RICHMOND, May 4, 1864.

General BRECKINRIDGE,

Dublin:

Information received here indicates the propriety of your making a junction with General Imboden to meet the enemy on his movements toward Staunton. Communicate with General R. E. Lee and General Imboden.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF WESTERN VIRGINIA,
Dublin, May 4, 1864.

Colonel L. B. NORTHROP,

Commissary-General, Richmond, Va.:

I want to move my troops forward, but have not breadstuffs. Can;t you send supply at once? See letters and telegrams of Major Cloyd.

JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,

Major-General.

DUBLIN DEPOT, VA., May 1864-5 p. m.

General R. E. LEE,

Commanding, &c., Orange Court-House, Va.:

A dispatch from the President says information indicates propriety of my joining Imboden to meet movement on Staunton, and tells me to communicate with you. I have Echols in Monroe County, 1,600 men; Wharton at Narrows of New River, 900 men; McCausland at Princeton, 1,500 men; all infantry. Scarcely any mounted men yet east of New River. Enemy threatening from Kanawha, and reported 8,000 men, which is probably exaggerated. It is thirty-six miles from Echols to Jackson River Depot, and sixty miles from Narrows. You thus see the situation. I was starting to the front, but will wait to hear from you, and act upon your views of the emergency.

JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,

Major-General.

ORANGE COURT-HOUSE, May 4, 1864.

Major-General BRECKINRIDGE,

Dublin:

The President informs me that you will report to me. For the present you will take the general direction of affairs and use General Imboden's force as you think best. He has been ordered to report to you. I trust you will drive the enemy back.

R. E. LEE.

DUBLIN DEPOT, May 4, 1864-8.15 p. m.

General R. E. LEE,

Orange Court-House, Va.:

Your dispatch directing me to take command of Imboden, &c., just received. The only information I have is a dispatch from the