RICHMOND, VA., August 31, 1863.

Honorable A. H. STEPHENS,

Crawfordville, Ga.:

The enemy is reported in large force threatening our army in East Tennessee. That is the gate of Northern Georgia. We have sent all disposable re-enforcements, but require an addition to our army there. The militia and local defense men of Western Georgia and Northern Alabama could there render the most effective service for the defense of their own country. If you concur as to the propriety of sending them up to co-operate with Bragg or Buckner, you will oblige me by conferring with Governor Brown upon the subject.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[30.]

RICHMOND, VA., August 31, 1863.

Colonel JAMES CHESNUT,

Aide-de-Camp, Columbia, S. C.:

I wish you to visit Governors Brown, of Georgia, and Shorter, of Alabama, to confer with them as to the practicability of sending re-enforcements, local defense men or militia, to the aid of Generals Bragg and Buckner, against whom the enemy is moving in force. Northern Georgia and Alabama can be best defended by increasing the army in the east of Tennessee. Urge the advantages of this course and the necessity of prompt action.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[30.]

Abstract from return of the Army of Tennessee, General Braxton Bragg, C. S. Army, commanding, for August 31, 1863.

Present for duty.

Aggrega- Aggrega- Effecti

Command. Officers Men. te pre- te pre- ve to-

sent. sent and tal.

absent.

General staff 24

-------

24 24

------

Polk's corps* 1,342 13,439 17,136 23,088 13,124

Hill's corps+ 1,307 15,524 19,704 28,931 15,260

Reserve++. 334 3,956 5,097 6,822 3,868

Engineer 9 247 302 410 244

companies.

Artillery. 116 2,320 2,702 3,155 2,253

Cavalry#. 825 10,443 14,062 20,843 10,292

Total. 3,957 45,929 59,027 83,273 45,041

---------------

*Cheatham's and Hindman's divisions.

+Cleburne's, Stewart's, and Walker's divisions.

++Liddell's and Walthall's brigades, and Fowler's and Swett's batteries.

#Wheeler's corps, Forrest's division, and escorts.

---------------

[30.]

LOUDON, August 31, 1863.

Captain R. W. WOOLLEY,

Assistant Adjutant General:

I am concentrating entire force at Charleston, E. Tenn. Battle expected to be below the Hiwassee. Burnside seems to be moving