18, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, current series, to General R. E. Lee, General-in-Chief C. S. Army, forwarding duplicates to this office.

* * * * *

[By command of Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.]

MERIDIAN, March 28, 1865.

General BEAUREGARD,

Raleigh, N. C.:

Canby's army is attacking Mobile from eastern side. Heavy force of Thomas' cavalry moving down through North Alabama; cannot, therefore, spare any of the artillery to send to Macon at present.

R. TAYLOR,

Lieutenant-General.

MERIDIAN, March 28, 1865.

Major-General MAURY,

Mobile:

Yours of 7 a. m. received. Lieutenant-general commanding hopes in three or four days to whip the large raids moving from North Alabama, and will then be in condition to assist you with all the force of the department. Enemy have returned from Evergreen toward Pollard, which place Steele occupied on 25th.

E. SURGET,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

MERIDIAN, March 28, 1865.

Major-General MAURY,

Mobile:

It Steele's column is moving, as reported by Armistead, [with] what force is it occupying you at Spanish Fort, and can it be large? Did you get [any] of the engineers, &c., from Tensas?

By order:

E. SURGET,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. EASTERN DIVISION, DISTRICT OF THE GULF,
Blakely, March 28, 1865.

Colonel G. G. GARNER,

Chief of Staff:

I send you the following for your own information as well as by the request of Colonel C. G. Armistead to telegraph to Brigadier General D. W. Adams: Colonel Armistead reports the force still advancing, consisting of cavalry, infantry, and artillery, and that he will move with his command up the Escambia and get in the enemy's front. He reports General Steele in command, his objective point being Montgomery or Claiborne. General Clanton is said to be severely or mortally wounded, and in the hands of the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Lary is safe.

H. L. D. LEWIS,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.