HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
December 17, 1863.

General Orders, Numbers 107, refers to the men actually carrying muskets--the effective strength. The same principle will be applied to the detailed or extra-duty men of a division or brigade, two to every hundred such for duty, provided their services can be temporarily dispensed with without detriment.

By order of General Lee:

W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DUBLIN, December 18, 1863.

Colonel W. H. BROWNE,

Commanding:

When you arrive there you had best get a good guide, and I understand there is a strong pass, which can be easily held, between Salem and Red Sulphur, about half way. If McCausland then advances, the enemy will have but one way of escape, in direction of Echols' force. You can decide on the position to take when you reach Salem better than I can designate it. Answer.

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DUBLIN, December 18, 1863.

Colonel W. H. BROWNE,

New River:

The enemy has returned to Salem. Under these circumstances you had best remain in your present position until further orders.

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DUBLIN, December 18, 1863.

Colonel W. H. BROWNE,

Commanding, &c.:

Telegrams from Preston last night and this morning report enemy at Roanoke, Red Sulphur, about 12 miles from Salem. If McCausland can come to Blacksburg, and you hold their rear, the enemy will be forced to go toward Sweet Springs, and Echols can meet them. Do you want rations? Can you communicate with McCausland from Christiansburg? He is at Newport.

WM. B. MYERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

DUBLIN, December 18, 1863.

Colonel W. H. BROWNE,

Commanding, &c.:

It is important to find out if he is advancing. It would be well to send a courier from Salem to Bonsack's, to communicate with Rich-