CHARLESTON, S. C.,

November 28, 1863.

Brigadier General R. S. RIPLEY,

Mount Pleasant:

Clingman's brigade must move after dark or dusk, to prevent observation by the enemy of their withdrawal.

THOMAS JORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPT. S. C., GA., AND FLA., Numbers 252.
Charleston, S. C., November 28, 1863.

I. Pursuant to orders from the War Department, Lingman's brigade is relieved from duty in this department, and will repair, with the least delay practicable, to North Carolina, to replace Ransom's brigade at Goldsborough and Wedlon. The quartermaster's department will furnish prompt transportation.

* * * * * * *

VIII. The Seventeenth Regiment South Carolina Infantry, Evans' brigade, is relieved from duty in the Seventh Military District, and will proceed at once to Mount Pleasant, and report to Brigadier-General Ripley, commanding First Military District. The regiment will move in day light. The quartermaster's department will furnish transportation.

* * * * * * *

By command of General Beauregard:

JNO. M. OTEY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHARLESTON, S. C.,

November 29, 1863.

Brigadier General R. S. Ripley,

Commanding First Military District:

Seventeenth Regiment, Evans' brigade, has been ordered to report to you, and the Twenty-sixth, same brigade, very soon. You will only be held responsible, as all other military commanders, that you employ and handle resources at your disposition to the best advantage, in an emergency.

THOMAS HORDAN,

Chief of Staff.

HDQRS. DEPT. SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, AND FLORIDA,
Charleston, S. C., November 29, 1863.

Mr. FRANCIS S. PARKER,

Mansfield, near Georgetown, S. C.:

DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 22nd instant has juts been received. I am fully aware of the importance of the country embraced in the Fourth military District, and of the advantages offered by Winyah Bay as a harbor for a certain class of vessels, but I regret to inform you that the limited means at my command in this department do not permit me to dispose of more men or heavy guns for the defense of the Fourth Military District.

34 R R - VOL XXVIII, PT II