copies of the orders transmitted to me, and the oath of allegiance prescribed, it is plain that great oppression and injustice is contemplated to our citizens. I have directed General Jones to concentrate all the troops in the valley, and to endeavor to drive the enemy across the Potomac. I understand that there are three companies of Jenkins' cavalry brigade scattered over Augusta and Rockbridge Counties, and that these companies are to reassemble at Salem, Roanoke County, on the 5th proximo. I have thought it probable that the whole brigade might be available for service in the valley, which would make the expulsion of the enemy easier and more certain. Should this be so, or should there be any other troops in your department more available for this purpose, I request that you will unite them to the command of Colonel H. B. Davidson, at Staunton.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General.

Abstract from monthly return of the Department of Northern Virginia, commanded by General R. E. Lee, December 31, 1862; headquarters Fredericksburg, Va.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Effective Total

total. present.

General Staff 14 --- --- ---

FIRST ARMY CORPS.

Lieutenant-General

LONGSTREET.

Staff 14 --- --- ---

Anderson's division 555 7,009 7,009 8,668

Hood's division 593 6,979 6,979 8,290

McLaws' division 563 6,747 6,747 8,201

Pickett's division 626 6,075 6,075 7,307

Ransom's division 244 3,250 3,250 3,819

Total 2,596 30,060 30,060 36,285

SECOND ARMY CORPS.

Lieutenant-General

JACKSON.

Staff 13 --- --- ---

Ewell's division 573 6,320 6,320 7,743

A. P. Hill's division 686 8,652 8,652 10,086

D. H. Hill's division 634 8,468 8,468 9,786

Jackson's division 451 4,188 4,168 5,240

Total 2,357 27,608 27,608 32,855

Stuart's cavalry 662 8,814 8,814 10,493

division

ARTILLERY IN REAR.

Brigadier-General

PENDLETON.

General reserve 30 549 549 603

First Army Corps 70 1,576 1,576 1,696

Second Army Corps 99 2,365 2,365 2,595

Total 199 4,490 4,490 4,894

Grand total 5,827 70,972 70,972 84,527

Artillery.

Command. Aggreg Aggrega Compa Pieces. Horses

ate te nies.

presen present

t. and

absent.

General staff 14 15 --- --- ---

FIRST ARMY CORPS.

Lieutenant-General

LONGSTREET.

Staff 14 15 --- --- ---

Anderson's 9,313 14,999 2 8 144

division

Hood's division 8,969 14,776 1 6 120

McLaws' division 8,827 14,168 --- --- ---

Pickett's division 8,002 14,262 --- --- ---

Ransom's division 4,087 6,932 2 12 225

Total 39,212 65,152 5 26 489

SECOND ARMY CORPS.

Lieutenant-General

JACKSON.

Staff 13 16 --- --- ---

Ewell's division 8,394 15,679 1 4 65

A. P. Hill's 10,862 20,331 1 4 80

division

D. H. Hill's 10,524 18,296 5 20 375

division

Jackson's division 5,768 10,835 1 4 76

Total 35,561 65,157 8 32 596

Stuart's cavalry 11,209 15,433 4 15 444

division

ARTILLERY IN REAR.

Brigadier-General

PENDLETON.

General reserve 633 778 5 30 437

First Army Corps 1,768 2,341 19 83 405

Second Army Corps 2,696 3,966 31 --- ---

Total 5,097 7,085 55 113 842

Grand total 91,093 152,842 72 186 2,371