be spared have been already sent to various points, some within the territory referrd to by you and others elsewhere. It is quite impossible to do anything more in this way. I can, however, furnish you an officer for the purposes required, who is entirely competent dfor the task and who will report himself without delay. Your seggestion as to the extension of my command, coming as it does form tthe official head of the State of Florida, is a most gratifying proof of confidence, which I beg to asure you is highly appreciated. While the weight of present offical labors would make it impossible to bestow any large share of personal attention upon the points mentioned, I shall yet shrink from no responsibility which the Government may see fit to impose upon me.

I am, sir, ver respectfully, your obedient servant,

BRAXTON BRAGG,

Major-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure Numbers 2.]

HEADQUARTERS PROVISIONAL FORCES, DEPARTMENT OF MIDDLE AND EASTERN FLORIDA,
Tallahassee, Fla., December 7, 1861.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General C. S. Army, Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: I find myself in a very embarrassing position with reference to some mounted troops which I find in process of organization in this department. On the one hand I have presented to me a letter addressed to W. G. M. Davis, by the late Secretary of War, under date September 6, 1861, in which Mr. Davis is informed "thata a regiment of mounted men, fully armed and wquipped, and electing their own field officers, will be accepted." Under this authority Mr. Davis proceeds to organize, and has now in service eight companies, and announces two others ready to be mustered in. But on the other hand Governor Milton submitsh for my information a letter from President Davis himself, in which occurs the following paragraph:

I am surprised to learn that authority has been given to raise a cavalry regiment in Florida. I entirely concur in your views in relation to that matter, and will make inquirey as to what has been done with a view to correct what must be a misapprehension on the part of the recruiting officer.

This letter is dated October 25, 1861. Since that date nothing further has been heard from the President in relation to the matter. I am compelled, therefore, to ask for further instructions. Is it the wish of tthe War Department that the troops musterd into service under the authority of the late Secretary of War, under date September 6, shall be disbanded, or shall they be retained and the regiment completed by the recseiving of the two other companies now ready to be mustered? I need as part of my force to do the duty of scouts and patrol parties ten companies of mounted men, but it is not necessary that they should be under regimental organization. There are already mustered into Confederate service in this department four companies (independenoops, besides those received under the authority of the letters referred to above of the late Secretary of War.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. H. TRAPIER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.