the enemy which was endeavoring to get in their rear, on the afternoon of the 27th ultimo.

The spirit manifested by all would have insured a signal victory to our arms had not the exceeding caution of the enemy caused him to withdraw from the contest which he at one time appeared to court.

J. A. EARLY,

Major-General.

PETERSBURG,

December 4, 1863.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

The following dispatch received from General Ransom:

The raiders, who doubtless were a small party, I think have gone back to New Berne. Nothing new.

GEO. E. PICKETT,

Major-General, Commanding.

PETERSBURG,

December 4, 1863.

General S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General:

The enemy was reported yesterday as making a raid with 1,000 and upward of cavalry toward Tarborough. I ordered Ransom, with a regiment, to Rocky Mount, and to stop some of Clingman's troops so as to cover the railroad. The following is the latest dispatch:

ROCKY MOUNT, December 3.

I am here. Met Clingman at Enfield en route to Weldon. Shall stop some of his forces here until all danger is over. So far have heard of no damage. I do not think the enemy has advanced above Greenville.

M. W. RANSOM,

Brigadier-General.

GEO. E. PICKETT,

Major-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF TENNESSEE, Numbers 62.
Dalton, Ga., December 4, 1863.

I. Brigadier General R. B. Vance is assigned to the command of the Western District of North Carolina. His headquarters will be at Asheville, N. C.

II. Colonel J. B. Palmer, Fifty-eighth North Carolina Regiment, is relieved from the command of the Western District of North Carolina and will report to Brigadier-General Vance for instructions.

* * * * * *

By command of Lieutenant-General Hardee:

GEORGE WM. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.