RICHMOND, VA., November 7, 1862.

His Excellency JOHN MILTON,

Talltahassee, Fla.:

SIR: Your letter of the 10th ultimo, calling my attention to the danger now threatenig the State of Florida, and asking for additional forces and munitions of war, was submitted to the perusal of the Secretary of War and General Lee. The situation of the State has been a subject of frequent reflection. I am fully sensible of the perils which beset it, and the only unsolved problem in connection with its defense is how to procure an adequate force. General Lee reports that he cannot send the Flolrida regiments home, and we have noother re-enforcement that coud be spared without injustice to other sections equally

importnt and equally threatened. Arms however, have already been sent to you, and the Secretary of War tells me that he has informed you of his readiness to arm such troops as you may be able to organize from men not subject to conscription. Engineers are now surveying the Chattahoochee, and when they report a plakljn of operations the work of defense in that quarter will be energetically prosecuted. The Military District of Florida has been extended in accordance with yoursuggestion, and as soon s I can determine on a commander he will be assigned to duty. I shall co-operate to the full extent of my power in all your efforts against the common enemy, and trust we shall be able to chck his further encroachments. General Howell Cobb, whose reputation for dministrative capacity has during the war been increased by exhibition of fitness for military command, has been ordered to proceed to the district embraced in the country between the Suwannee and Chattahoochee rivers. His acquaintance with the people of Georgia and Alabama will, I hope, accelerate preparations for the requisite military operations.

Very respectfully and truly, yours,

JEFFERSON DAVIS,

[14.]

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Tallahassee, Fla., November 10, 1862.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS:

SIR: Inclosed is an application for a military department.* To-day I received the order establishing the departmnet-entirely satisfactory so far as portions of Florida are embraced. Choctawhatschee should be the western and the Suwannee the eastern boundary, which has been done agreeably to the order. Other counties are suggested in Georgia and Alabama besides those named by me in the application upon which the department was formed. All that is desired or desirable is that an officer of military education and experience should be assigned to the department, and it is important that his staff officers should have at least sufficient intelligence in military science to commnad respect from sensible and observing men in the discharge of their respective duties, and in the department at least two intelligent and practical engineers should be upon duty.

Very respectfully,

JOHN MILTON.

[14.]

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*See VOL. XIV, p.717.

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