C.Ord assigned to the Department of Virginia and North Carolina.
The defence of the line of the Tennessee no longer requiring the force which had beaten and nearly destroyed the only army now threatening it, I determined to find other fields of operation for General Thomas's surplus troops--fields from which they would co-operate with other movements.

General Thomas was therefore directed to collect all troops, not essential to hold his communications at Eastport, in readiness for orders.

On the 7th of January, General Thomas was directed, if he was assured of the departure of Hood south from Corinth, to send General Schofield with his corps east with as little delay as possible.

This direction was promptly complied with, and the advance of the corps reached Washington on the 23d of the same month, whence it was sent to Fort Fisher and New Bern.

On the 26th he was directed to send General A.J.