departure from the standards of right and justice, have also so much increased the dangers of defeat and so much intensified the desire for repose that it will require something of firmness to sutain the State government in its proper position. But if there is difficulty, and however great may be that difficutly, it is to be more than counterbalanced by the plain truth-that it is only by restoring the State governments to their proper condition that our success in this war can be secured. Unless military successes shall give to it new life the credit of the Confederate Government is gone; with the loss of its credit its recources, of course, are also gone. Fortunately the credit of the States in unimpaired. The question is therefore looming up directly before us-Shall the Confederate Government adminster our credit as it has our supplies and warlike appliances which we have given to it? I may well suppose that to this proposition there will be but one answer. If so, it will furnish the occasion-and that according to all probability not far distant-when we must understand better than we have done the relations of the States to the common Government at Richmonnd. If I look forward to this or any other circumstance which is likely to bring us back to our true position, it is because in that position alone can I find assurance of our certain success. We still have men enough to make an army able to win our delivarence; we still have resources sufficient to carry us safely through all our difficulties. But we have no more men to lose; we have now no resources to waste. The States, as States, are to fight out this bloody war. They are the realities of this grand drama; all wlse is but the appendage. It is the political condition of each State which is to be lost or won. It is the life, liberty, and property of the citizens of each of those States which are staked upon the issue of the contest. If we save these we save the common Government those States have framed; and those States are held togethe not because they have so written and signed, but because they recognize in all of their relations the evidence of a common destiny. Let us not forget in dealing with this great war, that we find our strength in the comprehension of the great principles of human conduct and action. I have been led away by the considerations which press upon me further, I fear, than your patience will allow, and will only delay you until I assure you of the respects of

Your obedient servant,

A. G. MAGRATH.

[47.]

NEAR LAWTONVILLE, January 27, 1865 - 7.15 p. m.

Lieutenant General W. J. HARDEE,

Charleston:

General Iverson reports that enemy occupied Springfield yesterday. Force not stated. No report from there to-day has been received.

J. WHEELER,

Major-General.

[47.]

NEAR LAWTONVILLE, January 28, 1865 - 1 p. m.

Lieutenant General W. J. HARDEE,

Charleston:

Nothing heard from enemy to-day. Nothing further from Iverson.

J. WHEELER,

Major-General.

[47.]