where you will receive orders from me. If the enemy have evacuated
at that hour follow them up cautiously, and communicate the informa
tion to me at Pocotaligo. Direct the One hundred and seventh Ohio
to move by the shortest road, which will be up the river from the
church to the intrenchmeuts at the railroad depot.
I am, very respectfullv, your obedient servant.
J. P. HATCH,
Brigadier- General, Commanding Division.
340 OPERATIONS IN N, C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
HDQRS. COAST DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Pocotaligo, S. C., February 7, 1865.
Col. W. W. MARPLE,
Thirty -fourth U. 8. Colored Troops :
COLONEL : By direction of the brigadier-general commanding, you
will move to-night, leaving two companies in your present camp. At
daybreak to-morrow morning you will relieve the Twenty-fifth Ohio,
which has other orders. You will keep your pickets well advanced,
and if the enemy evacuate the forts in your front you will occupy them
immediately, putting their present rear in condition of defense. You
will communicate to thes.e headquarters at least three times in each
twenty-four hours. The four mounted orderlies will be distributed,
two at your headquarters and two at Garden s Corners, for use of tele-
graph.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEONAKD B. PEKKY,
First Lieut., Fifty-fifth Mass, Vols., and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.
HDQRS. NORTHERN DISTRICT, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH,
FIRST SEPARATE BRIGADE,
Morris Island, S. C., February 7, 1865.
Col. A. S. HARTWELL,
Commanding Brigade U. S. Forces :
COLONEL: In accordance with verbal instructions received from the
major-general commanding the department, your brigade will be sub
ject to the orders of the commanding officer of this district during the
contemplated movement now on foot.
By order of Brigadier-General Schimmelfennig:
J. W. DICKINSON,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. NORTHERN DISTRICT, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH,
FIRST SEPARATE BRIGADE,
Morris Island, S. C., February 7, 1865.
Col. A. S. HARTWELL,
Commanding Brigade IT. 8. Forces, Folly Island, S. C. :
COLONEL : The detachment of engineers at this post has been
ordered to report to you this evening after dark. They will be attached
to your command for the purpose of constructing the bridge on the
right of Cole s Island.
By order of Brigadier- General Schimnielfennig:
J. W. DICKINSON,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DISTRICT OF FLORIDA,
Tallahassee, February 7, 1865.
Brig. Gen. E. P. SCAMMON, or
OFFICER COMMANDING U. S. FORCES,
Jacksonville, Fla. :
GENERAL: I am informed that on the 1st instant Lieut. Col. A. H.
McCormick of the C. S. service, went to your lines near Jacksonville,
under nag of truce, and met an officer of the U. S. service also under
CHAP.LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 341
flag of truce. The U. S. officer not feeling authorized to accord to the
proposition made to him by Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick informed
him that he would refer the matter to you, and the two officers agreed
to meet the next day at Price s, near Cedar Creek.
It was mutually agreed between the two officers that Lieutenant-
Colonel McCormick should encamp that night beyond our picket-line,
at a place known as the White House. The next day he met the U. S.
officer, agreeably to appointment, at Price s, and after transacting the
business on which they met, the U. S. officer informed Lieutenant-
Colonel McCormick that about 7 p. in. on the day before (the 1st) a
party of U. S. troops had captured two of our scouts, Privates Massey
and Beckham, at Turknett s Point very near the White House. As
this capture was made pending the flag of truce, and in the immediate
vicinity of Lieutenant-Colonel McCormick s camp, I must suppose it
was made without your authority, and was unauthorized and unjusti-
iiable under the circumstances. I have, therefore, to request that you
will cause the two men, Massey and Beckham, to be returned to Lieuten
ant-Colonel McCormick. I will add that in May last, whilst a flag of
truce was pending on the Baldwin road, a party of our troops captured
your pickets, to the eastward, on the King s road. As soon as the cir
cumstances came to the knowledge of the C. S. officer commanding in
that vicinity the men captured were promptly returned to their com*
in and within the lines of the U. S. forces. And more recently, when
I was in command at Charleston, a corporal and private of the U. S.
Army were captured near Port Eoyal under circumstances which, in
my opinion, rendered the capture unjustifiable. I promptly returned
them to their command without waiting for any representation of the
case by the U. S. commander in that quarter.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SAM. JONES,
Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
New Berne, N. C., February 7, 1865.
General M. C. MEIGS,
Quartermaster -General U. S. Army, Washington:
A few days since, by the breaking down of two of our small steamers
and the sinking of another while on an expedition up the Chowan
Eiver, I found there was not a single steamer that could be used for
the ordinary work in this harbor. A small steamer called the Ulysses
was lying in the harbor at Beaufort, and as we were very much in need
of her I authorized her charter at the usuil Government rates. This
was at the time a positive necessity. The recent movements of General
Sherman and the orders received from him have changed the face of
matters here very much, and it is probable that our transportation of
all kinds will have to be materially increased. My instructions are to
prepare to forward supplies for 70,000 men and 40,000 animals. These
instructions are confidential to me. In view of all this I hope you will
consider it for the best interest of the service to confirm the contract
with the Ulysses, and to empower me to secure such transportation as
the exigencies of the service may call for from time to time. 1 am
obliged at such a time as this to communicate with you direct, as up to
this time I have no regular communication with either General Sher
man or General Foster. A railroad construction party of 1,200 men,
342 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
under command of Colonel Wright, lias just arrived. Another party
of the same arrived last week from the North. These last were 350.
The former command came from General Sherman s army.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
I. N. PALMER,
Brigadier- General.
ANNAPOLIS, February 7, 1865.
(Received 12.35 p. in.)
Colonel KELTON,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
I arrived here an hour after Brigadier-General Meagher sailed with
Ins troops. I was under orders to report to him. Shall I wait for the
arrival of rest of the Provisional Division, or go to some other point for
transportation ?
S. P. CAKTER,
Brigadier- General.
WASHINGTON, D. C., February 7, 1865 3.40 p. m.
Brig. Gen. S. P. CARTER,
Annapolis, Mel. :
The chief of staff directs that you remain at Annapolis in charge of
troops of the Provisional Division which may arrive there, seeing them
properly provided for until transportation is furnished, and will then
report to General Meagher, at New Berne, via Beaufort.
J. C. KELTON,
Colonel and. Assistant Adjutant- Genera I.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, February 8, 1865.
Maj. Gen. J. WHEELER,
Commanding Cavalry Corps, Confederate Army:
GENERAL : Yours addressed to General Howard is received by me.*
I hope you will burn all cotton and save us the trouble. We don t
want it, and it has proven a curse to our country. All you don t burn
I will. As to private houses occupied by peaceful families, my orders
are not to molest or disturb them, and I think my orders are obeyed.
Vacant houses being of no use to anybody, I care little about, as the
owners have thought them of no use to themselves. I don t want them
destroyed, butlo not take much care to preserve them.
I am, with respect, yours, truly,
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major- General, Commanding.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) WAR DEPT.. ADJT. GENERAL S OFFICE,
No. 18. } Washington, February 8, 1865.
Hospital transports and hospital boats, after being properly assigned
as such, will be exclusively under the control of the Medical Depart-
* See Wheeler to Howard, February 7, p. 330.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC, UNION. 343
merit, and will not be diverted from their special purposes by orders
of local or department commanders, or of officers of other staff depart
ments.
By order of the Secretary of War:
E. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ^ HDQRS. MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
FIELD ORDERS, > In the Field, Lowrtfs,
Xo. 25. ) February 8, 1865.
The next movement will be against the railroad at any point between
Oraugeburg and the Congaree, as near Orangeburg as possible.
I. The Eight Wing is charged with the destruction of the South Caro
lina Eailroad from and including the Edisto bridge to Blackville, and
the Left Wing with the engineer regiment and the cavalry will destroy
from Blackville west as far as possible.
II. Major-General Howard will move the Seventeenth Corps by the
State road to Binnaker s and Holman s Bridges, feign at one and cross
at the other, and move on Orangeburg.
The Fifteenth Corps will move up the railroad to a point about four
miles west of Graham s Station, and after having finished the destruc
tion of the railroad to Blackville will cross the Edisto by Holmau s
Bridge or the head of Young s Island and move in support of the Seven
teenth Corps.
III. The Twentieth Corps will move to Blackville and continue the
destruction of the railroad westward, and the Fourteenth Corps will
come up on the road about White Pond or Williston and as soon as the
destruction of the road is complete will cross the Edisto at the head of
Young s Island or at Guignard s Bridge, and push out to the Orange
burg and Edgefield road, ready to move on Orangeburg or Columbia,
according to developments.
IT. The cavalry will continue to act in concert with the Left Wing,
will burn the railroad as far west as possible, and cross the Edisto to
the Edgefield road at the same time with the Left Wing. All troops
will lean toward Orangeburg until it is known that the Eight Wing has
made a secure lodgment at or near Orangeburg.
By order of Maj, Gen, W. T. Sherman:
L. M. DAYTOX,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, February #, 1865.
General HOWARD,
Commanding Right Wing :
GENERAL : I would like to hear from the Edisto bridge. It is very
important that it be destroyed by the enemy, else by ourselves. Better
send word back to any wagons that have followed your track to join
you via Graham s, crossing the Salkehatchie at Buford s. I sent a
courier back last night to Corse and Slocum, but have not heard of
them to-day. Kilpatrick will start from Blackville to-morrow for
Aiken to break road as near Augusta as possible.
W. T. SHEEMA^,
Major- General.
344 OPERATIONS IN N. C., fc. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA [CHAP. LIX.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Midway, S. (7., February 5, 1865.
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,
Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi :
GENERAL: Captain Henley, of General Blair s staff, who conducted
a reconnaissance to Walker s or Valley Bridge, has just returned. He
drove in the rebel pickets to their bridge-head and forced them to aban
don it and cross the river. The rebels then fired the bridge, already
prepared for burning, and opened on him with artillery. He says they
have good works on the other side, and at least a section of artillery.
He saw a force that he estimated at the strength of two regiments.
This bank of the river is swampy, with a single causeway approaching
the bridge. The reconnaissance late last evening by a regiment of
infantry caused the rebels to burn the railroad bridge, so that the bridges
across the Edisto are all destroyed in this vicinity. General Blair has
nearly completed the destruction of that part of the railroad assigned
to his command. General Logan reports that his work is done, and
well done. The road is now destroyed from Graham s to the Edisto,
including the railroad bridge. I believe the distance is twelve miles.
A negro, who came from Branchville last night, says there were only
about forty soldiers there; that the rebels were being transported
toward Columbia on the cars, and that some few had been sent toward
Charleston.
Eespectfully,
O. 0. HOWARD,
Major- General.
SPECIAL } HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND
FIELD ORDERS, > ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
No. 34. ) Midway, S. 0., February 8, 1865.
I. The Fifteenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. John A. Logan command
ing, will move as follows, commencing to-morrow : One division by the
most direct route across Sikes Creek to cross-roads nearest to Holman s
Bridge. The division will take up a strong position here and push for
ward a reconnaissance to Holman s Bridge; hold this point as an out
post till the arrival of the rest of the corps. The other two divisions
will move via Graham s by the road south of the railroad to the Barn-
well and Orangeburg road ; remain at that point until they have
destroyed the railroad between Graham s and Blackville, then move on
and join the leading division.
II. The Seventeenth Army Corps, Major-General Blair commanding,
will move by the most direct route, starting at 8 a. m. to-morrow, to
Binnaker s Bridge; secure a lodgment on the other side of the Edisto
and lay the bridge preparatory to moving forward. The bridge train
and department headquarters will follow the leading division of the
Seventeenth Army Corps. Headquarters will move to-night at the
point easiest of access between Holman s and Binnaker s Bridges.
By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard:
A. M. yAN DYKE,
Assistant A djutant- Genera L
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 345
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Lowrtfs Station, 8. C., February 8, 1865.
Major-General LOGAN,
Commanding Fifteenth Corps :
GENERAL: The general-in-chief desires that you will make a recon
naissance to Cannon s Bridge, ascertaining thereby the nature and con
dition of the crossing at that place.
I arn, general, with respect,
L. M. DAYTON,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Bamberg, 8. C., February 8, 1865.
Maj. Gen. WILLIAM B. HAZEN,
Commanding Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL: The commanding general requests that you will hold one
brigade of your command in readiness to move on a reconnaissance in
the direction of Cannon s Bridge, subject to further orders; men to
carry one day s rations and forty rounds of ammunition.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., SECOND Div., 15TH ARMY CORPS,
Bamberg, 8. C., February 8, 1865.
Capt. GORDON LOFLAND,
Assistant Adjutant- General, M Div., 15th Army Corps:
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to the -order
of General Hazen, I marched my brigade this afternoon to Cannon s
Bridge on the Edisto Eiver ; I found no enemy on this side of the river,
but found him in works on the north bank. At the point where the
works are, and for a long distance both below and above the bridge,
there is a swamp about 600 yards wide on the south side of the river.
I threw forward a line of skirmishers through the swamp to the main
stream and found that [the] bridge had been burned, that there was a
line of works along the bank of the river several hundred yards in
length with an embrasure in it, covering the road; the works seemed to
be well manned; the men could be seen and heard all along them. I
think that a crossing might be effected here without very much diffi
culty, as the main stream does not seem to be very large; the distance
from this camp to the bridge is about five miles; the road is a very bad
one; I believe that one-fourth of it is covered with water. After
exchanging some shots with the enemy, having learned all that could
be learned about his position and strength without making a positive
attack, I withdrew my line and returned to camp.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. S. JONES,
Colonel, Commanding.
346 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S, C., S. GA., AND E, FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Bamberg, S. C., February 8, 1865.
Brevet Major- General CORSE,
Commanding Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps :
GENERAL : I am instructed by the general commanding to request you
to move your division along the direct road, via Angley s Post- Office,
Buford s Bridge, the crossing of the Little Salkehatchie at Spring-town
Meeting House, and the Little Salkehatchie River road, to the point
of intersection of that road with the Barnwell and Orangeburg road,
just south of the South Carolina Eailroad. Corps headquarters will
be to-morrow night at that point, and the whole command will move
the next day to the Edisto Eiver, with a view to crossing. Should you
not overtake the rest of the corps at the river, please cross at such
point as we may have crossed and join the general commanding with
your division as soon as possible.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ) HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION,
FIELD ORDERS, > FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 11. ) In the Field, S. C., February 6 , 1865.
I. The troops of this division will march to-morrow, the 9th instant,
as follows, viz :
First. Ninth Illinois Mounted Infantry, Colonel Hughes, as an
advance.
Second. Third Brigade Infantry at 7 a. m. with one regiment in
rear of battery and one regiment with tool wagon, to be thrown for
ward at 6 a. m., if possible, as far as Cowpen Branch, to repair roads
at this point sufficient to pass teams, when it will move on to Elvers
Bridge, halting there until the column shall have come up.
Third. First Brigade Infantry at 6 a. in. with its regiments march
ing by the side of the division ordnance and supply trains, extending
so as to invest them as much as possible.
Fourth. Trains at 6 a. m. as follows: First, train of Third Brigade;
second, ambulances; third, trains of Ninth Illinois Mounted Infantry
and Seventeenth Army Corps; fourth, ordnance and supply trains;
fifth, trains of the First and Second Brigades.
Fifth. Second Brigade Infantry, which will march as soon as the
trains shall have passed, forming the rear of the column.
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen, John M. Corse:
L. H. EVERTS,
Assistant Adjiitant- General.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Midway, S. <?., February 8, 1865.
Maj. Gen. F. P. BLAIR, Commanding Seventeenth Army Corps:
GENERAL : Inclosed I send you a copy of General Sherman s order
of march.* The general suggests that, although the time of moving is
not indicated, you make preparations to move at 7 a. m. to-morrow.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. M. VAN DYKE,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
* See p. 343.
CHAP.LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 347
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 36. ) Midway, 8. C., February 8, 1865.
*******
VI. The following are the orders for the movement to-morrow :
1. Maj. Gen. J. A. Mower, commanding First Division, will have the
advance, and will move his command forward at 7 a. m. on the Augusta
road.
2. Brig. Gen. M. F. Force, commanding Third Division, will follow
the First Division, moving forward from his present position at 8 a. m.
3. Bvt. Maj. Gen. G. A. Smith, commanding Fourth Division, will
follow the Third Division, being prepared to move at 9 a. in.
4. The train of department headquarters and of these headquarters
will follow the troops of the First Division.
5. The bridge train will move next after the train of the Third
Division.
*******
By command of Maj. Gen. F. P. Blair:
C. CADLE, JR.,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Midway, 8. C., February S, 1865.
Maj. Gen. F. P. BLAIR,
Commanding Seventeenth Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee:
GENERAL : I send you an escaped prisoner who has some information
that may be of importance. If what he states is true I think we might
be able to capture some of the heavy artillery of the enemy.
I remain, general, with much respect, your obedient servant,
JOS. A. MOWER,
Maj or -General, U. 8. Volunteers.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Midway, 8. C., February 8, 1865.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. G. A. SMITH,
Commanding Fourth Division :
GENERAL : The major-general commanding directs that you withdraw
the two regiments of your command now on the railroad and place them
in the position assigned last night in your line. The First Division is
waiting for their movement in order to take the line assigned them.
Very respectfully,
C. CADLE, JR.,
Assistant Adjutant- Genera I.
%
[Indorsement.]
HDQIJS. FOURTH DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Midway, 8. C., February 8, 1865.
Brig. Gen. W. W. BELKNAP,
Commanding Third Brigade:
In compliance with the within order you will bring the Eleventh
Iowa and the Thirty-second Illinois up and place them in the position
assigned last night.
By order of Brig. Gen. G. A. Smith :
AD. WAKE, JR.,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
348 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Nine Miles North of Brighton, February 8, 1865.
Captain DECHERT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant -General:
CAPTAIN : Note received. Will push to Barnwell as directed. Baird
crossing Dry Gall Creek. Carlin in charge of trains, &c., at Lawton-
ville. Morgan left Sister s Ferry this morning. Was delayed by non-
arrival of provisions. Will make twenty miles with whole corps
to-morrow. Advance will be in the vicinity of Erwinton or Allendale
Post-Office. Koads almost impassable yesterday, but improving rap
idly to-day.
Very respectfully,
JEF. C. DAVIS,
Brevet Major- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Six Miles North of Brighton, 8. C., February 8, 1865.
Brig. Gen. J. D. MORGAN,
Commanding Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps :
GENERAL: The general commanding directs that you push on at
daylight in the morning by this road (the road to Ingrain s), with all
your trains, instead of sending them to report to General Carlin. This
road is splendid so far.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, &c.,
A. C. McCLIJKG,
Assistant Adjutant- General and Chief of Staff.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Lowrtfs Station, S. C., February 8, 1865.
Brevet Major-General WILLIAMS,
Commanding Twentieth Corps :
GENERAL: I am directed by General Sherman to say he desires
you to place your entire command at Graham s, and use all possible
force in the destruction of the railroad, doing the work thoroughly by
twisting rails and burning ties. Accomplish as much of this, work
ing toward Augusta, as you can. Hold your command in readiness to
move to Blackville to-morrow, awaiting further orders therefor.
I am, with respect,
L. M. DAYTON,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
Communicate with General Geary and get him up if possible.
L. M. D.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH CORPS,
Graham s Station, February 8, 1865.
Major DAYTON,
Assistant Adjutant- Gener al :
MAJOR : I inclose herewith a note* from General Wheeler to Gen
eral Howard, which the lady delivering it said was to be opened by
the first general officer who came up; General Jackson therefore
opened it.
* See Wheeler to Howard, February 7, p. 330.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 349
I ain burning and destroying railroad track from the road cross
ing one mile and a half east of this point (where my advance struck
the railroad west), and shall do all lean to-day. My headquarters will
be here. I find over 350 bales of cotton here.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. S. WILLIAMS,
Brevet Major- General, Commanding.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Loicry s Station, 8. ., February 8, 1865.
General A. S. WILLIAMS,
Graham s :
GENERAL : Yours of this date is received. Burn all cotton. The
Confederate Congress lias appropriated all cotton to its own use. It
is the only cash article left to the enemy. I send you a letter* to
Wheeler, in answer to his, which you can leave with the lady to be sent
to Wheeler as she best can. Destroy all the railroad and its attach
ments, tanks, sheds, sewers, everything that facilitates its use. I will