“Major-General L. McLaws is relieved from further duty with this army, and will proceed to Augusta, Georgia, from which place he will report by letter to the adjutant- and inspector-general. He will turn over the command of the division to the senior brigadier present.
“By command of Lieutenant-General Longstreet.
“G. Moxley Sorrel,
“Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.
“Major-General McLaws,
“Confederate States Army.”
On the same day he wrote,—
“Camp on Bean’s Station Gap Road,
“December 17, 1863.
“Lieutenant-Colonel Sorrel,
“Assistant Adjutant-General:
“I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Special Orders No. 27, from your head-quarters, 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.”
In reply the following was sent: