As soon as transportation could be procured and other necessary preparations completed, another force (Brevard's battalion) was dispatched to the same region for similar purposes, and with same instructions as the first which had been recalled. This battalion is now on its way, having left here over a week ago, and it is hoped that much good will result from its operations. In regard to that portion of your communication in which unnecessary severity toward and war upon helpless women and children is deprecated, I can only say that I am as much opposed to such mode of warfare as you can be. I also concur with you fully in the belief that "when the destruction of property shall be necessary to deprive the enemy of the means of invading the State" it should be resorted to. Nor would I restrict the rule in its operation to invaders alone. It should be applied in all cases when necessary to protect the loyal and defend their homes and property from destruction from any foe whatever. I believe that these sentiments animate our officers and pervade the ranks of our armies in Florida as well as elsewhere throughout the Confederacy. It is much to be regretted that in the military operations in portions of this district it has been found necessary to resort to the destruction of private property in order to avoid greater evils, but it is hoped and believed that these vigorous measures have borne their fruits in restoring comparative quiet in the disaffected neighborhoods, and in reassuring the loyal and patriotic citizens of the vicinity of the will and ability of the Government to protect them in their peaceful pursuits. Steps have already been taken to secure the inventories of destroyed property, and when they are completed it will afford me pleasure to furnish you with copies. Officers having charge of the military operations in the localities referred to will have instructions to avoid, as. Far as possible, all grounds of complaint against them for the unnecessary destruction of privatr of loyal or disloyal citizens. I have full confidence in judgment and discretion of the experienced officer exercising command in the sub-district in which these operations are being carried on, and feel well assured that no severity will be practiced by his authority not warranted by the laws of honorable warfare or the absolute necessities of the case.

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

PATTON ANDERSON,

Major-General, Commanding.

[Inclosure Numbers 3.]

GAINESVILLE, FLA., June 9, 1864.

His Excellency JOHN MILTON,

Governor of the State of Florida:

MY DEAR SIR: I beg leave as one of the co-ordinate departments of the State government respectfully to submit to Your Excellency's consideration a state of facts as they have transpired in my judicial circuit: On the 26th day of April, 1864, a bill was filed under oath upon the chancery side of this court in the county of Alachua, within the Suwannee circuit of Florida Railroad was complainant and Jason M. Fairbanks, J. H. Burns, Minor Meriwether, James A. Seddon, Secretary of War, and Stephen R. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy, were defendants, and this court awarded an injunction against the defendants, their agents, employes, and servants, restraining them from removing the iron rails, chairs, bolts, and spikdes of the Florida Railroad, which was served by the officer of the law on the 27th day of April, 1864, upon Jason M. Fairbanks and J. H. Burns, and publication was made according to law against others beyond the jurisdiction of

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