Assistant Adjutant- GeneraL
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1113
AUGUSTA, GA., February 7, 1805.
Brig. Gen. A. W. EEYNOLDS :
GENERAL: The men you sent down Lave all run off. Mr. Glenn
promised that a company should be formed from them for Bearing s
battery, but we have proof that he made them a speech, telling them
that they were going to be taken from him, and advising them to run
off. This they did, after selling all the public property they had in
camp. I hope that you will take prompt action in the case. I sent you
an order yesterday from General Beaiiregaitl to send 500 men as a
guard to the stores at Washington, Ga., to report to Colonel Eudler,
commanding post.
D. H. HILL.
Major- General.
AUGUSTA, GA., February 7, 186.5 11 a. m.
Colonel GUMMING:
COLONEL: I can t find out whether any of the Western troops have
gone out to you or not. Please let me know. If Captain Lumpkiu is
with your command put him in position. The two 3-inch rifles have
come up for him and he can get them at any time. The Yankees got
on the railroad last night. Two brigades of Wheeler s command are
between them and Augusta. Make your arrangements for defense and
vigilance as though they were not there.
Eespectiully,
L>. H. HILL,
Major -General.
CHARLESTON, S. C., February 7, 1805.
General G. T. BEAUREGARU:
If your health will permit, 1 consider it of great importance that you
should come here at once.
W. J. HAEDEE,
Lieutenant- General.
CHARLESTON, February 7, 1805.
Major-General WHEELER:
Send at least 500 additional cavalry across the Edisto. Let one regi
ment report to Major-General Stevenson.
W. J. HAEDEE,
Lieutenant- General.
AUGUSTA, February 7, 1805 11 a. m.
Colonel C. C. CREWS,
Commanding, &c.:
COLONEL: Your dispatch of last night, 11 p. m., received. You will
keep up communication on your left, by pickets and scouts, with Gen
eral Wheeler and communicate with him. He telegraphs that he had
sent another brigade to your support. You somewhat misunderstood
my note. It was meant simply to apprise you of the state of things on
the railroad, and of what was required of you in case of an advance
upon Augusta. It was not intended that you should abandon the line
1114 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
of Three Runs, if you could there the better check the Yankees. How
ever, should they turn the position by the railroad, your safety requires
its abandonment. At all events you must keep between them and
Augusta. There will be a strong infantry force at .Big Horse Creek
to-day. When you are compelled to cross it, report in advance to the
commanding officer there. Colonel Cuuiming is in immediate command
at the bridge and Beach Island road.
Respectfully.
D. H. HILL,
Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF GEORGIA,
February 7, 1865.
Brigadier-General IVERSON :
GENERAL: General B[eauregardJ directs that you turn over your
forage wagons as directed, and concentrate your command at Rae s
Bridge. You will so dispose of your men as to protect the line of tele
graph to Milieu. You will effectually destroy Brannon s Bridge. You
will still keep scouts and pickets as near Sister s Ferry as possible,
and ascertain all that you can in regard to the movements, plans, and
strength of the Yankees. I duplicate an order to you ordering General
Ferguson s moving without delay to this place. If Colonel Harris is
on the other side of the Ogeechee you can order Colonel Hawkins to
join you, and may do so in any event, provided you think that his com
mand is not essential on Taylor s Creek, and in that county. You must
move promptly to Kae s Bridge. Duplicate the order to General
Ferguson and be sure that he gets it. Acknowledge receipt of this.
D. H. HILL.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
^YilmincJton^ February 7, 1865.
His Excellency Z. B. VANCE,
Governor of North Carolina, Raleigh :
SIR : Great activity prevails in the enemy s lines about New Berne,
and he is industriously engaged in repairing the railroad toward
Kiuston and collecting supplies, especially forage. These indications
clearly point to a movement toward the State capital. I will keep
you advised of all that we learn on the subject, but sufficient is
known now to justify me in asking you to urge forward the organiza
tion of your State forces and to have them in hand ready to aid us the
moment the movement is developed. Goldsborough will be the point
for our concentration and we must be in time to meet the enemy east of
the railroad. General Grant has been to Beaufort and New Berne
recently, no doubt to initiate this movement.
I am, governor, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BRAXTON BRAGG,
General.
WILMINGTON, February 7, 1865.
Lieut, Col. W. H. TAYLOR,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Petersburg:
General Grant visited his troops in this State last week. Great
activity now prevails at Beaufort and New Berne. Troops are arriving,
CHAP Lix.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1115
supplies are accumulating, and heavy working parties are repairing
the railroad toward Goldsborough. Operations in that quarter may
soon be expected.
BRAGG.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Wilmington, February 7, 1865.
Lieut. Col. W. H. TAYLOR,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Army of Northern Virginia :
COLONEL: Lieutenant-Colonel Pemberton, artillery, has furnished
me with a copy of his report of inspections made here, in which it is
stated that the guns at Batteries Davis and Lee do not bear upon the
obstructions in the river, and that those at Batteries Campbell and
Meares do not command them. This is an error, as will appear from
the report of Brigadier-General .Hebert, chief engineer, a copy of
which is inclosed. Lieutenant-Colonel Pemberton supposed there was
only one line of obstructions, whereas there are two, one the upper,
visible, the other sunken. The inclosed copy of the report of Lieu
tenant-Colonel Oladowski, chief ordnance officer, will show the condition
of the armament of these works, hastily put in order after the fall of
Fort Fisher.*
I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
BEAXTOK BEAGG,
General.
[Inclosnre Xo. 1.]
OFFICE CHIEF ENGINEER,
DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,.
Wilmington, February 4, 1865.
Lieut. Col. ARCHER ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Department of North Carolina:
COLONEL: I have the honor to report that I have to-day made an
examination of the batteries at the obstructions of the Cape Fear
Eiver, below the town of Wilmington, with a view to ascertain how
far the several guns in the batteries command the obstructions. I took
the batteries one after the other, commencing with the nearest to town,
and in the following notes I number the guns from right to left. The
report is made in connection with the inspection report of Lieut. Col.
J. C. Pemberton, of which you have furnished me a copy.
BATTERY DAVIS.
First, one 24-pounder, long, not banded, rifled; second, one 8-iucli
sea coast howitzer; third, one 24-pounder, smooth-bore. These three guns
bear on both the upper and lower obstructions, and also on the lower
mouth of Brunswick Eiver. There are in this battery three empty
gun chambers.
BATTERY LEE.
First, one 8-inch sea-coast howitzer; second, one single-banded rifled
32-pounder. Both guns in this battery bear on the upper and lower
obstructions, and on the lower end of Brunswick Eiver.
* For " Chart of the obstructions in the Cape Fear and Brunswick Rivers, and
the batteries commanding them/ see Plate LXVIII, Map 7 of the Atlas.
1116 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. (CHAP. LIX.
BATTERY CAMPBELL.
First, one 30-pounder Parrott on the right of the battery, which will
be mounted by to-morrow, it not to-day. It will bear upon the upper
and lower obstructions and mouth of Brunswick River. It will be our
best gun to keep the enemy at long range below the lower obstruc
tions. Second, one 9-inch Dahlgren on navy carriage. Bears fully on
lower obstructions and on lower mouth of Brunswick River, and can
be brought to bear on upper obstructions to one-half the river Cape
Fear. Third, one 9-inch Dahlgren on navy carriage. Bears fully on
lower obstructions and lower mouth of Brunswick River. Can be
brought to bear on the upper obstructions to one-half of the river Cape
Fear. Fourth, one 8-inch sea-coast howitzer. Bears on lower obstruc
tions and lower mouth of Brunswick River. Can be brought to bear by
cutting down end of right traverse to one-half river at upper obstruc
tions. Fifth, one long smooth-bore 32-pounder. Bears on lower
obstructions and lower mouth of Brunswick River. This gun cannot
be brought to bear on upper obstructions. On the immediate left of
Battery Campbell, and nearer the river, a sunken battery is now being
constructed, in which it is intended to mount two smooth-bore 24-
pounders, which were dismounted from Battery Campbell lately and
replaced by the two 9-inch Dahlgrens. When this sunken battery is
placed, the two guns will bear on the lower obstructions and on the
Brunswick River mouth. The one on the right will also bear on upper
obstructions. One carriage and chassis will be wanted for one of the
.two guns.
BATTERY MEARES.
First, one 8-inch sea-coast howitzer; second, one long smooth-bore
32-pounder; third, one 9-inch Dahlgren on navy carnage; fourth, one
single-banded 32-pounder, rifled; fifth, one 24-pounder, rifled, not
banded, and lately dismounted to make room for the rifled 32-pounder.
The mounted guns bear on the lower obstructions and the mouth of
Brunswick River, but cannot be made to bear on the upper obstruc
tions. On the right of Battery Lee about fifty yards is a work which
was once a two-gun casemated battery. The casemates have been
closed on the outside and two platforms built over them for barbette
guns. There are no guns there now. I respectfully suggest that two
guns be taken from the land line of Wilmington and placed in the
battery. There are on the land line of Wilmington twelve 32-pounders
and six 24-pounders, all smooth-bores.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
LOUIS HUBERT,
Brigadier- General and Chief Engineer.
[Inclosure K"o. 2.]
HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTH CAROLINA, ORDNANCE OFFICE,
Wilmington, February 5, 1865.
Lieut. Col. ARCHER ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Wilmington, N. C.:
COLONEL: In obedience to instructions from headquarters of this
department, I inspected the armament of Fort Anderson, and have the
honor to report that it consists of nine 32-pounder guns on barbette
carriages, front pintle, wooden traverse circles. They are: Two rifled,
unbanded; two oldest patter not* the United States, which kind of guns
were condemned by U. S. inspectors previous to year I860, and five
CHAP.LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1117
of pattern of 1840. Below the fort is a work armed with one 32-poui>.der
gun of oldest pattern, as described (two of them in the fort). The pro
jectiles for these guns aro913 shot, 708 shell, 39 grape, and 106 canister-
shot, with sufficient supply of projecting charges, making 170 rounds
for each gun. The implements are in a state to serve the guns in con
formity with their number of ammunition. In consequence of augment
ing garrison by troops from Forks Caswell, &c., the supply of small arm
ammunition was insufficient, but it was forwarded immediately from
ordnance depot at Wilmington. OIL my inspection of batteries to
defend the river obstructions, 1 found them as follows :
BATTERY MEARES.
Armament. One 8-inch sea-coast ho wit/er; one 32-pouncler smooth
bore, and one 24-pounder rifle, on indifferent barbette carriages, front
pintle, wooden traverse circles. Projectiles for 8-inch 62 shell, 32
spherical case-shot, 48 shell, unstrapped, 10 grape-shot. For 32-
pouuder 32 shell, 189 shot, 27 grape, and 48 canister-shot. For 24-
pounder, rifled 125 shell, 28 shot. Cartridges 100 8-pound, 76
6-pound, 1,100 pounds cannon powder.
BATTERY CAMPBELL.
Armament. OneS : incli light navy shell gun ; two 24-pounder smooth
bores; one 32-pounder smooth-bore, on indifferent barbette carriages,
front pintles, wooden circles. Ammunition for 8-inch 50 shell; for
24-pounder 24 shell, 189 shot: for 32-pounder 69 shell. As the
metal of armament of these batteries was insufficient to obtain the
expected results, I was instructed to procure fro in the Navy Department
such guns as could be spared. Commander Pinckney, being applied
to, ordered to turn over three 9-inch Dahlgrens, one 6-inch banded
and one 30-pounder Parrott, with requisite implements, as far as
could be obtained in emergency, as the supplies not necessary for
immediate service in navy and array ordnance department were ordered
to be sent to interior, and consequently the necessary articles cannot
be procured immediately. The 9-inch Dahlgrens being used only by
navy, could not be mounted in so short a time. It was impossible to
mount them on other than navy gun carriages, but the application was
made to the commanding officer at Fayetteville arsenal for suitable
barbette carriages, one of which is received and sent to Fort Meares,
and two others will be forwarded as soon ns possible. In consequence
of the above changes the batteries are at present armed :
BATTERY MEARES.
Armament. One 6-inch, rifled, banded ; one 8-inch sea-roast how
itzer; one 9-inch Dahlgren, and one 32-pounder smooth-bore.
BATTERY CAMPBELL.
Armament. Two 9-inch Dahlgrens; one 8-inch navy light shell gun,
and one 32-pounder smooth-bore. Few yards of this battery is con
structed a detached work containing one 30-pounder Parrott gun,
erected in object to have a long range down the river. The ammuni
tion for these batteries is 100 rounds to each gun. The implements
are not as sufficient as should be expected, but can render good service
until the others can be received, every effort being made to obtain
them. Above these batteries and close to the obstructions in the river
1118 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP LIX.
are constructed two more batteries, and as their armament is consid
ered to answer the purpose, and the heavier caliber could not be pro
cured in short time, it remained unchanged and consists as follows:
BATTERY LEE.
Armament. One 32-pounder, rifled, banded, on barbette; one 8-inch
navy light shell gun, on casement carriage. Ammunition for 8-inch
88 shell, 28 incendiary shell, 10 spherical case-shot, 17 grape, and JO
canister-shot. For 32-pounder rifle 111 shell, 155 shot. Cartridges
66 8-ponnd, 154 0-pound, and 900 pounds powder (cannon). The
implements in tolerably good order.
BATTERY DAVIS.
Armament. One 8-inch sea-coast howitzer; one 24-pounder, rifled,
unbanded, and one 24-pounder, smooth-bore. Ammunition for 8-inch
47 shot, 30 spherical case-shot, 51 shell tilled, and 75 shell not tilled.
For 24-pounder rifled 107 shell; for 24-ponnder smooth-bore 201
shell, 73 shot, 24 canister-shot. Cartridges 37 L 8-pound, 4726-pound,
202 4-pound, and 000 pounds cannon powder. The implements, as
usual, not in very good preservation. The traverse Circles, with the
exception of one gun, whose carriage was received from Fayetteville,
are made of wood. The ordnance department having no money, I was
instructed to apply to the engineer department for usual iron traverse
circles, but no result of my application is as yet obtained. The 8 inch
guns, being chambered and of light construction, cannot be used to throw
solid shot. I respectfully request that instructions be given to the com
manding officers of these batteries to the effect that only hollow pro
jectiles and grape or canister shot be used. Concerning the implements
of the batteries, I am informed by Major Sloan, commanding officer of
ordnance depot at Wilmington, that not long since those defenses were
completely furnished. 1 know by my own observation that the com
manders of batteries in many instances (especially where they are often
changed) pay little attention to preservation of supplies. I should
respectfully submit to your consideration that some means may be
devised to preserve and husband the articles issued. Airing ammuni
tion, sheltering implements from rain and sun would greatly add to
their efficiency and preservation.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. OLADOWSKI,
Chief Ordnance Officer, Department of Xortli Carolina.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Wilmington, February 7, 1865.
Brig. Gen. Louis HEBERT,
Chief Engineer :
GENERAL: The commanding general has received your note of
to-day giving the results of Captain Liernurs examination of landing
and roads on the east bank of the Cape Fear, and directs that the
work therein proposed be executed with all possible dispatch. Major-
General Hoke will receive a copy of your note from this office, with
instructions to furnish the necessary guard for his depot,
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ABCHKR, ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
CHAP. LIX.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.- CONFEDERATE. 1119
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Wilmington^ February 7, 1865.
Maj. Gen. R. F. HOKE,
Commanding Division , Sit gar Loaf:
GENERAL: I Lave the instruction of the commanding general to
communicate his views to you as follows: The enemy s reconnoitering
and marauding parties on the west side of the river should be cap
tured or prevented from coming out at all. Our cavalry is not pushed
forward as close to their lines as it should, be. The recent capture of
prisoners in our front by signal officer points to want of vigor in that
arm. Detachments ought not to land with impunity, as they have just
done at Battery Lamb. It would seem practicable to greatly annoy, if
not capture, the very small garrison at Sinithville. Even this effort
would enliven our troops, now stagnating and despondent for want of
activity. Supplies in the country and telegraph wire close to the Fed
eral lines should be brought out and oar people prevented from trading
or communicating with the enemy. Such measures would also prevent
desertions to the enemy by closing the avenues of approach and stop
the recruiting of the U. S. forces from runaway negroes, which is going
on to considerable extent.
I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
ARCHER ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
SUGAR LOAF, February 7, 1865.
Colonel ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
Have you received information from General Hagood of the enemy
landing troops to-day ? Nothing of the kind could be seen from this
side.
R, F, HOKE,
Major -General.
FORT ANDERSON, February 7, 1865.
Colonel ANDERSON:
Signal operator reports enemy landing troops at Buchanan from
transports in the inlet and outside, brought to Buchanan in tugs. They
had guns, knapsacks, &c. ; wagons hauling up baggage. They were
discovered when fog lifted at 12 o clock. The operator saw, he thinks,
] ,2(10 landed after 12 o clock. These inarched through Fisher to Camp
VYyatt. A considerable number of tents also appeared at Camp Wyatt
this morning that were not there yesterday; this before the 1,200
marched up.
JOHNSON HAGOOD,
Brigadier- General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Wilmington, February 7, 1865.
Col. GEORGE JACKSON,
Commanding Post :
COLONEL : The commanding general directs that you take immediate
measures to remove every bale of cotton stored in Wilmington as fast
1120 OPERATIONS IN N. C., ft. C., ft. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
as transportation by one of the railways can be procured. Major Cam
eron, who has charge of such shipments, has been instructed to give
preference to the cotton now held when it cannot be safely burned.
1 am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ARCHER ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Wilmington^ February 7, 1865.
Brig. Gen. L. S. BAKER,
Goldsborough :
GENERAL: The indications seem to favor active movements by the
enemy against you from New Berne. The commanding general desires
you, therefore, to hold your troops in hand and to use all possible
means to keep fully advised. Your cavalry should be kept in the
enemy s immediate presence, and be required to send daily reports of
observations, and make occasional dashes on the flanks or rear of the
Federals to harass them and retard their operations. To accomplish
these objects it will be necessary to concentrate it as far as practicable.
Very respectfully, c.,
ARCHER ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
RICHMOND, VA., February 5, 1865.
General R. E. LEE,
Commanding Armies, &c.:
GENERAL: General Ripley visits you for the purpose of presenting
to you his views in regard to matters in South Carolina, and more par
ticularly the city of Charleston. I would be happy if you would afford
him the opportunity of giving him an audience on the subjects men
tioned, being those concerning which your suggestions to General
Beauregard are desired.
Very truly and respectfully, yours,
JEFFN DAVIS.
AUGUSTA, February 8, 1865.
(Received 8.40 a. m. 9th.)
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General:
Einemy cut railroad to Charleston yesterday morning near Black ville.
Lee s corps is in position on the south fork of the Edisto, protecting the
approaches to Columbia. Head of Cheatham s corps arrived here last
night. McLaws 7 division is at and about Branch ville. 1 shall leave
here to-morrow for Columbia.
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1121
AUGUSTA, February 8, 1865.
Mai. E. WILLIS,
Chief Qua rtermaster:
MAJOR: General Beauregard has been informed that the railroad
from Barnett to Washington is out of order. He desires that you will
take immediate steps to put it in complete running order.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE WM. BRENT,
Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
AUGUSTA, February 8, 1865.
Maj. E. WILLIS,
Chief Quartermaster:
MAJOR: General Beauregard desires that the troops at Mayneldand
Camak be hurried to this place at once. You will please take such
steps as will effect their transportation here at once.
GEORGE WM. BRENT,
Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
AUGUSTA, February 8, 1865.
Col. G. W. RAINS,
Ordnance Department:
COLONEL: General Beauregard directs me to say that he deems it
advisable that you commence at once the removal of your stores.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE WM. BRENT,
Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
COLUMBIA, February <S, 1865.
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General:
General Winder died last night at Florence, S. C. Under the
present movements of the enemy his successor to command should be
here promptly. Colonel Foruo will be here to-day.
W. G. BARTH,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
[Indorsement.]
Respectfully submitted to His Excellency the President.
JOHN W. RIELY,
Major and Aide-de-Camp.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL S OFFICE,
No. 32. ( Richmond, February 8, 1865.
*******
IV. Surg. A. J. Foard is relieved from duty as medical director of the
Army of Tennessee and assigned as medical inspector with authority
71 R R VOL XL VII, PT II
1122 OPERATIONS TN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
to inspect the armies and hospitals in the States of Georgia, Florida,
Alabama and Mississippi. His reports will be made direct to the Sur
geon-General.
*******
By command of Secretary of War:
JNO. WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
CHARLESTON, February #, 1865 10 p. m.
(Received 5 p. m 9th.)
President DAVIS :
The enemy appeared at railroad bridge near Branchville to-day; also
at New Bridge, live miles below, and at Binnaker s and Holnian s
Bridges above. No serious effort made to cross the Edisto. Enemy
have driven our forces from railroad bridge over Salkehatchie, and are
active at Coinbahee Ferry. Nothing heard from Wheeler to-day.
W. J. HARDEE,
Lieutenant- General.
CHARLESTON, February 8, 1865.
General S. COOPER:
The troops in this department have been organized into divisions as
far as their territorial distribution would allow. Taliaferro s division
consists of two brigades, commanded by Brigadier-General Elliott and
Cojonel Rhett, and numbers about 5,000 effectives. Its organization
is upon Special Orders, No. 311, series 1864, from these headquarters,
paragraph 4. copy of which was forwarded to your office.
W. J. HARDEE,
Lieutenant- General.
AUGUST A, GA., February 8, 1865 5 p. m.
General SMITH:
GENERAL: You will please bring your troops here in the morning,