MONTGOMERY, ALA., January 9, 1865.

General J. B. HOOD,

Tupelo, Miss.:

Secretary of War disapproves application relative to your Trans-Mississippi troops. He considers that to grant it would be dangerous, and might be fatal. I agree with him. Discountenance it in full.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

General.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., January 9, 1865.

General J. B. HOOD,

Commanding Army of Tennessee, Tupelo, Miss.:

President orders that whatever troops you can spare be sent forthwith to General Hardee's assistance. Consult General Taylor, if with you, and prepare accordingly. I will be at Tupelo as soon as practicable.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

General.

MERIDIAN, January 9, 1865.

General J. B. HOOD,

Tupelo, Miss.:

Following received from Colonel Wade, commanding at Columbus, dated to-day:

Scouts sent out report a body of Federals, 1,200 strong, at Pikeville last night, but have returned to the valley in the direction of Russellville.

R. TAYLOR,

Lieutenant-General.

MERIDIAN, January 9, 1865.

His Excellency President DAVIS:

I have just returned from a visit to General Hood and his army. The army needs rest, consolidation,a nd reorganization. Not a day should be lost in effecting these latter. If moved in its present condition, it will prove utterly worthless; this applies to both infantry and cavalry. Full powers should be immediately given to the commander. For prudential reasons I use one of the former key-words instead of the last.

R. TAYLOR,

Lieutenant-General.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF ALA., MISS., AND EAST LA.,
Meridian, January 9, 1865.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War, Richmond:

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 22nd ultimo, relative to the exchange of cotton for army supplies. Your order on the subject and the plan you propose of placing the entire business in the hands of one general agent, under orders from your office, accord fully with my own views, and when Mr. Wallis