SUGAR LOAF, December 26, 1864 - 3.30 p. m.

General HOLMES:

Please say to General Hoke on arrival General Bragg desires to see him here soon as possible.

ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

WILMINGTON, December 26, 1864.

General BRAGG:

Can I pardon prisoners, deserters, & c., now in confinement and put them in the trenches? They volunteer to go.

T. H. HOLMES,

Lieutenant-General.

SUGAR LOAF, December 26, 1864.

Lieutenant-General HOLMES,

Wilmington, N. C.:

Prisoners may be put on duty and promised pardon if they behave well.

ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

SUGAR LOAF, December 26, 1864 - 3.45 p. m.

General HOLMES:

Show General Bragg's last situation dispatch to mayor, to abate excitement.

ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEFENSES OF WILMINGTON,
December 26, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: Will you please inform me whether General Bragg wishes the home guards that shall arrive to be sent immediately to the front or not? There are now here one regiment of them. I have ordered a light artillery company (from Smithville) to proceed to-morrow to Sugar Loaf. If it is desired by General Bragg that it be stopped, please telegraph me to that effect.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. H. HOLMES,

Lieutenant-General, Commanding.

SUGAR LOAF, December 26, 1864 - 6.20 p. m.

General HOLMES:

General Bragg desires any home guards arriving to be detained in Wilmington.

ARCHER ANDERSON,

Assistant Adjutant-General.