You will endeavor to purchase such steamers at a fair price, and, failing to do so, you will proceed to impress, observing carefully the requirements of the law.

Your obedient servant,

J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 299.
Richmond, Va., September 26, 1863.

* * * * * * *

VII. Major-General Whiting is assigned to the separate command of the Cape Fear District, and is charged with the defense of Wilmington, N. C. He will make his reports directly to this office.

* * * * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JNO. WHITERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

RICHMOND,

September 26, 1863.

General W. H. C. WHITING,

Wilmington, N. C.:

You will have the separate command of the Cape Fear District for the defense of Wilmington, and will make your reports directly to this office, as heretofore. Major-General Ransom is on duty in Southwestern Virginia and cannot be spared.

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

RICHMOND,

September 26, 1863.

Major-General PICKETT,

Petersburg, Va.:

Major-General Whiting has been assigned to the separate command of the Cape Fear District, and will make his reports directly to this office. In case of emergency, you will afford him such aid of troops as the circumstances of your command will permit.

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

CAMP AT ORANGE COURT-HOUSE,

September 27, 1863.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,

President Confederate States, Richmond, Va.:

Mr. PRESIDENT: The enemy has made no serious advance yet. all his preparations indicate that intention. The troops in his rear have been closed up on the Rapidan. General King's division, which has been stationed for some time at Centerville watching the passes through the Bull Run Mountains, has been brought forward to Culpeper. Our scouts also report that the troops from about Washing-