By command of Brig. Gen. John P. Hatch:
LEONARD B. PERRY,
First Lieut., Fifty-fifth Mass. Voh., and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.
NOTE. If the Fifty-fourth New York Veteran Volunteers and Twenty-
first U. S. Colored Troops should not be at the place indicated the
steamer will await their arrival.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Cher ate, #. C 7 ., March 4, 1865.
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,
Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi :
GENERAL: Inclosed please find a copy of my order of inarch. I do
not expect to get everything across and the bridge taken up till Mon-
676 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
day night, so that General John E. Smith and the Seventeenth Corps
will have ample opportunity to fill up their wagons. I expect the
mounted force I sent to Florence will be back before Monday night.
There is a story that 0,000 of the Twenty-third Corps have arrived tit
Fayetteville.
Respect fully,
O. O. HOWARD,
Major (feneral.
[Inclosure.]
SPECIAL J HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND
FIELD ORDERS, > ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
No. 53. j CheraiCj S. 6 ., March 4 Jt 1865.
#######
II. The next series of movements of this command will be on Fayette
ville, N. C. The Fifteenth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. John A. Logan
commanding, will move via Harrington s, Quick s Church, Springfield,
Laurinburg, and Gilchrist s Church. The Seventeenth Army Corps,
Major-General Blair commanding, will move via Bennettsville, Barn s
Bridge, Stewartsville, and Gilopolis or Campbell s Bridge. General
Blair will cross the Pedee with his leading division and all its mate
rial to-night. At 6 a. in. to-morrow General Logan will cross Bvt.
Ma]. Gen. John E. Smith s division and move it out via J. W. Harring
ton s to the vicinity of Phill s Creek, taking possession of Irby s Mills
for the use of the division. General Blair will follow with the remain
der of his command and move out to the vicinity of Naked Creek and
take possession of all mills. near Bennettsville. The provost-guard of
the Seventeenth Army Corps, on duty in the town, will be relieved to
morrow by a guard from the rear division of the Fifteenth Army Corps.
As soon as the crossing of the Seventeenth Army Corps is completed
the remainder of the Fifteenth Army Corps will follow and move out,
with its head of column on Phill s Creek.
By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard:
A. M. VAN DYKE,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Cheratv, 8. (7., March 4, 1865 8 p. m.
Major-General HOWARD,
Commanding Right Wing:
GENERAL: I have just received your note and the copy of your
orders. I would not be surprised if it were true that some of Scho-
field s command were at Fayetteville. I know Grant s anxiety for us,
and he will move heaven and earth to co-operate. Your orders are all
right. I have written to Slocum, who is at Sneedsborough, and he
will use the road from Sneedsborough by Mark s Creek and McFarland s
Bridge, and all roads north of it. It may be well for you to let Slocum
have a day s start, that the columns may assume an echelon toward the
north. Slocum can hardly have all across earlier than Tuesday, and I
have intimated that I would like him to be ten miles out during all
Tuesday. The river with him seems to be wider than with you. Get a
good scout or two ready for me to send a messenger to Wilmington as
soon as any of your heads of column is across Lumber Eiver.
Yours, truly,
W. T. SHEKMAN,
Major- Genera , Commanding.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 677
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Cheraw, 8. C ., March 4, 1865 9.10 p. m.
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,
Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:
GENERAL : Your note jnst received. I will try and have the scout
ready for you. I would rather make short marches, if you do not
object, on account of supplies, than to halt for General Slocum.
Very respectfully,
O. O. HOWARD,
Major-General.
CIRCULAR."] IIDQRS. DEPT. AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Cher aw, 8. 6 ., March 4, 1865.
The attention of corps commanders is called to the fact that the
foragers are in the habit of destroying or rendering useless the mills
along the line of march and frequently burning large quantities of grain
which are of great necessity for the use of the army. Last night a
large quantity, over 1,000 bushels of shelled corn, was destroyed by
the unauthorized burning of store buildings in this town. The general
commanding desires that for the safety and comfort of the army some
measures be taken to prevent the continuance of this destruction.
By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard :
A. M. VAN DYKE,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ^ HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Xo. 24. ) Beaufort, 8. C., March 4, 1865.
* ******
II. Maj. 0. H. Howard, aide-de-camp, staff of the major-general
commanding, will forthwith proceed to Washington, D. C., on important
public business, which transacted he will return without unnecessary
delay via Fortress Monroe, Va., and Wilmington, 1ST. C., with the view
of joining the major-general commanding in the field. United States
Government transports and quartermaster s department will furnish
him the necessary transportation.
By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard :
SAML. L. TAGGAET,
Assistan t A dju ta n t- Genera L
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Scar Cheraic, 8. 6 ., March -1 3 1865.
Capt. A. M. VAN DYKE,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Department and Army of the Tennessee:
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to suggest, for the consideration of the
commanding general, the propriety of releasing the prisoners we now
have belonging to the South Carolina militia, old men and boys, on
their parole and oath not to serve against the United States during
the war. They are now but a burden to us, requiring an issue of sub
sistence when it is necessary to husband our supply, and can scarcely
be looked upon as fit subjects for imprisonment or exchange.
I ain, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Major -General.
678 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Cher a iv 7 & 6 r ., March 4, 1865.
Maj. Gen. JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commanding Fifteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL: Lieutenant-Colonel Strong spoke to me this morning
about the mill near Kellytown. I did not order General Oliver to
run the mill for General Smith, but said to him that 1 believed his own
wagons were filled, or that he had a plenty, and in case that was so, I
wished him to run the mill for General Smith. 1 should be much
pleased if General Ilazen would furnish General Smith with three or
four days supply. At any rate, general, keep General Smith ahead
until he has filled his wagons.
Very respectfully,
0. (). HOWARD,
Major- Genera I.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Clier<nr : N. 6 .. March /, 18(>5.
Maj. MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Fifteenth Arm)/ Corps:
MAJOR: I respectfully report that, in obedience to your orders, I
broke camp at an early hour this morning, and moving over Thomp
son s Creek, followed in rear of the Fourth Division, on the main
road to Cheraw. Reaching Cheraw, I took a road leading almost
north, and marched one mile above the town, where I went into cam}),
fronting my troops northeast, and connecting my left and right, respect
ively, with the Fourth and Second Divisions. Distance made to-day,
six miles. My headquarters are near those of the Fifteenth Army
Corps.
I am, major, very respectfully,
C. R. WOODS,
Breret Major -General.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Cheraic, 8. C ., March /, ISO;").
Maj. MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Fifteenth Army Corps:
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that this command marched at
C.30 a. in. to day. Came upon the rear of First Division at Johnson s
Creek, where halted until 2 p. m., then moved forward to Cheraw,
where camped, having marched eleven miles. Casualties. 1 man
wounded.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. B. IT A ZEN,
Major- General.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Near Chcraw, /S . 6 ., March -/, 1<W>.
Maj. M. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Fifteenth Army Corps:
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that this division broke camp
near Juniper Creek, on Camden and Cheraw road, at 7 o clock this
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 679
a. in., and marched to and north of Cheraw, following Second Division,
distance twelve miles. The last of the command bivouacked at 10 p. in.
on plank road, in rear of the left of Fourth Division. The infantry is
encamped in column by regiment, the First Brigade upon the right and
the Second upon the left of the above-named road, artillery and trains
in rear. These headquarters are about 500 yards in rear of the First
Brigade. I would also state that I did not succeed in obtaining any
meal from General Corse.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. E. SMITH,
Brevet Major- Genera L
HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Powers Plantation, #. C., March 4,
Maj. MAX. WOODIIULL,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Fifteenth Arnnj Corps:
MAJOR : I have the honor to report the following movements of my
command this instant: I broke camp on Thompson s Creek at 7.30 a. m.,
crossed this creek and moved on the direct Camden and Cheraw road
toCheraw ; thence on the Chesterfield road adistanceof two miles, where
my command is now in bivouac for the night on the left of General
Woods division. I found it necessary to lay half a mile of corduroy
m order to pass my trains.
I am. very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. M. CORSE,
Brevet Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Thompson s ]>nd(je, 8. 6 ., March 4, 1865.
Maj. C. BURKHARDT,
Commanding Twenty-ninth Missouri Infantry:
MAJOR: You will please move your command to the cross-roads
seven miles from Cheraw, on the Camden and Cheraw road, and there
await further orders. Your command will join the mounted forces of
the army for an expedition of several days. You will provide your
men with the necessary ammunition.
I arn, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
MAX. WOODHULL,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
(Same to Lieut. Col. Hector Perrin, Seventh Illinois Mounted Infantry.)
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Cheraw, $. C ., March -1, 1865.
Maj. Gen. F. P. BLAIR,
Commanding Seventeenth Army Corps:
GENERAL: The general directs that the Ninth Illinois Mounted
Infantry be ordered to report to Major-General Logan to .join with an
expedition being organized by him to go to Florence. The expedition
will rendezvous at the cross-roads, seven miles from Cheraw, at 9 a. m.
to-day.
Very respectfully, vonr obedient servant,
A. M. VAN DYKE,
680 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Cheraw, S. C., March -1, 1M:~>.
Maj. Gen. J. A. MOWER,
Commanding First Division :
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say to you
that he wishes you to cross your command as soon as the bridge is
completed and take up a strong position on the opposite side. Leave
the brigade now doing provost duty until further orders. The general
wishes that brigade to remain until the command is all across. You
will cross your trains with the troops.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. CADLE, JK.,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Cheraw, S. C ., March -J, IMS.
Capt. C. CADLE, Jr.,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Seventeenth Army Corps:
CAPTAIN : I have just been down at the river, and I find that there is
but one section of the bridge there. The officer in command informs
me that he cannot lay the bridge without more boats and bridge
materials.
J would suggest that a party of cavalry be sent down the river to
give warning of the approach of the rebel gun-boat Pedee, should it
attempt to come up.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOS. A. MOWER,
Major- General, U. 8. Volunteers, Commanding Division.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Cheraic, 8. 6 ., March 4
Brig. Gen. M. F. FORCE,
Commanding Third Division :
GENERAL: The major general commanding directs me to say that
you need not move from your present camp to-night.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. CADLE, JR.,
Assista n t Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Cher a w . S. <?., March 4, jf<S6 o.
Bvt. Maj. (Ten. G. A. SMITH,
Commanding Fourth Division:
GENERAL: The major general commanding instructs me to direct
you to send one regiment from your command down the railroad. They
will march as far as they can to-day and encamp. To-morrow they will
start back and destroy all trestle-work and bridges returning. Let
them take all the pack animals they can and bring back forage. The
general wishes a report of their operations.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. CADLE, JR.,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 681
HDQHS. FIRST BRIG., FOURTH Div., ITxn ARMY CORPS,
CheraiCj 8. ( ., March 4, 18<j r j.
Capt. AD. WARE, Jr.,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Fourth Z>?>., Seventeenth Anmj Corps:
CAPTAIN: Incompliance witli instructions from headquarters Fourth
Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, I directed Lieutenant-Colonel Ilib-
bets, commanding Thirty-second Oliio Volunteers, to proceed with his
regiment down the Darlington and Cheraw Kailroad, and destroy the
trestle-work on said road as far down as he could go to-day. I accom
panied the regiment to Thompson s Creek; found the railroad and dirt
road bridges destroyed by the enemy. A floating bridge was at once
constructed and the troops and horses passed over. A report of the
operations of the regiment after crossing the creek will be made by
Lieutenant-Colonel Ilibbets and forwarded on his return. I found COO
feet of high trestle-work on this side of the railroad bridge and caused
the same to be destroyed, also one box-car.
I am. captain, with high respect, your obedient servant,
B. F. POTTS,
Brioadier- General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field j Cher a 1C) *$ . 0., March 4, 1&65 6 p. m.
Major-General SLOCUM,
Commanding Left Wing^ tin eedxboro ugh:
GENERAL: 1 got here at 10 a. m. and found the Seventeenth Corps
in town and laying a pontoon bridge across the Pedee. The Fifteenth
Corps is also here, and their trains are coming in all safe. The bridge
is down; one division (Mower s) is across and is skirmishing about two
miles out. Hardee commanded here, and had, it is said, about 15,000
men, but I doubt if lie had more than the Charleston garrison and
S. D. Lee s corps, in all, 10,000. There was a gun-boat here that had
come up when the "Yankees got Georgetown, but it was blown up to dny
about six miles down the river. There is a good deal of property here,
such as guns (twenty-five), ammunition, &c., and more of a town than
I expected to find. General Howard has sent a mounted force to
destroy public property at and near Florence, which cannot return
before the day after to-morrow, by which time 1 think he can have all
his command across. Of course the sooner we reach Fayetteville the
better, but we must move in compact masses, as either column may
encounter the whole of Hardee s command, and it may be re enforced
by some from Charlotte.
I have no doubt Schofield is at work in Xorth Carolina. I feel
assured he is fully possessed of my views and will have Goldsborough
with both the Wilmington and Xew Berne roads done by the 15th, the
day appointed. Still, it is but prudent to continue as heretofore to col
lect all the food possible, in case we are delayed thereabouts. There is
a story afloat that 0,000 of Schofield s men are already at Fayetteville,
which will be a great success, better than we expected; but 1 know
Grant will spare no efforts to second us; he is fully alive to the impor
tance of our movement. Get your bridge down and cross over as fast
as possible, and stretch out on the road you want, and I will order
General Howard to conform to you. If you can get out ten miles
during all Tuesday it will be as much as 1 expect.
Yours, truly,
W. T. SIIERMAX,
Major- Gen cral. Com manding.
682 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Pedee River, $. C., March 4, 18o j 7 p. in.
Lieut. Col. A. C. MCCLVKG,
Asst. Adjt. Gen. and Chief of Ktaff, Fourteenth Army (Jorpx :
COLONEL: My division went into camp this 3.. H) p. in, on the banks
of the Pedee, on the right of the Twentieth Corps, just below Sneeds-
borough, by order of General Slocum, making 1 a march of fifteen miles,
the first five miles over bad roads, the last ten good.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES 1). MORGAN,
llriya d icr- General.
HDQRS. CAV. COMMAND, MILITARY Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, March J, 18(io 7. a. m.
[Maj. L. 31. DAYTON:]
MAJOR: I have the honor to report that General Hampton attacked
me with his entire command at 4 p. m. yesterday near my headquar
ters, where Major Audenried found me. I was not in position, but was
just leaving camp; however; such attack was repulsed, until I could
mass my troops, when he again made a deliberate attack, and was
finally repulsed about 7 p. m. last evening. I expected to light this
morning, but 1 find that the enemy has left my front, and I believe
him to be moving for Wall s Ferry, via Wadesborough. General
Baird s division encamped last night five miles from this point on road
to Sneedsborough. General Carlin s division is now passing. [
believe the entire country now in rear to be free of the enemy. I
await your further orders.
A ery respectfully,
J. KILI ATRICK,
JJrecet Major- General.
WILMINGTON, March -.-/, 1865.
(Received 12th.)
Major-General SHERMAN :
1 expect to get Goldsborough by the 14th or 15th of this month if I
have force enough to take it, and to have the railroad running from
New Berne as far as I go. It will take some time longer to get the
road in use from this point. We have no rolling-stock here. If you
find it necessary to come this way supplies can be sent you by boat up
the river as far as Eli/abethtown. If you go direct to Goldsborough
I think there can be no doubt of our having supplies there or near
there on your arrival. If I find yon are keeping off from the coast
I shall push out toward Raleigh and join you. I have received noth
ing from you yet. Such information as I have places you about Rock-
ingham to-day. I have not heard from General Grant since the 25th.
No material change had taken place about Richmond at that time.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION, 683
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
ARMY OF THE OHIO,
Wilmington, N. (7., March ,/, 1865.
General G. S. DODGE,
Actitif/ Chief (Quartermaster :
GENERAL,: All wagons, animals, and other property which may
arrive at this harbor for the Twenty-third Army Corps are to be sent
to Morehead City, also all that are now here, but not unloaded to-day.
Property now here, and not taken with the troops on the Cth, will await
further orders. The teams unloaded to-day are to be turned over to
General Terry s quartermaster to replace those furnished by him to
Twenty-third Army Corps. The pontoon train, which is expected from
the North, will be sent to Morehead City; also any troops which may
arrive from the Department of the South. Please have as little delay
as possible in transmitting orders to vessels that may arrive. It will
probably be best for you to remain here until these matters are adjusted,
but 1 will see when I arrive at New Berne what the necessities are
there. If the Manchester Railroad people succeed in getting in their
trains, which I do not count on, take possession of them and turn them
over to Colonel Wright on his arrival. It will probably be well to
leave one or two engines and some cars west of the river. Do not send
away the light-draft sea steamers that have been detained here, unless
they are called for from the North, but call my attention to the matter
in a week or ten days,
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. SCHOFIKLD,
Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF BEAUFORT,
Batckelders Creek, March /, 18(>5.
Major-General SCHOFIELD,
Commanding Department of North Carolina:
GENERAL: Your dispatch of 2d came to hand this evening. The
concentration of my troops at Core Creek is completed to-night, except
as to a couple of detachments, one of which was ordered in from Roau-
oke Island, and the other from a position on our left. The rains have
been continuous since I left Wilmington, and as a result the roads from
New Berne to Core Creek are nearly impassable. The distance by
road, about twenty, miles, could ordinarily have been made in a day,
bnt over two days have now been taken by the troops in the movement,
and the commandants report that they have pushed as fast as possible.
The railroad is repaired to-night to within one mile of Core Creek,
seven miles having been put in order during the past two days. The
telegraph will reach the same point by noon to-morrow, and I shal.
then move my headquarters to that point, and the troops can be resup-
plied with rations and move another step in advance. Regarding the
rapid reconstruction of the railroad as the most important thing, I
have turned over to the construction corps a portion of our teams to
haul bridge timbers and railroad ties from the woods, so that we have
only ten wagons to a division for field use. It is of course manifest that
so small amount of transportation can do no more than keep troops sup
plied within a mile or two of the railroad terminus, especially in the
present condition of the roads. This constitutes my chief embarrass
ment, for 1 have no doubt of my ability to go into Kinston whenever I
can feed my command there. The railroad from Core Creek to Kinston,
684 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LTX.
a distance of about thirteen miles, has "been totally destroyed, the ties
having been burned and the rails carried off, the road-bed being used
as a turnpike road by the rebels for a year or more past. Colonel
Wright, chief engineer, cannot promise to build more than from one
mile to one and a half per day of this road, and has on hand only six
miles of iron. He, however, expects a full supply before this will be
laid. The forces in the vicinity of Kiuston are reported about 1,500
strong, with a tete-de-pont on this side of the river in which are sev
eral pieces of artillery, variously reported from four to eight. The
rebel troops are not of the most reliable character, being many of them
Junior Reserves, &c. Their gun-boat or ram is reported to be anchored
just under the railroad bridge preparatory to blowing up her and the
bridge together if forced to evacuate. This vessel is believed to draw
too much water to move away from her moorings except in a freshet.
I have not reckoned her as an item of any consequence in the present
problem, though if she be worth anything the present great rise of
water in the river gives them an opportunity to show it. By the time
you could reach Kiuston, according to the tenor of your dispatch of the
2d, I should,, even if obliged to confine myself closely to the railroad,
be closely investing that place and able to open communication with
you whenever you reach the vicinity, for there are at present no indi
cation of the enemy s operating in any force on this side the Neuse. I
am having obstructions removed from the Neuse near New Berne in
order to run up some light boats and flats, with a view to ferry a portion
of the command over the river below Kinston and push at once for that
place in rear. I shall do this within three days unless I get information
proving it entirely impracticable. My hope is that I shall in this way
take the town, and possibly be able to supply myself during the high
water by the river from New Berne. While this is progressing I shall
push a sufficient force as close up to Kinston as they can be supplied,
and shall use a portion of the cavalry battalion to reconnoiter as far to
the left as possible, so as to meet the head of your column at the ear
liest day and hour. The roads from Kinston in the direction of Kcnans-
ville are reported good and dry. Those from New Berne to Kinston