HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
December 24, 1864.

Honorable J. A. SEDDON,

Secretary of War:

General Bragg reports that the enemy's fleet moved in about 1 p. m., Iron sides leading, and opened fire on Fort Fisher. A gun-boat last night in pursuing one of our steamers grounded, was abandoned and blown up.

R. E. LEE.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
December 24, 1864.

General R. E. LEE,

Commanding Army of Northern Virginia:

Rode's division ordered to return to Swift Creek at 5 o'clock this evening.

J. LONGSTREET,

Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
December 24, 1864.

Major General G. E. PICKETT,

Commanding Division, Hancock's House:

Hunton's brigade has been ordered back from Gordonsville. It will return to its former position. General Grimes will return with Rodes' division to Swift Creek, starting at 5 o'clock this afternoon, unless he receives other orders. Please notify me of his receipt of this order. Hunton will be down some time to-night.

O. LATROBE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ARMY CORPS,
December 24, 1864.

Lieutenant General R. S. EWELL,

Commanding Department of Richmond:

In reply to your letter* of this date General Longstreet desires me to say that nearly one-half of his force on this side of the river has been taken away during the past week, and that should the enemy make an attack he will have to fight him with a line about as thin as the one you complain of. He has suggested to General Lee the propriety of keeping some of the troops in reserve on this side of the river.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

O. LATROBE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

WILMINGTON, December 24, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel W. H. TAYLOR,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Every effort, is being made through the officers of the subsistence bureau operating in this department to secure supplies, and all my

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* Not found.

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