AUGUSTA, November 20, 1864 - 2 p. m.

General S. COOPER;

Telegraph to Macon just broken. General Hardee was there this morning. Slocum's corps at Madison, on Georgia railroad, yesterday. will make the best defense I can here.

B. D. FRY,

Brigadier - General.

AUGUSTA, November 20, 1864 - 7 p. m.

General S. COOPER:

This morning enemy had advance on the line of Georgia railroad as far as Oconee River. I believe it to be Slocum's corps. Wires cut near Macon. I have no communication with General Hardee since morning. Fighting reported near Macon.

B. D. FRY,

Brigadier - General.

WEST POINT, MISS., November 20, 1864.

General WHEELER:

General Hardee will for the present give orders for the defense of Georgia east of the Chattahoochee. My views are that positions should be defended only so long as not to risk safety of troops and materials required for active operations in the field. Meanwhile remove to safe locality all Government property on line of enemy's march, and consume or destroy all supplied within his reach.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,

General.

Abstract from returned of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, Lieutenant General W. J. Hardee commanding, for November 20, 1864.

Present for duty.

Command Officer Men. Effecti Aggrega Aggrega Pieces

. s. ve te te of

total present present field

present . and artille

. absent. ry.

General 19 - - 19 24 -

staff

McLaws 211 2,597 2,968 3,736 5,803 44

divisio

n

Ripley' 86 1,657 1,951 2,152 2,854 4

s

brigade

Trapier 22 361 415 496 726 8

's

brigade

Roberts 39 853 899 1,013 1,443 26

on's

brigade

s

Miller' 96 1,224 1,314 1,578 2,973 10

s

brigade

Taliefe 137 2,792 3,009 3,383 4,401 8

rro's

brigade

Post of 90 1,209 1,279 1,567 2,492 -

Florenc

e, S.

C.

Post of 46 616 631 736 962 -

Columbi

a, S.

C.

Total 746 11,309 12,466 14,680 21,678 100