NEAR LAWTONVILLE, January 31, 1865 - 5 a. m.

Lieutenant-General HARDEE,

Charleston:

Prisoners report one division of Twentieth Corps on other side of river with Fourteenth Corps.

J. WHEELER,

Major-General.

[47.]

NEAR LAWTONVILLE, January 31, 1865 - 6.25 p. m.

Lieutenant General W. J. HARDEE,

Charleston:

Your dispatch relative to resisting enemy received. Nothing heard from General Humes since morning. He is ordered to retard the enemy in every way possible.

J. WHEELER,

Major-General.

[47.]

NEAR LAWTONVILLE, January 31, 1865 - 10.45 p. m.

Lieutenant General W. J. HARDEE,

Charleston:

Reports from General Humes show that the enemy in his front did not move to-day. I have instructed him to use his whole force to obstruct their march toward Broxton's Bridge. General Humes reports he will be unable to remain in that vicinity for want of forage. I have ordered him to do the best he can. I would go to General Humes' position myself, but his point seems more threatened.

J. WHEELER,

Major-General.

[47.]

NEAR LAWTONVILLE, February 1, 1865 - 4.30 p. m.

Lieutenant General W. J. HARDEE,

Charleston:

A dispatch dated 2.30 p. m. reports enemy pressing forward between the Coosawhatchie and Combahee Rivers. Have sent re-enforcements and will go myself if continue to press. Enemy had passed McBride's Bridge. Cavalry and infantry quiet in my immediate front.

J. WHEELER,

Major-General.

[47.]

NEAR LAWTONVILLE, February 1, 1865 - 11 p. m.

Lieutenant General W. J. HARDEE,

Charleston:

Enemy drove General Humes back to-day, taking possession of McBride's Bridge. My best information is that the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps are still between the Coosawhatchie and Combahee Rivers, Twentieth Corps at Robertsville, and Fourteenth at Sister's Ferry. Impossible yet to determine which way the enemy will march, whether Branchville or Augusta. Indications now are Branchville. Kilpatrick is reported to be with Seventeenth Corps. But one brigade of cavalry has been seen.

J. WHEELER,

Major-General.

[47.]