these circumstances of compromising with these men as may be consistent with the general weal. Should Strickland's company be conciliated, it will in all probability lead to the dispersion of those under the command of Coker and White, on the Fenholloway and Steinhatchee.

I would respectfully commend to the commanding general the services of Mr. John Townsend and Jacob Chancy, whose perfect knowledge of the country and great activity make their services indispensable in this service. It would be impossible for me to have penetrated these swamps even with a compass without their aid. I would also suggest the propriety of ordering the infantry to their camp, that they may recover from the effects of this march, and be resupplied with shoes and clothing, should the unconditional surrender of these deserters be required. The only practical way of hunting them will be with dogs and mounted men under the command of an experienced woodsman who is familiar with the country. The experience of the Seminole war will fully establish this fact.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. D. CAPES,

Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding.

[First indorsement.]

Respectfully forwarded for information of the general commanding.

PATTON ANDERSON,

Major-General.

[Second indorsement.]

HDQRS. DEPT. S. CAROLINA, Georgia, AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., April 9, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded to the War Department for its information.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General, commanding.

[Third indorsement.] ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, April 23, 1864.

Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War.

H. C. CLAY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Fourth indorsement.]

It will be necessary to temporize and perhaps compromise with these people in their inaccessible retreats.

J. A. S.,

Secretary.

[Sub-inclosure No. 1.]

A.

We, the undersigned, members of a company called the "Independent Union Rangers," of Taylor County, fla., do agree that we will cheerfully obey all orders given by the offices we elect over us, that we will bear true allegiance to the United States of America; that we will not under pain of such penalty or punishment as a court-martial composed of ten men of the company, appointed by the captain, may inflict, given any information or speak in the presence of any one, even though it be our views and families, of any expedition, raid, or attack that we may be about to undertake; that we agree to shoot or in some other way destroy any person or persons who are proven to be spies of the enemy, or any person who has carried information from our camps