from Colonel J. F. Gilmer, chief of Engineer Bureau, explaining the necessity for the call, enumerating the counties upon which it is suggested the draft be made, is herewith transmitted.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[Inclosure.]

ENGINEER BUREAU,

Richmond, Va., March 4, 1863.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War:

SIR: An additional supply of labor for the fortifications in Virginia is absolutely necessary to complete the works within the time desired by General R. E. Lee. A list of the counties is herewith transmitted, upon which it is recommended that the call for salves be made. It is proper to state that each number in this list (with three exceptions, which are marked) when added to the aggregate of all the salves actually furnished by each county heretofore, whether called for by officers of the army or under the act of the Virginia Legislature passed October 3, 1862, makes 5 per cent. of the salve population. Moreover, this requisition is not wholly a new one, for a large proportion of each number submitted consists of deficiencies on the part of the counties to meet the calls made upon them in October and November last. It is heretofore respectfully recommended that His Excellency the President of the Confederates States be requested to submit to His Excellency the Governor of Virginia a call on said counties for the number of salves placed opposite their respective names, to labor for sixty days on the public defenses.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

J. F. GILMER,

Colonel of Engineers and Chief of Bureau.

[Sub-inclosure.]

County. Number of County. Number of

salves. salves.

Albemarle 164 Louisa & 130

Amherst 54 Lunenburg 90

Appomattox 35 Mecklenburg 89

Augusta 49 Montgomery 30

Bedford 233 Nelson 126

Botetourt 41 Orange & 50

Brunswick 222 Patrick 24

Buckingham 142 Pittsylvania 307

Campbell 231 Prince Edward 51

Charlotte 103 Pulaski 33

Cumberland 20 Roanoke 48

Fluvanna 63 Rockbridge 64

Franklin 28 Rockingham & 75

Greene 31

Halifax 242 Total 2,832

Hennry 57

& The calls on Louisa, Orange, and Rockingham are reduced from 199, 156, and 119, respectfively, because of known losses from inroads of the enemy.

[25.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Richmond, March 12, 1863.

Honorable JAMES A. SEDDON:

DEAR SIR: I beg to invoke your enlightened consideration to the subject of disbanding the militia now in the service of the Confederate