statement to your notice, and to saying that I regard the failure as prejudicial tot he intersts of the country, and specially to the naval service, which has thus been prevented from rendering important service.*

I have the honor to be, very respe3ctfully, your obedient servant,

S. R. MALLORY,

Secretary of the Navy.

[36.]

CHESTER, May 19, 1864.

General BRAXTON BRAGG,

Richmond, Va.:

Your dispatch received at 3.15 p. m. Necessry orders were issued at nce. I respecrtfully request that Brigadier General B. R. Johnson be made a major-general, or that an officer of that rank be ordered to report to me.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

General, Commanding.

[36.]