GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTH CAROLINA,

No. 14.
Wilmington, December 24, 1864.

I. During active operations the general commanding assumes the immediate command of all of the troops in and about Wilmington and its defenses.

II. Major General W. H. C. Whiting is assigned to the immediate command of the defenses at and near the mouth of the river.

III. Lieutenant General T. H. Holmes, having volunteered his services, will assume the immediate command of the city of Wilmington and its defenses, regulating all matters of interior police and discipline, the issuing of supplies, and the movements of troops arriving.

IV. Major General R. F. Hoke, or the senior officer of his division, will command the troops on the sound and the intrenched camp at Sugar Loaf, and will make the necessary dispositions to prevent any landing of the enemy between Masonborough and Fort Fisher.

V. In addition to his duties at headquarters Third Military District, Major A. Van der Horst, assistant adjutant-general, will report to Lieutenant-General Holmes for his assistance.

By order of General Bragg:

FRANCIS S. PARKER,

Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

General HEBERT,

Smithville:

Send up Moore's battery by steamer Cape Fear - guns and men; send horses by road.

W. H. C. WHITING,

Major-General.

DECEMBER 24, 1864.

General HEBERT,

Smithville:

Cape Fear goes down to-day. Can take the two companies. Leave Pelteway at Fisher to land troops and bring fuel. Sampson goes to Sugar Loaf with forage and rations. Kirkland's brigade (2,050) is marching to Sugar Loaf. Hagood's expected to-day.

W. H. C. WHITING,

Major-General.

DECEMBER 24, 1864.

Colonel LAMB,

Fort Fisher:

Keep Pelteway to land two companies from Caswell, which will come on Cape Fear, and to bring fuel if necessary. Sampson goes to Sugar Loaf with rations. A signal operator ought to be on the Pelteway.

W. H. C. WHITING,

Major-General.