HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,
December 27, 1864.

Mr. R. L. SIMGLETARY,

President of Charleston and Savannah Railroad, Charleston, S. C.:

SIR: I am directed by General Beauregard to inform you that he deems it absolutely necessary for the public service that the trains on your road should continue to run between this place and Hardeeville, and hopes that you will see that the orders given by General Jones, as regards the running of your tranis past the point on the road which is now shelled, are promptly executed.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN. M. OTEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[44.]

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. MILITARY DIV. OF THE WEST, Numbers 8.
Charleston, S. C., December 28, 1864.

Subject to the approval of the War Department, the following-named officers are announced upon the staff of the commanding general: Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Roman, assistant adjutant and inspector general; Lieutenant Colonel J. R. Waddy, chief ordnance officer. Until otherwise ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Waddy will act only as inspector in his branch of the service.

By command of General Beauregard:

John M. OTEY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

[44.]

CHARLESTON, December 28, 1864.

Major General HOWELL COBB,

Commanding, &c., Macon, Ga.:

GENERAL: Your letter of the 25th instant was received and forwarded to the War Department.* I had intended at this time sending to you and Governor Brown a copy of my dispatch to President Davis relative to the evacuation of Savannah, but the pressure of public business and the constant calls upon my time in arranging details upon my return to Pocotaligo caused me to forget it, an omission I very much regret. A few days ago a column of the enemy, consisting of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, was moving in the direction of Altamaha bridge. General Iverson was sent to check and harass them, and General Wheeler was ordered to supply with other cavalry the place of Iverson. Information has since been received that that column of the enemy had returned to Savannah, and General Robert H. Anderson, who visited Savannah under a flag of truce a few days ago, reports that he saw General Kilpatrick in that city. A dispatch received last evening from General Wheeler reports the enemy moving a large wagon train on the river road on the south side of the Savannah River. This train may have been sent for the purpose of foraging. From my knowledge of the views of the War Department, I do not believe that the volunteer system that you advocate will be allowed. Your orders are approved by me. Brigadier-General Von Zinken's command will be immediately

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* See Cobb to Beauregard, VOL. XLIV, p. 989.

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25 R R-VOL LIII