[Indorsement.]

JANUARY 28, 1864.

Mr. [SHEPHERD]:

Submit to me the papers on which Lieutenant Carter's authority was granted. Retain this letter by you that I may estop such applications, &c.

J. A. S.

PETERSBURG, VA., January 25, 1864.

Honorable J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War:

The following dispatch just received:

FORT BOYKIN, January 25, 1864.

Captain N. W. SMALL,

Signal Officer:

Four gun-boats passed up the river at about 1 p. m. Causey reports an advance from Old Point and Newport News toward Williamsburg and Yorktown.

MILLIGAN,

Major.

The gun-boats are now reported opposite Lower Brandon, 10 a. m. If the two gun-boats were below the obstructions, as promised by the Secretary of the Navy, it would be worth 5,000 men to us.

GEO. E. PICKETT,

Major-General.

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., January 25, 1864.

General G. E. PICKETT,

Petersburg, Va.:

General Longstreet is urgent for pontoon train to be sent to him immediately. The only one that can be forwarded is that sent you recently. Can you possibly dispense with it?

JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 20.
Richmond, January 25, 1864.

* * * *

XXXVI. Colonel Swanson's regiment of Clanton's brigade will proceed forthwith to the Army of Northern Virginia, taking the route by railroad via Greensborough, N. C., and Danville, Va.

* * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.