Abbeville Press

GRANTING FURLOUGHS--The subjoined order from Gen. Lee, will be received with great delight not only by the men in the field, but by the home folks, but we hope that this privilege will be properly appreciated and not abused:

In order to allow as many of our brave soldiers to visit their families and friends as can be done consistently with the good of the service, and at the same time give some reward for meritorious conduct, a system of furloughs is hereby instituted in this army.

These furloughs will be granted, in the first instance, at the rate of two for every one hundred men present for duty; subsequently, at the rate of one for every one hundred men present for duty.

This average will be continued as long as the exigencies of the service will permit.

Should the above rate be found prejudicial commanders of regiments and battalions will forward on each occasion, the most urgent and meritorious cases from those officers, to the approval of men in manner.

The time will be regulated according to the following table: Virginia, 15 days; North Carolina, 13 days; South Carolina, 20 days; Georgia and Tennessee, 24 days; Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana, 30 days.

Furloughs will be granted equally to soldiers from States and Districts with which communication is cut off, but in no case will these furloughs carry permission to go within the enemy's lines.

The time for such cases will be regulated by the number of days allowed for the State in the above list which they intend to visit.

The men furloughed will be authorized to bring back stragglers and recruits who may come in their way.