cavalry here by which to get; early information. I learn also from
members of General Thomas staff when he left here that he considered
the above-mentioned number of troops necessary for the security ot the
place. The advantages to the rebels of a recapture of the place [are
such] that we are bound to presume that they understand them and
will act accordingly whenever they have any prospect of success in the
attempt of the kind.
These considerations induce me to suggest to you the propriety of
suspending tlie order for withdrawing any portion of the troops now
here or for replacing them with inferior ones, till the whole case can be
laid before Lieutenant-General Grant and his decision had thereon.
I am, very respectfully, general, your most obedient servant,
J. D. WEBSTER,
Br if/a dier- G en era I.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., March ;>, 1865.
Brig. Gen. L. C. EASTON,
Chief Quartermaster, Military Division of the Mississippi:
GENERAL: Will you have the kindness to render Brevet Major-
General Grover all the assistance you can in transporting two brigades
of his command from Savannah to this place.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Q. A. GILLMOKE,
Major- General, Commanding
CHAP. LIX.1 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION. 659
OR^- XOKTIIERN DISTRICT, DEPT. OF THE SOUTH,
March 2, 1805.
Col. E. X. HALLOWELL.
Commanding Brigade :
COLONEL: The brigadier-general commanding iirects that you send
to- morrow on a train a force of 200 men to Summerville and return.
The men will be kept together and under arms in Summerville. The
officer in command will talk with some of the prominent citizens
and endeavor to ascertain the sentiments of the people of the
country. lie will remain in the vicinity of the town a couple of hours,
during which time he can detach scouting parties under commissioned
officers to A isit the neighborhood. The parties going out will be
directed not to in any way molest the citizens. The officer in command
will be held responsible by you that no depredations are committed,
not even a chicken can be taken. Serviceable horses may be pressed
and sent in under charge of an officer should any be found, and a
return of the same to these headquarters.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEOXARD H. PERKY,
Firxt Lieut.. Fifty-Jift/t Mas*, ro/.s-., and Actg. As*t. Adjt. Gen.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, 8. C.. March 2, 1805.
Bvt. Mai. Gen. C. (1 ROVER,
Comdg. District of Savannah, Department of the tiouth:
GENERAL: The two brigades to be detached from your command, as
directed in my letter of the U8th, are bound for Cape Fear .River, X. C.
They should be provided with five days rations and a liberal outfit of
medical supplies. Xo land transportation will be sent with them. As
I have but one steam transport in this department fit to go to sea with
troops, I am obliged to send these troops north in vessels of too much
draft of water to ascend the Savannah Kiver. Small transports will
therefore be sent to convey these troops to Port Koyal Harbor. The
chief quartermaster of the department has been directed to furnish the
necessary transportation.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Q. A. (1ILLMOKK,
Major- (rcncralj Commanding.
CITY POINT, YA., March .y, 1805.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
Richmond papers of to-day are received, but contain no important
news. The following itelns embrace all that is of any interest:
From Charleston. The Fayetteville Telegraph of the 21th slates that an officer
who arrived here direct from South Carolina last night gives us some interesting
items concerning the evacuation of Charleston. The evacuation took place on
Friday night, and the city was occupied by about 500 Yankees, who landed in small
boats about 12 o clock on Saturday. All the cotton (some 6,000 hales) and the ship
ping was destroyed, and the guns spiked by the military authorities. The city is
now but little more than a heap of ruins. When the Yankees entered nearly half
of it was in ashes, and a terrible fire was still raging. The fire originated in two
ways. A quantity of damaged powder had been left at the depot of the Northeastern
660 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
Railroad Company, among a number of other articles. A crowd of negroes and citi
zens of the lower class had assembled for the purpose of pillage. While there a boy
in sport iired a small quantity of loose powder, which, communicating with that in
the boxes, ignited the whole, causing a terrible explosion, with considerable loss of
life. The immense depot building was blown to atoms, and the tire spread rapidly
to the adjoining houses. It burned with great rapidity, and extended as far up on
King street as the Soldiers Home. About the same time a lire broke out in another
portion of the city, caused by the burning of the Savannah bridge. This tire was
also very destructive, and the two combined extended from river to river. Numer
ous other tires also occurred in different parts of the city, said to have been the work
of the citizens themselves. All this oceurred before the occupation of the city by
the Yankees. Our forces under General Hardee have gone in the right direction, ft
is not permissible to state where they are, but they will be found where they are
most needed.
From Xortlt Carolina. The Raleigh Conservative alludes to Sherman s operations,
and indulges the hope that if our plans are not thwarted our able generals and brave
troops in that quarter will be able to " bag 7 him or send him howling to the rear.
If the report brought us by telegraph that the small force left by him at Columbia
has been expelled be true, then the repulse in front, should he suffer such, would
probably render his affairs desperate in the extreme, but we will not speculate further
in regard to matters which must cease to be matters of mere speculation soon.
From tJtc Halciyh Progress of Hie ,, Stli. The Yankee prisoners have all been sent
from the camps near this place to Northeast bridge, for the purpose of being
exchanged. Many others from Greensborough and Salisbury have passed through
here to the same destination. All Federal prisoners in North Carolina are to be
exchanged, we learn, at Northeast bridge, a few miles from Wilmington. We pre
sume the exchange will be completed in a few days.
U. S. GRAXT,
Lieutenant- General.
CITY POINT, VA., March
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War, Washington:
Although I am not positively advised of the fact, I think Sherman
and Schoiiehl are in communication, and both, therefore, perfectly
secure.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant- General.
WASHINGTON, D. C., March ;>. 1865 11 a. M.
Lieutenant- General GRANT,
City Point:
General Carroll was ordered with General Hancock on Sunday last.
General Crocker was ordered East some time ago, but probably has not
been able to make the journey in the winter. Vessels sent from here to
Cape Fear River are sent back to discharge at Beaufort. If a change
has been made in this respect notice should be given to the Quarter
master s Department, in order to save time and expense.
H. W. HALLECK,
Major- General and Chief of Staff.
CITY POINT, VA., March 3, 18651 p. m.
(Received p. m.)
Major-General HALLECK,
Washington :
1 have not heard from General Schofield since General Couistock
returned from him. It is likely he has concluded to open the road from
CHAP. LIX] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. Gfil
Xew Berne alone. If so, lie will want all accumulation of supplies taken
there. I am now looking for the return of a staff officer sent to Wil
mington, and when he gets back will know whether vessels are to be
stopped at Beaufort or not, and will direct accordingly.
U. S. (ill ANT,
Lieu tena /? /- Gen era I.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Chernwy #. 6 ., March 3, ISdu 1.40 p. m.
Maj. Gen, W. T. SHERMAN,
Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:
GENERAL: General Blair entered here at about 11. 30 a. in., skirmishing
with the enemy s cavalry. Hardee left with the last of his troops this
morning. General Mower pushed with all his might, and tried to save
the bridge, but could not do it. We have 17 pieces of artillery as far
as counted, about 2.000 muskets, and 1 building containing ammuni
tion. The enemy s skirmishers are on the other side of the river.
General Blair will encamp here to-night, and General Logan about
eight miles to the rear, on Thompson s Creek. I send you Fayetteville
Observer of the 27th instant [ultimo]. Au expedition was sent to break
the railroad, with instructions to make a very small break, as I thought
you may want to use the road for some purpose.
Very respectfully,
0. (). HOWARD,
Major- General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Chtxier field, /V. 6 ., March .2, 1&U5 2.30 p. in.
Ma jor-( ieneral HOWARD,
Commanding Right Whig :
GENERAL: Your dispatch, of 3.30 p. m. of yesterday, from Black
Creek, is just received. I wrote this a. m. to General Blair a letter* to
be sent you, which may reach you before this, but will repeat. Slocum
took Chesterfield yesterday, driving Butler s cavalry to and through the
town, but the enemy broke one of the bridges and burned the other.
Both are now repaired, and Slocum will push one division down on the
north bank so as to uncover your crossing; but send me word as soon
as you are over, that the Twentieth Corps may cross over to the Pedee
toward Sneedsborough, where I want his wing and the cavalry to cross
over. Of course I am a little impatient to get across Pedee before
Beauregard can swing around from Charlotte and Salisbury and oppose
our crossing. Once across Pedee, I don t fear the whole Confederate
army, for if need be we can swing in against the right bank of Cape
Fear and work downhill we meet our people, but I shall aim to reach
Fayetteville and Goldsborough, where 1 know Schofield must now be.
I have ordered Davis from McManns Bridge via Mount Croghan to
Sneedsborough, and Kilpatrick is above him toward Wadesborough.
Roads are very bad up here, either quicksand or red clay. The country
is also poor; still thus far we find forage, bacon, and corn meal. I met
at Wmnsborough Mrs. Aikeu, wife of the very Colonel Aiken you report
as killed in the tight with Duncan. She was a Miss Gaylei, of Mobile,
*See 6 a. m., p 666.
662 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. ( ., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
sister of Mrs. General Gorgas, of the rebel Ordnance Department. In
her conversation with me she said she supposed her husband would
have to " submit or get killed/ 7 and I answered her that such was the
case, but I hardly thought so soon to be a prophet. I will send your
letter to Slocurn, with instructions to read it and push one or two divis
ions down toward Cheraw as fast as possible, leaving his wagons near
the Sneedsborough road. 1 will stay here to-night and to-morrow come
down, in hopes to go into Cheraw. I don t believe Ilardee will light on
this side the river, and it is now too late for him to slip out by way of
Wadesborough. Your rear divisions will have plenty of time to close
up whilst you are getting your crossing secured and bridged. I take
it all the bridges across Thompson s Creek are gone, unless it be the
railroad bridge, which may have been spared for the sake of the wounded
that must still be there. I also feel confident that Wilmington is in
our possession, and that none of its garrison is at Cheraw.
Yours, truly,
VY. T. S HERMAN,
Major- General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Chesterfield, March 3, 18G5 5 .45 p. in.
M aj or- General H o \v AR D ,
Commanding Army of the Tennessee:
GENERAL: Your dispatch from Cheraw to the gen eral-in- chief is
received. He has written you twice to-day, viz, once direct and once
to Major-General Blair, and he desires me to say those letters contain
his views and wishes as regards immediate operations, i. <?., for you to
concentrate your command at Cheraw and make a crossing of and
lodgment beyond the Pedee with all possible dispatch, as it is all-
important we at once hold its left bank. If you think you will have
time the general would like to have you send any kind of a force from
the rear portion of your command probably mounted would be the
best down to Florence, with directions to destroy anj thing of public
property there. We will come into Cheraw to-morrow morning. It is
not probable there is anything of an enemy at Florence.
I am, general, with great respect, &c.,
L. M. DAYTON,
A ssixta nt A dj u ta n t- G enera I.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Cheraw, 8. 6 ., March -V, 1865.
Maj. Gen. JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commanding Fifteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL : The commanding general directs that if General J. E.
Smith s division has not yet left the vicinity of New Market it be
instructed to remain there for a day or two to collect provisions and
use the mills at that point. He does not mean to limit him to the imme
diate vicinity of New Market, but that he can have two days to reach
this point so that he may supply himself, and, if not too for on the
direct road, he may inarch via Society Hill. He wishes you also to
organize as large a body of mounted men [as possible] from among the
foragers, and such other mounted men as can be spared by you, for an
expedition to Florence. It will destroy all trestle-work and bridges
CHAP. LIX.I CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 663
en route to that point, break the railroad near there, burn the bridge
and all public property. The Ninth Illinois Mounted Infantry will be
ordered to report to you and will form a part of the expedition which
will rendezvous at the cross-roads seven miles from Cheraw, at 9 a. in.
to-morrow, and start from that point. The mounted force organized by
you will be placed in charge of a competent officer to be selected by
you. It will bring back such provisions, particularly of breadstuff s, as
can be carried on a horse. Capt. C. J>. liee.se, chief engineer, will
bridge the Pedce near this point. You will send forward the section
of the pontoon with your corps as soon as possible to-morrow morning.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. M. VAX DYKE,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Thompson s Bridge, 8. C., March 3, 18 (Jo.
Capt, A. M. VAN DYKE,
Asst. Adjt. (Jen., Department and Army of the Tennessee :
CAPTAIN: 1 have the honor to inform you for the information of the
general commanding that I have encamped the First and Fourth
Divisions of my corps on Thompson s Creek, near the bridge, with the
Second Division in camp on this side of and the Third Division on
the other side of Juniper Creek. My headquarters are with the First
and Fourth Divisions.
I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
(In temporary absence of the major-general.)
HDQKS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Cheraw , 8. C., March 3, 1865.
Maj. Gen. JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commanding Fifteenth Army Corps :
GENERAL: The general commanding directs that, in the absence of
further orders, you move through Cheraw to-morrow and encamp on
the north side of the town, moving out on the plank road. Our head
quarters are at the house of Doctor Wilson, in the upper part of town.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. M. VAX DYKE,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Thompson s Creek, 8. C., March 3, 1865.
Maj. MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Fifteenth Army Corps :
MAJOR: I respectfully report that on die night of the 1st instant,
having built a substantial bridge overLyuch s Creek, I began crossing
iny command, and at 9 the morning of the 2d I started from the east
side of the creek, marching as for as Xew Market. 1 here succeeded
in crossing but one brigade over Big Black Creek, when it was found
664 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. 0., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. Lix.
necessary to lay the pontoons, so that my division was not all over
until nearly daylight this morning. Moving right out from camp again,
at (> a. in. to-day, I continued my advance, moving by the Camden and
Cheraw road to my present camp on the south side of Thompson s
Creek, making twenty-live miles to-day. My troops are encamped on
a high ridge of land, about one mile from the creek, facing eastward.
My headquarters are near the main road, one inile back from the
stream.
I am. major, very respectfully,
C. PU WOODS,
Brevet Major- Genera I.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Juniper Creek, #. C ., March -7, 1865.
Maj. MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Fifteenth Army Corps:
MAJOR : I have the honor to report that this command crossed Black
Creek at 6.30 a. m. to-day on the pontoon bridge and moved forward to
and crossed Juniper Creek, where camped, having marched eighteen
miles.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
YV. B. IIAZEX,
Major -General.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Thompson s Bridge, S. C., March o, 1805.
Major-General HAZEN,
Commanding Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL: The general commanding directs me to inform you that
General Howard told him that he had ordered the mills at Kcllytown
to be run for the benefit of the Third Division, as that command was
almost out of subsistence, and that General Oliver was working them
for that purpose. In view of these circumstances he requests, should
it not have been done already, that the meal obtained at the Kellytown
mills be turned over to General Smith s commissary for use in his
division.
I am, general, verv respectfully, your obedient servant,
MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Juniper Creek, xV. C., March 3, 1805.
Maj. M. WOODHULL.
Assistant Adjutant-General, Fifteenth Army Corps :
MAJOR : I have the honor to report that this division broke camp at
Kelly s farm at 6 o clock this a. in., and marched on Kelly s Bridge road
to near P>ig Black Creek, thence on neighborhood road to main Camden
and Cheraw road ; crossed Big Black Creek at bridge and marched
to Juniper Creek, a distance of twenty nine miles, the rear of the com
mand arriving at (> p. m. The division is encamped upon both sides of
the main road fronting southwest and covering all approaches from, the
rear.
CHAP. LIX.j CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. G65
While upon the west side of and near Big Black Creek a party of
rebel cavalry numbering about thirty entered the road between the
mounted and infantry advance, which were not more than 500 or GOO
yards apart, and captured Lieut. Col. James Isaminger, Sixty- third
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, commanding pioneer corps, and one en
listed man. They also killed one of the teamsters who had gone in
advance. It was supposed, until too late, that they were our own
men, being dressed in complete suits of Federal uniform. 1 sent what
few mounted men I had with me in pursuit but -did not succeed in
overtaking them. I was unable to comply with orders from corps
headquarters, received last evening, requiring me to have four wagons
filled with meal and forage. Upon the arrival 1 of my commissary of
subsistence at the mill, he found an oificer belonging to the Second
Division in charge, who said that he had not received any instructions
to grind corn for or to give up the mill to this division, but had been
instructed to grind all the corn he had for their own command. He
filially consented to give up the mill at 2 o clock this a. m. These
headquarters are at Campbell s house.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. B. SMITH,
Brevet Major- Genera I.
IIDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Thompsons Creel , 8. C., Mar eh 3, 1865.
Maj. MAX. WOODIIULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Fifteenth Army Corps:
MAJOR : I have the honor to submit the following report of the move
ments of my division this instant. Incompliance with orders from the
major-general commanding corps, received the 2d instant, 1 broke camp
at 7 9. m., and moved on the direct Camden and Cheraw road across
Juniper Creek to Thompson s Creek, fifteen miles distant. Upon arriv
ing at this point I found a portion of the trains of the Seventeenth
Corps had not yet made the crossing, and in accordance with instruc
tions have placed my division in bivouac near the creek and bridge.
The brigade left with Maj or- General Howard at Black Creek rejoined
the division this evening.
1 am, very respeeffulty, your obedient servant,
JNO. M. COKSE,
Brevet Major- General.
SPECIAL ^ HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION,
FIELD ORDERS, > FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Xo. 32. ) On Thompsons Creel; 8. (7., March o,
*******
II. The troops of this division will be in readiness to inarch at 10
a. m. to-morrow, infantry in following order: Third Brigade in advance,
Second Brigade in the center, and the First Brigade in rear. Trains
and battery in same order as heretofore, and infantry marching by the
side of trains, except two regiments as an advance, and one as a rear
guard.
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. John M. Corse:
L. II. EVFRT8,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
666 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., ft. GA., AND E. FLA. K HAP. LIX.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Chester field , 8. C., March 3, 18656 a. m.
(Beceived 7.45 p. m.)
General F. P. BLAIR,
Commanding Seventeenth Corps:
GENERAL: Your messenger with copies of General Howard s letter
and your reply is received. I trust you have marched in accordance
with your reply to the general, but it not, do so at once, for this corps
is near enough in support, and report to General Howard your action
and my orders. I expect to see you soon, and will explain my reasons
and information. Don t break the railroad bridge across Thompson s
Creek, as it will be useful to Howard, but tap the railroad below Che-
raw at any point convenient other than that of Thompson s Creek. We
hold Chesterfield, and one of the bridges, viz, that on the Wades-
borough road, but the enemy burned the other on tho C he-raw road,
two miles out, where Jackson s division is now repairing.
Have your pontoons at the head of column, or enough for 150 i eet of
bridge. Feign at several points, but cross at one. We will operate
north of Thompson s Creek. If you get a chance let Mower and Force
do some of their sharp, quick work. I hardly hope to save the big
bridge across the Pedee at Cheraw, but it is worth the effort. ()n<-e
start the enemy, keep him going, and force him across Pedee, or rather
up the plank road on this side. Let us hear your artillery occasionally,
but don t waste ammunition. When you get the forks of the road
below Thompson s Creek send me word here. Send this to G eneral 1 1 o\v-
ard as explanation for your advance, and I want him up as soon as he
can get all up in good shape. As soon as you have got both banks of
Thompson s Creek, set the engineer regiment at work on the bridge,
unless the banks are low and favorable to pontoons; but we will want
the pontoons before you are done with the Thompson s Creek bridge. I
take it for granted the em i my will burn the road bridge, but think he
will spare the railroad bridge. Cheraw is full of hospitals, but not
much stores. Hardee is there, but Hampton is not. We encountered
Butler s cavalry here, but they gave to a skirmish line.
Yours,
W. T. SHEKMAN,
Major- General,
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH AR3IY CORPS,
Cheraw, 8. C., March o, 1865.
Maj. L. M. DAYTON,
Asst. Acljt. Gen., Military Division of the Mississippi:
MAJOR: 1 have the honor to report that my advance entered this
town about 12 m., having skirmished with the enemy s cavalry for
seven miles. I endeavored to save the bridge on the Pedee by push
ing forward my skirmish line rapidly as possible, but just as the men
reached it, it was fired at the other end, and, being prepared with rosin,
the flame spread like lightning, and it was completely destroyed. I
shall lay my pontoon to-night if possible. The enemy are in some
force on the other side. I found in the city twenty-four pieces of artil
lery, heavy and light, and a large amount of ammunition. The com
missary stores were in the depot and tired by the enemy before leaving.
Kespeetiully,
FBANK P. BLAIR, JR.,
Major- General.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. G67
SPECIAL ORDERS, / HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Xo. 57. ) Cheraw, S . r., .March -V, .7<S 6V}.