Could they be supplied with the means of subsistence a better state of affairs would exist. The wives and children of many men of Picknes District now subsist on bread alone. The proper plan to cover this country is to hold a line from Asheville, N. C., to Clayton, Ga.

This line can only be held by infantry, as a cavalry force cannot subsist beyond the Blue Ridge, the country being destitute of supplies of grain and forage. A cavalry force at or near Walhalla, under an energetic commander, might clear the country of deserters and tories as far as Clayton and beyond, and keep order. This force could cover Walhalla and Greenville, and could be subsisted by supplies shipped by railroad from Middle South Carolina. A force here might bring out of this mountain region some supplies of beef-cattle so soon as the summer grazing has fattened the same. This corner of South Carolina, Georgia, grazing has fattened the same. This corner of South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina cannot be defend and covered by local or State troops, as by the terms of their conscription they are not to be taken out of the State of which they belong, and no force would be efficient here that could not be moved promptly into either of the four States of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina, or from one promptly to another. A force of second-class troops raised for State defense would reserve to cover Asheville, N. C., and I believe there is there at the present time either a militia force or troops raised by the State of North Carolina. A portion of this force is to the left of Asheville, at or near Webster, under Colonel Palmer. I learn that a force is being raised in Northeast Georgia, under Colonel Young, and some of the Cherokee Indians are organized under Colonel Thomas, but as these forces are now posted a wide gap is opened for the inroad of the enemy, and as there is this extensive disaffected in their rear, I recommend a force should be sent without delay into this mountain region. A company or two could arrest many of the deserters and put an end to much of the plundering, but the extent of country that is opened and unprotected is so great, and there are so many disloyal persons inhabiting it, that is by all means advisable to send an efficient force of troops of the line to insure the peace and safety of the country. A force of 500 or 600 cavalry could do this and might penetrate of the enemy's outpost and break up the same. I think it more than probable that the enemy will, if not driven back in General Johnston's front, attempt sometime this summer to penetrate into upper South Carolina with cavalry. They can march over this barren country as soon as the summer grass affords sufficient grazing to subsist their animals on the route. I would call the attention of the general commanding to the fact that the route from Walhalla, via Clayton, Ga., has been heretofore and is yet open to all who wish to leave South Carolina for the enemy's lines, and no impediment whatever now exists on our part to prevent uninterrupted travel from Columbia, S. C., via Walhalla to Knoxville, Tenn., or any other point on this portion of the enemy's lines. Many have availed themselves of this route of exit to escape conscription; some within the last four days. Several communications are inclosed, addressed to me for information.

Respectfully . L. BLACK,

Colonel First South Carolina Cavalry.

[Inclosure No. 1.]

PICKENS COURT-HOUSE, S. C., May 5, 1864.

Colonel JOHN L. BLACK:

COLONEL: In answer to your inquiries I would state that the population of Pickens District, as shown by census return of 1860, is as