GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 263. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
ADJUTANT general’s OFFICE, 
Washington, September 28, 1864. 
L By direction of tlie President of the United States, Major-Gen- 
eral Joseph Hooker is assigned to the command of the Northern 
Department. He will immediately proceed to Columbus, Ohio, and 
relieve Major-General Heintzei.man. 
II. Major-General Heintzelmax, on being relieved in command 
of the Northern Department, will repair to Wheeling, West Vir- 
ginia, report thence by letter to the Adjutant-General of the Army, 
and there await until he receives orders. 
ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR : 
E. D. TOWNSEND, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 
Official ; 
Assistant Adjutant General.