CITY POINT, VA., January 31, 1865-7 a.m.

Honorable e. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War, Washington:

Please inform General Schofield that since my absence Mahone's division, about 5,000 strong, has gone south. My opinion is, however they will not stop at Wilmington. It is important that Schofield should move without delay.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

CITY POINT, VA., January 31, 1865-11. 30 a.m.

(Received 1. 20 p.m.)

Honorable edwin M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

Please constitute North Carolina a department for present purpose, Major-General Schofield in command, subject to Sherman's orders. It is impossible for Foster to give orders from Hilton Head as well as I can from here. I will give General Schofield all his orders and instructions until Sherman gets n reach of him.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant-General.

WASHINGTON, January 31, 1865-5. 30 p.m.

Lieutenant-General GRANT,

City Point:

The Department of North Carolina, with Schofield in command, has been ordered as you requested.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

GENERAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT., GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 12.
Washington, January 31, 1865.

The Military Department of North Carolina is hereby constituted to consist of the State of North Carolina, which is detached from the Department of the South. Major-General Schofield is assigned to the command. The department will, until further instructions, be subject to the orders and control of Major-General Sherman.

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
WAR DEPT., ADJT., GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 49.
Washington, January 31, 1865.

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47. The telegraphic order of January 30, 1865, from this Department, directing Major General Q. A. Gillmore, U. S. Volunteers, to repair to Hilton Head, S. C., and relieve Major-General Foster, U. S. Volunteers, in command of the Department of the South, is hereby confirmed.

* * * * *

By order of the Secretary of War:

E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.