observed in advance of their army, and but few prisoners have been
taken from their cavalry. I fear that it may have moved up on the
west side of the Cape Fear River, endeavoring to strike at our trains
or to reach the railroad at Raleigh. Some disposition should be made
to counteract such a movement. Two regiments of cavalry were left
on the west side of the Cape Fear River, and Crews brigade, which
has been -with General Stewart s corps, should be near enough to come
between them and Raleigh, if they are moving in that direction.
Colonel Dibrell s train, with four pieces of artillery, was two days
march behind the rest of Wheeler s wagons when last heard from, and
Butler s wagons were, I understand, ordered from Charlotte to Raleigh.
These trains would be in danger if the enemy s cavalry is on the west
of the Cape Fear River. I will unite Dibrell s brigade with Butler
to morrow and impede the enemy all I can. Hart s battery (horse
artillery) joined me to-day.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WADE HAMPTON,
Lieutenant- General.
HEADQUARTERS,
Smithfield, March 17, 1865 10 p. m.
Lieutenant-General HAMPTON,
Commanding Cavalry :
GENERAL : Please send me by the bearer all the information you have
of the movement and position of the enemy, the number of their col
umns, their location and distance apart, and distance from Goldsborough,
and give me your opinion whether it is practicable to reach them from
Sniithfield on the south side of the river before they reach Golds-
borough.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. E. JOHNSTON,
General.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
March 17 , 1865 12.45 a. m.
Maj. H. B. McCLELLAN,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
MAJOR : On arriving at General Hardee s position yesterday morning
I found him engaged with the enemy, and fought with him until dark.
In obedience to his instructions General Allen will move on his right,
to cover that flank while moving to Sniithfield, and I remain with
Ashby s command to cover his rear. Any communication will reach
me at Elevation to-day.
Respectfully, major, your obedient servant,
J. WHEELER,
Major- General.
1416 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
MARCH 17, 18654.30 a, in.
General WHEELER:
GENERAL: Lieutenant-General Hardee begs that you will not leave
Averasborough to-day until the enemy make their appearance, and that
yon will endeavor to ascertain whether the enemy are going to Raleigh
or SmithfielcL
Respectfully,
T. B. HOY.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
Averasborough, March 17, 1865 6.30 a. m.
Lieutenant-General HARDEE,
Commanding :
GENERAL: A prisoner of Fourteenth Corps brought in this morning
states that his corps and most of the Twentieth were engaged in the
fight yesterday; that Kilpatrick commenced the fight, but retired cioon
as the infantry came up; that the loss in his brigade was about 300,
and of the whole command was about 3,300 men ; that General Slo-
cum was on the field and commanded the forces. He thinks Kilpatrick
came up to the front this morning. He says General Slocuin told his
men that they were fighting 15,000 men. Their officers told them they
thought they were commanded by General Hardee. The enemy are
advancing this morning,
Respectfully, &c.,
J. WHEELER,
Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
March 17, 1865 6.40 a. m.
Lieut. Gen. W. J. HARDEE,
Commanding, <&c. :
GENERAL: The prisoner captured this morning states that their
army are going to Goldsborough and not to Raleigh. Your dispatch
of 4.30 this a. m. received, and its instructions will be obeyed.
Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
J. WHEELER,
Major- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
Averasborough, March 17, 1865 9.05 a. m.
Lieut. Gen. W. J. HARDEE:
GENERAL: The enemy have advanced very near this place with a
line of battle of infantry. Cavalry has also been seen. When driven
back [sic.] 1 will turn off toward Smithfield with my main force, and
will send a regiment on the road toward Raleigh. I do not think the
enemy will go farther toward Raleigh than where the road turns oif to
Smithfield. Colonel Ashby has sent off all the wounded which could
travel, and has left rations for such as were not able to travel. He has
also a force keeping up all stragglers.
Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
J. WHEELER,
Major- General.
CHAP LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1417
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
March 17, 1865 10.40 a. m.
Lieut. Col. T. B. ROY,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
COLONEL: Your dispatch received. I did leave one regiment
Texas Hangers to fall back on the Raleigh road. It cannot yet be
determined whether the enemy will move on that road. They are now
advancing on this. They are as yet but a short distance from the
fork.
J. WHEELER,
Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
March 17, 186511.10 a. m.
Lieut. Col. T. B. ROY.
Assistant Adjutant- General :
COLONEL: The enemy marched a short distance up the Raleigh
road, skirmishing with the Eighth Texas, but have advanced farther on
this road. The indications are that the advance will be upon this
road.
Respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant,
J. WHEELER,
Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS,
Elevation, March 17, 1865 4 p. m.
General WHEELER:
GENERAL : Allen reports at 1 p. m. that the enemy are advancing
on his road and that he was skirmishing with them four miles from
the bridge over Black River, on which he crossed last night. The
Raleigh and Wilmington road does not cross the Smithfield road at
Elevation, as laid down on tlie maps, but two miles beyond toward
Smithfield. General Hardee s headquarters to-night will be about a
mile beyond the intersection toward Smithfield.
Very respectfully,
T. B. ROY,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS,
Willis Colds House, on Goldsborough Road,
Three Miles southwest of Bentonville. March 17, 1865 -6.30 p. m.
Maj. Gen. J. WHEELER,
Commanding j &c. :
GENERAL : General Hampton directs me to say that as the position
of the enemy s cavalry has not been sufficiently defined, he fears that
they may have moved up on the west side of the Cape Eear River,
endeavoring to strike at our wagon trains or at the railroad at Raleigh.
The two regiments which were left west of the Cape Fear River should,
he thinks, give information of such a movement, and Crews brigade
ought before this time to have been in a position to protect the trains
or Raleigh.
Have you any information of Dibrell s trains, which, when last heard
from were two days behind yours, or of Butler s, which were ordered
1418 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
from Charlotte to Raleigh ? Have you any information from the
enemy s cavalry ? J3an you do anything to insure the safety of the
trains ? General Hampton thinks that the enemy is inarching on
Goldsborough, . and that his right will strike the Wilmington rail
road at or below Faison s Depot. Butler is to-night a ; t Blackman
Lee s, on the Clinton and Smithfield road, about six miles from this
point. General Hampton will unite Dibrell with him to-morrow. He
desires you, after you have sufficiently covered General Hard<ee s move
ments, to send all the cavalry youcan spare to join him on the Smith-
field and Goldsborough road.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. B. McCLELLAN,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION,
Draughan s Cross-Roads, March 17, 1865 7 a. m.
Major MCCLELLAN,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
You will please inform General Hampton that a scout who went
inside of the enemy s picket last night to recover the body of one of
his men, reports that they saw two large camps, both on the Golds-
borough road the farthest camp from Graham s Bridge was about two
miles, the other between that and the bridge. The Yankees told all
the citizens that they would move on the Goldsborough road this
morning. The scout thinks there is a brigade of cavalry in front;
that they saw a great many horses in the camps. A great many were
straggling in the country around camps. Our captures yesterday,
about 40. Loss, 1 killed, and 1 lieutenant missing.
Very respectfully,
G. G. DIBKELL,
Colonel, Commanding.
P. S. I understand the Third.Alabama has gone on the Smithfield
road. Shall I send a regiment on that road ?
G. G. D.
HEADQUARTERS WILLIAMS BRIGADE,
March 17, 1865.
Col. G. G. DIBRELL :
COLONEL : I inclose a dispatch from Captain Howell, which I received
late last night. By the " straight forward" road he means the Stallings
Bridge road. Jackson s is the intersection of the Clinton road with
the Goldsborough and Graham s Bridge road, six miles from .the picket
base, and is the road which the Second South Carolina picketed yes
terday.
Kespectfully,
W. C. P. BKECKIKRIDGE,
Colonel, &c.
[Inclosure.]
MARCH 16, 1865.
COLONEL: My scouts on the straight forward road found the enemy
camped at, or near, the mill, and on the right and left as far as they
could see. The scouts on the left-hand road found the enemy camped
CHAP. Lix.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1419
at, or near, Mr. Jackson s. They carne in that road this side of Jack
son s this evening, and went in that direction. There are several roads
leading out to the left, this side of Jackson s. My pickets cover the
first road.
J. L. HOWELL,
Captain , &c.
HEADQUARTERS ALLEN S CAVALRY DIVISION,
Hodges, March 17, 1865 7 a. m.
Lieutenant HARDEE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General:
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to inform you that after crossing the
river I moved out six miles on the Smith field road, and went into camp.
1 have sent scouts to Draughan s Cross-Koads, and to all the points on
the river until it gets as low as the point at which it is intersected by
Miugo Creek. None of these scouts have as yet reported.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. W. ALLEN,
Brigadier- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ALLEN S CAVALRY DIVISION,
In the Field, on timithfield Road, March 17, 186511.15 a. m.
Lieut. Col. T. B. KOY,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that the enemy s cavalry
have made their appearance in my front on this road ; force not yet
ascertained. I am moving down to meet them. I am about twenty
miles from Smithfield, on the New Cut road.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. W. ALLEN,
Brigadier- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ALLEN S CAVALRY DIVISION,
In the Field, March 17, 1865 2.30 p. m.
Lieut, Col. T. B. KOY,
Assistan t Adjutant- General :
COLONEL: I have the honor to say that an officer from my picket,
which is four miles from the bridge near which I crossed last night on
this road, reports that he saw men with knapsacks, but I am of
opinion that the force which has been skirmishing with my picket
there are all mounted perhaps mounted infantry. Firing having been
heard in direction of the bridge where the Averasborough and Smith-
field road crosses Black Kiver, I shall retire my main body on this
road, so as to prevent the enemy gaining my rear in the event of his
crossing at that bridge, but shall leave my picket in its present
position.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. W. ALLEN,
Brigadier- General, Commanding.
1420 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. WHAP. LIX.
HEADQUARTERS ALLEN S CAVALRY DIVISION,
In the Field, March 17, 18656 p. m.
Lieut. Col. T. B. ROY, Assistant Adjutant- Genera t :
COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that until about 4 p. m. 1
occupied the line which I took up this morning about live miles from
the bridge near which I crossed last night. The enemy has skirmished
with my pickets pretty constantly since 11 a. in. This afternoon a dis
mounted force charged, but failed to drive the reserve picket from its
position. Having heard that the infantry had probably crossed Mingo
Creek, I shall go into camp on the east side of it. I shall have a suffi
ciency of forage for the night.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. W. ALLEX,
Brigadier- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS ALLEN S CAVALRY DIVISION,
In the Field, March 17, 1865 6 p. m.
Lieutenant HUDSON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General, Wlieeler s Corps:
LIEUTENANT : I have the honor to inform you that your communica
tion dated 7.10 a. in., stating that General Wheeler would move back
toward Elevation, and directing me to communicate with you, was not
received until about two hours ago. Until that time I had occupied a
line about five miles from the bridge on which Colonel Ashby crossed
Black River last evening. The enemy has skirmished with the regi
ment I had on picket, since about 11 a. m., but has failed to drive it
from its position. About an hour since they charged it with a dis
mounted line. I am disposed to think it was nothing but cavalry, I
have crossed Miugo Creek and shall encamp to-night on the eastern
side of it. The position is a very strong one against small-arms.
Crossing it, however, leaves open a road running on the west side of it
to the road you are on, and intersecting it, I imagine, in your rear.
At present my regiment on picket is more than two miles in advance
of this road; and should/you inform me to-night that your position is
in advance of the point at which it intersects the road you are on, I
will direct the officer commanding the picket to notify you, should he
have to uncover it. I am informed that General Hardee has reached
the point at which this road intersects the Wilmington and Raleigh
road, about five miles in rear of this position. My headquarters for
the night will be in the woods near my camp.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. W. ALLEX,
Brigadier- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY,
On Averasborough and Goldsborough Road,
March 17, 186512.40 p. m.
Maj. Gen. M. C. BUTLER, Commanding, &c. :
GENERAL : General Hampton directs me to inform you that he will
be with DibrelPs division to-night at the intersection of this road with
the road from Eayetteville to Smithtield. He will have pickets sta-
CHAP. LIX.l CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1421
tioned at Blackmail Lee s Store on the latter road, and on this road also.
He desires to hear from you to know where you have your command,
and what information you have of the enemy.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. B. McCLELLAX,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS,
McLairi s Gross-Roads, March 17, 1865 3 p. m.
[Maj. H. B. MCCLELLAN:]
MAJOR: I sent you a dispatch at 1 p. in. by a party of Colonel Dib-
rell s scouts, giving my position and stating that the enemy had
reached Cobb s Mill, six miles to my rear, and that I had taken a pris
oner from the Fifteenth Corps, who said that his corps was ordered to
take the right at Kay s Store. I have since taken two prisoners from
same corps who says that two divisions of his corps is to march toward
Rob. Lee s Store (where they were taken). I have moved my command
across the Big Cohera. near Blackmail Lee s, where I will await orders.
The enemy was in three miles of Clinton yesterday evening.
Respectfully, &c. ?
M. C. BUTLER,
Major- Gen era I.
HEADQUARTERS,
Salisbury, March 17,
General J. E. JOHNSTON:
Just arrived here. Owing to great scarcity supplies, high water, and
bad roads, had to cross at different ferries along Pedee. About 200
Butler s cavalry, left with me, crossed at Stanbaek s; Black s regiment,
300 strong, at Christian s 5 150 men of Fifth Tennessee at ferries above.
Gaillard s battery and Kirk s battalion are now crossing at Stokes
Ferry, with orders to march to Lexington. 1 shall await your orders
before I move them from Lexington. All the others are ordered to
Raleigh. 1 would like to visit you at Raleigh. The, condition of
affairs in South Carolina compels me to send Colonel Colcock, Third
South Carolina Cavalry, back, three squadrons of his regiment having
been left in Orangeburg. An efficient officer of rank, fully empowered,
should be sent to South Carolina [to] suppress insurrection, capture
marauders, and encourage agriculture. Two regiments of Yankee
cavalry dashed into Florence on the 5th, but were driven ten miles by
a portion of Fifth Tennessee and a squadron of Colcock s cavalry.
B. H. ROBERTSOX,
Brigadier- Genera I.
HEADQUARTERS,
Smithfield, March 17, 1865.
Brig. Gen. B. H. ROBERTSON,
Salisbury :
Dispatch received. General Johnston directs you recall Colcock s
regiment to rejoin your brigade. Troops have been provided for South
Carolina. Bring on your brigade to unite with this army, reporting
progress by telegraph.
ARCHER AXDERSOX,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
1422 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S, GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
HEADQUARTERS,
Smithfield, March 17, 1865 8.45 a. m.
General BRAXTON BRAGG,
Commanding^ &c. :
GENERAL: General Johnston desires you will at once have an
intrenchinent thrown up near Goldsborough, so as to enable the brigade
you have there to detain the enemy as long as possible, should they
advance from Kinston. Such a work would certainly gain us time. It
might be well to send your negro force there by rail to labor upon it.
I am, general, very respectfully, &c.,
ABCHEE ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant- General
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF XORTH CAROLINA,
March 17, :1865.
Major-General HOKE,
Commanding :
General commanding directs me to say that information from General
Hardee last night tends to the belief he has fallen back before the
enemy to within six or eight miles of your front. You will have your
command well in hand, ready to move forward at a moment s notice.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHX B. SALE,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
SMITHFIELD, March 17, 1865 9 p. m.
Major-General HOKE,
Commanding:
GENERAL: The general commanding directs that you be ready to
march early in the morning. Your note of this afternoon received.
The field return sent up this morning was in response to General John
ston s call, and he wants one such semi- weekly, say on Mondays and
Fridays. I am not advised that the regular tri- monthly returns to be
forwarded to the War Department are to be dispensed with.
Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
JOHX B. SALE,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
CHARLOTTE, N. C., March 17, 1865.
Maj. J. B. EUSTIS,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Augusta:
MAJOR: General Beauregard directs that yourself and Colonel
Kornan will remain in Augusta to inspect and hasten forward to the
front troops and supplies. Major Bryan, assistant inspector-general,
will repair to Chester or Winusborough, S. C., for the purpose of per
forming similar service. Upon the receipt of this communication,
should you be this side of Augusta, en route to this point, yourself and
Colonel lloman will come to Chester and there execute the instructions
above given. In this event Major Bryan, assistant inspector-general,
will repair-to this point and perform the duty before assigned him at
Chester. I inclose herewith copy of order given Major McCrady,
engineer, in relation to the repair of railroad, and one to General
CHAP. LIX] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1423
Lee,* directing disposition to be made of a portion of wagon- train of
the Army of Tennessee. See that they are executed. Please extend
tins order to Colonel Roman and Major Bryan. The remainder of
the stall you will order to rejoin the general without delay, wherever
he may be.
liespectf ally, your obedient servant,
GEORGE WM. BEENT,
Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
[Inclosure.]
CHARLOTTE, N. C., March 17, 1865.
Major McCRADY, Engineer, &c. :
MAJOR : General Beauregard directs that you push on rapidly repairs
of roads from Chester to Georgia road, via Winnsborough, Alston,
Abbeville, and Washington. You will report weekly progress.
Eespectfully, your obedient servant,
GEOEGE WM. BEENT,
Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
CHARLOTTE, N. C., March 17, 1865.
Brig. Gen. B. I). FRY, Augusta, Ga.:
GENERAL: General Beauregard instructs me to inquire why the
extension of the courier-line, directed to be made from Columbia to
Wmnsborough, has not been done. Important messages have been
delayed at Winusborough in consequence of this failure. He desires
the line before mentioned put into operation at once.
Eespectfully, your obedient servant,
GEOEGE WM. BEENT,
Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
RALEIGH, N. C., March 17, 1865.
Maj. ALLEN J. GREEN, Chester:
Important dispatches for Augusta delayed at Winnsborough, courier-
line not having been extended from Columbia to that point as ordered.
Send at once, and have them sent through to Columbia, thence by
courier-line to Augusta. Act promptly and report. Direct Captain
Ward to put himself in communication with these headquarters, that
he may receive orders.
JXO. M. OTEY,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
RALEIGH, X. C., March 17, 1865.
Maj. Gen. P. M. B. YOUNG, Augusta, Ga.:
General Fry has been ordered to extend his courier-line to Winns
borough to connect with telegraph. This has not been done. See to
it at once and report.
By command of General Beauregard :
JNO. M.. OTEY,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
*See Otey to Lee, 7.30 p. m. 16th, p. 1399.
1424 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA [CHAP. Lix.
RALEIGH, N. C., March 17, 18654 p. m.
Maj. E. WILLIS,
Chief Quartermaster, Salisbury, N. C. :
Send forward troops, artillery, and wagons rapidly as possible, send
ing horses along railroad, to be taken up on cars whenever practicable.
G. T. BEAUREGAK1).
RALEIGH, N. C., March 17, 1865 7.30 p. m.
Maj. E. WILLIS,
Chief Quartermaster, Salisbury, N. C. :
Stop all artillery without horses at Greensborough. Send on all
artillery horses.
G. T. BEAUREGAKD.
Abstract from field return of Hole s division for March 17, 1865. (a)
Command.
Present for
duty.
Effective total pres
ent.
Aggregate present.
Aggregate present
and absent.
Pieces of
artillery.
Officers.
a
<u
%
1 1
fe,
Staff.
14
14
], 110
1,261
15
4.799
2 848
Ha good s brigade
79
92
77
114
49
32
890
1, 121
975
1,052
536
657
949
1,135
1,016
1,118
557
782
Xethercutt s origade (Junior Reserves)
Kirkland s brigade .... .
1,124
1, 300
638
842
2, 553
2,595
2, 771
1,059
. . . .". 41
Colquitt s brigade
Light artillerv battalion .. .
Grand total...
457
5.231
5. 557
0, 289
16, 640
41
a Colonel Whitford s command of the Sixty-seventh and Sixty-eighth Xorth Carolina Regiments
now belong to Hoke s division, but being at Goldsborough only an approximate estimate of the force
can be given. The Sixth Xorth Carolina Cavalry is also at Goldsborough and Kiustou. The Second
South Carolina Cavalry is now moving to Goldsborough. We have no report from the cavalry. The
Fifty-sixth Xorth Carolina Regiment, Kirkland s brigade, and Tenth Xorth Carolina Battalion are
with General Hardee. Sixty-seventh Xorth Carolina Regiment, about 700 ; Sixty-eighth X orth Caro
lina Regiment, about 300; total, 1,000.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT or NORTH CAROLINA,
Smithfield, March 17, 1865.
Col. T. J. LIPSCOMB, Goldsloroufjli :
COLONEL : Your dispatch of 16th instant per courier is received, say
ing that you will move at daylight this morning to the Goldsborough
front as ordered. You will observe that the numerous applications
from your regiment for furloughs to dismounted men are returned dis
approved. There is an act of Congress, not yet published, providing
for all cavalry horses to be turned over to the Government at valua
tion, and the men to be afterward kept mounted at public expense. I
am almost sure there is such a law recently passed, though it is not yet
promulgated in orders. You were authorized from this place a few
days ago to cause impressments to be made to the Fayetteville front
under certain restrictions. The authority is renewed wherever you
may be, under same restrictions. It has also been granted to yonr
quartermastei as to mules for your train, by indorsement upon his
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. CONFEDERATE. 1425
application of 4th instant, received and returned to-day. The general
is still unwilling the command should be dispersed to the rear upon
such impressments. Until your dismounted men are remounted would
it not be well for them to act as infantry in concert with those now
defending Goldsborough?
Very respectfully, colonel,
JOHN B. SALE,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,