high appreciation of the zealous and efficient manner in which Major-General Smith has performed all the duties which devolved upon him as chief engineer of the Army of Northern Virginia.

By command of General R. E. Lee:

W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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

No. 170. Richmond, July 20, 1864.

* * * * *

XVIII. Major C. L. Randolph, quartermaster, &c., is assigned to duty as chief quartermaster of Major General Bushrod R. Johnson's division, and will report accordingly.

* * * * *

XLIX. Paragraph III, Special Orders, No. 164, current series, is so modified as to place Brigadier General J. G. Martin, Provisional Army, C. S.,in command of the reserves of the District of Western North Carolina. He will report to Lieutenant General T. H. Holmes, commanding, &c. Colonel J. B. Palmer, commanding Western District of North Carolina, will report to Brigadier-General Martin with such forces as he may have in his present command.

* * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

SAML. W. MELTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, July 20, 1864.

GENERAL: I regret to learn from Captain Bryan that his boats and torpedoes were captured a few nights since by a gun-boat of the enemy. You may not be aware that signal stations have been located by the enemy at convenient points on the south bank of James River, from which they observe the opposite shore and signal to their gun-boats all that occurs of importance. Parties operating on the north bank should, therefore, be careful not to reveal their operations, and conceal themselves from their signal men as well as their steamers. Unless points can be found on the river below City Point where heavy guns could be placed able to contend with their iron-clads I fear little more