A few will probably decide the fate of Atlanta, when the campaign may be expected to close for a time, allowing a new commander opportunity to get his army in hand and make the necessary changes. For these reasons we would respectfully urge the order requiring a change of commanders be suspended until the fate of Atlanta shall be decided.*

J. B. HOOD,

General.

W. J. HARDEE,

Lieutenant-General.

ALEX. P. STEWART,

Lieutenant-General.

[38.]

RICHMOND, VA., July 19, 1864.

General B. BRAGG,

Montgomery, Ala.:

Your dispatch of yesterday submitted. Communicate your views and important facts to General Hood at Atlanta.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[39.]

SELMA, July 19, 1864.

General B. BRAGG:

Another raid is reported and believed to be coming down from above Talladega, 4,000 strong. I have ordered troops to Meridian to be communicative to this point.

S. D. LEE,

Lieutenant-General.

[39.]

MACON, July 22, 1864.

General BRAGG,

Columbus:

From what I know of the want of ammunition and arms at Atlanta, the stopPAGE of the arsenal here by your order to send details to the front may lead to great embarrassment.

BENJ. S. EWELL,

Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[38.]

MACON, July 22, 1864.

General BRAXTON BRAGG:

My supplies for the army are only from Macon and Augusta arsenals. If the detailed men from those arsenals be sent to Atlanta the work shall be stopped and I do not know how to supply the army.

H. OLADOWSKI,

Lieutenant-Colonel.

[38.]

ATLANTA, July 19, 1864.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS:

There are several companies in this State, as Captain Chapman's, of Augusta, who claim to have been mustered into Confederate service for local defense, and have not reported here in obedience to my call for the

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* For reply, see VOL. XXXVIII, Part V, p. 888.

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