[First indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF RICHMOND,
February 26, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded at the request of Brigadier-General Barton.

ARNOLD ELZEY,

Major-General.

[Second indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS, March 3, 1864.

I think it due to General Barton that a court of inquiry be granted him.

R. E. LEE,
General.

ADDENDA.

CAMP NEAR RICHMOND, February 29, 1864.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

GENERAL: The report of Major-General Pickett of the recent operations against New Berne contains the most injurious allegations against my course in conducting a part of the movement. Grave charges have also been made in the press and on the street. I have the honor to apply for a court of inquiry to investigate the matter, and that it be called speedily. I desire but few witness; they are convenient, not engaged, I believe, in any way to prevent their attendance. The events are recent. It is of incalculable importance to me that the imputations under which I am oppressed should be removed.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. M. BARTON,

Brigadier-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 54.
Richmond, Va., March 5, 1864.

* * * * *

XXIV. At the request of Brigadier General S. M. Barton, a court of inquiry is hereby appointed to meet in this city on the 10th day of March, or as soon thereafter as practicable, for the purpose of inquiring into the cause of the alleged failure of General Barton to co-operate with General G. E. Pickett in the late attack on New Berne, N. C. The court will report the facts in the case, together with his opinion thereon, to this office.

Detail of the court: Major General Samuel Jones, Major General Arnold Elzey, Brigadier General J. R. Cooke; Major L. R. Page, assistant adjutant-general, judge advocate.

* * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.