HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WESTERN VIRGINIA,
Dublin, September 20, 1863.

Colonel JOHN McCAUSLAND,

Commanding, &c.:

COLONEL: I telegraphed you last night that the situation of affairs in East Tennessee and near Saltville renders it absolutely necessary to order to the latter place the Sixtieth Virginia Regiment. The enemy are between Generals Jones and Wharton, and the utmost promptness can alone save us. This exposes you, but I hope you can maintain yourself with the Eighth Virginia Cavalry until another regiment of General Jenkins' brigade, now on its way to you, gets up. Of course, you must fall back, if necessary, and try to hold the Narrows and Rocky Gap. A company from the First Brigade has been ordered to the Narrows as a guard.

If Scammon learns the state of things at Zollicoffer and Bristol, an advance will doubtless be made. Be prepared, therefore, for any move, and keep a sharp lookout in your front and in the direction the raiders last came. Nothing but the most urgent necessity would have caused this move.

Very respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant,

CHAS. S. STRINGFELLOW,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from field return of the Army of Northern Virginia, General Robert E. Lee, C. S. Army, commanding, September 20, 1863; headquarters Orange Court-House.

Present for

duty.

Command. Office Men Aggrega Aggreg

rs te ate

present presen

t and

absent

General headquarters 14 ---- 14 15

Second Army Corps (Ewell) 1,507 16,235 20,084 38,264

Third Army Corps (A. P. 1,175 14,297 17,975 31,667

Hill)

Cooke's brigade 145 2,045 2,534 3,267

Cavalry Corps a (Stuart) 594 7,547 9,530 18,011

Artillery (Pendleton) 184 3,337 3,931 5,406

Total 3,619 43,461 54,068 96,630

a From return for September 10 of the enlisted men present for duty, 1,361 are reported as dismounted.

Abstract from return of the Department of North Carolina, Major General W. H. C. Whiting, C. S. Army, commanding, September 20, 1863.

Present for

duty.

Command. Offi Men Effec Aggre Aggreg Pie

cers tive gate ate ces

total prese presen of

nt t and fie

absent ld

art

ill

ery

General headquarters 9 3 3 13 14 --

District of the Cape 180 3,179 3,646 4,459 5,631 22

Fear

District of North 170 2,807 3,242 3,968 6,223 31

Carolina

Total 359 5,989 6,891 8,440 11,868 53

47 R R-VOL XXIX, PT II