Abstract from field return of the Department of Northern Virginia, commanded by General R. E. Lee, December 20, 1862; headquarters Fredericksburg, Va.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Total

present.

FIRST ARMY CORPS.

Lieutenant-General

LONGSTREET.

General staff 13 --- ---

Staff 16 --- ---

Anderson's division 573 7,007 8,685

Hood's division 551 6,761 7,807

McLaw's division 577 6,968 8,315

Pickett's division 746 7,117 8,478

Ransom's division 244 3,188 3,745

Alexander's and Walton's 41 686 686

battalion of artillery

Total. 2,761 31,670 67,716

SECOND ARMY CORPS.

Lieutenant-General JACSKON.

Staff 13 --- ---

Ewell's division 583 6,474 7,587

A. P. Hill's division 697 9,202 10,524

D. H. Hill's division 659 8,360 9,491

Jackson's division 496 4,476 5,520

Brown's battalion of 20 434 461

artillery

Total 2,468 29,046 33,853

Stuart's cavalry division 634 8,512 10,016

Pendleton's reserve 42 683 758

artillery

Grand total 5,905 69,911 83,343

Command. Aggregate Aggregate

present. present and

absent.

FIRST ARMY CORPS.

Lieutenant-General

LONGSTREET.

General staff 13 14

Staff 16 16

Anderson's division 9,320 15,379

Hood's division 8,416 13,324

McLaw's division 8,950 14,659

Pickett's division 9,290 16,874

Ransom's division 4,006 6,985

Alexander's and Walton's 728 966

battalion of artillery

Total 40,739 68,217

SECOND ARMY CORPS.

Lieutenant-General JACSKON.

Staff 13 13

Ewell's division 8,506 16,343

A. P. Hill's division 11,309 21,288

D. H. Hill's division 10,211 18,451

Jackson's division 6,086 12,095

Brown's battalion of 483 684

artillery

Total 36,608 68,874

Stuart's cavalry division 10,701 15,908

Pendleton's reserve 800 959

artillery

Grand total 88,848 153,958

RICHMOND, December 22, 1862.

Colonel A. C. JONES,

Warm Springs, Bath County, Virginia:

COLONEL: With a view of harmonizing the service and promoting its efficiency in Western Virginia, the Secretary of War has determined to confide the whole duty of raising and organizing troops in that section to the command of one person, to be selected by himself. The services of a competent and efficient officer are required at this time to aid in the organization and instruction of conscripts. There is much very important work to be done in this connection, and the Secretary believes you can render efficient service in that department. He therefore desires me to direct you to report to this office for such duty with as little delay as practicable after you shall receive this letter.

I am, sir, very respectfully,&c.,

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

HEADQUARTERS, December 23, 1862.

General J. E. B. STUART,

Commanding Cavalry:

GENERAL: You are desired to proceed with a portion of the cavalry across the Rappahannock, penetrate the enemy's rear, ascertain, if possible,