Resolved, That the conduct of the troops engaged in the heroic defense of the city of Charleston, and her dependencies entitles both officers and men to the thanks of their country and the highest meed of praise due to gallant and unflinching soldierly endurance.

Resolved, That the State mourns with sorrowing pride the gallant heroes who have given their lives to the defense of our bellowed city. Their names will ever live among our cherished memories; their children ever be the objects of our fostering care.

Resolved, That the Governor be requested to send a copy of these resolutions to the commanding general of that department.

I certify that the within is a correct copy of the report as it passed the Legislature at the late session.

WM. E. MARTIN,

Clerk of the Senate.

DECEMBER, 1863.

[28.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, C. S. A., Richmond, Va., December 21, 1863.

His Excellency M. L. BONHAM,

Governor of South Carolina, Columbia, S. C.:

SIR: I have received your letter of the 14th instant with its inclosures. I regret that the forces at the command of the Department will not allow it - with due regard to the paramount consideration of general defense, on which, after, all each special locality must in the end depend - to afford as it would gladly do, more complete defense than now given to the productive districts to which you refer. The forces in the District of South Carolina are already decidedly larger, in proportion to the threatening force of the enemy, than in any other arena of threatened conflict. To add to them might endanger more essential points than the one in Your Excellency's view.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

[28.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, No. 310.
Richmond, Va., December 31, 1863.

* * * * * *

XXII. Colonel John S. Preston, chief of the Bureau of Conscription, will assume the control of the whole business of conscription in the State of Florida, lately under the supervision of Brigadier-Generals Gardner and Finegan.

* * * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WHITERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[28.]

CHARLESTON, S. C., January 6, 1864.

Hon. CHALES J. WILLERE, M. C.,

Richmond, Va.:

MY DEAR CHARLES: I send you herewith a letter from your mother to Henry of the 18th of November. My latest from New Orleans is of