Abstract from return of the District of West Florida, Colonel George D. Robinson, Ninety-seventh U. S. Colored Troops, commanding, for November 30, 1864. January

Present for duty. Pieces of artillery.

Command. Office Men. Aggreg Aggreg Heavy. Field.

rs. ate ate

presen presen

t. t and

absent

.

Headquarters. 2 . . . 2 2 . . . . . .

First Brigade 49 1. 473 1. 902 1. 983 2 5

(Robinson).

Second 46 865 1. 149 1. 459 . . . . . .

Brigade

(Woodman).

Nineteenth 23 375 551 684 . . . . . .

Iowa (Bruce).

Fort Pickens 8 158 222 231 90 . . .

(Reisinger).

Fort 12 252 334 388 32 . . .

Barrancas

(Hitchcock).

Total. 140 3. 123 4. 160 4. 747 124 5

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Station Numbers 9 1/2, December 1, 1864-8 a. m.

Major-General HOWARD,

Commanding Army of the Tennessee:

GENERAL; Yours of date November 30 just received. To the information conveyed about Lee, Hood, &c., obtained from Hardee's officer, the General-in-chief says, "All right. " The army is moving and destroying railroad; the Left Wing is also moving.

I am, General, respectfully, &c.,

L. M. DAYTON,

Aide-de-Camp.

HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Kent's Farm, opposite Station 8, December 1, 1864.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN,

Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:

GENERAL: I have just returned to camp from Station 13. We have here a good plank road from our Savannah road to the river. About twenty-four feet of planking and stringers were removed from the bridge. We now have a good foot bridge, and will soon have repairs made so as to throw over cavalry and artillery, as well as infantry, if there should be need.

On the arrival of a company of the Twenty-seventh Missouri about forty mounted rebels departed in haste. I had the depot, a large quantity of lumber, ties, &c., and portions of the railroad track destroyed. I have directed General Blair to continue along the railroad, destroying it as he goes, and directed General Osterhaus to move opposite Numbers 7 to-morrow. I am a little in the dark as to your intention. Please inform me as far as you can consistently, that I may conform to your wishes as to the length of march, &c.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

O. O. HOWARD,

Major-General.

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*Bvt. Brigadier General Joseph Bailey, temporarily absent with cavalry expedition under General Davidson.

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