Office, as follows: The First Division at 6.30 a. in.; Third Division at
7.30 a. m. The immediate presence of the enemy requires that two
unencumbered brigades with one battery of artillery should precede
the trains. General Jackson will, therefore, march his two brigades in
front of all the trains. General Ward will distribute his troops along
the whole train, so as to assist and protect them. A rear guard of two
regiments will be sufficient.

The artillery will march, one battery with the advanced brigades,
one immediately in rear of the First Division trains, and one with the
Third Division.

General Jackson will have as strong a pioneer iorce as possible at the
head of the column.

By command of Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. S. Williams :

CHAS. MOYEE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.



CHAP. LIX.J CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 209

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,

Hilton Head, 8. C\, February 2, 1865.
Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

SIR : I have the honor to inclose my letter to General Sherman of the
31st ultimo,* with his indorsement thereon; also copies of the orders
and instructions referred to in such letter, with copy of Brevet Briga-
dier-Geueral Littlefield s letter to me, dated 30th of January. These
inclosures are marked, respectively, 1, 2, 3, &c., to No. 9. I would
respectfully ask that the last sentence of paragraph Y, of Special Field
Orders, No. 15, from General Sherman s headquarters, may be annulled,
so as to leave the recruiting and organization of colored men in my
hands and those of Brevet Brigadier- General Littlefield, where it was
left by previous instructions of the War Department. I respectfully
submit that the proposed change would disorganize the machinery now
established, and would produce confusion and consequently necessary
delay. By the orders inclosed you will see that I am directed to
appoint officers provisionally. Numbers have been assigned to the
new regiments by the bureau of which Colonel Foster is chief, to wit,
the One hundred and third, the One hundred and fourth, the One
hundred and fifth, and the One hundred and twenty-eighth. I have
appointed officers in the One hundred and third, and the regiment is
being efficiently organized. I am pushing this matter of enlistments,
and shall, in any event, do all in my power to further the wishes of the
Department. 1 would also suggest that to place this matter of
organizing these regiments in other hands than those of the department
commander might produce unnecessary complications. General Sax-
ton s important duties as inspector under General Sherman s order will
of necessity occupy much time and demand his constant care. In them
he will receive my thorough support. The interests at stake are so
great that they should be furthered by a hearty and soldierly co-oper
ation between us. I ask this respectfully, as General Sherman informs
me that the change specified in the above-mentioned paragraph of his
order was made by your directions. I regret that there should seem to
be any doubt of my interest in the arming of the colored race. I have
since the first order on this subject was issued by the War Department
been one of the most active in encouraging and enforcing the enlist
ment of these men. Every officer who has served with me will bear
testimony to this. Among the earliest colored regiments organized
were the First and Second North Carolina regiments; you will remem
ber that they were raised under my personal supervision by Brigadier-
General Wild. As a soldier, I wish to see our armies strengthened; as
a citizen, to do that which will most benefit this unfortunate race, and
fit them to rightly use that liberty with which the war has blessed them.
Regarding the discipline which they will receive in the army as the
greatest and most widely spread educational influence which can be
brought to bear upon them, the policy of the Government in making sol
diers of them commends itself alike to my judgment and my humanity.
I need not say that whatever may be your decision, it will receive
from me a soldier s acquiescence.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER,
Maj or- General, Comm an ding.

* See p. 186.
14 R R VOL XLVII, PT II



210 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. I (. HAP. LIX.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,

Hilton Head, 8. C., February 2, 1865.

(Via Fort Monroe 6th, 3.30 p. m.)
Lieut. Gen. IT. S. GRANT,

Commanding Armies of the United States :

GENERAL: I have received dispatch from General Sherman, who
was at a point four miles south of Hickory Springs last night (1st).
He expected to be at Rivers Bridge to-night (2d), and at a point mid
way between Branchville and Augusta to-morrow night. The roads
were fair. General Hatch s division is demonstrating toward Com-
bahee and feigning to attempt forcing a crossing. General E. E. Potter
with three regiments is demonstrating from Edisto Island toward Wills-
town. In two days this force will be added to that on Folly Island to
demonstrate against James Island. I shall keep things active and
strive to aid General Sherman in every way in my power.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER,
Major- General, Commanding.



HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,

Hilton Head, S. C., February 2, 1865.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, II. S. Army,

Chief of Staff, U. S. Armies :

GENERAL: The experience of the past few weeks has shown that
volunteering among the colored men in this department is very slow
and may not for a long time furnish the number so much needed for
garrison and other duties. These men, just freed from long servitude,
are, of necessity, ignorant and improvident. Their idea of liberty is
exemption alike from work and care. The streets of Savannah are full
of them, lying in the sun and waiting for bread without labor. Need
ing their services as soldiers, I respectfully ask that the Department
will fix a quota for the States of South Carolina and Georgia, and allow
me to fill it by conscripting the able-bodied young colored men, under
such restrictions and exemptions as may be deemed most wise by
the Department. Such as are imposed by the existing U. S. conscrip
tion law might be designated with an order that one-half or one-third
of the number liable should be drafted. I have consulted with colored
pastors on this subject aiid they agree with me in advising the pro
posed course. The future of the race is a matter of serious moment.
Education is necessary to make freedom truly beneficial. The training
of the army will do more to educate these men than any other scheme
which can be devised ; it will make them self-reliant and will develop
their manhood. The camp is to-day the school-house of this race; it
may be that in the future the soldierly training of these people will be
their protection against local injustice, while the habits of care and
economy so learned will make them self-supporting.

Alike, therefore, upon military and humane grounds, I ask the care
ful attention of the Department to the suggestions of this letter, and
am, general,

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. G. FOSTER,
Major- General, Commanding.



CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 211

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field , at a point 2\ Miles north of Duck Branch Post-Office,

5i Miles J rom Pocotaligo, February 2, 1865 7 p. m.

General J. G. FOSTER,

Commanding Department of the Smith :

GENERAL : I wrote you on the road yesterday touching the matter of
General Saxton, and gave you my reasons for not changing my orders.
I still adhere to that conclusion, but have no objection whatever that
you should apply to the Secretary of War direct and leave him to judge.
But as to military discipline, I decide that General Saxton cannot
go to a military post and do anything which in the judgment of its
commander is calculated to produce confusion or disorder. The com
manding officer of a post is the proper person to see that it does not
become encumbered with idle or worthless vagabonds of any color, sex,
or kind. You may sustain General Grover in anything he may do as to
maintaining good order and government at Savannah.

The Secretary of War is charged by Congress with the administra
tion of the war policy, and we are bound to respect his authority and
wishes, and these are contained in my orders. If General Saxton pre
sumes on any special influence let him alone and he will commit some
breach of military propriety, when you will take action. I consider he
has no more control over organizations of colored troops after they are
mustered and paid than the superintendent of the general recruiting
service for white troops. During the inchoate existence of a regiment
or company he may use it about his rendezvous for guard and police;
but after troops are organized as companies, battalions, or regiments,
mustered in and paid by the United States, they at once become, like
any other part of your command, subject to your orders and detail.
Indeed, were I in your place, I would prefer this disposition, as it
relieves you of all the details of organization. As to Littlefield s duties,
you can put him subject to Saxton, or you can give him the detail of
any other officers and men of your command at your own option. You
may require him to apply for such details as he wants, and you can
make them just as you would for the quartermaster.

As to the nomination of officers for negro regiments, that purely
belongs to the appointing power, the President, who may delegate it
to whom he sees lit.

As to steam-boats, I don t think General Easton has any feeling as
to you; but I think he has an idea that Major Thomas, much his junior,
is left to judge. If he knows that you give the subject your personal
attention, he will be content. It would be well for you to confer with
him, for I have given him carte blanche and hold him accountable as
to my immediate army.

My movements now will depend for a day or so on Slocum ; but you
had better be all ready for the steps I indicated.

We find a good deal of cavalry on all the roads, but they do not delay
our march.

The infantry is behind the Salkehatchie, which is a swampy, ugly
stream all the way up to Barnwell.

I am much obliged for the papers. All well.
Yours, truly,

W. T. SHERMAN,
Major- General, Commanding.



212 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.

HDQRS. COAST DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,

Pocotaliyo, February 2, 1865.
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,

Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:
GENERAL: I neglected to mention in the items seiit you yesterday
that General Foster wished me to say to you that he considers it abso
lutely necessary that General Saxton shall be relieved from superin
tending the recruiting colored troops, lie is crazy on the subject, has
harangued meetings, and had an appointment for a mass-meeting in
Savannah yesterday. It is, however, probable that General Grover
yesterday forbid the mass-meeting. The negroes misunderstand their
recently acquired freedom, and will neither work nor enlist. General
Saxton s course is thought to encourage them in their opinions. Gen
eral Littlefleld is considered capable of managing and organizing the
recruiting of blacks.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. P. HATCH,
Brigadier- General of Volunteers, Commanding.

1 shall cross at Combahee Ferry as soon as I can get boats to that
point.



HDQRS. COAST DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,

PocotaligOj $. (7., February 2, 1865.
COMMANDING OFFICER ENGINEERS AT PORT ROYAL FERRY:

SIR: The brigadier- general commanding directs that you move your
command to the mainland on this side of the causeway, and erect
there a tete-de-pont arranged for two or more guns. He also directs
you to send word as to the number of pontoon boats you have at that
point.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

LEONARD B. PERKY,
First Lieut., Fifty-fifth Mass. Vols., and Acty. Asst. Adjt. Gen.



HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA,

New Berne, N. (7., February 2,
Maj. Gen. M. C. MEIGS,

Quartermaster -General 17. 8. Army, Washington:

GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose direct to you a letter written
by the acting chief quartermaster of this district to the chief quarter
master at Fort Monroe, concerning some transportation.

To send this requisition through the ordinary channels would occupy
too much time, and for this reason it is sent direct to you.

I have received letters (confidential) from both General Sherman and
General Foster informing me of General Sherman s plans, and I am
preparing everything here for the advance of Sherman s army into this
State. The force for placing the railroad in order from our outposts to
Kinston has arrived, and a portion of Scholield s corps is hourly
expected here. This additional force will probably arrive without
wagons, and I wish to place them in immediate condition to march,
with twenty days supply of provisions and ammunition, to Golds-
borough, where I expect to join General Sherman by the latter part of
this month.



CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 213

Our wagons now here are barely sufficient to perform the labor here.
In May last every wagon, horse, and mule that could be spared from
this district was sent to Virginia, and none of them have ever been
returned.

If this requisition can be filled I think I will be able to co-operate
with General Sherman in the manner directed by him.

As I have said, the plans for future operations have been given to
me confidentially, and I therefore send this to you in the same way. It
is my impression, however, that it is the general belief in all this region
that Sherman is coming through this State, and it appears to be spoken
of as a matter of course.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. N. PALMEK,
Brigadier- General, Commanding.



CITY POINT, February 2, 1865 11 a. m.

(Keceived 11.30 a. m.)
General SOHOFIELD :

Mahone s division, which was reported to have gone south, has
returned to Petersburg. They did go south near or quite to Weldon,
probably to meet a raid sent by General Palmer to destroy the ram
which is being built in the lioanoke.

U. S. GRANT,

Lieutenant- General.



HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,

February 2, 1865 2.30 p. m.
Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT,

City Point, Va.:

I expect to get off to-morrow with one division besides General
Meagher s command. I will go with the advance and will stop at Fort
Monroe for your orders. I will telegraph you when I start.

J. M. SOHOFIELD,
Major- General, Commanding.



FORT MONROE, VA., February 2, 1865.
Maj. Gen. J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Washington, J). C. :

I arrived here to-day with dispatches for you from Major-General
Sherman. Will be in Annapolis to-morrow morning (Friday).

JOHN F. ANDEPvSON,
Major and Aide- de- Gamp.



SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO,

No. 18. ( Washington, D. C., February 2, 1865.

I. The Special Orders of January 26, 1865, from these headquarters,
for embarking the troops of this command, is hereby modified as fol
lows: The First and Third Brigades, Third Division, Twenty-third
Army Corps, will embark at Alexandria to-morrow morning and move
withoutdelay to Fort Fisher, N. 0. The Second Brigade, Third Division
(Colonel Casement s), will move by rail to Annapolis, Md., and embark
at that point, and move without delay to Fort Fisher. This brigade



214 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. 0., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. L1X.

will take precedence of all other troops in embarking at Annapolis, it
being important that it reach its destination as soon as practicable.
Brig. Gen. T. F. Meagher s Provisional Division will embark at Annap
olis withoutunnecessary delay (giving precedence to Colonel Casement s
brigade), and move to Beaufort, and thence by rail to New Berne, N.
C., and join the command of Brig. Gen. I. N. Palmer, to whom General
Meagher will report on his arrival at Beaufort for further orders. The
Second and First Divisions, Twenty-third Army Corps, will embark at
Alexandria or Annapolis, as may be directed by Brigadier- Gen era!
Rucker, quartermaster, as soon as transports shall be provided, and
will move without delay to Fort Fisher, N. C. One battery will move
with each division, if practicable, without delaying the movement of
the infantry. The remaining artillery wagons and animals will follow
the troops as soon as suitable transports can be provided. Headquar
ters will move with the Third Division from Alexandria to-morrow.



By command of Major-General Schofield:

J. A. CAMPBELL,
Major and Assistant Adjutant -General.



SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. THIRD Div., 23D ARMY CORPS,

No. 8. j Alexandria, Va., February 2, 1865.

I. Capt. Hobart Ford, One hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, is hereby detailed for duty as aide-de-camp on the personal
staff of the general commanding, and will report without delay to these
headquarters.
By command of Major-General Cox :

THEO. COX,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.



ANNAPOLIS, MD., February 2, 1865 10 p. m.

(Eeceived 11.30 p. m.)
Maj. Gen. II. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff:

About 1,000 of General Meagher s division have arrived and are on
board transports. Boats ordered to Baltimore to-day for troops have
failed to reach that city. Another attempt will be made at daylight
to-morrow. Great difficulty is experienced in coaling vessels at this
point and in supplying them with water. In addition to steamers
named in your memoranda the Alliance and Hermann Livingstone have
arrived. The first will carry 200 men and the other 800.

EOBT. N. SCOTT,
Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.



WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., February 2, 1865.
Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War :

SIR : I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with your
orders, the Twenty-third Army Corps, Major-General Schofield com
manding, has been transferred from Clifton, on the Tennessee, to the



CHAP. LIX.j CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 215

Potomac. Under the instructions of the Hon. C. A. Dana, Assistant
Secretary of War, I left this city on the llth ultimo to take the general
supervision of the movement. Anxious, if possible, to comply with the
wishes of the Department and those of the lieutenant-general in mak
ing it to Parkersburg by water, yet knowing by experience the extreme
uncertainties of winter navigation upon the Ohio, I telegraphed on my
departure to several trustworthy gentlemen intimately connected with
the management of Western railroads, who met me while en route to
Louisville, and with whom I arranged for a quiet concentration of
machinery, so that if necessary there could be, on twelve to twenty-
four hours notice, at either Cairo, Evansville, Louisville, or Cincinnati,
sufficient to move the corps as it should arrive at either of those points,
and yet in such manner as not to prove detrimental to the interests o.f
the different roads in case the machinery was not required.

Arrangements were also made through the commissary department,
by which the comfort of the troops should be cared for by supplying,
as often as once in each hundred miles of railroad transportation, in
addition to their rations an abundance of hot coffee.

On arriving at Louisville and not finding dispatches from Generals
Thomas or Schoneld, as was anticipated, advising me as to the amount
of transportation required, or the time when the troops would be ready
to move, on consultation with General Allen it was deemed best to
order without delay the assembling at Paducah, the mouth of the Ten
nessee River, of transports amply sufficient to make the required
movement. This being done by telegraph, I left Louisville the same
evening (14th) and reached Paducah the following night, where learn
ing that Major-General Schofield had but a few hours previously passed
down the river I proceeded at once to Cairo, and the next day learning
from him by telegraph that only transportation for 10,000 men would
be required, in addition to the boats already up the river, I returned
to Paducah that night, ordered the boats, with convoy, to be in read
iness as soon as possible, and started the next morning at daylight up
the Tennessee.

At about 5 o clock the same evening (17th) meeting General McLean
with a division of the Twenty-third Army Corps coming down on
transports greatly overloaded, on communication with him it was
deemed best that I should return to Paducah, sending up the river the
transports accompanying me, under care of Capt. Arthur Edwards,
assistant quartermaster.

After largely increasing at Paducah the transportation for General
McLean s command, rendering the condition of the troops entirely
comfortable for a long trip, this portion of the corps proceeded up the
Ohio on the following morning (18th) and on the evening of the same
day, having completed all necessary arrangements for the remainder
of the troops as they should reach that place, I left via Cairo for
Louisville by rail, and arrived there on the morning of the 20th in
advance of any of the transports.

During the previous night the weather suddenly changed from the
mild and genial temperature with which we had hitherto been favored,
and the morning brought the coldest weather as yet experienced dur
ing the winter, so that on arriving at the Ohio I found the river so full
of floating ice as to give serious apprehensions of our ability to pro
ceed by boats even to Cincinnati.

On consultation, however, with Major-General Schofield, General
Allen, and the best advised river men, I ordered forward the boats to



216 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.

Cincinnati, and telegraphed as previously arranged for the collection
at that place of the necessary cars and machinery to be ready on the
following morning to receive the troops as they arrived.

The river having rapidly fallen over twenty feet rendered it impos
sible for our larger boats to pass above the falls, producing thereby
considerable detention, as we were obliged to transfer the troops to a
smaller class of boats which could pass through the canal.

Everything progressing satisfactorily I again took the cars on the
evening of the 20th and reached Cincinnati the following morning, in
advance of the transports, where I found all necessary preparations
made to receive the troops on their arrival. During the same day
(21st) about 3,000 men were disembarked, loaded on the cars of the
Little Miami Railroad, and started eastward.

In the afternoon a fog arose, so dense as for more than thirty hours
to entirely prevent any movement of boats, and resulting in the deten
tion of a large part of the fleet for that length of time.

On the 22d about. 4,000 more troops were transferred from the boats
to the cars of the Hamilton and Dayton Eailroad, and left for their
destination. During the evening of this day the weather again greatly
moderated, and being advised by telegraph from Wheeling and Park-
ersburg of the probabilities of an immediate resumption of navigation, I
directed, on the morning of the 23d, that boats containing from 0,000
to 8,000 troops should take on board as soon as possible an ample
supply of fuel and be ready to move up the river.

This completed, it was arranged with General Couch, commanding,
that the transports should start early in the evening (23d), and one
had already departed when there was again so rapid a change in the
weather as to render it [an] unsafe proceeding, and a boat was imme
diately dispatched to bring back the transport which was on its way
to Parkersburg, and all were ordered to remain until morning.

During the 23d the movement by land was continued, and about
4,000 additional troops had been disembarked and transferred to the
cars of the Little Miami Railroad. On the morning of the 24th, the
weather having greatly increased in severity, and my dispatches
from Parkersburg advising me that the river was so full of ice as to
render navigation impracticable, I ordered the remainder of the troops
to disembark and proceed via the Little Miami Railroad, which, except
ing some of the artillery and animals, was effected on that and the fol
lowing day.

Owing to the embarrassments and delays on the Ohio Central, result
ing from broken rails and machinery, caused by the uncommon sever
ities of the weather, and by which cars were repeatedly thrown from
the track, and several narrow escapes from serious disaster encoun
tered, as well as from the difficulties of crossing the Ohio, I remained
on the line from Columbus to Bellaire until the 31st, taking personal