the cavalry force now about to be sent to Virginia, or at all events to take into your own hands the organization of the reserves now being mustered into service under the recent conscription act, appointing officers in whom you have confidence and placing yourself at its head as one who has seen and done good service already to the Confederacy on her battle-fields. Such a course would, I think, at once inspire confidence, and the raiders would be driven back if they made the attempt. Pray excuse me if you think I am stepping beyond the bounds of my own vocation in making this suggestion, assuring you, at the same time, that I am emboldened to do so by my knowledge of your patriotic devotion to your duty as Governor of Such Carolina.

With much respect, yours, sincerely,

J. K. SASS.

[35.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., April 23, 1864.

His Excellency Z. B. VANCE,

Governor of North Carolina, Raleigh, n. C.:

SIR: I have received your letter of the 11th instant, calling attention to the importance of suspending the execution of the conscript law in the mountain counties of Western North Carolina. In reply, I have the honor to say that grave doubt is entertained by the Department of the expediency of such apparent yielding to the disaffected classes, which are said by Your Excellency to exist in those districts, and in this view the President, to whom your communication was submitted, concurs. It is hoped that the organization of the reserve forces will, when brought into unity of action with the active army, give defense, and, without interfering with agricultural pursuits, afford a sense of security.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

[35.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 101.
Richmond, April 30, 1864.

* * * * * *

IV. In addition to his present duties Major General Patton Anderson is assigned to the command of the reserve of the State of Florida, enrolled and mustered into service in accordance with the fifth and sixth sections of the "Act to organize forces to serve during the war," approved February 17, 1864.

* * * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERES,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[35.]

RICHMOND, VA., April 30, 1864.

Brigadier General JAMES CHESNUT,

Richmond, Va.:

GENERAL: You have been assigned to the duty of organizing and commanding the reserve force, authorized by the recent act of Congress, in the State of South Carolina. With the limited experience