By order of Brig. Gen. M. F.. Force:
J. C. DOUGLASS,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Ticenty-MHe Post, March 9, 1865 9 p. m.
Captain DECHERT,
Actiny Assistant Adjutant-General:
CAPTAIN : I have the honor to report, for the information of the gen
eral commanding, that Carlin s division is going into camp at this place;
Morgan s, two miles and a half in rear. Prisoners report Havel ee mov
ing on a road to our left for Fayetteville. He is force-marching, and
has probably passed to our front. I have no report from Kilpatrick
to-day. The rain has made the roads very bad.
Yours, &c..
JEF. C. DAVIS,
Brevet Major -General, Commanding.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
March 9, 1865 9 p. m.
Lieutenant-Colonel McCLURd,
Chief of Staff, Fourteenth Army Corps :
COLONEL : The excessive rains have destroyed what little of the road
was left, and it will be with the greatest difficulty to get the trains into
park before daylight. From present indications the whole road will
have to be corduroyed. Every effort will be made to overcome the
difficulty.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES D. MORGAN,
Brigadier- General.
742 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH CORPS,
Near McFarland s Bridge, N. C., March 9, 1865.
Maj. L. M. DAYTON,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
MAJOR: In compliance with directions from Major-General Slocum,
I have the honor to report that I reached McFarland s Bridge last
night. I found the bridge badly destroyed. It will take me all day
to day to repair it, and the road on this side, which for three miles is
bad. I shall make every effort to get my corps across the river to-day.
We are very short of tools for bridge-building. The bridge was burned
three days ago.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. S. WILLIAMS,
Brevet Major General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, ARMY OF GEORGIA,
Love s Bridge, 8. C., March 9, 18(>5.
Brevet Major-Gen era! WILLIAMS,
Commanding Twentieth Corps:
GENERAL : I am directed by the major-general commanding to say
that he will push on with this column to-day as far as Rockfish Creek,
and perhaps a short distance beyond. There is a large cavalry force of
the enemy in this vicinity, near Solemn Grove. General Slocum directs
that when you get across the river you move on without further orders.
He wishes you to report to him to-night your progress. The pontoon
train has been ordered to you.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROBT. P. DECHERT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH CORPS,
Buffalo Creek, N. 0., March 9, 1865.
Capt. R. P. DECHERT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General, Left Wing:
CAPTAIN : W^e completed the bridge across the Lumber Creek at 3.30
p. m. and have been crossing troops since. We had a bridge to make
across a creek west. The road on both sides we were obliged to cordu
roy. The road so far this side of Lumber Creek is of the worst char
acter. I shall get over all I can to-night and move at daylight in the
morning. The heavy rains are delaying everything; there is scarcely
a foot of road passable. Major Nichols, of General Sherman s staff,
was here this afternoon. The Fifteenth Corps was to encamp to-night
at Randalsville Post-Office. I will make all progress I can to-morrow
and report in the evening. Please let me know by bearer your proba
ble headquarters to-morrow night.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. S. WILLIAMS,
Brevet Major -General, Commanding.
CHAP. L1X.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 743
ORDERS.] HEADQUARTERS TWENTIETH CORPS,
Buffalo Creel; X. C., March 9, 1865.
This command will move to-morrow toward Fayetteville, N. C., as
follows: First Division will march at o clock in the morning on the
Fayetteville road, unencumbered. General Jackson will use two bri
gades to corduroy the road, holding the other as an advance guard.
Every point of the road liable to give way will be thoroughly put in
order for passage of the trains. General Ward will cover the trains of
the First and Third Divisions, moving out as soon as the road is made
practicable. General Geary will move with his own train, in the rear,
with one brigade as a rear guard. The pontoon train will be moved
to the front of the leading division train as soon as practicable. Each
division commander will use all possible means to bring forward the
trains under his charge. The artillery and its train, and the corps sup
ply train, will move in the same order as to-day. The tool wagons of
each division will march at the head of the brigade to which they belong.
By command of Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. S. Williams:
CHAS. MOYER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or THE OHIO,
New Berne, March 9, 1865.
Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT,
Commanding Armies of the United States, City Point, Va.:
GENERAL: Yesterday the enemy assumed the offensive; recrossed
Southwest Creek some distance to the left of General Cox s position,
and drove back a brigade which was reconuoitering for a crossing of
the creek, but did not succeed in disturbing the main line. The enemy
maintained his ground on this side of the creek and is now intrenching
in Cox s immediate front. The loss was not very large on either side.
Hoke has been re-enforced by troops from Johnston s army, one
division probably, and I think more are expected. We can make no
further progress until General Couch arrives, which should be within
two or three days. Meanwhile Colonel Wright will have all he can do
to complete the road to where the troops now are. J inclose a letter
just received from General Terry giving the latest information of
General Sherman.* Mr. Eichardson is a very reliable man, and derived
his information from a source he fully credits. I fear General Sher
man is finding very bad roads. I sent to-day a dispatch in cipher,
to be forwarded from Wilmington, giving him the situation here, and
stating that 1 did not think it at all certain that I would be able to get
Goldsborough before he arrives. My belief is that all of Johnston s
force will be concentrated here, now that Sherman has turned toAvard
the coast. In that case I will hardly be able to do more than hold my
own with my present force. I cannot reduce Terry s command unless
1 give up the idea of opening the road from Wilmington at least, until
I know where General Sherman is going. If he moves for Goldsborough,
Hardee, who appears to have been left in rear, will have nothing better
to do than to interfere with Terry s operations. One steamer load of
troops have arrived from Savannah, but I have not learned what others
may be expected, nor when. These detachments do not amount to
much. Palmer s command, including the fragments brought here by
Meagher, are little better than militia. I think more troops could be
* See Terry to Schofield, March 7, p. 726.
744 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
used here to advantage if, in view of your general plan, they are not
more needed elsewhere. As soon as Couch gets up I will test the ques
tion as to what can be done. It is raining almost constantly and the
country is nearly covered with water. Fortunately, the effect is not so
bad here as in a clay soil, but it makes some of the swamps and streams
impassable.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major- General.
P. S. Major-General Schofield left for the front this morning without
signing the above, and has since directed me to forward it with this
explanation.
Very respectfully,
G. W. SCPIOFIELD,
Brevet Brigadier- General.
[Indorsement.]
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
City Point, Ya., March 13, 1865.
Respectfully forwarded for the information of the Secretary of War.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant- General.
NEW BERNE, March 9, 1865.
Major- General SHERMAN :
The enemy has checked our advance at Southwest Creek, this side
of Kinston. A portion of Johnston s force is here, and I presume the
rest will be concentrated in my front, now that you are understood to
have turned toward the coast. This makes it probable that I will not
be able to take Goldsborough or even Kinston before you come up. I
will work as far forward as I can and put the railroad in order as far
as I go.
SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
NEW BERNE, N. C., March 9, 1865.
Lieutenan t-Colonel CAMPBELL,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Wilmington;
Move your office to this place without delay.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
NEW BERNE, N. C., March 9, 1865.
Brig. Gen. L. C. E ASTON,
Quartermaster, Morehead City :
Will you now assume the direction of all quartermaster s business on
this line? If so, I will leave my chief quartermaster at Wilmington,
where he now is.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 745
MOREHEAD CITY, X. C., March .9, 1865.
Major- General SCHOFIELD :
1 stopped in at Wilmington on my way here and conferred with
General Dodge, and 1 would be very glad to have him left at that place
to carry out my views. In fact, it is very important that lie should
remain there. I will attend to all matters in this vicinity. Can I
depend on General Dodge remaining at Wilmington?
L. C. EASTOX,
Ch ief Q uar term r .ister.
MOREHEAD CITY, March 9, 1865.
Major-General SCIIOFIELD
Commanding Department of North Carolina:
We are at Morehead City, establishing a grand depot of supplies for
all the armies operating under General Sherman, and desire that you
direct 1,500 men to report to General Easton, chief quartermaster, for
guards and working parties. It is important that the troops report in
regiments, with their organizations complete.
L. C. EASTOX,
Brigadier- General.
A. BECKWITH,
Brevet Brigadier- General.
XEW BERNE, X. 0., March 9, 1865.
Generals EASTON and BECKWITH,
Morehead City, N. C. :
I have received your dispatch asking for 1,500 troops for guards and
working parties for the depot at Morehead. It will hardly be possible
to furnish so many men at present, but I will order the commanding
officer at Morehead to furnish all the men he can, and will give you
all you want as soon as possible. 1 would, however, suggest the
employment of citizens and contraband laborers, so as to lighten the
demand for tooops.
J. M. SCIIOFIELD,
Major-General.
MOREHEAD CITY, X. C., March 9, 1865.
Major-General SCHOFIELD :
Your telegram received. We have employed every citizen and con
traband we can get hold of, and shall continue to do so, but cannot
get a sufficient number to do the work. We shall call on the troops for
labor only when it is absolutely necessary to do so.
L. C. EASTOX,
Brigadier-General and Chief Quartermaster.
XEW BERNE, X. C., March .9, 1865.
Brigadier-General DODGE, Wilmington:
General Easton is here and will attend to all matters on this line.
You will remain at Wilmington and carry out his views there.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General^
746 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
NEW BERNE, N. C., March ,9, 1865.
General EASTON,
Morehead City:
I have telegraphed General Dodge to remain at Wilmington and
carry out your views there.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
MOREHEAD CITY, N. 0., March 9, 1865.
Major-General SCHOFIELD :
There has just arrived in the harbor a steam-boat load of troops
from Savannah. I should prefer to have these troops to any others,
if you can let them remain as a part of those asked for this morning.
L. C. EASTON,
Brigadier -General.
NEW BERNE, N. C., March 9, 1865.
General EASTON,
Morehead City :
You may have the troops which arrive from Savannah, but I may
need them here for a short time. Please have them ready to come up
by rail if called for.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
NEW BERNE, N. G., March ,9, 1865.
COMMANDING OFFICER MOREHEAD CITY:
You will please report to Brigadier-General Easton, chief quarter
master, at Morehead, and furnish him for guards and laborers such
numbers of men as he may require, to the extent of the force under
your command.
J. M. SCIIOFIELD,
Major- General.
NEW BERNE, N. C., March 9, 1865.
Brig. Gen. L. C. EASTON,
Morehead City :
I have not yet heard from General Sherman. It would be well to
have both here and at Wilmington supplies enough .to last his army
for a few days, but I would not unload the bulk of the supplies until
we learn what point he will strike.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
NEW BERNE, March 9, 1865.
Colonel MCCHESNEY,
Morehead :
Send Captain Atwill with his two companies to this place by rail.
Send them this evening, if practicable.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 747
NEW BERNE, March 9, 1865.
Major-Geueral Cox,
In the Field :
I have not yet heard from General Couch, and fear he has not made
the progress that was expected. I must get in communication with
him as soon as possible and make arrangements to get him across Trent
Kiver without delay. I will not go to the front to-day unless you have
serious work. Please keep me advised.
J. M. SCIIOFIELD,
Major- General.
WISE S FORKS, March 9, 1865 11 a. m.
Major-General SCHOFIELD,
New Berne:
No serious work along my line this morning, though the enemy have
a line of works where they were yesterday and the skirmishing has
been lively. They have not made any demonstration beyond my left
that 1 have discovered, but General Palmer reported about an hour
ago that some force was reported moving across his front toward the
Neuse road. His position is not as near the creek as we supposed
yesterday, and he does not command the crossing at the Neuse road,
but only observes it. I have sent two regiments over to re enforce him
and await further reports. We are having the greatest difficulty in
getting up supplies and ammunition. Will you please have Colonel
Stewart, the commandant at New Berne, take precautions to have some
vedettes well out on the Neuse road and to keep his command in as
much readiness for any contingency as practicable. I have sent him
no warning on the subject as yet.
J. D. COX,
Major- General.
NEW BERNE, March 9, 1865 1.40 p. m.
Major-General Cox,
Wise s Forks :
I have your dispatch of 11 a. m. General Palmer telegraphed to
Colonel Stewart this morning the report of the enemy s movement on
the Neuse road, and added, as understood, that the enemy had put a
pontoon bridge over Neuse liiver. Do you know anything of such a
report? Colonel Stewart has sent scouts on the Neuse road. Some
wagons were sent up this morning, and I will have more sent as soon
as possible. I hear nothing from General Couch yet.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
MARCH 9, 18655.30 p. m.
Major-General SCHOFIELD,
New Berne:
1 do not credit the pontoon-bridge story. General Palmer expects
definite information shortly and will send it to you. Our right has been
threatened by demonstrations, but nothing serious has been attempted.
Stovall s brigade of Hardee s troops is with Hoke, besides Whitford s
brigade. The information on which the attack was made yesterday was
748 OPERATIONS IN N. 0., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. Lix.
given by three deserting bounty jumpers. A hundred rebels are
reported to be prowling somewhere between the railroad and theNeuse
in our rear. 1 have a party in chase.
J. I). COX,
Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO,
Neic Berne, March .9, 1865.
Major-General Cox:
I have just seen a dispatch from General Palmer to the naval com
mander saying the enemy has a pontoon bridge over Neuse River eleven
miles below Kinston, and asking him to send boats up to destroy it.
What is the foundation for this report? How is it that General Palmer
is arranging such matters with the naval officer without reference to
you or me? Your cavalry can certainly learn the fact whether the
enemy is on the Neuse road in a few hours at most. You are much
nearer the point where the enemy is said to be crossing than this place
is, and there is but a small squad of cavalry here, It would be well
to have your cavalry patrol the river some miles below where you are.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
WISE S FORKS, March 9, 1865 12 p. m.
Major-General SCHOFIELD,
New Berne:
I have tried to get reliable information as to the rumored pontoon
bridge. I put no faith in the story. General Palmer has been directed
to get immediate and explicit information from the cavalry patrols on
his flank on Keuse road and forward it to you. He telegraphed the
naval officer on the first report, supposing haste to be necessary. It
was an unintentional mistake on his part. Rebel skirmishers very
active to-night, but no appearance of serious movement as yet.
J. I). COX,
Major- General.
MERRITT S HOUSE, March 9, 1865 3 p. m.
Maj. THEODORE Cox,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
MAJOR: A scouting party sent out by me on the road leading from
McDaniel s to the upper Trent road met a force of cavalry numbering
about seventy-five -on the Cob road. They mounted and charged my
force, which consisted of twenty men, but followed them only a short
distance. One brass piece was seen in the same position it occupied
yesterday. We were unable to take any prisoners.
Respectfully,
JAS. W. SAVAGE,
Twelfth New York Cavalry.
P. S. Since writing the above a party sent down the Trent road has
returned. It went to Nethercutt s Forks and returned without seeing
any indications of the enemy.
JAS. W. SAVAGE.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 749
WISE S FORKS, March 9, 1865.
Col. W. W. WRIGHT,
Chief Engineer, Neiv Berne:
Cannot .your (Construction corps put a causeway in a bad place in the
Biddle road this morning? I cannot send back for the purpose, and
yet am very desirous of having that cross-road so that I can use it and
save the distance.
J. I). COX,
Major- General.
WISE S FORKS, March ( J, 1865
Captain KIMBALL,
Assistant Quartermaster, New Berne:
Some ainnninitioii was to have come up last night in special train.
I cannot learn that it came. Two hundred and fifty thousand rounds
should be at the Biddle road station for us. Please see the ordnance
officer at once, and it it has not gone, send it with least possible delay.
Commissary stores should also be there, so that there may be no delay
whenever our teams go there, as we can hardly exist by keeping every
wagon going. Watch the forage also. Answer.
J. D. COX,
Major- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF BEAUFORT,
Wise s Fork s^ March 9, 1865 0.15 a. m.
Brigadier-General PALMER,
Commanding First Division:
There is as yet no apparent change of position in the front of this
wing. I am anxious to get an early report from you. Did you push a
picket up the railroad, and if so how near to the creek ? Also what did you
send over to the Neuse road, and have you any intelligence from there?
If the enemy s force is not greatly increased we can easily maintain our
position. But please remember what I urged last evening as to the
imperative necessity of watching and, it possible, guarding the Keuse
road crossing of the creek. Let me know also if your wagons have
come up and what your condition as to supplies is.
Very respectfully, &c.,
J. D. COX,
Major- General^ Commanding.
AViSE s FORKS, March 9, 1865 8.30 a. m.
Brigadier-General PALMER,
Commanding First Division, District of Beaufort:
GENERAL: Your note is received. I extremely regret the inconven
iences of our position, but regard it our duty to maintain it till it
becomes manifestly untenable. General Schofield will be up this
morning again. A demonstration of some sort is now being made
along this front. This makes it all the more important to watch your
right. Till the wagons return you and we have no means of moving
baggage, 1 suppose, In case of necessity we should, of course, unite all
750 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
our force at Gum Swamp again. I would prefer to run the risk of send
ing- some force from this wing to you rather than have you move from
yours, though at present a lively skirmish is going on in front. Stimu
late your men to great activity and courage. I wish you had mentioned
precisely what your condition is as to rations.
J. D. COX,
Major- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, &c.,
March .9, 1805 9.20 a. m.
[Major-General Cox:]
GENERAL: Pickets report again the enemy massing at some point
on our right. I will find, if possible, where the point is. The First
and Third Brigades of my division have rations for to-day, except one
regiment, which has none; and I will send by the orderly the state of
the rations in Second Brigade. We must expect either an attack on
our right soon, or that the enemy will give us the " go-by" and move
on our communications.
Very respectfully, yours,
I. N. PALMEK,
Brigadier- General.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, DISTRICT OF BEAUFORT,
March 9 7 1865 11.50 a. m.
Major-General Cox,
Commanding :
The enemy are reported to be moving a force along their lines
toward our left. I send this along through my division and that of
General Kuger, to you.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
I. X. PALMEK,
Brigadier- General.
WISE S FORKS, March 9 7 1865 11 p. m.
Brigadier-General PALMER,
Commanding first Division, i( c. :
Our cavalry on my extreme left report our cavalry vedettes driven in
by rebel cavalry about two miles down the Trent road. This may mean
that some cavalry squad has cut through to do some mischief in our
rear, or that it is a reconnaissance. Please notify by signal General
Thomas regiment, at Gum Swamp, to strengthen its pickets to its left
and front (toward us), and send us word if they hear of anything.
Please also have the intelligence telegraphed to the posts 011 the rail
road and construction corps. Some of my wagons left Biddle road
station at 6.30 p. m., and have come in. They heard nothing of the
party of rebels reported this p. m.
J. D. COX,
Major- General.
CHAP. LIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 751
WISE S FORKS, March .9, 1865 12 p. m.
Brigadier-General PALMER :
The alarm about our cavalry ou the left turns out to be baseless.
Please have the signal officer pass the word down the line. I send a
(1 ispatch from General Scho field.* Please telegraph him, and inform me
also what report you get from the Neuse road about the supposed pon
toon bridge. You will see that an application to the naval commander
should properly be made through district or department headquarters,
as General S. suggests, but I am well aware that your idea was simply
to save time. I think the rumor of the bridge must be unfounded, but
we must now have definite and reliable information to give General S.
J. 1). COX,
Major- General.
W BERNE, N. C., March 9, 1865.
Major- General COUCH,
Comdg. Second and Third Divs., Twenty-third Army Corps :
GENERAL: I have heard nothing from you yet, and fear that you
may have been unable to make as rapid progress as was expected.
General Cox finds the enemy in pretty strong force in his front, and
will be unable to make any further progress until you arrive. It is
important that you make as good time as you can, but this I know you
will do. 1 want you to cross Trent Biver at or near Trenton. Do not
try to head the stream, as was contemplated before you started. That
would carry you too far to the left under present circumstances. 1
think you can easily bridge the river a short distance above Trenton,
but as a further security I will send some flats up to Trenton in time to
meet you there if I hear from you in time.
Very respectfully,
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major- General.
p. s. If you do not hear from me again, after crossing Trent Kiver
take to the right Kinston road, keeping east of Beaver Creek, and
march for Wise s Forks, which is near the railroad and about a mile
this side of Southwest Creek. General Cox is now there.
CAMP, SEVEN MILES WEST OF ONSLOW AND
THIRTEEN SOUTH OF HIGHLANDS,
March 9, 1865.
Major- General SCHOFIELD :
GENERAL : I arrived here this evening in good condition. The bridge
over Southwest Branch having been destroyed, has given us some lit
tle trouble. I will encamp near Uichlands to-morrow night, and from
thence shall proceed by the shortest road as laid down on your map.
One company South Carolinians has picketed around Onslow and Bich-
lands, four of which were to-day captured by Twining. Hoke is reported
as moving north via Kenansville. The heavy rain of to-night may
retard my wagons somewhat.
D. K COUCH,