In the absence of other evidence (certificates or statements from the supply departments concerned, retained papers, &c.) relative to the rendition of the said papers, the War Department has authorized the affidavit of the mustered-out officer concerned to be received as evidence,and mustering officers can base thereon their certificates relative to the rendition of returns and accounts.

II. Mustering officers are not required to examine accounts of officers and give them certificates of non-indebtedness. The settlement of accounts belongs to the Treasury Department.

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

127.
Washington, July 2, 1865.

Ordered, That a bureau be organized in the Adjutant-General's Office for the collection, safe-keeping, and publication of the rebel archives that have come into possession of this Government, the bureau to consist of one chief, with the pay of a colonel of cavalry, and one assistant, with the pay of a lieutenant-colonel of cavalry, and such number of clerks, to be detailed by the Adjutant-General, as may be found necessary for the speedy collection of the archives. Dr. Francis Lieber is hereby appointed chief of said bureau, and the Quartermaster-General is directed to furnish suitable apartments and buildings for the collation and custody of the archives mentioned.

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[JULY 22, 1865.- For General Grant's official report covering operations from March, 1864, to May, 1865, see Series I, Vol. XXXVI, Part I, p.12.]

CIRCULAR
WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE,

35.
Washington, July 22, 1865.

ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS RELATIVE TO THE MUSTER OUT OF CERTAIN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA, DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, AND MIDDLE DEPARTMENT; ALSO CERTAIN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY AND ARTILLERY IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

I. Cavalry.

TELEGRAM.] WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, July 21, 1865.

Major General A. H. TERRY, U. S. Volunteers,

Commanding Department of Virginia, Richmond, Va.:

The Secretary of War directs that the volunteer cavalry forces in your department be reduced to two regiments of maximum strength. The musters out of the surplus will be by entire regiments,and the said musters, discharges, and payments made under the regulations promulgated in General Orders, 94, current series, from this office.