GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, No. 112.
Hilton Head, S. C., July 31, 1864.

In accordance with instructions received from the General-in-Chief of the U. S. Army, Brigadier General William Birney, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby relieved from duty in this department, and will report without delay to Major-General Butler, at Fortress Monroe, Va.

Brigadier General John P. Hatch, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby assigned to the command of the District of Florida, and will relieve Brigadier-General Birney at once.

Brigadier General E. E. Potter, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby assigned to the command of the District of Hilton Head, and will relieve Brigadier-General Hatch without delay. During the temporary absence of Brigadier General R. Saxton, Brigadier-General Potter, will retain command of the District of Beaufort, in addition to that of Hilton Head.

By command of Major General J. G. Foster:

W. L. M. BURGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Jacksonville, July 31, 1864.

Captain MORTON,

Commanding Battalion Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry:

CAPTAIN: You will embark with 50 men and horses of your command to-day at 10 o'clock and proceed immediately to Palatka. Your men will be provided with five days' rations and five days' forage for their horses. The quartermaster will designate the boat to be used by you. It is essential that all your horses and men, provisions, and forage should be on board by 10 p.m. Your men will of course move in light marching order. You will please report at these headquarters as soon as possible.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

M. BAILEY,

Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from return of the Department of the South, Major General John G. Foster commanding, for July, 1864.

Present for duty.

Command Officers Men Aggregate

present

General headquarters 59 95 154

Hilton Head District 111 2,450 3,560

(Hatch)

District of Beaufort 140 3,474 4,919

(Potter)

District of Florida 123 3,147 3,948

(Birney)

Northern District 214 5,533 6,924

(Schimmelfennig)

Total 647 14,699 19,505

Pieces of artillery.

Command Aggregate Heavy Field

present and

absent

General headquarters 154 ... ...

Hilton Head District 4,778 (a) (a)

(Hatch)

District of Beaufort 5,316 25 6

(Potter)

District of Florida 5,097 (a) (a)

(Birney)

Northern District 7,894 89 12

(Schimmelfennig)

Total 23,239 114 18

a Number of guns omitted from district returns.