SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 49.
Richmond, February 28, 1865.

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XXV. The ten companies composing the First Foreign Battalion, Provisional Army, C. S., are hereby constituted a regiment, to be know as Tucker's Confederate Regiment.

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By command of the Secretary of War:

John WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[47.]

CONFIDENTIAL.] HEADQUARTERS,

Petersburg, March 14, 1865.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,

President Confederate States, Richmond:

Mr. PRESIDENT: In reply to your dispatch of the 13th instant, relative to the orders given by General Johnston for the removal of the supplies from Raleigh, I will state that on the 12th instant I received the following dispatch from him in cipher:

Is it so important to prevent the interruption of the road by Raleigh, by which you are supplies, as to make it proper to fight with the chance of winning against us? I would not fight Sherman's united army unless your situation makes it necessary.

I replied on the same day:

I fear I cannot hold my position if road by Raleigh is interrupted. Should you be forced back in this direction both armies would certainly starve. You must judge what the probability will be of arresting Sherman by a battle. If there is a reasonable probability I would recommend it. A bold and unexpected attack might relieve us.

I do not think more specific instructions can be given. A defeat would not improve our condition, and the officer on the spot can alone judge as to the propriety of delivering battle. The army under General Johnston is about being united at Raleigh. It is inferior in number to the enemy, and I fear its tone is not yet restored. It is in great part without field transportation, and labors under others disadvandatages. I think it would be better at this time, if practicable, to avoid a general engagement and endeavor to strike the enemy in detail. This is General Johnston's plan, in which I hope he may succeed, and he may then recover all the ground he may be obliged to relinquish in accomplishing it. The greatest calamity that could befall us is the destruction of our armies. If they can be maintained, we may recover from our reverses; but if lost we have no resource. I will endeavor to keep Your Excellency advised of General Johnston's intentions; but from his dispatches and reports of the conditI fear it may be necessary to relinquish Raleigh.*

With great respect, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,

General.

[47.]

HEADQUARTERS NORTH CAROLINA RESERVES,
Raleigh, March 22, 1865.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

GENERAL: I notified you by letter on the 12th instant+ that I had called out the detailed men of this State and ordered the concentration

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*For reply, see VOL. XLVII, Part II, p. 1384.

+See ibid., p. 1382.

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