is an intelligent, patriotic, and reliable citizen. There is another subject to which I would respectfully invite your attention, viz, the destruction of the property of persons who are deserters or skulkers, or suspected to be. I am not convinced that any benefit has resulted from it; on the contrary, it has made many women and children homeless and exposed them to disgrace and suffering. Some of these women and children are the mothers and helpless brothers and sisters of patriotic and brave men who are soldiers in the armies of Virginia and of the West. I must respectfully request that you will issue an order to prevent in future the destruction of dwellings and other property necessary to the support and comfort of women and children. Already much difficulty is experienced in preventing the starvation of soldiers' families in different parts of the State and in supplying the necessary subsistence and forage to sustain our troops in the field. The destruction of property in Taylor and La Fayette Counties has caused many women and children to be dependent upon the Government who were able to support themselves. While I believe deserters and skulkers no longer entitled to mercy, yet I am unwilling that any of the women and children of the State shall be deprived of legal protection and denied humane consideration. I cannot approve of a warfare upon women and children. Is it not unworthy of our arms and the cause in which we are engaged? When the destruction of property shall be necessary to deprived the enemy of the means of invading the State, I do not object. By Ordinance Numbers 39, of the convention of the State of Florida, the property of any person joining the enemy is confiscated to the State, and by a statute of the last General Assembly the property is secured to loyal citizens having claims or demands against it (to the extent of the claims or demands), and the residue thereof (if any there be), or if there be ands, then to "the next of kin in the ascending or descending lines." An act of Congress also confiscates it to the use of the Confederate States. Of the property already destroyed there should be an inventory ordered, to secure a proper legal adjustment, if it shall become necessary. These matters, general, are earnestly submitted to your serious consideration.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

JOHN MILTON,

Governor of Florida.

[Inclosure Numbers 2.]

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Camp Milton, May 8, 1864.

His Excellency Governor JOHN MILTON,

Tallahassee, Fla.:

SIR: Your communication of May 5 calling my attention to a copy of a letter from Mr. John Darling, of South Florida, to you, in relation to deserters, skulkers, &c., in that region, was received last night. In reply I have to say that so soon as the enemy in this front had so reduced his force as to justify the movement, a regiment of infantry from this command, under skillful officers, was detached and sent in the region referred to for the purpose of breaking up the rendezvous of disloyal persons, of capturing deserters, of driving out or killing the Federal troops that might be found there, and generally to protect the citizens and clear the country of all disaffected. In a few days thereafter, and before it had reached its destination, an order from the general commanding the department recalled it for service in another field.