day s operations and movements of enemy.
JNO. M. OTEY,
Adjutant- General.
CHESTER, February 21, 1365
General BEAUREGARD:
No movement reported on Monticello road. Enemy did not occupy
Winnsborough till to-day. Wheeler reports force this evening two
miles west Youngsville. All quiet here.
WADE HAMPTON,
Lieutenant- General.
RICHMOND, VA., February 22, ISfj j.
General G. T. BEAUREGARD.
Chester, 8. C. :
Your telegram of yesterday received, and a copy of it sent to General
Lee. Your request for large re enforcements from the Army of Virginia
will best be judged of by General Lee. I am sorry to see that you do
not expect a junction to be made by Stewart and Cheatham in time
for the pressing emergency. I had hoped that by moving on the left
of the enemy, if he were obstructed in his advance, they would reach
you before any junction could be made by Sherman with Scholield or
Grant. The position of the enemy near Wilmington endangers the
continued use of the railroads on the east of your line of retreat.
JEFF N DAVIS.
[FEBRUARY 22, 1865. For Lee to Breckinridge, relative to resisting
Sherman s advance, see Vol. XLVI, Part II, p. 1247.]
WAR DEPARTMENT, 0. S. A.,
Richmond, Va., February 22, 1865.
General K. E. LEE,
Commanding, &c. :
The railroad between Salisbury and Goldsborough necessary for
supply. Transportation [of] prisoners between these points must be
delayed or marched through the country. For marching, strong
guards of mounted men wanted. Can you give directions or make
suggestions on the subject. Write to you to-day concerning this.
J. A. CAMPBELL,
Assistant Secretary of War.
HEADQUARTERS,
February 22, 1865. (Received 9.10 a. m.)
Hon. J. C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Secretary of War :
From dispatch of General Bragg of 21st, conclude he has aban
doned Cape Fear River. Says he is embarrassed by prisoners.
CHAP.LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1247
Enemy refuses to receive or entertain propositions. I expect no
change will be made by General Grant. It is his policy to delay.
Have directed prisoners to be sent to Richmond by rail or highway, as
most practicable. If wrong, correct it.
R. E. LEE.
RICHMOND, February 22, 1865.
General J. E. JOHNSTON:
(Care Major Echols.)
The Secretary of War directs that you report by telegram to General
R. E. Lee, Petersburg, Va., for orders.
S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General.
Major Echols will forward this dispatch by express courier to General
Johnston. He was at Lincolnton, N. 0., the 20th instant.
RICHMOND, February 22, 1865.
General R. E. LEE,
Pe ters b urg, Va . :
A dispatch has been sent to-day to General Johnston, care of the
quartermaster, Charlotte, N. C., directing him to report by telegram to
you for orders. The quartermaster is ordered to forward it by express
courier. General Johnston was at Lincolnton, X. C., the 20th instant.
S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General.
HEADQUARTERS,
February 22, 1865.
General J. E. JOHNSTON:
Assume command of the Army of Tennessee and all troops in Depart
ment of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Assign General Beau-
regard to duty under you, as you may select. Concentrate all available
forces and drive back Sherman.
R, E. LEE.
LINCOLNTON, 1ST. C., February 22, 1865.
General R. E. LEE
It is too late to expect me to concentrate troops capable of driving
back Sherman. The remnant of the Army of Tennessee is much divided.
So are other troops. I will get information from General Beauregard
as soon as practicable. Is any discretion allowed me? I have no staff.
J. E. JOHNSTON.
ROCK HILL, February 22, 1865 9.30 a. m.
General R. E. LEE,
Richmond, Va. :
Lieutenant-General Hampton reports from Chester last night that
the enemy occupied Winnsborough yesterday. His advance two miles
west of Youngs ville. General Stevenson crossed the Catawba at
Landsford yesterday on the way to Charlotte.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
1248 OPERATIONS IN N, C., S. C., 8. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAI-. L1X,
BOCK HILL, February ,22, 1865 11 a, m.
General B. E. LEE,
Richmond, Va. :
The Catawba Eiver from Landsford to the railroad bridge offering
no defensive line for a small force General Stevenson is retiring with
the trains to Charlotte.
G. T. BEAUBEGABD.
HEADQUARTERS,
February 22, 1865.
General G. T. BEAUREGARD:
I have directed General J. E. Johnston to assume command of south
ern army and to assign you to duty with him. Together I feel assured
you will beat back Sherman.
K. E. LEE.
CHARLOTTE, N. C., .February 22, 1865.
General B. E. LEE,
Richmond, Va. :
Your dispatch informing me that you had directed General Joseph
E. Johnston to assume command of the southern army and to assign
me to duty with him has just been received. In the defense of our
common country I will at all times be happy to serve with or under so
gallant and patriotic a soldier as General Johnston.
G. T. BEAUBEGABI).
CHARLOTTE, X. C., February 22, 1865.
General K. E. LEE,
Richmond, Va. :
Lieutenant-General Hampton reports as follows from Chester:
Enemy are evidently moving eastward. The Fourteenth Corps on the railroad.
.Sherman has moved to his right. Kilpatrick is there also. Bntler reports enemy
moving toward Catawba Kiver. I think they intend to cross low down or to move
oil Camdcu. .Scouts report them leaving Broad Kiver and moving east.
Ii? consequence of the fall of Wilmington the route of McLaws
troops will be changed at once. Major-General Gilmer arrived here
this evening.
G. T. BEAUBEGABD.
SPECIAL ORDERS, / HDQRS. ARMIES CONFEDERATE STATES,
No. 3. \ February 22, 1865.
I. General J. E. Johnston, C. S. Army, is hereby assigned to the
command of the two military departments known as the Department
of Tennessee and Georgia, and the Department of South Carolina,
Georgia, and Florida, and the troops therein. He will proceed at once
to effect a concentration of all available forces, and make the necessary
dispositions to thwart the designs of the enemy operating in those
departments.
II. General G. T. Beauregard, C. S. Army, will report to General
J. E. Johnston, commanding, &c., for assignment to such duty as he
deems most advisable.
By command of General B. E. Lee:
W. H. TAYLOB.
Assista n t A dju ta it t- Genera I.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1249
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL S OFFICE,
No. 44. ) Richmond, February 22, 1865.
*#-*##* *
XL. Capt. A. C. Earle s company, South Carolina Cavalry, is hereby
assigned to the Nineteenth Battalion South Carolina Cavalry, and will
join the command as soon as practicable.
XLI. Captain Fair s company of reserves is hereby transferred per
manently to active service with the consent of officers and men, and is
assigned to the Nineteenth Battalion South Carolina Cavalry.
By command of Secretary of War:
JNO. WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
February 22, 1865.
General BRAGG:
It you cannot arrest progress of enemy, concentrate your troops, hang
upon his flanks, cripple and retard him, leaving no supplies in his
route. Be bold and judicious. Governor will give all aid in his power.
If prisoners are not received they must be sent to Richmond by rail or
highway as fast as practicable.
R. E. LEE.
CHARLOTTE, February 22, 1865.
(Received 23d.)
General BRAXTON BRAGG,
Burgaw :
If "Wilmington and Weldon track is cut, can you use the rolling-stock
to advantage in removing troops to head of North Carolina Railroad
toward Salisbury or Charlotte? Refer to Col. R. H. Col van, president,
at Wilmington.
R, T. GUION.
FEBRUARY 2U, 1865.
Major PARKER,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
MAJOR: I have just been informed by Colonel Lipscomb that the
enemy are advancing. .1 will have everything in readiness. Will ride
out and investigate it.
Respectfully, yours,
R, F. HOKE,
Major- General.
IN THE FIELD,
Northeast River, February 22, 1865.
General BAKER,
Goldsborougli :
Colonel Hatch had probably better come on to communicate with
enemy relative to exchange. His credentials may accomplish some
thing. We evacuated Wilmington this morning.
BRAXTON BRAGG,
79 R R YOL XL VII, PT II
1250 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. HX.
FAYETTEVILLE, February 22, J8Vu.
General BRAXTOX BRAGG:
Will the enemy be opposed should he march on Fayetteville ?
F. L. 1 GUILDS,
Lieutenant- Co Ion el, Co mma n ding.
[FEBRUARY i*2, 18(>5.|
Lieutenant- Colonel CHILDS,
Fayetteville:
Tlie enemy s superior force will, I fear, enable him to send a detach
ment against you, which can only be met by your own resources.
BRAXTON BRAGG.
FEBRUARY 22, 1865.
Hon. J. C. BRECKINKLDGE,
/Secretary of War :
SIR : At the suggestion of Mr. McKae, of the Kaleigh Confederate, I
inclose to you some extracts from the Kaleigh Standard and Progress
of a treasonable character. With the State of North Carolina assailed
on every side how can we hope for success when such publications are
permitted.
Respectfully, S:c., your obedient servant,
,1. TAYLOR WOOD.
KALEIGH, Fehruary 7, /<S6V7.
[Col. J. TAYLOR \YooD:]
MY DEAR COLONEL: When I was in Richmond 1 stated the general
matters in North Carolina that were going amiss, and recommended
the policy which 1 thought would strengthen the Administration and
the Government. First of all, the friends of the Administration should
till th(3 Confederate offices, and they should be carefully selected with
reference to their character as gentlemen and men of unquestionable
fidelity. I trust that General Breckinridge (to whom you are at liberty
to show this letter) will appreciate what 1 say. 1 am prepared alone,
or in conference with whatever friends the President may select, to
recommend such ofticcrs as would be the right men to till the posts in
this place. We have news of the result of Messrs. Stephens , &c., con
ference with Lincoln. It does not disappoint me; but it produces no
change here. Ilolden s paper and the Progress to-day are unequiv
ocally for submission, /. c., they repeat their peace agitation and
declare anew the incompetency of the Government to secure peace.
They both recommend State action, and the former urges meetings of
the people to agitate for a convention, and Judge Pearson on the receipt
of information that our commissioners had received the ultimatum of
Lincoln, proposed in the House of Commons a resolution that the terms
were incompatible with honor or safety, and that we ought to resist
with all our means. The resolution was stitled by Messrs. Carter and
others. It is apparent that the friends of the Government and the
cause here will be crushed unless more strength is put forth. Can it be
possible that these disturbing elements are to be still allowed to work
their evil when the Confederacy is put upon the distinct issue of igno
minious surrender? If so, 1. have no hope, for in the appeal to the
people they have all the prejudices, and, what is worse, they have the
CHAP LIX.1 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1251
fears on their side; you see what I mean. If nothing- can be done to
quell the submissive spirit, the Confederacy has nothing to hope from
here. I cannot yet judge of the temper and purpose of Congress. But
a Government with power can alone now save us. Let the President
immediately secure in every post in the State a firm friend and a
patriotic officer. Let him be so selected from the State as to give no
cause of complaint, and then let measures be adopted as will deter
men from hurting the cause, or punish them immediately if they do. I
have as little at stake now as most men, and can go down with those
who fall with the country, but there is no need to allow trouble in
North Carolina. It can be readily quelled by energy and proper gov
ernmental authority. The Legislature has adjourned and does not come
together until May, but we shall have a most deleterious agitation in
the interval unless it be prevented. They not only did no good, but
they passed every possible exemption to keep men out of the service,
the purpose being openly announced. I write hastily and with a bad
pen. I hope for the best, but good does not lie in discussion before the
people, but in acute legislation and governmental action.
Yours, very truly,
I). K. McKAE.
[Iiicluburt- No. 2.]
RALEIGH, N. C., February //, 7.S6V7.
[Col. ,1. TAYLOR WOOD:]
MY .DEAR COLONEL: You have no doubt supposed, as any rational
man would suppose, that the peace element in North Carolina would
have subsided after the insulting repulsion of our commissioners and
the manifestations on the part of our enemies to force upon us a degrad
ing submission. But such is not the fact, and that you may see that it is
not, I send you extracts from the press of this place published since the
return of Messrs. Stephens, &c.,oii the 10th instant, with a view, it* pos
sible, to elicit a co-operation of the press and people in the cause. I
wrote the article which I inclose from the Confederate. I inclose also
articles from the Standard and Progress of subsequent dates. No
response has been given to my proposition from either of these papers.
Above articles Avill speak for themselves. Xow, it is evident that not
only no encouragement is to be, given by those who have heretofore
stifled the cause in this State to any loyal manifestations, but that the
same efforts are to continue to depreciate the Government, to pronounce
hopeless the cause, to dispirit and depress the people, and to disaffect
them. If this be allowed to continue it is impossible by any argument
of speech or writing to counteract the evil influences. Desertions will
increase; people will withhold their supplies. The spirit of submission
will take fast hold and Xorth Carolina will await the approach of the
enemy with resignation to her fate. The present state of things is
the natural consequence of the illegitimate course pursued by these
journals and their coadjutors for a year past, and we are reaping the
fruits of our toleration. You will see plain as day that both these
papers recommend submission on any terms, and they have the advan
tage in that all the logic to be addressed to the fears and prejudices of
the ignorant and cowardly and to the selfishness of the needy is on their
side, and something stronger than the strongest appeals to manhood,
pride, and patriotism, is needed to avert their evil influence. I see no
way for any practical aid from the State, not much even for a show of
returning enthusiasm except in the military strength of the Government.
Y ours, very truly,
L>. K. McKAE.
1252 OPERATIONS IN N. C., 8. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
[From the Confederate.]
Taking it for granted that we are all united in the determination to
resist to the death the ignominious and degrading terms which the
invaders of our country dictate to us, and that the true-hearted people
of North Carolina will emulate the hardy and invincible resolution of
Virginia, we propose to our contemporaries of the press in Raleigh to
unite in an invitation to the people adjacent to Raleigh to assemble in
mass meeting in order to give expression to the sentiments of loyalty
and the determination of patriotism; that our delegation in Congress
and such other distinguished citizens of the State as hold the confi
dence of the people without reference to political affiliations or dif
ferences of opinion be invited to be present and address the people on
the condition of the country; and that steps may be taken to harmonize
and unite all the elements of society, in the common effort to defend
our threatened liberties. We ask a response from them.
[From the Progress.]
The -monster mass" meetings being held in Richmond are noticed in
all the papers of that city with show-bill headings, but nothing is said
about recruits. There is great u enthusiasm" at the meetings, but not
a man is put in the army. When will these farces cease 1
| From t ho Progress. |
THE SITUATION.
Things aie so confused that there is but little to say about the mili
tary situation. Sherman is in South Carolina, seemingly having things
his own way. A portion of his force has crossed the Edisto River,
near Brauchville, but how far he has advanced, or for what point he
aims, we are not advised. He is reported as moving on both Augusta
and Columbia, but we shall be greatly surprised if he don t move his
main force on Charleston while demonstrating on the other two places.
We know nothing of the strength of our own force in South Carolina
any more than we do of the magnitude of Sherman s army, but if the
enemy are not in possession of both Charleston and Wilmington before
the March winds have finished their requiem we shall be disappointed.
In fact, the evacuation of both of these cities at an early day will not
astonish us. These are our convictions, and we see no harm to come
of expressing them. And then what? Sherman being able to main
tain himself in South Carolina, and the whole country beyond the
Savannah River at the mercy of the foe, the two main Federal armies,
one in Virginia and the other in South Carolina, will press forward,
having General Lee and our army now in South Carolina between
them, and the probability is that during the coming summer the thing
will be "fought out" and the a last ditch " reached somewhere here in
^orth Carolina, certainly between the Pedee and the Roanoke rivers.
The negroes may be put in, or they may be kept out, but the end will
come speedily and the result will be the same.
They may whip us or we may Avhip them it will depend upon the
number, courage, and endurance of the troops but the campaign of the
coming spring and summer will be thelast. If we conquer theenemy, we
shall have everything our own way, but if they conquer us, we shall
be subjugated provinces. These are the facts, and we may as well
state them. Peace and equality might be had now by conciliation and
compromise, but if we go on and lose, we lose all and become the slaves
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1253
of the conquerors. But the time for speculation has ceased the crisis
is upon us and we feel sure that the best or worst will soon be known.
Let all do their duty and bear with patience and fortitude the trials
that await us.
( From the Progress.]
We shall probably never know all the facts connected with the con
ference which recently took place on shipboard in Hampton 1 toads
between Lincoln and Seward and the commissioners of Mr. Davis, but
as the details begin to leak out from both sides, we find that the ulti
matums of the two rulers were just what we predicted they would be
before the conference took place: Lincoln demanded unconditional sub
mission to the laws and authority of the United States, while Mr,
Davis commissioners were instructed to demand the unconditional
recognition of the Confederacy, including States that have never fur
nished us either men or material with which to prosecute the war.
It is evident from the Northern news published by us yesterday that
the dispatches that have been sent out from Richmond, relative to the
conference, have been highly colored for the purpose of inflaming and
exasperating the people, and with the further hope, no doubt, of indu
cing our people to consent to the mad project of arming and freeing two
or three hundred thousand negroes. We have heard from very excel
lent authority, from a gentleman who has recently mingled with mem
bers of Congress in Richmond, that it was well understood there that
the delegations from South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and North
Carolina were favorably disposed toward reconstruction, provided they
could get the Union, as it was, under the Constitution as it is, or was
when Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated 5 and it was also understood that
Mr. Davis would not oppose it. Now, if this be so, and we have but
little doubt of it, why were the commissioners instructed to demand
the unconditional recognition of the Confederacy? Mr. Davis had no
idea the Federal authorities would do that, and hence this attempt to
negotiate is all a farce, and the supposition that the subject of recon
struction and a restoration of the old Union has been freely discussed
and favorably considered by Mr. Davis and his Congress is strength
ened by the speech delivered by him on Monday night, in which he is
reported assaying that " under no circumstances would he be again
for reconstruction and Union.
This language clearly implies, if it implies anything, that he had been
for it, and that he would have accepted it could he have obtained his
own terms. The dispatches from Richmond tell us a good deal about
" pains and penalties," "confiscations," &c., that would follow the
acceptance of Lincoln s terms, but they fail to tell us what we get
from a Washington dispatch, to wit: "That Lincoln informed the
commissioners that recognition was utterly out of the question; that the
United States could stop the war only on condition that the authority
of the National Government should be recognized and obeyed over
the whole territory of the United States. This point conceded, he
assured them that upon any other matter of difference they would be
treated with the utmost liberality." But this would not do, because it
seems from the Northern account of the conference Mr. Stephens was
instructed, if he could not .get unconditional recognition, to maneuver
for temporary recognition, holding out as an inducement that if the
Federal authorities would but treat with us " as an independent nation
that such an agreement could be had as would unite the North and
1254 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
South. 7 Is not this trifling with the people who are the great sufferers
by this war? Whilst Mr. Davis and his Congress are holding out the
idea to their own people that they will have us all annihilated before
they will consent to a restoration of the old Union, they send commis
sioners to the Federal authorities to propose ultimate reconstruction,
provided present advantages can be secured thereby.
If the people of the South belong to Mr. Davis and his Congress
if they are but the subjects of a military despotism that is supreme
they will submit to have the negroes freed and armed, and await with
meek resignation the ruin, degradation, and slavery that is too sure to
follow; but if they are the free citizens of free sovereign States, they
will not bow the neck for the yoke that is preparing for them, but will
demand that such terms as the Federal authorities propose to offer be
submitted to them for their ratification or rejection. This is the people s
war, and we are satisfied, from our intercourse with them, that an
immense majority are for stopping it.
(From the Standard.]
The Confederate, of this city, after giving the terms of peace offered
by Mr. Lincoln to the Southern people, says:
Before expressing the sentiments with which these propositions impress ns, we
wait to see whether those who have heretofore differed from ns. will offer ns hopes
of united action.
The Legislature of this State, which has just adjourned, would neither
make war nor make peace. It seemed to halt between two opinions. The
reply of Mr. Lincoln was known to that body before it adjourned, and
yet it neither prolonged its session nor expressed its views in relation
to the terms which he had offered us. It said neither yea nor nay to
those terms. Of course we speak of the majority, composed of Davis
and Vance destructives. Even the editor of the Confederate, who
speaks for the Confederate officials in this State and for the destructive
party, u waits to see r what his opponents will do before he buckles on
his armor and hurls defiance at President Lincoln. Tnder these cir
cumstances what are we to do? If the editor of the Confederate and
those who agree with him think there is reasonable ground for hoping
that Grant and Sherman can be driven back, the Federal armies gener
ally defeated, our lost territory regained, and that, as the result of this,
the enemy will sue for peace and then give us independence we say,
if. they think there is reasonable ground for hoping for this, let them
urge on the war ; but let them remember that the Confederacy will need,
in order to make successful headway in the field, at least 200,000 more
men, to say nothing of negro soldiers; and that supplies must be pro
duced for the army and the people at home. If the war fever is increas
ing, and if the purpose is to " fight it out " to the last extremity, why
is it that we hear of no volunteering, and of no efforts to raise com