RICHMOND, December 31, 1863.

Maj. M. McCARTHY:

Carry out the instructions of the President as communicated to you by General Martin.

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

MERIDIAN, December 31, 1863.

His Excellency President DAVIS,

Richmond, Va.:

I desire again to call your attention to my dispatch to the Secretary of War of the 28th, and to say that further information and reflection render it highly important for the efficiency and success of the administration of this department that the request contained in that dispatch should be granted. It is but the continuation of the arrangement with General Pillow under General Johnston, and as it sacrifices no principle, I earnestly request it may meet with your sanction and approval.

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.

Abstract from return of the Army of Tennessee, General Joseph E. Johnston, C. S. Army, commanding, December 31, 1863.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Effective

total present.

General headquarters 19 128 127

(staff and escort)

Hardee's army corps:

Staff and escort. 22 114 114

Cheatham's division. 456 3,954 3,850

Stevenson's division. 457 5,422 5,292

Cleburne's division. 461 5,353 5,214

Walker's division. 437 5,437 5,332

Artillery. 50 1,016 989

Total Hardee's corps. 1,883 21,296 20,791

Hindman's army corps.

Staff and escort. 24 131 131

Hindman's division. 512 5,434 5,271

Stewart's division. 452 4,526 4,389

Breckinridge's division. 545 4,655 4,489

Artillery. 40 795 762

Total Hindman's corps. 1,573 15,541 15,042

Cavalry Corps a. 513 5,353 5,271

1st Louisiana Cavalry 13 140 137

(detached).

Total cavalry. 526 5,493 5,408

Engineer troops. 18 417 415

1st Louisiana Regulars 4 64 59

(detached)

Reserve Artillery. 29 625 597

Grant total. 4,052 43,564 42,439

Command. Aggregate Aggregate Pieces of

present. present and artillery.

absent.

General headquarters 171 231 ---

(staff and escort)

Hardee's army corps:

Staff and escort. 163 333 ---

Cheatham's division. 5,407 10,450 ---

Stevenson's division. 7,099 12,427 ---

Cleburne's division. 7,032 10,657 ---

Walker's division. 7,212 11,728 ---

Artillery. 1,207 1,767 45

Total Hardee's corps. 28,120 47,362 45

Hindman's army corps.

Staff and escort. 195 288 ---

Hindman's division. 7,071 11,559 ---

Stewart's division. 5,904 11,668 ---

Breckinridge's division. 6,351 10,486 ---

Artillery. 974 1,231 36

Total Hindman's corps. 20,495 35,232 36

Cavalry Corps a. 7,123 13,242 10

1st Louisiana Cavalry 191 365 ---

(detached).

Total cavalry. 7,314 13,607 10

Engineer troops. 502 625 ---

1st Louisiana Regulars 81 204 ---

(detached)

Reserve Artillery. 745 954 26

Grant total. 57,428 98,215 117

a Martin's and Armstrong's division dropped,not being in the army, but serving with General Longstreet in East Tennessee.