entourage to General Johnston. They have never given him a fair opportunity to show his true metal; they have tied a leaden weight to his feet, and them told him to see what he could no in a deep, rapid stream! They tried the same thing with another person of your acquaintance, but the tide helped him along until he got near the shore, which he has not yet quite reached. However, who in the world can accomplish anything, either for himself or his country, in despite of Government power and influence?

With my best respects to Mrs. Miles and kind regards to all inquiring friends, I remain, yours, very truly,

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

P. S.-I am glad to hear that General Johnston has been ordered to replace Bragg.

G. T. B.

MORTON, December 18, 1863.

Colonel EWELL,

Brandon, Miss.:

I will be in Brandon two hours hence. Will you please send a carriage to meet me?

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

No. 300.
Richmond, Va., December 18, 1863.

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XVIII. Brigadier-General Pillow, having been relieved from conscript service in the States of Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, will turn over the books, papers, and property of that service to Colonel John S. Preston, Superintendent of the Bureau of Conscription, with a roll of officers, indicating their military status, and of the troops hitherto under his in the conscript service.

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By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WEST TENNESSEE, Jackson, December 18, 1863.

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON,

Commanding Army of the Mississippi, Brandon, Miss.:

GENERAL: From the movements of the enemy I am of opinion they are preparing to move against me, and that they will do so by the 25th instant or soon theater. I shall have at least 1,000 head of

beef-cattle ready to move south by that time, and I write to ask that General Ferguson's and General Chalmers' brigades be sent up without