GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Numbers 4.
Hilton Head, S. C., January 16, 1865.

The State of North Carolina having been attached to this department, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the same. It will in future be designated the District of North Carolina, Department of the South.

The commanding officer of the District of North Carolina will make the usual returns and reports required by regulations to these headquarters.

J. G. FOSTER,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., January 16, 1865.

Brigadier General JOHN P. HATCH,

Commanding Coast Division:

GENERAL: I am directed by the Major-general commanding to acknowledge the receipt of your two communications of the 15th instant, reporting the evacuation of the enemy from your front; also your recommendations in regard to the movement of the troops composing your division. The following disposition of your command will be made by you as soon as you have the other to leave your present locality for operations elsewhere: The Thirty-third U. S. Colored Troops to remain at Beaufort, the Twenty-sixth U. S. Colored Troops to be sent to Morris Island, the Thirty-second U. S. Colored Troops to be ordered to report to General Saxton for duty on Edisto Island. The detachment of the One hundred and second U. S. Colored Troops, now at Beaufort, will be ordered to report to you at once for duty in the field. Orders will be issued for the detachments of the other regiments to join their respective commands. Your whole force will be re-embarked at Beaufort when it moves.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. L. BURGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., January 16, 1865.

Lieutenant Colonel CHARLES B. FOX,

Commanding Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers:

COLONEL: The Major-general commanding directs that, in compliance with instructions from General Sherman, you will leave Thunderbolt Battery with your command, and relieve the garrisons at Forts Jackson and Bartow at once, showing these instructions to the commanding officer at each of the above-named forts.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. L. M. BURGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

STEAMER S. R. SPAULDING, January 16, 1865.

Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy,

Commanding, &c.:

SIR: Major General William T. Sherman, commanding U. S. forces, now at Savannah, Ga., desires the inclosed important dispatches to be