If these movements are successful, the enemy's fleet must retire from the harbor and inside the bar, the force at the lower end of the island and Black Island must surrender, and we can immediately throw over troops to re-enforce the party, secure the position and repair damages. This appears somewhat complicated as a measure of attack, but after a full consideration, I do not think any other promises so well. It depends upon secrecy and boldness of execution as well as careful judgment on such information as we can obtain. It ruins three steam-boats certainly, and if it fails, loses some 3,000 men. The advantages of success it is hardly necessary to speak of. We have often risked more on quite as hazardous expeditions, where less was to have been gained.

The above is the general outline. In arranging the details modifications may be made and ever step carefully considered. As an outline of the project it is respectfully submitted.

R. S. RIPLEY,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 257.
Richmond, October 28, 1864.

* * * * * *

XII. Lieutenant-General Hardee is relieved from duty in the

Army of Tennessee, and will assume command of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, to take effect from the time of his assuming command.

* * * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

JOHN W. RIELY,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from return of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, Lieutenant General W. J. Hardee, C. S. Army, commanding, October 31, 1864.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Effective to

tal present.

General staff. 19

-----------

----------

McLaws' division a. 204 2,551 2,946

Ripley's brigade. 98 1,528 1,838

Trapier's brigade. 22 339 389

Robertson's brigade. 68 1,100 1,185

Miller's brigade. 94 1,220 1,310

Taliaferro's brigade 132 2,442 2,654

Colonel Harrison's 99 1,397 1,482

command (post).

Major Green's 35 235 237

command (post).

Lieutenant-Colonel

Means' command 16 389 405

(prison).

Total. 787 11,201 12,446

CONTINUATION:

Aggregate Aggregate pr Pieces of

Command. present. esent and ab field artil

sent. lery.

General staff. 19 20

----------

McLaws' division a. 3,858 6,125 48

Ripley's brigade. 2,066 3,239 4

Trapier's brigade. 491 842 8

Robertson's brigade. 1,424 2,130

-----------

Miller's brigade. 1,613 2,951 14

Taliaferro's brigade 3,033 4,210 8

Colonel Harrison's 1,787 3,141

-----------

command (post).

Major Green's 280 437

-----------

command (post).

Lieutenant-Colonel

Means' command 464 510

-----------

(prison).

Total. 15,035 23,605 82

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aPrisoners of war not reported.

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