridge who can be enrolled, or who may volunteer, be assigned at once to the companies serving in that district of the two regiments there on detached service under Col-