[Indorsement.]

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, August 21, 1863.

Respectfully forwarded to General Beauregard, for his information.

M. L. BONHAM.

HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA,
August 23, 1863.

Respectfully referred to Captain F. D. Lee, who will examine and report on the inclosed.

By command of General Beauregard:

H. WEMYSS FEILDEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHARLESTON, August 24, 1863.

H. WEMYSS FEILDEN,

Assistant Adjutant-General.:

In obedience to the command of General Beauregard, I have carefully examined the plan of Mr. John B. Read, and would respectfully report that it exhibits no new plan or principle, being, in fact, but the repetition of a device now in use in this harbor.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FRANCIS D. LEE,

Captain of Engineers.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES, DISTS. OF EAST AND MIDDLE FLORIDA, Numbers 25.
Lake City, August 12, 1863.

I. In accordance with Special Orders, Numbers 153, from department headquarters, of August 7, 1863, the undersigned hereby assumes temporary command of the District of Middle Florida, in addition to his own command of the District of East Florida, during the absence of Brigadier General H. Cobb.

II. All existing orders will remain in full force until further orders.

III. The staff of the brigadier-general commanding will embrace his own staff, assisted by that of General Cobb (excepting his personal staff).

IV. Commanding officers in the District of Middle Florida will forward their returns on the 1st, 10th, and 30th of each month to these headquarters, through the senior officer in that district. All other reports will come through the same channel.

V. The headquarters of the two districts will be at Lake City, Fla., until further orders.

VI. Commanding officers will immediately send to headquarters an organization of their commands, with the date and rank of officers.

VII. The operations of the two district will be kept entirely distinct, unless in case of emergency.

JOS. FINEGAN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.