| Headquarters Department of North Carolina |
| Wilmington |
| December 9, 1864 |
| |
| Col. G. Jackson |
| Provisional Army, C. S. |
|
|
| Colonel Jackson, |
| You will proceed by {Wilmington
& Weldon} railroad with three
battalions of Junior Reserves and four pieces of Paris' battery to Weldon. At that point report for temporary service to
General Leventhorpe, commanding Second District, who will have been
notified of the movement. On the road, however, you will carefully
inquire whether there is any approach of the enemy from either New
Berne or the coast upon the road, that is official intelligence.
This will govern your movement. Should there be satisfactory
information of any approach to cut this command reaching Weldon,
stop the trains, assume command in your vicinity and make the
dispositions to attack the enemy or defend the road as circumstances
will admit. But be very sure; otherwise press on to re-enforce
General Leventhorpe. He will understand that the moment the
emergency calling for this service is passed, these forces will
return here. Telegraph General Leventhorpe of movement, also of
Millard's and Hahr's battalions, also Colonel Starr. Order
commissary stores and forage. |
| Very respectfully, |
| W. H. C. Whiting |
| Major-General |
|