however, there would not appear to be any reason for granting it, the force at Wilmington,compared with that at other points, being ample for the duties to be performed. It will be remembered that the Tenth North Carolina Battalion,replaced by Kemper's brigade, has been allowed to remain in the Cape Fear District.

Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

SAML. W. MELTON,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

MARCH 27, 1864.

Colonel JACKSON, Magnolia:

A gun-boat sent a party into Bear Creek and carried off some 60 or 70 negroes. On the 25th Dickinson repulsed a party from Swansborough. He expects them to return. Can you increase his party at all?

W. H. C. WHITING,

Major-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., March 28, 1864.

General R. E. LEE,

Orange Court-House, Va.:

The operator at Fredericksburg reports:

Yankees opposite town; don't know in what force. They are in full view of town. Have made an attempt to cross.

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

PETERSBURG, March 28, 1864.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

The following dispatches just received by signal line from Swineyards:

Gun-boats going down the river from Fort Powhatan.

E. R. WIN,

Sergeant.

5 P. M.

The gun-boats are shelling Fort Powhatan.

E. R. WIN,

Sergeant.

C. H. RHODES,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

PETERSBURG, March 28, 1864.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

Three gun-boats are coming up the James River. They are now passing Lower Brandon-5. 30 p. m.

In the absence of General Pickett:

N. W. SMALL,

Captain, &c.