colonel of cavalry to whose mismanagement or want of ability the failure to capture the enemy, when routed at the battle of Ocean Pond, was justly attributed, and fro which he was relieved from the command of his regiment. Not only the capital but the much greater portion of the wealth of the State is embraced in this military district, and, exposed as the district is to attacks from the enemy, it is passing strange that it should be under the command of an officer not considered fit to command his own regiment and in whose ability for the position neither citizens nor soldiers have any confidence.

In a letter addressed by me to the President, bearing date the 7th of May last, I recommended for reasons therein assigned that Colonel William Miller should be promoted and assigned to the command of this district. Since I wrote I have been informed that Major-General Anderson has recommended that Colonel Miller, or Colonel T. B. Lamar, or Colonel A. B. Montgomery (now on duty at Marianna, in this district) should be appointed. I shall be satisfied with any appointment the President may make. I presume, however, that Colonel Lamar is needed with his regiment in Virginia. If reasons, unknown to me, exist why Colonel Miller cannot be spared from his present command, the appointment of Colonel Montgomery, who is a good officer, would be satisfactory. Should none of them be promoted, then Colonel Montgomery without promotion might be assigned to the command, and Colonel Smith, who is extremely objectionable, be ordered to his regiment. If the President shall be opposed to the promotion of either of these officers, there is possibly some brigadier-general, not actively employed in the field whom he knows to be qualified for the command, that might be assigned to it. Brigadier-General Perry's brigade now being under the command of Brigadier-General Finegan, he might perhaps be assigned to this district. The welfare of the State demands that some competent officer should be placed in command at the earleist possible period, and I shall be obliged to you to invite the attention of the President to the necessity immediately. Apprised of the imperious demands for his constant attention to affairs in more important parts of the Confederacy, I forbear writing directly to the President again upon the subject. There are many deserters from other States who have taken refuge on the coast of this State, and who, acting in concert with the enemy, occasionally inflict serious injuries, which if not remedied will result most disastrously. As soon as they can be spared from other fields of operation we should have additional forces in this State.

I have the honor to be, respectfully,

JOHN MILTON,

Governor of Florida.

[Indorsement.]

JULY 25, 1864.

To Assistant Secretary for conference.

Please examine these papers carefully and advise with me.

J. A. S.,

Secretary.

[Inclosure Numbers 1.]

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Tallahassee, Fla., May 5, 1864.

Major General PATTON ANDERSON,

Camp Milton:

GENERAL: Your attention is respectfully invited to a letter received from Mr. John Darling, of which the foregoing is a copy.* Mr. Darling

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* Not found.

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