on the Combahee is stronger for defense than any he can take in rear of it. I have sought and am seeking to aid him. Have no information from General Beauregard which enables me to judge of the time when he may be expected or of the force he can bring. Can you send men to assist General Hardee to hold the enemy in check? If so, how many and how soon? We must look forward and leave discussions of the past to a more convenient season.

JEFF'N DAVIS.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., January 16, 1865.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Tupelo, Miss.:

General Hardee reports on 14th istant enemy in heavy force advancing from Beaufort, by Port Royal Ferry Landing, on our position at Pocotaligo.

GEORGE WM. BRENT,

Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[JANUARY 16, 1865. - For Hardee to Cooper, reporting operations, see Part I, p. 1068.]

CHARLESTON, January 16, 1865.

Major-General McLAWS:

Should the enemy move in force up the Salkehatchie, move in a parallel line with him with all your force, except Conner's brigade.

By command of Lieutenant-General Hardee:

T. B. ROY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHARLESTON, January 16, 1865.

Major-General McLAWS:

Lieutenant-General Hardee directs me to say that the force at Broxton's must be 2,000 strong. He wishes the Georgia Reserves to be included in the force sent there.

T. B. ROY,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

BROXTON'S BRIDGE, January 16, 1865.

Captain R. W. B. ELLIOTT,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to state that pursuant to orders from Colonel Harrison, commanding, I withdrew my batteries from Coosawhatchie at 7. 30 p. m. 14 th instant, and 1 arrived at this point at 10 p. m. yesterday. The condition of the causeway and the depth of water at Johnson's causeway over Cypress Creek made it necessary that I should cross above and go by Cypress Creek Church. This made the distance to McBride's Store rather more than twenty-eight miles, and 1 reached there at 8 a. m. yesterday, and rested for