Sunday, I avail myself of his hands for transmittal of my reply. Your resolutions are replete with wholesome truths and sound political maxims, but as your main object seems to be the accomplishment of a military end, I respectfully refrain from entering a field so wide and affording such ample scope for discussion as that which for the most part is opened up to me by their perusal. I am a citizen of Florida, my wife, my children, and what little of earthly goods I posses are within the borders of the State and are under the protection of its laws. I claim therefore to feel me interest in its defense and general welfare. Without having sought the position I have been charged by the Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate Armies with the control and management of the military operations within certain portions of the State, under the supervision of those who are properly constituted my superior officers. In endeavoring to faithfully and conscientiously [discharge?] the duties thus devolved upon me I have been frequently embarrassed by the want of means to carry out the policy of the Government, or to follow the wishes of my heart or the dictates of my judgment. That policy and those wishes are to given entire and complete protection to every loyal citizen of the State in his person, his property, and his reputation. No one regrets more than I do that the paramount exigencies of the service elsewhere have required such a diminution of our military strength within the State as to render it impossible for a time to prevent much inconvenience and some suffering by the loyal citizens in the more exposed localities, but be assured, gentleman, I am not insensible to these sufferings, nor have I been an indifferent observer of the events which occasioned them.

It would not be proper for me to detail here (nor would you desire me to do so) the efforts that have been made and are still being made to avert them. Sufficient to say that I hope at an early day to be able to accede to your wishes in so far as with attain the great object in view. You are not aware of the difficulties with which our military operations in East Florida have of late been surrounded, nor does it become me to increase them by complaint and denunciation. I would rather endure them with an abiding faith in justice, our cause, the courage of our soldiery, the patriotism of our people, and in their final triumph in complete independence. Your positions in the community you represent will enable you to exert an influence for much good in the present crisis. Encourage the people to cherish sentiments of love and devotion to our country, its cause, and its chosen rulers, and not to repine at sacrifices made in their behalf. Urge upopable of bearing arms the necessity of an immediate compliance with the law requiring them to enroll themselves for local defense. Do this, gentlemen, and I assure you all will be well. If the citizens of the latter class will only appreciate the situation and come promptly to the assistance of our veterans, a force of the latter will be sent you at once amply sufficient to clear your locality of Yankees, deserters, and outlaws.

I am, gentleman, &c., very respectfully,

PATTON ANDERSON.

[35.]

HDQRS. DEPT. OF S. CAROLINA, Georgia AND FLORIDA, Charleston, S. C., May 24, 1864.

His Excellency M. L. BONHAM,

Governor of South Carolina:

SIR: You are not doubt aware that the force in this department has been greatly reduced to re-enforce our armies in Virginia and North

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