sand your plan, it was simply to strike a blow at the enemy's communications and depots with a movable column of mounted infantry, and looking to the results to the enemy, if successful, as disastrous for the season, in view of his remoteness from his base and sources of supply.

About the same time your letter from Petersburg was handed me a dispatch came from General Cooper directing us to send to Virginia four full regiments of cavalry and eight companies, in addition to four companies ordered there some weeks ago-that is, taking from the department fifty-two companies of cavalry at a sweep of the pen.

This looks very much like another advance from Virginia, I fear across our northern border. However, those troops are to be held in readiness to be moved to Virginia under General Hampton, and it may be meant to divert them at the proper moment before marching to you across the mountains, which I hope may be the case.

Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

THOS. JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE,]

Numbers 66. Richmond, Va., March 19, 1864.

* * * * *

IX. Satlville, Va, will hereafter be considered as in the Department of Southwestern Virginia.

* * * * *

XXXI. Brigadier General F. A. Shoup is relieved from present duty and will report to General Joseph E, Johnston, commanding, &c., at Dalton, Ga., for assignment to artillery duty.

* * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from return of the Army of Tennessee, General Joseph E. Johnston, C. S. Army, commanding, March 20, 1864; headquarters Dalton, Ga.

Command. Presen Prese Effect Aggreg Aggreg Pi

t for nt ive ate ate ec

duty. for total presen presen es

duty. presen t. t and of

t. absent ar

. ti

ll

er

y.

Office Men.

rs.

General staff... 15 ... ... 15 16 ..

Hardee's corps: 12 ... ... 12 14 ..

Staff...........

Cheatham's 469 3,749 3,616 4,941 8,624 ..

division a..

Claburne's 466 5,197 5,059 6,646 9,815 ..

division...

Walker's 341 4,635 4,552 5,903 9,252 ..

division..

Bate's division... 376 3,489 3,360 4,373 6,934 ..

Total.. 1,664 17,07 16,587 21,875 34,639 ..

0

Hood's 21 ... ... 21 23 ..

corps:Staff...

Hidman's 490 5.700 5,555 7,603 11,990 ..

division..

Stewart's 410 5,155 5,028 6,502 11,661 ..

division.

Stevenson's 479 6,225 6,078 7,623 10,964 ..

division..

Total.. 1,400 17,08 16,661 21,149 34,638 ..

0