HEADQUARTERS, April 12, 1864.

General STUART:

GENERAL: I have read Mosby's letter. He seems to be confident of his information, and he may be correct. But it is strange that among all the other scouts none should have discovered this counter movement. Mosby seems to draw a distinction between re-enforcements, &c. A corps may have been sent to Burnside and replaced as now organized I do not think they would detach one of their present corps; if they have we ought to know it, and strike at them. Can you find it out?

Very truly,
R. E. LEE.

APRIL 12, 1864.

General PICKETT,

Petersburg:

Enemy reported moving troops from New Berne. Destination not known.

W. H. C. WHITING,

Major-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 85.
Richmond, April 12, 1864.

* * * *

XXVI. Colonel T. M. R. Talcott, commanding First Regiment Engineer Troops, will proceed with that portion of his command now stationed at Camp Gilmer, near this city, to headquarters Army or Northern Virginia, and report to General R. E. Lee, commanding, &c., for assignment to duty.

* * * *

By command of Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS, April 13, 1864.

General BRAXTON BRAGG,

Commanding Armies of Confederate States:

GENERAL: From the letters of Generals Pickett and Hoke the completion of the gun-boats seemed so distant and even indefinite that I could see no advantage in retaining the latter longer in North Carolina. All the troops we can get will be required in Virginia, and as far as I can judge, those not necessary in the Department of Georgia, South Carolina and Florida should be moved northward gradually, so as not to interrupt the transportation of supplies, to the extent at least of replacing Pickett and Hoke. Pickett should be disengaged so as to join Longstreet. Our scouts report that the three corps of General Meade's army, as at present organized, number