"Camp on Bean's Station Gap Road,
"December 17th, 1863.
"Lieut.-Col. Sorrel,
"Assistant Adjutant-General.
"I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Special Orders No. 27 from your headquarters, of this date, relieving me from further duty with this army. If there is no impropriety in making inquiry, and I cannot imagine there is, I respectfully request to be informed of the particular reason for the order.
"Very respectfully,
"L. McLaws,
"Major-General."
"Headquarters Near Bean's Station,
"December 17th, 1863.