HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., April 17, 1865 - 1 p. m.

(received 10. 15 a. m. 19th.)

Major General W. T. SHERMAN,

Goldsborough:

As soon as the expedition from Sumterville retuns I would like to strike for Augusta, Ga. I believe I could get together a sufficient force for that purpose without more troops, but to make the thing certain and complete I should have 2,000 or 3,000 more men and some cavalry. The small squad of cavalry which I have is all ordered to City Point. It occurs to me that you may now be in condition to spare the 4,000 troops sent to North Carolina from my command, otr a portion of them. If you cannot give me any more men I am disposed to try it with what I have, and await your instructions and authority to go in person, if I deem it best.

Q. A. GILLMORE,

Major-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Numbers 46.
Hilton Head, S. C., April 17, 1865.

Brigadier General I. Vogdes, U. s. Volunteers, is hereby assigned to the command of the District of Florida, with headquarters at Jacksonville.

By command of Major General n Q. A. Gillmore:

W. L. M. BURGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

STEAMER ARAGO,

Fort Monroe, Va., April 17, 1865. (Received 5 p. m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War;

The duty assigned me by you has been performed. The flag lowered at Fort Sumter April 14, 1865, was by God's blessing restored to its standard April 14, 1865. Would to God you could have been crushing news meets us.

ROBT. ANDERSON,

Major-General, U. S. Army.

FOR MONROE, VA., April 17, 1865 - 3 p. m. (Received 5 p. m.)

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

The Arago has just arrived here and will sail for New York at 4 o'clock. All on board saddened at the terrible news just heard. Our expedition was entirely successful. Rev. Mr. Beechger could not see Savannah and the plantations without going back to Hilton Head after ceremonies at Fort Sumter. I made arrangements for him, Governor Anderson, Mr. Garrison, and party consisting of seventeem, to come up in the Suwo Nada, which was agreeable to all. I shall leave here for Washington in City of Hudson at 5 o'clock.

E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General.