UDQUS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS Cheves House, S. C., January 4, 18G5. Lieutenant-Colonel PERKINS, Assistant Adjutant- General, Twentieth Army Corps: COLONEL: This evening I sent Major Clay with 175 men to Jones- ville. He found no rebel encampment there. A brigade of cavalry was there last night and left a few stragglers there to-day; none to-night. On his way he took two prisoners, one belonging to Hamp- tons cavalry, one to the infantry; first sent home to get fresh horses. The infantryman knows nothing, the cavalryman very little, but says that he thinks the cavalry have a camp between Joncsville and Beech fills, and a battery, but does not know that such is the case. The cavalry were a part of vATljleeler7s command, nuder the command of Aiiderson. Major Clay also brought in two contrabands from Jones- ville, who report that all the cavalry pickets in the river bottom, after the skirmish with my men last evening, were drawn in and retreated full speed through Jonesville last night, up the roads toward Hardee- ville, saying that the Yankees were coming; since which time they have seen no rebel soldiers near Jonesville, and that they think all of them have gone back to Hardeeville. Before they left they shot down all the hogs and cattle and took all that the poor negroes had to eat, stating that the Yankees would get it if they (the rebels) did not kill, destroy, and take it. I informed Colonel Robinson when here to-day that Leech Hills would do to encamp upon. I learn to-night that it is in the river bottom and not fit for encampment, but that Jones yule is a fine place for several regiments, but not for a division. I also sent a party to examine the Red Bluff Fort. They found the roads leading to it high, dry, and good. The fort good but small; the water ten Feet deep at low tide; several roads leading from it up and down the river; fine ground for encampments. The fort is three miles from my troops. Captain Crawford and Lieutenant Tuttle, of my staff; think that my troops could be supplied by landing stores at that point. Your humble servant, W. T. WARD, Brigadier- General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH Hilton Head S C Janu Brig. Gen. R. SAXTON, , ., ary 4, 1865. Commanding District of Beaufort: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that the shell road from Beaufort to Port Royal Ferry be put in good order immedi- ately, using every precaution not to excite the curiosity of the enemy or the citizens in your command. Respectfully, XV. L. M. BURGER, Assistant A djutant- General. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, In the Field, Savannah, Ga., January 4, 1865. SOLOMON COHEN, Esq., Savannah, Ga.: SIR: I am directed by Major-General Sherman to reply to the inquir- ies contained in your note to him of 3d instant, as follows: The rules