the gun-boats outside to be ready to cover the crossing of the sound at daylight in the morning and to land their small boats at the point of crossing about midnight, if the weather will permit.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Major-General, Commanding.

FEDERAL POINT, N. C., February 14, 1865-3. 30 p. m.

Major-General SCHOFIELD:

Our pilots say it is too rough on the bar to take the small steamers across now. I will send orders to the vessels outside to do as you have wished.

D. D. PORTER,

Rear-Admiral.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
ARMY OF THE OHIO,

Federal Point, N. C., February 14, 1865.

Admiral D. D. PORTER:

I do not expect to make any movement outside, only to have the gun-boats near enough to cover the crossing of the sound at daylight to-morrow morning, and keep open signall communication between me and General Terry.

J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Major-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTH CAROLINA,
ARMY OF THE OHIO. Numbers 5.
Federal Point, N. C., February 14, 1865.

* * * * *

II. The movement ordered in Special Orders, Numbers 3., of February 12, 1865, will be made to-night, with the following modifications, viz: The pontoon boats will be hauled upon their wagons along the beach instead of being sent by sea. If the weather will permit the navy boats will be landed at the point designated in the order of the 12th. If not the pontoon boats will be relied upon to carry the troops across the sound.

The brigade detailed to accompany the boats will constitute the advance gurd of the column and will march at dark, followed imediately by the trains and then by the troops, General Ames' division in advance.

Brigadier-General Comstock will have command of the train and its guard, and will have immediate control of the operations in crossing the sound.

* * * *

By command of Major-General Schofield:

J. A. CAMPBELL,
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.