Abstract from field return of the troops commanded by Major General George E. Pickett, C. S. Army, November 27, 1863.

Present for duty.

Aggrega Aggrega

Command. Offi Men. te pre te pres Remarks.

cers. sent. ent and

absent.

General 17 166 198 217

headquarters a.

Barton's 76 1,280 1,549 3,115 Near

brigade. Petersburg.

Ransom's 132 2,324 2,603 3,392 Goldsborough

brigade. and Weldon.

Confederate 19 43 62 89 Franklin

Zouaves. Station.

10th Georgia 15 278 343 466 Do.

Battalion.

Whitford's

North Carolina 30 600 688 812

battalion.

17th Virginia. 22 214 274 477 Ivor Station

18th Virginia. 11 223 278 573 Petersburg.

Provost guard 4 54 65 98

at Kinston.

Total infantry. 309 5,016 5,862 9,022

7th Confederate 18 197 309 638 Ivor Station

Cavalry.

62nd Georgia 35 498 621 835 Franklin

Cavalry. Depot.

3rd North Near Weldon.

Carolina 32 589 733 971

Cavalry.

Total cavalry. 85 1,284 1,663 2,444

Branch's Near

artillery 43 987 1,164 1,451 Petersburg.

command. b

Dearing's 14 266 313 404 Do.

battalion.

Washington

(La.) 17 310 359 480 Do.

Artillery.

1st North

Carolina

Artillery 12 211 275 373 Near Goldsbo

(three rough.

companies).

3rd North

Carolina 4 70 85 98

Artillery,

Company F.

Andrews' 2 59 72 92

battery.

Cumming's 3 69 83 95

battery.

Dickson's 1 102 126 137

battery.

Starr's 4 126 137 156

battery.

Total artillery 100 2,200 2,614 3,286

Grand total. 511 8,666 10,337 14,969

---------------

aIncluding "Independent Signal Corps."

bTwo batteries at Weldon.

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HDQRS. DEPT. OF WESTERN VA. AND EAST TENN.,
Dublin, November 28, 1863.

Honorable A. T. CAPERTON:

SIR: I received yesterday your letter of the 26th. I am fully aware of the importance of having additional troops in my department, and especially of having an adequate force to prevent the enemy from penetrating into Botetourt and Rockbridge. I have repeatedly asked for re-enforcements, and shall do so again whenever I think that there is the slightest possibility that they can be procured. At present I regret to say that I can get none.

For reasons not necessary now to mention, I cannot send any more of my own troops to Greenbrier. At this late season of the year I do not think the enemy will move into Greenbrier for the purpose of occupying the county, and I hope and believe that we can prevent any raiding party from penetrating into Rockbridge and Botetourt.

I shall be glad if you will ascertain and inform me what cavalry cmmitted the depredations you mention on your own property and that at the Red Sweet Springs, that I may have reparation made and the officers commanding punished.

SAM. JONES,

Major-General.