remain at home to make it, seems to me imperative. I would therefore ask that the colonel superintending call the attention of the honorable Secretary of War to this subject.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. MILLER,

Colonel and Commandant.

[Sub-inclosure No. 2.]

MARIANNA, FLA., May 3, 1864.

Governor MILTON:

DEAR SIR: On yesterday a company of the reserve corps was organized, and, I am informed, are ordered on or about the 12th instant to report for duty at the camp of instruction to be established near this place. This company is made up of men the greater part of whom are between the years of forty-five and fifty, with a few boys between seventeen and eighteen years. In some cases the father hs his son in the company with him. The calling of these men in the service at a time when the crops require their constant seems to me to be a very unwise policy, especially when other companies are encamped near here who could perform camp service, the duty required of these men. The three cavalry companies and the Fourth Florida Battalion, except on extraordinary occasions, are in such numbers as would afford a detail it, appears to me, sufficient for all purposes of the camp of instruction. If these men now called into service of the reserve corps are compelled even for a mouth to be absent from home, in the greatest number of cases their crops will be lost, thereby throwing upon the planters at home the additional burden of supporting their families. Already the tithe corn of this county has been exhausted, and an order is now in force requiring a part of the meat, equal to one-half of the usual amount for farms, together with a call for corn, for the troops. Under this state of matters it is apparent that a greater scarcity of provisions must exist in the country before another harvest; therefore the greater necessity for production and that our small farmers should be allowed to remain at home during the crop season. I call your attention to this that you may, if you concur in my views of the matter, confer with the proper military authorities and if possible have the reserve corps exempted from service for the present.

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

NICH. A. LONG.

We concur with Doctor Long in his views of the matter of the communication.

JAS. L. ROBINSON.

J. C. ROBINSON.

WM. F. SHELLING.

THE. BARNES.

WM. H. DUDLEY.

W. J. KINNEY.

[AND OTHERS.]

[35.]

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Tallahausse, June 30, 1864.

Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War, richmond, Va.:

SIR: Your attention is respectfully invited to the inclosed copy of a correspondence between Major General Patton Anderson and myself relative