to have dispatches reach Schoiield at Fort Monroe.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major- General and Chief of
CITY POINT, VA., January ol, 1865.
Maj. Gen. J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Commanding Army of the Ohio:
I have requested by telegraph that for present purposes North Caro
lina be erected into a department, and that you be placed in command
190 OPEKATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
of it, subject to Major-General Sherman s orders. Of course you will
receive orders from me direct until such time as General Sherman gets
within communicating distance of you. This obviates the necessity of
my publishing- the order which I informed you would meet you at
Fortress Monroe. If the order referred to should not be published
from the Adjutant-General s Office, you will regard these instructions
as your authority to assume command of all the troops in North Caro
lina, dating all official communications " Headquarters Army of the
Ohio." Your headquarters will be in the field and with the portion of
the army where you feel yourself most needed. In the first move you
will go to Cape Fear River. Your movements are intended as co-oper
ative with Sherman through the States of South and North Carolina.
The first point to be attained is to secure Wilmington. Goldsborough
will then be your objective point, moving either from Wilmington or
New Berne, or both, as you deem best. Should you not be able to
reach Goldsborough, you will advance on the line or lines of railway
connecting that place with the sea coast, as near to it as you can,
building the road behind you.
The enterprise under you has two objects. The first is to give Gen
eral Sherman material aid, if needed, in his march north; the second,
to open a base of supplies for him on his line of march. As soon, there
fore, as you can determine which of the two points, Wilmington or New
Berne, you can best use for throwing supplies from, to the interior, you
will commence the accumulation of twenty days rations and forage
for 60,000 men and 120,000 animals. You will get of these as many as
you can house and protect to such point in the interior as you may be
able to occupy. I believe General Palmer has received some instruc
tions directly from General Sherman on the subject of securing supplies
for his army. You can learn what steps he lias taken and be governed
in your requisitions accordingly. A supply of ordnance stores will also
be necessary. Make all of your requisitions upon the chiefs of their
respective departments in the field with me at City Point. Communi
cate with me by every opportunity, and, should you deem it necessary
at any time, send a special boat to Fortress Monroe, from which point
you can communicate by telegraph. The supplies referred to in these
instructions are exclusive of those required by your own command.
The movements of the enemy may justify you, or even make it your
imperative duty, to cut loose from your base and strike for the interior
to aid Sherman. In such case you will act on your own judgment,
without waiting for instructions. You will report, however, what you
propose doing. The details for carrying out these instructions are
necessarily left to you. I would urge, however, if I did not know that
you are already fully alive to the importance of it, prompt action.
Sherman may be looked for in the neighborhood of Goldsborough any
time from the 22d to the 28th of February. This limits your time very
materially. If rolling-stock is not secured in the capture of Wilming
ton it can be supplied from Washington. A large force of railroad
men have already been sent to Beaufort, and other mechanics will go
to Fort Fisher in a day or two. On this point I have informed you by
telegraph.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant- General.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 191
CITY POINT, YA., January 31, 186511.30 a. m.
(Received 1.20 p. m.)
Major-General SCHOFIELD, Washington :
There are about 5,000 troops here belonging to Terry s command,
which will be forwarded as rapidly as possible. Mechanics have already
gone to Beaufort. They can be transferred to Fort Fisher if you deem
it advisable. A pile driver will leave Annapolis on Thursday for Fort
Fisher, with a sufficient force to work it. The pontoon train left here
on Sunday.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieut nant- General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO,
Washington, J). C., January 31, 1865 1.20 p. m.
Lieutenant-General GRANT, City Point, Va.:
1 have received your dispatch of 10 a, ni. to the Secretary of War.*
General Rucker thinks it will be impossible to get out of the Potomac
before Friday or Saturday, but will try to break the ice to-morrow.
General Meagher s detachment, about 5,500 strong, is ordered to
Annapolis, where there will be transports enough for it. I propose to
send all of General Meagher s troops to New Berne and take the
Twenty third Corps to Cape Fear River. Meagher will probably get
down first, but will, 1 presume, not be strong enough for the move
against Wilmington. Please inform me it you approve of this arrange
ment.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major -General.
CITY POINT, VA., January 31, 1865 7 p. m.
(Received 7.50 p. m.)
Maj. Gen. J. M. SOHOFIELD, Washington, J). C.:
The arrangement you have made to send Meagher s command to
New Berne is satisfactory.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant- General.
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, ) HDQRS. ARMY OF THE OHIO,
No. 10. ) Washington, 7). C., January 31, 1865.
#*#*#*#
III. The One hundred and eightieth Ohio Infantry is hereby assigned
to the First Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and the commanding
officer will report for orders to Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger command
ing.
IV. The Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry is hereby assigned to the
First Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and the commanding officer
will report for orders to Brig. Gen. Thomas II. Ruger commanding.
*******
By command of Major-General Schofield :
J. A. CAMPBELL,
Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
* See Grant to Stantou, 7 a. in., p. 179.
192 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C. 7 S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
WASHINGTON, D. C., January 31, :/<96 5.
Major-General AUGUR:
Send General Meagher s division to Annapolis to embark for Fort
Fisher, calling at Fort Monroe to inquire for orders from General
Grant.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major-General and Chief of Naff.
BENWOOD, Jfuntfiru -77, i$(;r>.
(Received 5.10 p. m.)
Hon. C. A. DANA,
Assistant Secretary of War:
The last car is loaded and on the way over the Baltimore and Ohio
Kailroad. i am jnst leaving 1 for Washington. There is not a word of
truth in any report relative to the freezing of soldiers in Ohio, as far
as the Twenty-third Army Corps is concerned. Jf at all it only applies
to some 2,000 or ,3,000 arriving some days after from Nashville and
going to New York via Pittsbnrg.
LEWIS 15. PARSONS,
Colonel, in Ciiarae.
Abstract from return* of lite U. S. Forces under the immediate comuifind of -V<v/. Gen.
U iUiani T. Sherman, r. N. Army, for January 31, lti !-l.
Command.
I rese
dut
CC
1
10
36
14
nt for
.Y-*
p
tn
t
t/.
if.
3
15
o" 3
So "
feC
17
98
1,444
018
Pice
jirt.il
c;
w
es of
lery.
General i nd staff
I 10
68 : 78
897 1. 141
371 529
7th Company Ohio Sharpshooters
1st Michigan JSugiiieers (ten companies)
1st Missouri Engineers (five companies)
Army of the Tennessee :
General and staff - - -
3
7GO
459
21
115
27
18, 405
13, 642
32,210
28
25
53
27
143
31
472
302
975
63
24
15, 330
11,851
27, 208
^^
"is
14
32
fifteenth Army Corps (jLo U!i x
Total Ri hf Win (Howard)
1, 240
Army of Georgia :
5
25
578
038
"459"
14,150
13,432
5
730
16, 255
15, 778
28
910
653
546
::::::
1C
10
Totil Left Win tr (Slocum)
1, 246 28, 041
32, 708
57
116
32
Cavalry (Kilpatrick)
184
4, 289
5,204
9
314
Grand total
2, 744 60, 934
71, 946
122
582
70
* For the effective strength, see Part I, p. 42.
CHAP. LIX.]
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION.
193
Abstract from returns of the Department of the South, Maj. Gen. John G. Foster, U. S.
Army, commanding, for January 31, 1865.
[Compiled mainly from subordinate returns.]
Command.
Present for
duty.
Aggregate present.
1
g^
if
U
in
bo
<H
Pieces of
artillery.
Officers.
3
k>
^
ci
w
S
&
64
7
59
28
69
40
135
239
80
557
2,340
946
2,024
1,330
3, 981
6,423
125
585
3, 374
1,244
2,711
1,680
4, 832
8.356
22, 907
151
600
6,543
1.947
3, 285
3, 999
9, 038
12, 387
37. 950
1st Xe\v York Engineers (battalion. Place)
12
12
2
Second Separate Brigade (Totter)
Third Separate Brigade (Brown)
District of Savannah (Grover)
District of North Carolina (Palmer)
101
113
68
82
Total*
641 17,681
CITY POINT, VA., February 1, 1865.
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,
Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi :
VVithout mucli expectation of its reaching yon in time to be of any
service, I have mailed to you copies of instructions to Schofiekl and
Thomas. t I have informed Schofield by telegraph of the departure of
Mahone s division south from the Petersburg front. The troops
marched down the Weldon road, and as they apparently went without
baggage, it is doubtful whether they have not returned. I was absent
from here when they left. Just returned yesterday morning from
Cape Fear Elver. I went there to determine where Schofield s corps
had better go to operate against Wilmington and Goldsborough. The
instructions with this will inform you of the conclusion arrived at.
Schofield was with me and the plan of the movement against Wilming
ton fully determined before we started back ; hence the absence of more
detailed instructions to him. He will land one division at Smith ville
and move rapidly up the south side of the river and secure the Wil
mington and Goldsborough Railroad, and with his pontoon train cross
into the island south of the city if he can. With the aid of the gun
boats there is no doubt but this move will drive the enemy from their
position, eight miles east of the city, either back to their inner line or
away altogether. There will be a large force on the north bank of
Cape Fear ready to follow up and resist the garrison if they should go
inside. The railroads of Xorth Carolina are four feet eight inches and
a half gauge. I have sent large parties of railroad men there to build
them up, and have ordered stock to run them. We have abundance of
it idle from the non-use of the Virginia roads. I have taken every
precaution to have supplies ready for you wherever you may turn up.
1 did this before, when you left Atlanta, and regret that they did not
reach you promptly when you arrived at salt water. The fact is,
Foster, from physical disability, is entirely unfit for his command. I
*Of the present for duty, here reported, 195 officers and 3,866 men constituted
the Coast Division, commanded by Brig. Gen. John P. Hatch.
tFor Grant to Schofield, January 31, 1865, see p. 18y, and for Grant to Thomas, Janu
ary 31, 1865, see Vol. XLIX, Part I.
13 R R VOL XL VII, PT II
194 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
would like to change him for a man who can get about and see for him
self. Alexander II. Stephens, B. M. T. Hunter, and Judge Campbell
are now at my headquarters very desirous of going to Washington to
see Mr. Lincoln informally on the subject of peace. The peace feeling
within the rebel lines is gaining ground rapidly. This, however, should
not relax our energies in the least, but should stimulate us to greater
activity. I have received your very kind letter* in which you say you
would decline, or are opposed to, promotion. No one would be more
pleased at your advancement than I, and if you should be placed in
my position, and I put subordinate, it would not change our relations in
the least. I would make the same exertions to support you that you
have ever done to support me, and I would do all in my power to make
our cause win.
U. S. GBANT,
Lieutenant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL S OFFICE,
No. 51. ( Washington , February 1, 1865.
* * * * * * *
G3. By direction of the President. Bvt. Lieut. Col. Thomas G. Bay
lor, U. S. Army, is hereby assigned to duty according to his brevet
rank, from December 21, 1864.
*******
By order of the Secretary of War :
E. D. TOWNSEKD,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
In the Field, Hickory Hill, February 1, 1865 5 p. m.
General HOWARD:
Slocum is a little behind. I don t want Logan to get farther to-mor
row than the place marked " Store " near Duck Branch Post-Office. I
want to make slow marches till Slocum gets up, or nearly so. Please
make your orders accordingly.
Yours,
W. T. SHERMAK,
Major- General.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Whippy Swamp, S. C\, February 1, 1865.
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,
Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:
DEAR GENERAL: Your dispatch is just received. The road has
been badly obstructed, but we cleared it out without difficulty till we
came to Whippy Swamp Creek. The road here for a quarter of a mile
was filled with felled trees and six bridges destroyed. The obstruc
tions have been cleared, the bridges rebuilt, the swamp corduroyed in
part, and one division (Mower s) on the other side with all its material.
I think if you were here and saw the country and the difficulties in
clearing away the obstructions across Whippy Swamp, that [you]
* See January 21, p. 102.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 195
would prefer me to push on to Elvers Bridge by this route. I expected
General Logan would send two divisions via Whippy Swamp Post-
Office and two by the lower route, all to meet at Angley s Post-Office,
crossing Whippy Swamp at that place. I can push one division of
the Seventeenth Corps by the route you suggest, and not be obliged to
return; otherwise I shall have to march back some distance and take
the other route.
I will inclose you a copy of my order of march as issued, and will
send you an officer that you may modify my instructions and let me
know.
Lieutenant Taylor was wounded in the skirmish to-day quite severely,
but I think not dangerously. The enemy had about COO cavalry in our
front. They took the route to Whippy Swamp Post-Office. We found
some forty guarding the crossing here.
Very respectfully,
O. O. HOWARD,
Major- General.
[Inclosure.]
SPECIAL } HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND
FIELD ORDERS, [ ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Xo. 28. ) In the Field, 8. C., February 1, 1865.
The following will be the order of inarch for to-morrow, commencing
at 7 a. m. : The Fifteenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. J. A. Logan com
manding, will move to Angley s Post-Office, as indicated in Special
Field Orders, No. 27. The Seventeenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. F. P.
Blair commanding, will march to Rivers Bridge, and if possible effect
a lodgment on the other side of the river. The wagon train of these
headquarters will move in rear of the leading division of General
Blair s corps. The bridge train will move in rear of the division
second in column of General Blair s corps. These headquarters will
be established at or near Rivers Bridge.
By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard:
A. M. VAX DYKE,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Whippy Swamp, S. 0., February 1, 1865.
Maj. Gen. JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commanding Fifteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL : In accordance with instructions from General Sherman,
you will take the lower route by the way of Duck Creek, and halt at
the place marked " Store," instead of proceeding to Angley s Post-Office
as directed.
With, the general s consent, you may push a division up to Rice s
house, a point some two miles short of Whippy Swamp Creek.
I will send a division of General Blair along the west bank of the
creek co form a junction with your division, and move the other two
divisions on to the same road, east of the creek, and open communi
cation across.
Very respectfully,
O. O. HOAVARD,
Major- General,
196 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. L1X.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 32. j Hickory Hill Post- Office, S. (7., February 1, 1865.
**.*.*#*#
II. Whenever practicable, division commanders will move their troops
alongside of their trains, studying always to give the road to their
wagons. The column in marching must be kept closed up, and no
division should occupy more than its legitimate space in the road when
everything is well closed up. A detachment of the pioneer corps will
precede the infantry column and clear away a road for its passage
alongside of that on which the wagon train is moving. Division com
manders will invariably march their commands in four-rank formation;
moving in column of twos will only be allowed when necessary to pass
a defile or to turn temporary obstructions.
*******
By order of Maj. Gen. John A. Logan:
MAX. WOODIIULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Hickory Hill Post- Office, S. C., February 1, 1865.
Maj. MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Fifteenth Army Corps:
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that during the skirmishing at
Hickory Hill Post-Office to-day, one man of the Ninth Iowa Veteran
Infantry (Third Brigade), Sergt. Marshall House, Company F, was
severely wounded in the thigh; leg since amputated. No other casual
ties in this division.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
FEED. H. WILSON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Sand Hill Church, S.. C\, February 1, 1865 8 p. m.
Major WOODHULL, &c. :
I have the honor to report that, night overtaking me here with the
division in my front still passing, I encamped my division at this point,
five miles from Hickory Hill Post-Office. I must ask pardon for refer
ring to the method of marching the foot troops on the flanks of the
artillery and trains. My own division was marched by this method all
the distance, excepting one day from Atlanta to the Ogeechee River,
and found it at all times entirely practicable, by so doing shortening
the column by one-half. Thirty men with axes and fifteen without in
front of the leading troops can always prepare the roads as fast as
troops will march. The infantry in my front to-day was marched, with
the exception of a few regiments, in two ranks with long intervals, at
same time prolonging the column of one division to five miles, all of
which would not interfere with the progress of the troops in rear if
this method was used. It also adds greatly to the protection of the
trains.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant.
W. B. HAZEN,
Major- General.
CHAP.LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 197
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
]STo. 29. j In ihe Field, 8. 6 ., February 1, 1865.
The following are tLe orders for the movement to-morrow:
1. The Ninth Illinois Mounted Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes
commanding 1 , will move forward at 7 a. m. on the road they are now on.
to Whippy [Swamp] Post-Office, there taking the road leading to the
road the column is now on.
2. Maj. Gen. J. A. Mower, commanding First Division, will move
his train across the swamp at C a. m., and will move his command
forward at 7 a. in., having the advance.
3. Brig. Gen. M. F. Force, commanding Third Division, w r ill move
forward at 7 a. m., following the First Division.
4. Bvt. Maj. Gen. G. A. Smith, commanding Fourth Division, will
move forward at 7 a. m., following the Third Division.
5. The bridge train will follow the Third Division, being prepared to
move at 7 o clock.
The train of department headquarters and of these headquarters
will follow the First Division.
By command of Maj. Gen. F. P. Blair:
C. CADLE, JR.,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Harrison s Plantation, 8. 6\, February 1, 1865.
Capt. C. CADLE, JR.,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Seventeenth Army Corps:
SIR : I have endeavored to obtain information since coming over here
with regard to the enemy s position on the northeast bank of the
Salkehatchie. I have seen but one man who has any knowledge of
their position. He states that the rebels have twelve pieces of artillery
at Broxton s Bridge, and are fortified there. He also says that ten
miles beyond, at Buford s Bridge, they have two pieces of artillery. I
will do all I can to obtain further information.
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOS. A. MOWER,
Major- General, U. 8. Army, Commanding Division.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Whippy 8ica.mp, 8. C., February 1, 1865.
Brig. Gen. M. F. FORCE,
Commanding Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps:
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say to you
that you will bring the brigade of your command that is on the
Whippy Swamp Post-Office road across to this road at a sufficiently
early hour to-morrow to enable them to march with the command.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. CADLE, JR.,
Assista nt A djuta n t- Genera I.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, on Whippy Su amp, 8. C., February 1, 1865.
Brig. Geu. M. F. FORCE, Commanding Third Division :
GENERAL : I am instructed by Major-General Blair to inform you that
the brigade from your command ordered up with the mounted infantry
198 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
on the left-hand road will continue on that road to-morrow to Whippy
Swamp Post- Office, and from there strike across to our road.
Instructions will be sent them to-night for their movement. Please
inform me which brigade it is.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. CADLE, JR.,
Assistan t A djutant- General.
SISTER S FERRY, February 1, 1865.
Major-General SHERMAN :
Your communication of yesterday received. I directed Williams to
communicate to you our situation. The Savannah River is ten feet
above its usual depth. The country on each bank is flooded. I have a
bridge across the river and a large force at work on bridges, but have
not yet been able to cross even a cavalryman to the high land. I can
now reach within half a mile of it, and river is falling. I hope to get
Kilpatrick over this evening. My efforts shall be made to push as
rapidly as possible. Our road from the ferry is lined with torpedoes as
far as we have gone. Two men were killed yesterday, and over thirty
torpedoes were dug up yesterday by working party.
H. W. SLOCUM,
Major- General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Hickory Hill, S. 6\, February 1, 1865 5 p. m.
Maj. Gen. H. W. SLOCUM, Commanding Left Wing :
GENERAL: I have a letter from General Williams detailing your
difficulties. I think you had better dispatch Williams with Ids two
divisions and Kilpatrick s cavalry, by the road leading through Duck
Branch Post-Office, to Buford s Bridge, and overtake us and follow as
soon as possible with the balance. I deem it important to get on the
railroad as soon as possible.
We will march slowly, say ten or twelve miles a day, toward Mid
way, and I want you to come up on our left, say at Blackville or Gra
ham s.
You will find some meat and forage. We have already found some.
Wheeler had a division of cavalry here, but they ran; they had
obstructed the roads, but they were cleaned out without delay. Tell
Corse he may come by Hickory Hill or Duck Branch, as he finds most
convenient. You might occupy roads to the left for convenience.
Yours,
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major- General.
HDQRS. COAST DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Camp at Pocotaligo, February 1, 1865 3.30 p. m.
Major-General SLOCUM, Comdg. Army of the Cumberland:
GENERAL: I have just received a note from General Sherman, writ
ten at a point four miles south of Hickory Hill, at 1 p. m. to-day. The
following is an extract:
All right. Get word over to Slocum that I have started and will be opposite Riv
ers Bridge to-morrow. I may await him there, or go on to the railroad about Mid-
CHAP. Lix.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC, UNION. 199
way. He should push cavalry first, and cross by corps as fast as ready. * * *
Roads are very fair; obstructed at the swamps, but we cut a way about as fast as a
column marches. We find some hogs, bacon, and corn, but much has been carried