HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C. May 5, 1865.

Brigadier General J. P. HATCH,

Commanding Northern Dist. Dept. of the South, Charleston, S. C.:

GENERAL: After a careful examination of the questions invoked the major-general commanding is of the opinion that all property contraband of war which was found in Charleston at the time that city was captured by the U. S. forces was captured with the city from hostile possession, and should, therefore, be turned over by you to the authorized agents of the Treasury Department. He regards all naval stores as contraband of war and directs that in obedience to General Orders, Numbers 88, from the Adjutant-General's Office, War Department series, of 1863, and the orders of the Secretary of War, dated April 19, 1865, a copyof which was sent to youin my letter of the 3rd instant, you turnover to Simeon Draper, esq., special agent of the Treasury Department, all captured naval stores in your possession. Any previous orders inconsistent herewith are hereby countermanded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

STEWART L. WOODFORD,

Colonel and Chief of Staff, Department of the South.

GENERAL ORDERS.
HDQRS. NORTHERN DISTRICT.
DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, Numbers 34.
Charleston, S. C., May 5, 1865.

Colonel E. N. Hallowell, Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, is herby assigned to the commandof defenses of Charleston Neck, Saint Andrew's Parish, and James Island, except such troops as are assigned to the Provisional Brigade, under command of Brevet Brigadier-General Hartwell.

By command of Brigadier General John P. Hatch:

LEONARD B. PERRY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS.
HDQRS. NORTHERN DISTRICT.
DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH. Numbers 96.
Charleston, S. C., May 5, 1865

I. That part of the Fifty-sixth New York Volunteers now on duty at the intrenchments on Charleston Neck are hereby ordered to take post at Mount Pleasant.

II. The detachment of the Twenty-first U. S. Colored Troops now serving at Mount Pleasant will proceed to James Island, taking position as directed by Colonel E. N. Hallowell, commanding defenses of Charleston, James Island, and Saint Andrew's Parish.

* * * * * *

IV. Brevet Brigadier-General Hartwell on leaving this place will turn over to Colonel E. N. Hallowell his quarters.

V. The detachment of the Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers now on duty at these headquarters is hereby relieved and will report at once to their regimental commander for duty.

By command of Brigadier General John P. Hatch:

E. HARRIS JEWETT,
Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.