[Third indorsement.]

OCTOBER 17, 1863.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL:

The surplus beyond the maximum must volunteer, or be assigned to fill up other depleted organizations under the operations of the conscript law.

So order.

J. A. S. [SEDDON],

Secretary of War.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. S. C., GA., AND FLA., Numbers 202.
Charleston, S. C., October 5, 1863.

* * * * *

By command of General Beauregard:

JNO. M. OTEY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 237.
Richmond, Va., October 6, 1863.

* * * * *

XXII. Brigadier General W. M. Gardner is relieved from assignment* in Special Orders, Numbers 223, Paragraph XXVI, and will proceed to Quincy, Fla., and assume command of Department of West Florida, lately held by Major-General Cobb.+

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S.,

Richmond, Va., October 7, 1863.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Commanding, Charleston, S. C.:

GENERAL: From information received from General Whiting, as well as from general inferences of what may be the policy of the enemy, that vigilant commander is apprehensive that a portion of the forces now assailing Charleston may be suddenly diverted and thrown in attack on Wilmington. He dreads an attack, even by the iron clads, from the sea much less than a descent in force on some exposed point on the coast and an attack in reverse.

These apprehensions may prove unfounded; but as the enemy may well despair of triumphing in a land attack on your strong defenses, it may be that he will seek to cover his failure by an attempt

*To a Georgia brigade, in Stevenson's division.

+Cobb's command had been the District of Middle Florida.