will keep you informed of any movement of the enemy. If the enemy's movements make it necessary you will diverge from the line of march indicated and join General Hampton at Yorkville. He desires you to use the cavalry with you to gain information for your protection, and requests that you will collect and bring with you all men from general Wheeler's and General Butler's commands that you may be able to find. He desires also that you will at once send a copy of these instructions and of the telegram from the commanding general to General Stewart, that he may follow the same line of march as speedily as possible. He desires you to acknowledge the receipt of this by a fresh courier sent to this place, or to meet us on the line of the Yorkville or Charlotte railroad, between this place and Yorkville, and to communicate your progress and any news that you may have of General Stewart in the same direction.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. B. McCLELLAN,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure.]

CHARLOTTE, N. C., February 23, 1865.

Lieutenant-General HAMPTON:

Send guide to Cheatham, and order him to join you at Chester if road is clear, otherwise by Yorkville. Order him to make rapid marches. Send same instructions to General Stewart.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

General.

Report of effective strength of Lee's corps, February 23, 1865.

Divisions. Brigades. Effectiv Total Aggrega

e total. present. te

present

.

Clayton a. Stovall's b. 343 449 492

Jackson's. 81 142 135

Johnson's c. Deas'. 277 388 443

Manigault's. 285 314 422

Stevenson's d. Pettus'. 380 535 602

Palmer's e. 553 160 855

Kanapaux's. Battery. 81 84 88

Maxwell's. Light 32 37 38

Artillery.

Sum total. 2. 032 2. 109 3. 075

a Baker's brigade, of Clayton's division, absent, en route from Mobile, Ala.

b Fifty-second Georgia Regiment, Stovall's brigade, detailed as guard to train from Columbus, Miss.

c Sharp's and Brantly's brigades left in Mississippi by order of General Beauregard.

d Cumming's brigade, of Stevenson's division, absent with General hardee.

e Fifty-fourth Virginia Regiment, Palmer's brigade, guard to train from Columbus, Miss.

C. L. STEVENSON,

Major-General, Commanding.

NEAR CHARLOTTE, N. C.

BURGAW, N. C., February 23, 1865-1 p. m.

(Received 4. 15 p. m. 25th.)

General J. C. BRECKINRIDGE,

Secretary of War, Richmond:

My observation in returning from Richmond satisfies me that a considerable element in our military resources is being lost by furloughing