[Second indorsement.]

HDQRS. SECOND DIST., DEPT. OF N. C. AND SOUTHERS VA.,
Goldsborough, September 28, 1864.

Respectfully referred to Colonel Gaillard, commanding at Weldon, who will please report if any troops are in this section under orders, and whether he can send any for the purpose specified in the above indorsement.

By order of Brigadier-General Baker:

J. C. McRAE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Third indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS,
Weldon, N. C., September 30, 1864.

Respectfully returned.

There are no troops beyond the Blackwater that I am aware of; at all events, none that receive orders through this office. I would respectfully state that it is impossible for me to send any troops in that region. I applied for a company of cavalry a few days since for the purpose of sending them there, and would suggest that a company there would do more good and probably take more deserters that on the Roanoke.

P. C. GAILLARD,

Colonel, Commanding.

[Fourth indorsement.]

HDQRS. SECOND DIST., DEPT. OF N. C. AND SOUTHERN VA.,
Goldsborough, October 5, 1864.

Respectfully returned.

A company of cavalry has been sent to that section.

L. S. BAKER,

Brigadier-General.

[fifth indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
October 22, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded for the information of the Secretary of War.

For General R. E. Lee:

W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS,
Wilmington, September 24, 1864.

General R. E. LEE,

Commanding Army of Northern Virginia, Petersburg:

GENERAL: I have received your letter, handed me by General Beauregard, this morning. As to labor, I have used every exertion for the past year to procure sufficient, but with very indifferent success; four precious months in the spring were lost by the whole of my small force of negroes being taken away. I succeeded at last in procuring orders for all free negroes to be enrolled. At present only 800 have been