immediately. To that end a special messenger has been sent to hasten them up, and they are now ordered, if practicable, to proceed by rail and report to you at Taylor's house.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES H. PEARCE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Numbers 142. Richmond, June 18, 1864.

* * * * * *

XX. Colonel William J. Hoke, Invalid Corps, will report to Lieutenant General T. H. Holmes, commanding reserve forces of North Carolina, at Raleigh, for assignment to duty.

XXI. Captain James Ker, artillery, Provisional Army, C. S., will report to Lieutenant General R. S. Ewell, commanding, &c., for assignment to duty as chief ordnance officer of his department.

XXII. Major B. F. jones, quartermaster, will report to General B. Bragg for assignment to inspection duty, to date from May 24, 1864.

XXIII. Major W. S. Barringer, Provisional Army, C. S., will report to Brigadier General J. L. Kemper, commanding reserve forces of Virginia, for assignment to duty. He will retain and exercise his present command, and perform such additional duties as Brigadier-General Kemper may direct, who is on an understanding with General Beauregard in providing for the defense of the Danville railroad.

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNumbers WITHERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

PETERSBURG, June 18, 1864.

General BRAXTON BRAGG:

Please cause all information to be addressed to me here. Kershaw's and Field's divisions preceded me.

R. E. LEE.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
June 18, 1864.

General WADE HAMPTON, Aenon Church, via Hanover Junction:

If Sheridan escapes and gets to his transports at the White House you must lose no time in moving your entire command to our right near Petersburg. Keep yourself thoroughly advised of his movements and intentions as far as practicable.

R. E. LEE,

General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
June 18, 1864.

General J. A. EARLY, Lynchburg:

Grant is in front of Petersburg. Will be opposed there. Strike as quick as you can and, if circumstances authorize, carry out the original plan, or move upon Petersburg without delay.

R. E. LEE.