best mode of inaugurating such appeals to your people. In Virginia, through the agency of the clergy and many eminent private citizens, the experiment has been made with such promise of success that the voluntary contributions of the people will constitute a valuable and substantial addition to the supplies of this Department. In an interview with most of the North Carolina members of Congress I was happy to learn that in te same or similar action would result in like success in that State, and I accordingly bring the subject to your attention, with the request that whatever plan be deemed best it may have the sanction of your personal and official influence. The Secretary of War is so far convinced of the advantage to be derived from the employment of such an addition to the regular agencies of the Subsistence Department, that he has directed Major Hoge, assistant adjutant-general, to confer with Your Exellency on the subject.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. M. ST. JOHN,

Commissary-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 48.
Richmond, February 27, 1865.

* *

XX. Paragraph XVIII, Special Orders, Numbers 22, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, current series, is hereby revoked, and Captain R. D. Spann, assistant adjutant-general, is assigned to duty with Anderson's corps, Army of Northern Virginia, and will report accordingly.

* *

By command of the Secretary of War:

John WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[46.]

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

* *

X. Captain J. R. Balfour, assistant adjutant-general Provisional Army, C. S., is relieved from further service with General J. R. Davis' brigade and is assigned to duty with Sanders' (old) brigade, Army Northern Virginia, and will report accordingly.

* *

By command of the Secretary of War:

John WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[46.]

WAR DEPARTMENT,

March 5, 1865.

General J. C. BRECKINRIDGE,

Secretary of War:

SIR: The present condition of the country requires, in my opinion, that a full and exact examination be made into the resources of the Confederate Government available for the approaching campaign, and that accurate views of our situation be taken. It is not the part of