road between Charlotte and Greensborough is being changed, and that the trains will not run through for some days. I mention this so that you may provide for any communications requiring special dispatch, as we cannot organize a line of postal communication in time to meet this necessity.

Very respectfully,

JOHN H. REAGAN,

Postmaster-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,

Richmond, Va., March 1, 1865.

His Excellency Z. B. VANCE,

Raleigh, N. C.:

MY DEAR SIR: General Lee has written to me in regard to desertions from the army, and states that, while they occur among the troops from every State, they are most numerous just at present from those of North Carolina. This must spring from the importunity of friends at home, and I know of nothing that can be done, in addition to the means already employed, except to improve the condition of publis feeling in the several States. I send you a line, not to stimulate you - far from it, for I have read your recent speech at Golsborough - but to apprise you that the evil is alarming, and to urge you to invoke every influence that can be brought to bear to revive a patriotic and self-sacrificing spirit. I will write also the authorities and to individuals in other States. The numbers furnished and the deeds performed by the corps of North Carolina forbid the belief that she will give way at this crisis of a hard-pressed cause. I will be happy to hear from you at any time, and am, yours, very truly,

JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,

Secretary of War.

[MARCH 1, 1865. - For Lee to Breckinridge, relating to operations in the Carolinas, see Part I, p. 1044.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,

Richmond, Va., March 1, 1865.

General J. E. JOHNSTON,

Charlotte, N. C.:

Your dispatch with regard to funs received. Impossible to obtain money at present. Will write to you to-night.

J. C. BREACKINRIDGE,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,

Richmond, Va., March 1, 1865.

General J. E. JOHNSTON,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: I received this morning and answered your telegram of the 28th ultimo in regard to money from payment of your troops. The occupation of Columbia by the enemy and other causes have embarrassed