[Indorsement.]

JANUARY 29, 1864.

The State troops of South Carolina referred to by you go out of service six months from the date of muster. Reference must therefore be had to the company muster-rolls to ascertain that fact.

S. C.

[Inclosure No. 2.]

CHARLESTON, January 30, 1864.

General S. COOPER:

Telegram does not enable me to decide matter of discharge of State troops. Governor Bonham claims, in letter of Secretary of War, dated June 6, 1863, term of service began August 1; troops on that make urgent claim they were fully organized on July 31, but were not called out by these headquarters to take the field, until about September 1; mean time remained at home. Question is, shall they be discharged six months from August 1, or from date each regiment quit home, or my question [be] left to discretion [of] these headquarters to decide? There is much excitement about it.

THOS. JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

[Indorsement.]

JANUARY 31, 1864.

It is decided that the term of service of South Carolina State troops expires to-morrow - that is, six months from 1st of August last.

S. C.

CHARLESTON, S. C., February 1, 1864.

A. C. GARLINGTON,

Adjutant and Inspector General, Columbia, S. C.:

Glad to say War Department decides time of State troops expires to-day. News just received.

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

(Same to Major General J. F. Gilmer and Brigadier General W. S. Walker.)

HDQRS. FIFTH MIL. DIST., DEPT. OF S. C., GA., AND FLA., Charleston, February 3, 1864.

Brigadier General THOMAS JORDAN:

GENERAL: In obedience to orders from department headquarters, the First Regiment State Troops will be mustered out of service this day at 11 a.m. I would respectfully inform you that when these troops are mustered out, there will not be a sufficient force in the city to do the ordinary guard duty.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALFRED RHETT,

Colonel, Commanding.