eral Hardee, definite instructions as to the time and manner of retiring from his position to Orangeburg. I leave for that place in the mornig. I have instructed General Palmer, commanding at Cannon's Bridge, to inform you, should it be necessary to retire from it. Please five him timely notice of your withdrawal from New Bridge. One of my men told me to-night that he saw no gard at the raillroad bridge as he passed, a short time before.

C. L. STEVENSON,

Major-General, Commanding Corps.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS LEE'S CORPS, Numbers 9.
Branchville, S. C., February 5, 1865.

Upon being relieved by Comming's brigade, now in motion therefor, Palmer's brigade will be dispatched, via New Bridge and Midway, to Cannon's Bridge, on the Edisto. General Palmer, after fiving the necessary order for the move, will repair to Cannon's Bridge and assume command of the troops there. He will place himself in communication with General Deas, at Binnaker's Bridge, and with General Mc Laws at Branchville, with a view to the defense of the Edisto line. Should the troops retire from either of these places, or he be complled to march from Cannon's, General Palmer will retire toward Orangeburg.

By command of Major-General Stevenson:

J. W. RATCHFORD,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

Postscript to Special Orders, Numbers 9, and to a letter to General Deas, February 5, 1865. -It is of the utmost importance that the bridges on the Edisto shall not fall into the hands of the enemy, and commanders will give their personal attention to their destruction at the proper time, should it become necessary to do so.

By command of Major-General Stevenson:

J. W. RATCHFORD,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS LEE'S CORPS,
Branchville, S. C., February 5, 1865.

[General DEAS:]

GENERAL: You will disembark your division at Midway, march it ecross the Edisto at Cannon's Bridge, and there bivouac for the night At early dawn you will move to Binnaker's Bridge, and take command of the troops at that point. You will place yourself in communication with athe cavalry in your front, with a view to the defense of that crossing. Should your flank be uncovered by the cavalry or the troops at Cannon's Bridge withdrawn, you will retire toward Orangeburg.

By command of Major-General Stevenson:

J. W. RATCHFORD,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

P. S. -It is of the utmost importance that the bridges on the Edisto shall not fall into the hands of the enemy, and commanders will give their personal attention to their destruction at the proper time, should it become necessary to do so.