WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A.,

Richmond, Va., May 4, 1863.

Governor VANCE, Raleigh, N. C.:

General Hill and yourself can either better appreciate the position things in North Carolina and the propriety of calling out the militia. In my judgment in would require strict necessary to induce the call of the militia at this season. I do not advise it.

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of war.

HEADQUARTERS,
Wilmington, N. C., May 4, 1863.

Major General D. H. HILL, Kinston, N. C.:

Yours of 3rd received. I wrote you yesterday, I think. Cooke and most of his force will be at Magnolia this evening; balance follow in next thirty-six hours. I presume your aide in speaking of my scouts alluded to my cavalry. I place no reliance upon them whatever. Have but scouts (Fairly and Shays), and they by no means depend on rumors or talk. As for cavalry I saw too much of them in Virginia and here too. I have just received dispatch from Fredericksburg. Enemy badly whipped with heavy loss; retreating over the Rappahannock. Jackson severely wounded; Heth and A. P. Hill slightly; Paxton killed.

Very respectfully,

H. W. C. WHITING,

Major-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS, No.-. Near Franklin, Va., May 4, 1863.

I. Major-General French will proceed at once to arrange his troops for the defense of the line of the Blackwater.

II. The divisions of Major-Generals Pickett and Hood will proceed as rapidly as possible via Ivor the city of Richmond, where further instructions will meet them.

III. The battalion of artillery under Majors Dearing and Henry will march by dirt road to Petersburg, where orders will meet them.

By command of Lieutenant-General Longstreet:

G., MOXLEY SORREL,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

PETERSBURG, May 5, 1863.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON:

Your telegram of to-day is received. I learn at 7 o'clock this evening for Richmond.

JAMES LONGSTREET,

Lieutenant-General.

GORDONSVILLE, May 5, 1863.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON:

A courier arrived from Baltimore, sent by Mr. Edmund Law Rogers, relative of mine, brings information that on Wednesday evening Foster's