[Inclosure.]

MERIDIAN, February 17, 1865.

Colonel GEORGE WILLIAM BRENT,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Augusta, Ga.:

Your telegrams of yesterday received. Cotton matters at Mobile fully attended to long since. Thomas, with bulk of his army, has landed at Vicksburg, and moved out four miles east of there with pontoon train. Enemy concentrating at Pensacola. Think he will probably move simulateneously from Vicksburg, Pensacloa, and Decatur.

R. TAYLOR,

Lieutenant-General.

RIDGEWAY, S. C., February 18, 1865.

General L. McLAWS,

Charleston, S. C.:

Columbia was evacuated yesterday. Hampton's cavalry is still near the city. The future intentions of the enemy are not yet developed. Carry out my instructions to General Hardee as rapidly as practicable.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

RIDGEWAY, S. C., February 18, 1865.

General McLAWS,

Charleston, S. C.:

General Gorgas suggests that the navy hold the forts and the citizens the lines, that the enemy may be delayed as long as possible and concentration be effected. General Lee and myself approve his suggestion and recommend its adoption.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

RIDGEWAY, S. C., February 18, 1865.

Major-General McLAWS,

Charleston, S. C.:

The Secretary of War dtelegraphed that the two trains belonging to the State of Georgia impressed for Government purposes be released and returned to the State agent, unless they are employed in moving troops or other Government stores less important than cotton, as the State of Georgia has cotton on the road.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

RIDGEWAY, S. C., February 18, 1865.

Major General L. McLAWS,

Charleston, S. C.:

Be careful in retiring to destroy all bridges and trestles between Branchville and Charleston and Charleston and theSantee, inclusive.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

RIDGEWAY, S. C., February 18, 1865.

Major General L. McLAWS,

Charleston, S. C.:

Movement of enemy indicated that the junction of our forces cannot take place south of Charlotte, N. C. You will, therefore, carry out the

77 R R-VOL XLVII, PT II