CHARLESTON, November 17, 1864.

Honorable J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond:

General Cobb has called on me for re-enforcement to defend Macon. I will send him the Fifth Georgia, now stationed at Florence, which is the only troops I can spare without stripping the coast and leaving it open to the enemy.

W. J. HARDEE,

Lieutenant - General.

RICHMOND, [November 17, 1864].

General HARDEE, Charleston:

It is reported that Sherman is moving rapidly upon Macon. Your command, for the present, is extended to embrace all that part of Georgia south of the Chattahoochee River. You will move promptly to the scene of active operations, and endeavor to obtain an adequate force by concentrating detachments from garrisons, convalescents from hospitals, reserves, militia, and volunteers.

By order of the President:

S. COOPER,

Adjutant and Inspector General.

NOVEMBER 17, 1864.

Major - General WHEELER, Commanding Cavalry, Lovejoy's Station:

Call Clanton's command to you and give him such orders as you think best to assist you in retarding the advance of Sherman.

J. B. HOOD,

General.

GRIFFIN, November 17, 1864 - 12 m.

General JOHN B. HOOD, Tuscumbia:

Scouts from enemy's rear report that Fourteenth Corps crossed the Chattahoochee on 15th on way to join Sherman, giving his four corps.

JOS. WHEELER,

Major - General.

(Same to General Braxton Bragg, Richmond; Lieutenant General W. J. Hardee, Charleston; Lieutenant General R. Taylor, Selma; General Howell Cobb, Macon, and Governor J. E. Brown, Milledgeville.)

NEAR GRIFFIN, GA., November 17, 1864 - 2. 20 p . M.

General J. B. HOOD, Tuscumbia:

Enemy are turning their columns on shorters road to Macon. Scouts from enemy's rear report Fourteenth Corps moving up to join Sherman. I have no orders regarding holding any city, should enemy besiege or assault. Please send orders to me or General Cobb.

JOS. WHEELER,

Major - General.

(Same to General Braxton Bragg, Richmond, and General Beauregard.)