speedily as possible, but, as the services of my constructing party are required elsewhere, other means of communication must be resorted to if the line is again destroyed.

I am, Major, very respectfully, &c.,

JAMES R. GILMORE,

Captain, Asst. Quartermaster, and Supt. Mil. Tel., Dept. of the South.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Beaufort, S. C., January 17, 1865.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN,

Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:

GENERAL: I inclose you reports of reconnaissances made from Pocotaligo. If Slocum is at Robertsville, as proposed, will he not feel forward toward my troops or Foster's? You will notice Blair's requests regarding supplies. I have directed him to build a wharf, as he desired, but cannot well throw up supplies there till we get through transporting the Fifteenth Corps.

From some information I have received I am inclined to the belief that the enemy will draw off from Charleston. One road is pretty good from here to Pocotaligo, but likely to rut badly in places and break through the crust if it rains. I have sent you Vandever and Harrow. I do not wish to displace our young officers who have "borne the burden and heat of the day. " I think they had better retire from the service, in order that these young men may have their places. Harrow is a brave man, but he left us. Sweeney has been cleared, but I don't want him or Veatch. They, too, might be mustered out, with a view to the interest of the service, and in order to promote efficient, true, and hard-working men.

Respectfully,

O. O. HOWARD,

Major-General.

SPECIAL
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND FIELD ORDERS,
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Numbers 15.
Beaufort, S. C., January 17, 1865.

* * * * * * *

III. The Major-general commanding, not desiring to displace any of his present division or brigade commanders, Brigadier General William Harrow, U. S. Volunteers, who has reported to these headquarters for assignment, will report to Major General W. T. Sherman, commanding Military Division of the Mississippi, at Savannah, Ga., for orders.

* * * * * * *

By order of Major General O. O. Howard:

SAML. L. TAGGART,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Savannah, Ga., January 17, 1865.

Major General JOHN A. LOGAN,

Commanding Fifteenth Army Corps:

GENERAL: I am directed by the Major-general commanding to say to you that the embarkation of your command will cease to-day. You