will place Lieutenant-General Taylor in command, he retaining command of his department as heretofore; and you, with such troops as may be spared, will return to Georgia and South Carolina.

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

TUPELO, January 15, 1865. (Received 11.45 o'clock 16th.)

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

I arrived here to-day. I will examine at once the condition of the army and report result.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

General.

RICHMOND, January 15, 1865. (Received 17th.)

General J. B. HOOD:

Your request is complied with. General Beauregard is instructed to relieve you. On being relieved, you will report to the War Department in Richmond.

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

MERIDIAN, MISS., January 15, 1865.

His Excellency President DAVIS:

My telegram of the 9th expressed the conviction that an attempt to move Hood's army at this time would complete its destruction. Hood failed to hold Thomas in check with Forrest, Roddey, and his own cavalry, and 30,000 troops to assist them. To represent those 30,000, I have barely 3,000 inefficient cavalry outside of the inadequate garrison of Mobile. I think it would be beneficial to the cause for me to see you.

R. TAYLOR,

Lieutenant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DIST. OF MISS. AND EAST LA.,

No. 2. Jackson, Miss., January 15, 1865.

I. In obedience to Special Orders, No. 11, of January 11, 1865, from department headquarters, Major General Frank. Gardner relinquishes the command of this district to Major General Will. T. Martin.

* * * * * * *

By order of Major General Frank. Garnder:

P. ELLIS, Jr.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

50 R R-VOL XLV, PT II