GANDER HALL, January 17, 1865 - 8 a. m.

Colonel LIPSCOMB,

Masonsborough:

General Bragg directs you send immediately twenty-five mounted men to report to Major Reid, commissary, Wilmington.

ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

MASONSBOROUGH, January 17, 1865.

Colonel ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Dispatch received. The men will be sent immediately. Major Reid has already one commissioned officer and twenty-three men of my regiment.

T. J. LIPSCOMB,

Colonel.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Wilmington, January 17, 1865.

J. M. SEIXAS, Esq.,

Government Agent:

SIR: The commanding general directs me to inform you that it is the order of the Secretary of War that the Government cotton in this place shall be removed as soon as possible to Raleigh. The general request you will notify all private holders that their cotton must also be sent off as rapidly as practicable; and he will obliged if you will furnish him a list of their names.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

GANDER HALL, January 17, 1865 - 9 a. m.

Major-General HOKE,

Sugar Loaf:

General Bragg directs that the utmost vigilance be used day and night to prevent the passage of the enemy's ships by Fort Anderson; but if it should occur the commander at the obstructions near town must be instantly notified of the fact by telegraph to the Fort Lee officer.

Respectfully,

ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

(Copy to commander of Fort Anderson.)

JANUARY 17, 1865.

Colonel ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: About dark yesterday afternoon four boats were seen to move in the direction of Masonsborough Sound. Two of them stopped off Montgomery Ford. I did not know what might be their intention, but