WILMINGTON, January 12, 1865.

Brigadier General LOUIS HEBERT,

Smithwille:

I shall be down on Cape Fear to-morrow to visit you and see the forts with Honorable Duncan F. Kenner, of Louisiana.

BRAXTON BRAGG.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 10.
Richmond, January 13, 1865.

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XL. It having been represented that the railroads in North Carolina require immediate repairs in consequence of damages recently sustained, and that the necessary labor cannot be obtained for this purpose except by impressments, and communication by these roads being indispensable to the supplying of the Army of Northern Virginia and the troops in the District of North Carolina, Brigadier General Bradley T. John son, Provisional Army, S. C., will obtain such labor by the impressment of as many slaves as may be necessary. To this end he is invested with all the powers conferred by the laws and orders regulating impressments.

* * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

WILMINGTON, January 13, 1865.

Colonel JOHN B. SALE,

Military Secretary, Richmond, Va.:

About fifty vessels in sight, mortally opposite point of former landing. Fair weather; smooth sea.

BRAXTON BRAGG,

General.

(Copy to General Lee.)

[Indorsement.]

Respectfully submitted to His Excellency the President as information.

JOHN B. SALE,

Colonel and Military Secretary.

WILMINGTON, January 13, 1865-8.30 a. m.

His Excellency Governor VANCE,

Raleigh:

The enemy's fleet recuperate last night. It will be prudent to reassemble your State forces, and especially do I desire General Leventhorpe back with General Baker. The enemy would not return without the means and the will for a desperate effort.

BRAXTON BRAGG.