JUNE 24, 1864.

Major General S. D. LEE,

Meridian:

The President has directed me to order General Pillow to return to your department. I am unable to do so, not knowing to what point you sent him. I make this communication that you may give him orders.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 147. Richmond, June 24, 1864.

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XI. The Fifty-fourth Regiment Alabama Volunteers, of Colonel Thomas M. Scott's brigade, of Loring's division, is transferred to Brigadier General Alpheus Baker's brigade, of Stewart's division, Army of Tennessee.

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XXIII. The Twenty-fifth Georgia Battalion (provost guard), commanded by Lieutenant Colonel G. W. Lee, is disbanded. The men liable to conscription will be turned over to the nearest enrolling officer, and those liable to enrollment in the reserve force will be turned over to Major General Howell Cobb, commanding reserves.

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By command of the Secretary of War:

SAML. W. MELTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS HOOD'S CORPS,

In the Field, June 24, 1864.

I. It is a common practice with the enemy to drive in our skirmishers for the purpose of intrenching themselves. It is easy to discover their intentions, as they always halt before coming up to our line of battle, when they drive our men in for this purpose. Whenever it is known that it is their intention to intrench themselves, division commanders will, co-operating with each other, re-enforce and re-establish their skirmish line in its former position.

II. During an engagement if one division is pressed by the enemy, it is incumbent upon other division commanders, if they can so do, to give assistance promptly, without waiting for orders from the corps commander, as the tide of battle might be turned while time is consumed in finding him. The above instructions refer more particularly to when we are acting on the defensive.

By command of J. B. Hood, lieutenant-general, commanding:

J. W. RATCHFORD,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FRENCH'S DIVISION,
June 25, 1864.

Major-General ECTOR,

Commanding Brigade:

GENERAL: Have you heard from your pickets? If not, send out and ascertain.

By command of Major-General French:

D. W. SANDERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.