the gentlemen above named are to purchase, on private account, to defray their expenses and that of an expedition of secret service within the enemy's line. It is proposed that this latter shall be undertaken from Nassau when the articles above specified shall have bents hipped to a Confederate port.

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

G. J. RAINS,

Brigadier-General and Superintendent.

[First indorsement.]

JANUARY 28, 1865.

Colonel BAYNE:

For consideration and conference.

J. A. S.,

Secretary.

[Second indorsement.]

JANUARY 31, 1865.

Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War.

Under the regulations, all cotton is now shipped for account and to credit of Treasury Department. One of the bureaus of the War Department may have funds on hand which might be applied to this purpose, possibly, if it relative importance is such as to authorize a diversion of money from their own purchases. Since the loss of Wilmington foreign purchases will, of necessity, be much reduced.

THOS. L. BAYNE,

Lieutenant-Colonel.

[Inclosure.]

Estimated cost of articles required and to be sent for.

6 Whetstone batteries, at $100...................... $600

15 boxes IXX tin, 14 by 20, at $15................... 225

100 boxes IC tin, 10 by 14, at $7.50................. 750

1,000 primers for Whetstone batteries............... 50

5 miles gutta-percha cable, for same................. 5,000

100 pounds block tin................................. 50

12 bolts coarse red flannel (480 yards).............. 300

Double seaming machine for torpedo caps.............. 35

_____

Total................................................ 7,010

G. J. RAINS,

Brigadier-General and Superintendent Torpedo Bureau.

WILMINGTON, January 28, 1865.

J. T. CALDWELL,

Superintendent of Military Telegraph, Richmond:

Campbell is at Fort Anderson. Two operators necessary there at this time. Make application to Secretary of War for detail of J. T. Shain, Clinch Rifles, Fifth Georgia Troops, General Hardee's command, and order him at once to Whiteville. There is no operator in this department to be procured.

ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.