Respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. R. CIIISOLM, A. D. C.

JACKSONVILLE, ALA., Oct. llth, 1864. Captain ELIAS KEXADY, Jacksonville, Ala.:

Captain, —As you are the nearest quartermaster to this post, General Beaure gard directs that you make arrangements with the post commandant here to furnish what may be required from your department for the post, and for the purpose of forwarding all men arriving here on their way to and from the army. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. R. CIIISOLM, A. D. C.

JACKSONVILLE, ALA., Oct. 12th, 1864. Assist.-Snrgn. R. B. HARRIS, 57th Ga. Regiment, Cleburne's Div., A. T.:

Sir, —General Beauregard, being informed that you are returning to your regiment, and that you are not sufficiently recovered from a recent illness, directs that you report for temporary duty to Colonel W. H. Forney, command ing this post. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

JACKSONVILLE, ALA., Oct. 12th, 1864. Brig.-Genl. J. H. CLANTON, Oxford, Ala.:

General, —General Beauregard directs me to call upon you for fifty men, with their officers, to report for courier and other duty to Colonel \V. H. Forney, commandant of this post.

The General further directs that you will place yourself in communication with Colonel Forney, and give him what assistance he may desire. He will probably require guards for stores.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. R. CIIISOLM, A. D. C.

JACKSONVILLE, ALA., Oct. 12th, 1864. Col. \V. II. FORNEY, Jacksonville, Ala.:

Colonel, —General Beauregard desires that you would temporarily take com mand of this post. The present commanding officer he directs that you employ as your assistant. For instructions I refer you to my note of the llth instant to Captain Bethune.

The General further desires that you will, by means of a quick lino of couriers, place yourself in communication with Brigadier-General Elzey, at Round Mountain Iron-works, by which route he thinks for the present it would

be best to scud men rejoining the army. He wishes that Hue connected with the one in operation to Blue Mountain.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. R. CIIISOLM, A. D. C.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY or TENNESSEE,

ix THE FIELD, Oct. IZtli, 1834. To the Officer Commanding the United States Forces at Resaca, Ga.:

Sir, —I demand the immediate and unconditional surrender of the post and garrison under your command, and, should this be acceded to, all white officers and soldiers will be paroled in a few days. If the place is carried by assault no prisoners will be taken.

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. B. HOOD, Genl.

Official.

S. M. DAYTON, Aide-dc-Camp.

JACKSONVILLE, ALA., Oct. 12tlt, 1304. Genl. SAMUEL COOPER, Adjt. and Insp.-GcnL, Richmond, Va.:

General, —I arrived at Newnan, Ga., on the 7th iust., where, having ascer tained that General Hood's headquarters were at Cedar Town, and that his army was moving northwestwardly, after destroying in the vicinity of Marietta five or six miles of the railroad from Atlanta to Chattanooga, I left at once to join him, overtaking him at Cave Spring on the evening of the 9th inst.

I was there informed by him that General Sherman, having hastily advanced from Atlanta with five corps, amounting to about forty thousand (40,000) men, leaving one corps to guard his fortifications, he (General Hood) had determined to draw Sherman's forces still farther north by attempting to break up the rail road between Kingston and Resaca, and again between Resaca and Daltou. To effect the first of these objects he proposed crossing to the north side of the Coosa River, about twelve (12) miles below Rome (which is still occupied by one division of the enemy), and then to cross the Oostenaula about the same distance above that town. After destroying the road as contemplated, if he could not obtain the immediate surrender of Resaca, commanding the railroad bridge over the Oostenaula, he designed recrossiug to the north side on his pontoon-bridge above Rome, moving thence to destroy the road between Re saca and Dalton. He proposed meanwhile to guard well the crossing of the Coosa and Oosteuaula rivers, so as to protect his right flank and rear from an attack by Sherman.

Not being sufficiently well acquainted with the nature of the country referred to, and not having yet assumed command of my new department, I advised General Hood not to carry out his first project, unless confident of being able to recross the Oostenaula above Rome before General Sherman could concentrate superior forces against him, or could endanger his communications. He readily assented to this suggestion.

It was also determined that, as a success was necessary to keep up the present buoyant spirit of the Army of Tennessee, a battle should not be fought unless

with positive advantage on our side of numbers and position, or unless the safety of the army required it.

Under these circumstances, being still unprovided with a staff, baggage, and horses (left in Virginia when I was ordered to Charleston), and wishing to con fer (before assuming command) with Lieutenant-General Richard Taylor rela tive to the condition of his department and to his ability to co-operate with General Hood in the present campaign, being desirous, moreover, of arranging matters necessarily connected with the change of base from Jonesboro', Ga., to Jacksonville, Ala., I repaired to this place for the objects stated, hoping to be able to return to the front in time for a battle, should one occur; but, to be certain of doing so, I instructed General Hood to keep me advised of the move ments of the enemy. I expect, nevertheless, to rejoin him in a few days.

I desire that, until further notice, all letters and communications should be addressed to me at this place, whence they will be forwarded to my headquar ters, wherever they may be temporarily located.

I remain, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD, Geul.

JACKSONVILLE, ALA., Oct. 13M, 18C4. Genl. J. B. HOOD, Comdg. Army of Tenn., etc.:

General, —General Beauregnrd, upon arriving here, found there was no post commandant or other officers on duty here; he therefore has ordered the fol lowing named wounded and invalid officers on temporary duty until other arrangements can be made:

Colonel W. II. Forney, 10th Alabama, of General Lee's army, as commandant of the post; Captain Edward Hall, A. A. G., of Taylor's brigade, Army of Ten nessee, as post adjutant; Lieutenant William Anderson, acting commissary, 57th Georgia regiment, Mercer's brigade, Cleburne's division, Army of Tennessee, as acting commissary; Assistant-Surgeon R. B. Harris, 57th Georgia regiment, Mer cer's brigade, Cleburne's division, Army of Tennessee, as post surgeon.

There is neither a quartermaster nor commissary regularly stationed here, and both are much needed.

Colonel Forney is sending forward the men as fast as they arrive. Those without shoes he has detained to act as guards until some one authorized to issue shoes, etc., from the quartermaster's department can be sent here.

About seven hundred men were returned, and started, via Round Mountain, yesterday; many more are said to be en route here.

General B. suggests that it would be well for you to send an engineer officer to this place to locate some field-works for the protection of the depot estab lished here. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. R. CIIISOLM, A. D. C.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XL.

JACKSONVILLE, ALA., Oct. 22d, 1864. Lieut.-Genl. TAYLOR, Selma:

General Beauregard desires to see you at Gadsden as early as practicable.

The commandant of post at Blue Mountain has been ordered to supply you with a conveyance from that point. GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

JACKSONVILLE, ALA., Oct. 22d, 1864. Major MOLLOY, Chief Subsistence, Care Commandant Post, Selma :

General Beauregard desires to see you at Gadsden as soon as practicable. Your headquarters will hereafter be at Oxford, Ala.

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION or THE WEST,

JACKSONVILLE, Oct. 22d, 1864. Major-Goul. M. L. SMITH, Chief-Engineer:

General, —I am just in receipt of a note from General Beauregard, in which he expresses the desire that you shall join him at Gadsdeu, as soon as practi cable, for conference. I shall leave to join the General at Gadsden in the morning. GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

GADSDEN, ALA., Oct. 22d, 1864. Lieut.-Geul. R. TAYLOR, Comdg. Dept., etc., Jacksonville, Ala.:

General, —In order to save time, I desire you should attend as soon as possi ble to the following matters :

Order Forrest and Roddy to enter as soon as practicable into communication, by letter or otherwise, with General Hood at some point between Guuters-ville and Decatur, Ala., and to remain subject to his orders for the present.

If necessary, General Hood will order General Jackson's division to report to you meanwhile for the protection of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. You must call at once on the Govern ors of Alabama and Mississippi for all the assistance possible for the protec tion of those two roads, establishing garrisons at Corinth, Bear Creek Bridge, and other important points on those roads, which should be strengthened also by the construction of such block-houses and field-works as may be required. Major-General Smith will be further instructed upon the subject.

I desire to see you here, with Major-Gencral Smith, as soon as practicable. Respectfully, your obedient servant, G. T. BEAUREGARD, Geul.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

IN THE FIELD, Oct. 23d, 1864. Lieut.-Genl. RICHARD TAYLOR, Comdg., etc., Selma, Ala.:

General, —General Beauregard directs me to call your attention to the follow ing points and instructions which lie desires to be carried out:

(502 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XL.

1st. The railroad from Jacksonville to Selma will be abandoned as a means of supplying the Army of Tennessee, the base having been transferred from Jacksonville to Tuscumbia. Henceforth the lines of communication for army supplies to that point will be the Mobile and Ohio, and the Memphis and Charleston Railroads. These roads will be put forthwith in complete running order, and will be supplied with rolling-stock.

2d. Block-houses and small field-works should bo constructed at proper points on these roads for the protection of bridges and trestle-works. They should be large enough to hold one or more companies of infantry. Major-General Smith, Chief-Engineer, has been directed to confer with you on the subject of field-works, etc. Negro prisoners, as far as practicable, should be employed on the block-houses and field-works.

3d. You will as soon as possible place suitable garrisons at Corinth and Bear Creek. A suitable commander should be sent at once to Corinth. Gen eral Beauregard would suggest the name of Brigadier-General D. W. Adams, but the selection of a proper commandant he leaves to your judgment.

Colonel J. C. Reid has been ordered to assume command, temporarily, of the post at Tuscumbia, until you can find a more suitable person.

4th. Major-General Forrest, as soon as practicable, after executing his pres ent instructions, will promptly report to General J. B. Hood, in Middle Ten nessee, for orders.

5th. The railroad from Selma to Jacksonville will be completed as early as practicable, as heretofore ordered; but the rolling-stock will be gradually re duced to the amount used thereon prior to the movement of General Hood's army from Jonesboro'.

6th. All men returning to the army should be sent to Tuscnmbia. Before, however, being forwarded, they should be properly organized and sent under proper officers. Until the Army of Tennessee shall have passed the Tennessee River the troops returning may be detained to garrison Corinth. All the re turning troops now at Oxford will be sent as above directed.

7th. The iron between Memphis and Corinth should bo removed, commen cing at or near Memphis. The road should be destroyed as effectively as possi ble to prevent its use by the enemy against us.

8th. Write to their excellencies Governors Watts and Clark to furnish you with State troops and militia- to cover our railroad lines of communication.

9th. A line of couriers has been established at Oxford to communicate with the rear of the army, cither by this place (Gadsden) or Blue Mountain.

I have the honor to be, General, respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

IN THE FIELD, GADSDEN, ALA., Oct. 23d, 1864. Genl. J. B. HOOD, Comdg. Army of Tenn. :

General, —General Beauregard desires that you will have prepared for the signature of Major-General Cheatham aii address to the citizens of Tennessee, stating substantially as follows :

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLI. G03

That Chcatham's veteran corps, in connection with the gallant corps of the chivalrous Forrest, has entered upon the soil of Tennessee to enable her sons to redeem themselves from the yoke of a vile oppressor, who has violated the integrity of her independence by a cruel and lawless invasion of her territory. That he earnestly invokes their co-operation in the glorious work of her re demption ; that he calls upon them to give him and his brave troops all their aid in destroying effectually the lines of the enemy's communication and break ing up his sources of supplies, while the main body of the Army of Tennessee is engaged in the similar work of destruction from Atlanta to Chattanooga.

The General desires that this address be printed at Huntsville, or elsewhere if possible, and be freely distributed within the enemy's lines. If it cannot be printed, let as many copies as practicable be inanuscripted and posted at all prominent points.

The above is designed as merely indicating the character of the address, leav ing all other matters to your judgment. It cannot be printed at Jacksonville as first proposed.

Governor Harris has not arrived at these headquarters.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLI.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

TUSCUMBIA, Xov. 1st, 1864. Genl. J. B. HOOD, Comdg., etc., etc.:

General, —General Beauregard desires to see Brigadier-General Roddy without delay on the navigation of the Tennessee River; if not incompatible with the public service, he wishes that you would direct him to report in person on the receipt of this order. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE W^EST,

TUSCUMBIA, Mv. 2(7, 18G4. Genl. J. B. HOOD, Comdg., etc., etc.:

General, —General Taylor has been instructed to impress the number of labor ers required by Major Fleming, Chief-Engineer and General Superintendent M. and O. Railroad. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

TUSCUMBIA, Xov. 4M, 1864. General J. B. HOOD, Comdg., etc., etc.:

General, —General Beauregard has directed me to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 3d iust., with the copies of your telegrams to the govern-

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLI.

mcnt. He however expresses the hope that you will soon be able to comply with his request contained in his communication of the 30th ultimo. A sum mary statement from each corps commander would answer the purpose.

A brief report of your plan of operations from this point, for the information of the government, he deems important, and requests that you will forward the same as early as practicable.

I have the houor to enclose copy of despatch sent ou yesterday to Major-Gen eral Forrest.

He has also been advised to-day of your movement, and ordered to report to you. I am, General, respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

RICHMOND, VA., JYby. 7th, 1864 : via MERIDIAN. Genl. J. B. HOOD :

Xo troops can have been sent by Grant or Sheridan to Nashville. The latter has attempted to reinforce the former, but Early's movements prevented it. That fact will assure you as to their condition and purposes. The policy of taking advantage of the reported division of his forces, where he cannot re unite his army, is too obvious to have been overlooked by you. I therefore take it for granted that you have not been able to avail yourself of that advan tage during this march northward from Atlanta. Hope the opportunity will be offered before he is extensively recruited. If you keep his communications destroyed, he will most probably seek to concentrate for an attack on you. But if, as reported to you, he has sent a large part of his force southward, you may first beat him in detail, and subsequently, without serious obstruction or danger to the country in your rear, advance to the Ohio River.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

TUSCUMBIA, Nov. 9th, 1864. Major-Genl. SMITH, Chief-Engineer, etc.:

General, — I telegraphed you yesterday relative to certain recouuoissauces about Savannah,* which it is thought should be made immediately, as a chango of base from this place to Purdy may become necessary at any moment. Should the roads to Savannah and the nature of the banks of the river in that vicinity not be favorable to crossing and to the command of the river, a posi tion higher or lower should be selected at once. The west bank should bo more elevated than the opposite one, to give greater command over the ap proaches to the point of crossing, which should be in a re-entering of the river, if practicable, in order that our batteries may have a cross-lire on those ap proaches.

I scud you herewith the sketch of a detached floating boom armed with a torpedo, to prevent the enemy's gunboats from passing our batteries at night. Torpedoes should be anchored also in the open spaces between the booms—say

* Savannah, Tennessee, on the Tennessee River.

one to each space. These booms, triangular in shape, about 40 feet in length by about 20 feet base, should be made of live longitudinal pieces and five or six cross ones strongly halved into and on top of the former.

The booms should be anchored across the stream about forty feet apart, from centre to centre; a second row, breaking openings, should be anchored about one hundred feet below the first row. Then, if the channel at high-water be eight hundred feet broad, each row would contain twenty booms and forty torpedoes.

The torpedoes should be about six feet below the surface of the water all stages of the river. The booms should be firmly anchored, with the apex of the triangle up-stream. I do riot object to a proper modification of the above plan of boom. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF THE WEST,

TUSCUMUIA, Nov. IQih, 18G4. Genl. J. B. HOOD, Comdg., etc., etc.:

General, —General Beauregard instructs me to say that he desires you would instruct Generals Wheeler, Rodd} r , and Forrest to furnish, as early as practica ble, the number of scouts they have employed; where operating; how em ployed, organized, and supplied with provisions; how often they report; and whether under charge of a special officer.

He desires that all independent scouts shall forthwith report to some re sponsible officer, and that all scouts operating in rear of the front line of the army (cavalry included) shall at once report to their proper commands, as only regularly organized companies should be kept in rear of such lines to collect information and maintain order. And they should be supplied with rations and forage in some systematic way, to prevent depredations on private prop erty. The system of roving or independent scouts he regards as detrimental, and should be abandoned. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

Telegram. SELMA, ALA., Nov. 12th, 1864.

Col. GEO. WM. BRENT, A. A. G.:

General Hodge reports Canby at Memphis, and Hurlburt in command of Department. Troops going north and to Texas. Movement from Memphis anticipated. R. TAYLOR, Lieut.-Geul.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

TUSCUMBIA, Nov. 12th, 18G4. Genl. J. B. HOOD, Comdg., etc., etc.:

General Beauregard desires that you will cause bridges to be constructed across those streams or creeks between Cherokee and Tuscumbia which are liable to delay our wagon-trains.

I am, General, respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. W. BREXT, Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

TUSCUAIBIA, ALA., Nov. 12th } 1864. Gcnl. J. B. HOOD, Comdg., etc., etc.:

General Beauregard desires to know whether the negroes at work on the railroad and fortifications in and about Corinth are the same captured by your command in Georgia; and, if so, what arrangement has been made for medical attendance upon them. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. WAI. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE,

IN THE FIELD, Nov. 12th, 18G4.

Colonel, —I have just been informed by General Stewart that General Beaure gard would review his corps at 11 A. M. to-day. I am surprised, that one so familiar with the rule that all orders, whether for review and inspection, or whatever kind, relating to this army, must pass through me, its Commanding General, should have overlooked it in this instance.

The propriety of a review at the time and place is, in my opinion, more than questionable, as it affords the enemy in our immediate vicinity an opportunity, through spies or disaffected persons, of obtaining information in regard to our strength, of which it is desirable they should be kept as much as possible in ignorance. Very respectfully,

J. B. HOOD, Gcnl. Comdg. Col. GEO. WM. BRENT, A. A. Gcnl., Mil. Div. of the West.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST, TUSCUAIBIA, Nov. 12th y 1884.

General, — In reply to your communication of this date relative to the review of Stewart's corps, General Beauregard directs me to say that review was de signed by him as an informal one. As he passed yesterday the headquarters of Lieutenant-General Stewart, on his way to Prospect Hill, he expressed to General Stewart a desire to review his corps, provided the weather and the condition of the ground would permit, and he, meanwhile, received no orders from yon interfering therewith, of which he was to inform General Beauregard tbis morning about nine o'clock.

General Stewart's notice reached General Beauregard about 9| li. this morn ing, and he took it for granted that General S. had informed you of the fact.

With regard to your opinion as to the "propriety of a review at this time and place," he thinks you must have a low estimate of the intelligence and judgment of your wily adversary if you suppose that at this late day he is ignorant of the position of your army and the strength of your corps.

As soon as circumstances will permit, he desires to review, separately, the corps of Generals Cheatharn and Lee, provided it will not interfere with the movements of the army.

I am, General, respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G. Gcnl. J. B. HOOD, Comdg., etc., etc.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST, TUSCUMBIA, ALA., Nov. Uth, 1864.

General, —I proceeded on yesterday morning to the headquarters of General J. B. Hood, to deliver the letters of Major-Generals Cobb and Smith, and also your views in relation to the positions for pontoons and Latteries on the river, and the movement of the army. On arriving at his headquarters I found that he had crossed the Tennessee, and I went in pursuit. On reaching the north bank of the river I met Major Mason, his A. A. G., and found that General Hood was out on the lines, and being apprehensive lest I might not find him, I hand ed your communications and expressed your views to him. When about return ing I saw General Hood, and advised him of what I had done, and communi cated to him your views and wishes, among which was, that in view of the in formation of the concentration of the enemy's force about Decatur, Huntsville, and Pulasld, and the reported movement of Canby to Memphis, you did not de sire that he would make any offensive movement until you could see him, and asking when and where it would be most convenient for you to call on him.

He replied that he did not contemplate any such movement just then; that lie was moving Cheatham's corps to the north side of the river, where he de signed throwing up works which might be held against any attack of the en emy, and that Stewart's corps would be moved to the position held by Cheatham that morning on the south side, where works would also be thrown up to protect the bridge.

He concurred also in your view that it would be best to select points for the construction of batteries on the river as far down and as far from the railroad as practicable. I am, General, respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G. Gcnl. G. T. BEA.UREGARD, Comclg., etc., etc.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST, TUSCUMBIA, ALA., Nov. 15th, 1864.

General, — As you seemed yesterday to have misunderstood my verbal com munication of the 13th iust., through my Chief of Staff, I deem it of sufficient importance to communicate in writing what I had instructed him to say rela tive to the movement of the Army of Tennessee.

I instructed him to tell you that in consequence of the information received the night previous—to wit: the apparent confirmation of the concentration of the bulk of Sherman's army in Middle Tennessee (at Pnlaski, Huntsville, and Decatur), the arrival of Canby and part of his forces at Memphis, and the condi tion of Cobb's and Smith's forces at Lovejoy's Station—I desired to confer fur ther with you before you commenced the projected movement into Middle Tennessee, now partly in process of execution ; that is, Lee's corps, already in advance of Florence, and Stewart's and Cheatham's corps under orders to cross the river. M} T purpose was to call again your attention, as I did yesterday,

1st. To the necessity of guarding well your left flank and rear, in advancing towards Lawrenceburg and Pulaski, against a sudden offensive movement of the enemy from Huutsville or Athens across the Elk River.

G08 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLI.

2d. To securing against the passage of the enemy's gunboats another point (about Savannah or Clii'ton) besides Florence for the army to recross the Ten nessee, in the event of disaster.

3d. To giving still greater protection to Corinth and the M. and O. Railroad to that point.

I was aware that these points had already been discussed between us, but my anxiety for the safety of the troops under your command made it incumbent on ino to call again your attention to these important matters.

I wish also to inform you that the third point mentioned may require greater time than was at first supposed necessary. All orders for completing the de fences of Corinth, repairing and prosecuting vigorously the work on the M. and C. Railroad to this place, and for repairing the M. and O. Railroad from Oko-lona to Bethel have been given, and are being carried out as rapidly as the limited means of the engineer and quartermaster's departments will permit. It is at present reported that the railroads referred to will be completed in from fifteen to twenty days; but it is not unreasonable to suppose that the prevail ing unfavorable weather will delay the work one or two weeks longer.

General Taylor and myself will always be anxious to aid you in your present campaign with all the means at our control, but, these being limited, ample previous notice of what may be required should be given to enable us to make all necessary preparations.

It will also give me pleasure to confer on you such powers as you may deem necessary to secure your communications, repair roads, and hasten supplies to your army, while operating in the department of General Taylor. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl.

Telegram.

SELMA, ALA., Nov. 15/7;, 1854. Col. GEO. WM. BRENT, A. A. G.:

Scouts continue to report Federals coming up the Mississippi from Vicksbur< and points below. R. TAYLOR, Lieut.-Genl.

Tdeyram. TUSCUMBIA, Nov. 15f7i, 1864.

FROM JACKSOX, Miss., Nov. 15th, 1864. Col. G. W. BRENT, A. A. G.:

The following despatch of 7th inst. received from General Hodge: "Canby at Memphis. Hurlbut in command of department Baton Rouge. Troops going north and Texas. Movement from Memphis anticipated."

J. GARDNER, Major-Genl.

Tdcyram.

FLORENCE, ALA., Nov. lllli, 1864. Genl. BEAUUEGARD:

The following despatch from General Wheeler, dated Lovejoy's, Nov. 16th, 1HG4, 11 A. M., via Barnesville, Ga., just received: "Scouts from enemy's rear report that Sherman left Atlanta yesterday (15th) morning with 15th, 17th, and

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLI. GOO

20th corps, in two columns: one on Jonesboro', and one on McDonongb roads. Cavalry on liis flanks. Many houses been burned in Rome, Marietta, and At lanta. Railroad north of Atlanta and railroad bridge over Chattahoochee destroyed by enemy. Enemy advancing this morning.—Jos. Wheeler, Major-Genl." J. B. HOOD, Genl.

Telegram.

MOBILE, Nov. 18th, 1864. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

Have just reached here, and met your telegrams of yesterday and day before. Will leave, via Meridian, for Selma to-day, the Montgomery road being washed away. I can send no troops from Mobile, unless I abandon that place entirely, the garrison there being already inadequate. Have ordered Clanton's command, of less than one thousand cavalry, to Opelika, which comprises all I have except reserves and force at Mobile. General Cobb telegraphs the enemy would prob ably reach Macon on 20th. I cannot possibly reach there in time ; General Hardee probably can. I will be at Meridian to-morrow morning, at Selma to morrow evening, and Montgomery following morning, to receive your answer.

R. TAYLOR, Licut.-Geul.

HEADQUARTERS, DIVISION OF THE WEST,

MACON, GA., Nov. 26th, 1864. Special Field Order No. 13:

I. Lieuteuant-General R. Taylor is relieved temporarily from duty in the Military Division of the West, and will report forthwith at Savannah, or wher ever he may be, to Licutenant-General W. J. Hardee, commanding Department South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. As soon as the present emergency shall have passed, Lieuteuant-General R. Taylor will resume command of the Depart ment of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana.

II. Lieutenant-General R. Taylor will inquire, and report as soon as practica ble, into the present condition and discipline of Major-General Wheeler's cav alry, making such suggestion as may, in his opinion, tend to increase the effi ciency of said cavalry. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Geul.

Telegram.

MOBILE, ALA., Nov. 27 th, 1864. Colonel G. W. BRENT, A. A. G.:

Following reported by Colonel Maury: "Enemy have two thousand cavalry at Pensacola. Expecting two thousand additional infantry. Enemy have light-draught boats to land troops in Mobile Bay, or ascend the Peridido inland, to attack Mobile ; will move on Blakeley, via Camp Withers. The fleet of observa tion off Mobile increased; unusual number of vessels reported off Point Clear."

D. II. MAURY, Major-Genl. Comdg.

MACON, GA., Nov. 27th, 1864: 9 p. M. Lient.-Genl. W. J. HARDEE, Savannah, Ga.:

General, —Your letter of the 24th iust. and other letters have been delivered IT.—38

by Captain Welter. General Taylor must have given yon the latest news from here; nothing important has occurred since his departure. Considering that this place is now out of danger, I shall continue to send you, as rapidly as pos sible, all the assistance available. I regret not being able to send you General Forrest, as desired by the President; but General Hood stated.positively, before I left Tuscumbia, that he could not spare him without endangering the success of his movement. Moreover, Forrest would not have time now to reach you.

I am more than ever convinced that Sherman is moving by the most direct routes to the Atlantic coast, as a base whence to attack Charleston or Savan nah, or to reinforce Grant in Virginia; hence he shall avoid a battle, and will not attack any interior place which may delay his march. From where he is now, about Saudersville, he may move equally well on Port Royal, Ossabaw Sound, or Darien. One or two days more will decide the point he shall have selected. Augusta can now be considered out of danger, and the movable part of its garrison can safely be transferred to Charleston or Savannah.

I desire that General Taylor should return to his department as soon as he can be spared by you. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

MACOX, GA., Nov. 29th, 1864.

General, —Your letter of the 25th inst. to General Taylor, informing him that Sherman's forces had neared Saudersville [about twenty-five miles east of Mil-ledgeville, in the direction of Savannah], and were marching, you think, on Savannah, was received by him at Albany and referred to me here. General Cobb had already sent you all the disposable forces at his command, and ho will continue to do so as rapidly as circumstances will permit. You are aware, however, that wo have now nearly exhausted the resources at our command. Generals Taylor and Smith will give you all additional information on the sub ject which you may desire.

Please keep me well advised, in cipher, of your movements and those of tho enemy. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD. Lieut.-Gcnl. W. J. HARDEE, Savannah, Ga.

Telegram.

MOBILE, ALA.. Dec. 1st, 18G4. Col. G. W. BRE XT, A. A. G.:

Enemy Tangipahoa this A. M. for Mobile, two brigades cavalry under General Davidson, eighty-seven wagons, eight wagons bearing pontoon-train. Urge Clanton's brigade to Meridian to report to General Gardner.

D. II. MAURY, Major-Genl.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Dec. %d, 1864 : 3 P. M. Gcnl. S. COOPER, A. and I. G., Richmond, Va., via Tallahassee, Fla.:

Telegram 30th ultimo received here, on my way to Mobile. I will repair forthwith to Atlantic coast. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

MACON, Dec. 3d, 1864. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD:

Orders from Richmond are here, extending your command to seaboard. Ar rangements made for you to go either by Albany or Milledgeville, as you may desire. HOWELL COBB, Major-Genl.

Telegram.

COLUMBIA, TEXX., Nov. 28$, 1864, via BURTON,

via MOBILE, Dec. 3d. Geul. BEAUREGARD :

The enemy evacuated Columbia last night, and are retreating towards Nash ville. Our army is moving forward. I have no difficulty about supplies, and anticipate none in the future. J. B. HOOD, Geul.

Telegram.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Dec. 3d, 1864. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Care Comdt. of Post:

Following from Richmond: "Nov. 30th, '64. For the present emergency your command will extend eastward to sea-coast. Your minute knowledge of the low country will enable you to dispose of the forces operating against Sherman as well as those defending the coast, so as more effectually to retard the ad vance of Sherman and the junction of the enemy. By order of the President. —S. Cooper, A. and I. G." GEO. WAI. BREXT, Col., and A. A. G.

Telegram.

MERIDIAN, Dec. 5tJi, 1864. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

I have information, considered reliable, that the troops lately landed at Mem phis have gone up the river. I will go to Corinth as soon as I can be spared.

FRANK GARDNER, Major-Genl.

Telegram.

SAVANNAH, Dec. 7tk, 1864. Geul. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

If you come on to Savannah to-morrow determine what force is necessary for the defence of the C. and S. Railroad. General Jones, on plea of pressing ne cessity, is stopping all troops at Pocotaligo and other points on that road.

W. J. PIARDEE, Lieut.-Genl. ,

Telegram.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Dec. 8th, 1864. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Care Geul. COBB : The following just received:

" HEADQUARTERS, ARMY TENNESSEE, Six MILES FROM NASHVILLE, ox THE FRANKLIN PIKE, Dec. 3d:

via BURTOX, via MOBILE, 8f/»., 1864.

"About 4 o'clock p. M., November 30th, we attacked the enemy at Franklin, drove them from their outer Hues of temporary works into their inner works,

which they abandoned during the night, leaving their dead and wounded in our possession, and retreated rapidly to Nashville, closely pursued by our cav alry. We captured several stands of colors and about a thousand prison ers. Our troops fought with great gallantry. We have to lament the loss of many gallant officers and brave men. Major-General Cleburue, Brigadier-Generals John Adams, Gist, Strahl, and Grandberry were killed. Major-Gen-eral John Brown, Brigadier-Generals Canty, Manigault, Quarles, Cockerell, and Scott were wounded. Brigadier-General Gordon was captured.—Jno. B. Hood, Genl."

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

Telegram.

SAVANNAH, GA., Dec. 8th, 1864. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

I need one thousand men besides artillerists, for which last I have ordered General Jones. W. J. HARDEE, Lieut.-Genl.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE,

NEAR NASHVILLE, Dec. llth, 1864. Hon. J. A. SEDDOX, Secy, of War:

/Sir, —On the 21st of November, after a delay of three weeks, caused by tho bad condition of the railroad from Okolona to Cherokee, and of the dirt road from the latter point to Florence, and also by the absence of Major-General Forrest's command, this army moved forward from Florence. Major-General Cheatham's corps, taking the road leading towards Wayneeboro', and the other two corps moving on roads somewhat parallel to this, but more to the eastward, with the cavalry under General Forrest, in their advance, and upon their right flank. The enemy's forces were concentrated at. Pulaski, with some force also at Lawrenceburg. I hoped to be able to place our army between these forces of the enemy and Nashville; but they, hearing of our advance, evacuated Pu laski upon the 23d, our cavalry having previously driven off their forces at Lawrenceburg, and moved rapidly by the turnpike and railroad to Columbia.

The want of a good map of the country, and the deep mud through which the army inarched, prevented our coming up with the enemy before they reached Columbia; but in the evening of the 27th of November our army was placed in position in front of the enemy's works at Columbia. During tho night, however, they evacuated the town, taking position on the opposite side of the river about a mile and a half from the town, which was considered quite strong in front. Therefore, late in the evening of the 28th of November, General For rest, with most of his command, crossed Duck River a few miles above Colum bia, and I followed early in the morning of the 29th with Stewart's and Cheat-ham's corps, and Johnson's division of Lee's corps, leaving the other divisions of Lee's corps in tho enemy's front at Columbia. The troops moved in light march ing order, with only one battery to the corps, my object being to make a rapid march on roads parallel to the Columbia and Franklin pike, and, by placing

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLT. £13

the troops across this pike at or near Spring Hill, to cut off that portion of the enemy. The cavalry engaged the enemy near Spring Hill about mid-day, but their trains were so strongly guarded that they were unable to break through them. About 4 P. M. our infantry forces, Major-General Cheatham in the ad vance, commenced to come in contact with the enemy about two miles from Spring Hill, through which the Columbia and Franklin pike passed. The en emy were at this time moving along this pike, with some of their troops formed on the flank of their column to protect it. Major-General Cheatham was or dered at once to attack the enemy vigorously, and get possession of this pike; and, although these orders were frequently and earnestly repeated, he made but a feeble and partial attack, failing to reach the point indicated. Darkness soon came on, and, to our mortification, the enemy continued moving along this road, almost in ear-shot, in hurry and confusion, nearly the entire night. Thus was lost the opportunity for striking the enemy for which we had labored so long— the best which this campaign has offered, and one of the best afforded during the war. Major-General Cheatham has frankly confessed the great error of which he was guilty, and attaches all the blame to himself. While his error lost so much to the country, it has been a severe lesson to him, by which ho will profit in the future. In consideration of this, and of his previous conduct, I think it is best that he should retain, for the present, the command he now holds. Before daylight next morning (November 30th) the entire column of the enemy had passed us, retreating rapidly towards Franklin, burning many of their wagons. We followed as fast as possible, moving by the Columbia and Franklin pike; Lieutenant-General Lee, with the two divisions, and trains and artillery, moving from Columbia by the same road. The enemy made a feint of making a stand on the hills about four (4) miles from Franklin, in the direc tion of Spring Hill; but as soon as our forces commenced deploying to attack them, and extending to outflank them on their left, they retired slowly to Frank lin. This created a delay of some hours. We, however, commenced advancing on Franklin, and attacked the place about 4 r. M. with the corps of Generals Stewart and Cheatham, Johnson's division of Lee's corps becoming engaged later. We carried the enemy's entire line of temporary works, but failed to carry the interior line.

During the night I had our artillery brought forward and placed in position, to open upon them in the morning, but the enemy retreated rapidly during the night on Nashville, leaving their dead and wounded in our hands. We captured about a thousand (1000) prisoners and several stands of colors. Our loss in officers was severe: the names of the general officers I have already given b3' telegraph. Our entire loss was four thousand five hundred (4500). We continued our march towards Nashville, and on the 2d of December our army took its present position in front of and about two miles from the city.

Lieutenant-General Lee's corps, which constitutes our centre, rests upon the Franklin pike, with General Cheatham upon his right and General Stewart upon his left. Our line is strongly intrenched, and all the available positions upon our flanks and in rear of them are now being fortified with strong, self-supporting, detached works, so that they may easily be defended should the

APPENDIX TO CIIAPTEK XLII.

enemy move out upon us. The enemy still Lave some six thousand (6000) troops strongly intrenched at Murfreesboro'. This force is entirely isolated, and I now have the larger part of the cavalry under General Forrest, with two brigades of infantry, in observation of these forces, and to prevent their fora ging upon the country. Should this force attempt to leave Murfreesboro', or should the enemy attempt to reinforce it, I hope to be able to defeat them.

I think the position of this army is now such as to force the enemy to take the initiative. Middle Tennessee, although much injured by the enemy, "will furnish an abundance of commissary stores, but ordnance and certain quarter master stores will have to come from the rear, and therefore it is very impor tant that the railroad should be repaired at once from Cherokee to Decatur. The cars can now run from here to Pulaski, on the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad, and we have sufficient rolling-stock, captured from the enemy, to answer our purposes. I will endeavor to put the road in order from Pulaski to Decatur as soon as possible.

As yet I have not had time to adopt any general system of conscription, but hope soon to do so, and to bring into the army all men liable to military duty.

Some fifteen thousand (15,000) of the enemy's Trans-Mississippi troops are reported to be moving to reinforce the enemy here. I hope this will enable us to obtain some of our troops from that side in time for the spring campaign, if not sooner. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. B. HOOD, Geiil. Official.

A. P. MASON, Col., and A. A. G. Official.

GEO. WM. BREST, Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION or THE WEST,

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Jan. 9th, 1805.

This report should have been addressed to these Headquarters, to be for warded thence to the War Department.

General Hood does not seem to understand that he is responsible directly to these Headquarters, and not to the War Department. Colonel Brent, Chief of Staff, will call his attention to that fact. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Geiil.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLII.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Dec. 2d, 1864: 9.30 p. M. Gcnl. S. COOPER, A. and I. G., Richmond, Va,, via Tallahassee:

Scouts report that General Steele, with 15,000 men, landed at Memphis on 24th, and went up river on 26th, it is supposed to reinforce Thomas at Nashville. General Hood has been informed of fact. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

SAVANNAH, GA., Dec. 8th, 18G4. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

I cannot leave Savannali for the conference you desiro without injury to the service. I deem it also important that General Jones shall not leave the threatened points on the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. I suggest that you come to Pocotaligo to see him, and then to Savannah.

I am, however, ready to conform to your wishes if you think otherwise.

W. J. HAEDEE, Lieut.-Geul.

Telegram.

WILMINGTON, Dec. 9th, 1864. Genl. BEAUREGAKD :

General Lee telegraphs march of two corps of Grant's army, and division of cavalry marching on North Carolina by Weldon, with large amount of wagons and cattle. Requires troops of this department to oppose them.

\V. II. C. WHITING.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Dec. llth, 1864. To Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD, care Genl. COBB, Macou, Ga.:

The following from General Hood:

"General Maury telegraphs to General Dan. Adams that troops must "be con centrated at Mobile immediately. Enemy was across Pascagoula yesterday, advancing on Mobile road. GEO. WAI. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G."

HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT SOUTH CAROLINA,

POCOTALIGO, Dec. 12th, 1864.

General, —I have the honor to forward for your information a summary return of the troops along the line of the railroad from this point to the Savan nah River, exclusive of certain cavalry forces commanded by Brigadier-General Young and Colonel C. J. Colcock, from whom no reports have been received.

The hurried manner in which these troops have been collected—many of them having never been in the field before, and nearly all of them assembled in de tachments—will account for the separation of the several organizations com posing the entire command. Steps will be taken at once to secure a more per fect organization, and to collect the scattered detachments of infantry, cavalry, and artillery under their immediate commanders.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SAM. JONES, Major-Geul. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Comdg., etc., Charleston.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLII.

Artillery in Fifth Subdistrict, South Carolina, December 12th, 1864.

CHARLES S. STKINGFELLOW, A. A. G.

Troops in Fifth Subdislriet, South Carolina, December 12th, 1864. Brigadier-General JAMES CHESTNUT'S Command, Grahamvllle.

CHARLES S. STRIXGFELLOW, A. A. G.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLII.

C17

Return of Troops between Bee's Creek and Pocotaltyo, inclusive, December 12th, 1864. Brigadier-General W. B. TALIAFFERRO, Commanding.

CHARLES S. STRIXGFELLOW, A. A. G.

Movement of Fleet.

Savannah. — To remain two days after our troops have evacuated the city to protect the evacuation. Then to be ready to proceed by sea, by the way of Augustiii Creek. Lieutenant McAdams to take two boats from the Savannah to remove the torpedoes at Turuer's Rocks.

Isondiya. — After the evacuation of our troops, will proceed np the river, if there are no enemy's batteries to prevent it, and join Flag-officer Hunter. Oth erwise to try the passage to sea by Augustiii Creek.

Fire Fly. — Proceed up the river to join Flag-officer Hunter.

Georyia. — The General commanding will give notice of the time of disman tling Forts Jackson and Lee, when the guns will be spiked and shots jammed in the guns. The crew will leave the ship for Screven's Ferry, at the same time scuttling the ships effectually.

Guns on the Lower End of Hutchinson's Island. — Spike the guns and jam shots in them. Break the carriages.

The foregoing plan was adopted on the advice and approval of Generals Beauregard and Hardce. Tnos. W. BRENT, Corndt. Afloat, pro tern.

Savannah, Dec. ISth, 1SG4.

Memorandum for Location of Troops.

SAVAXXAIT, GA., Dec, ISth, 18G4.

1. Smith's division (about two thousand men) as soon as it shall reach Har-deeville, to go to Augusta via Charleston (transportation to be provided before hand).

2. Wright's division to be sent to Robertson's district as soon as it shall reach Hardeeville. General Robertson to report to Wright temporarily, to ad vise as to dispositions of the troops, and then to bo assigned according to cir cumstances.

3. McLa\vs's division to go under command of Brigadier-General Taliaferro to James Island as soon as it can be spared from Hardeeville.

4. Major-General McLaws to relieve General Taliaferro of his present com mand at Pocotaligo, and to defend the line of the Coinbahee.

5. Colonel E. C. Anderson's brigade to be sent to James Island (Third Sub-district, South Carolina) as soon as it shall reach Hardeeville.

C. Young's brigade to be increased by the 7th Georgia Cavalry (dismounted, commanded by Colonel E. C. Anderson, Jr.).

7. Wheeler's cavalry corps (that part of it east of the Savannah River) will guard the crossings of the Savannah and New River; also the landings east of Screven's Ferry causeway, until compelled by the enemy to retire. He will then guard and defend the country between the Savannah and the defensive line in rear of the Combahee. He will also guard the right Hank of said line, resting at or near Barnwell, to Augusta. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl.

Telegram.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Dec. 19M, 1864. Genl. BKAUREGARD :

General Hood on the 12th says : " When Sherman completes his raid he deems

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLII. G19

it important that all available cavalry should be sent to him. Wants Baker's brigade at Mobile, ami all troops that can be spared."

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

Confidential Circular.

HEADQUARTERS, SAVANNAH, GA., Dec. 19tfi, 1864.

1. The troops in and around Savannah will be transferred to-night to tho left bank of the Savannah River, and will proceed thence to Hardeeville.

2. At dark the light batteries will, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Jones, Chief of Artillery, be withdrawn by hand from their positions in line with as little noise as possible, and will be sent over the pontoon-bridge to Har deeville.

3. The troops at Whitemarsh, Fort Jackson, and Bartow will be assembled at Fort Jackson by 9 p. M., and thence will proceed at once, via Screveu's Ferry, to Hardeeville.

4. The troops at Rose Dew, Beanlien, etc., w T ill leave their positions at dark, and, inarching to Savannah, will cross at Screveu's Ferry.

5. Major-General Wright's division will be withdrawn from the lines at 8 P. M., and will pass the river on the pontoons.

6. Major-General McLaws's division will be withdrawn from its position at 10 o'clock p. M., and will cross the river on the pontoons.

7. Major-General Smith's division will be withdrawn at eleven o'clock, and will cross on the pontoons.

8. The lines of skirmishers will be left in position as follows : Wright's line, until 10.30 o'clock; McLaws's line, until 12.30 o'clock; Smith's line, until 1 o'clock.

9. The pontoon-bridges are placed in charge of Colonel Clarke, Chief of En gineers, who will destroy the bridges after all the troops shall have crossed; and to enable him to ascertain this, the skirmishers of each division will be placed in charge of an intelligent staff-officer, who will report to Colonel Clarke at the pontoon-bridge when tho skirmishers of their respective commands shall have passed the river.

10. The Chief of Artillery will take measures to have the heavy guns in position spiked, or otherwise rendered useless, as follows: On Wright's line, at 10 o'clock; on McLaws's line, at 11 o'clock; on Smith's line, at 12 o'clock.

11. The ammunition will be destroyed by throwing it into the river or other wise, and not by blowing it up.

12. The guns on the inner line will be spiked or destroyed, and all powder in the city magazines will be made useless by having water thrown on it.

13. All wagons will be sent into the city in time to cross on the pontoon at dark. By command of Lieut.-Geueral Hardeo,

T. B. ROY, A. A.-Genl. R. C. GiLcnniST, A. A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION or THE WEST, POCOTALIGO, Dec. 20th, 1864.

Memorandum of Orders to be Issued by Lieutenant-General Hardee immediately after the Evacuation of Savannah.

1. Major-General G. W. Smith will proceed immediately with his command to Charleston, and thence to Augusta, after being relieved by other troops, as hereinafter directed.

2. Major-General McLaws's division (the senior brigadier commanding), and Colonel Anderson's brigade "preceding, will proceed immediately to Charleston and relieve Major-General G. W. Smith's division.

3. Major-General Wright's division and Brigadier-General Chestnut's com mand (about 1500 men), consisting of South Carolina Reserves, and 2d, 3d, and 4th South Carolina Militia, to the Fourth Military Subdistrict, a reserve of about live hundred men being stationed at Green Pond, and another of liko number near Adams's Run.

Brigadier-General Robertson will report to Major-General Wright for tem porary duty, to advise as to disposition of troops, and then to be assigned to duty as circumstances may require.

4. Colonel George P. Harrison's and Colonel A. C. Edwards's brigades to bo stationed on the left bank of the Combahee, guarding the several passages (about six) across that river to Barn well Court-house. Brigadier-General Young's command to be increased by the 7th Georgia cavalry (dismounted), Colonel E. C. Anderson, Jr., commanding, as reserves, at or near Blue House, between the Combahee and Ashepoo rivers.

5. The 3d South Carolina cavalry and Kirk's squadron will cover the left (or coast) flank of the retiring troops. After crossing the Combahee, Major John Jenkins, with Captain Seabrook's and Peeble's companies, 3d South Carolina cavalry, will take post on Johns Island, and Captain Kirk's squadron will pro ceed, via Charleston, to Christ Church parish and take post near and northeast of Mount Pleasant.

G. Major-General Wheeler's corps (that part of it east of Savannah River, and the remainder if it should come up) will guard crossings of the Savannah and New rivers, and the landings east of Screven's causeway, until forced by the enemy to retire. He will then guard and defend the country between the Savannah River and the defensive line of the Combahee and the right flank of that line, resting at or near Baruwell Court-house, and extending by the short est defensible line to the Savannah River, covering Augusta.

7. Colonel Gonzales will assign the field artillery now in South Carolina to the most appropriate positions for the defence of the Fourth Subdistrict and the line of the Combahee from Salkchatchie bridge to the coast, taking care to as sign the batteries to the positions with which their respective commanders are most familiar. He will assign, subject to General Hardee's approval, the field batteries coming from Savannah as circumstances may indicate for the best defence of the line of the Combahee, the Fourth Subdistrict, and Augusta.

8. As soon as the services of Brigadier-General Taliaferro can be spared from

the duty on -which he is now engaged he will proceed to James Island and re sume his former command, assigning to their appropriate positions the troops of Major-General McLaws's division and Colonel Anderson's brigade, destined for that island.

9. As soou as Major-General McLaws's division moves from Hardeeville he will immediately proceed to Pocotaligo and relieve Major-General Samuel Jones, and take the immediate command of the troops on the line of the Combahee.

10. Oil being relieved by Major-General McLaws, Major-General Jones will proceed to Charleston and resume his command, and enter on the duties desig nated by S. O. No. from Department Headquarters.

11. As the cavalry retires before the enemy it will drive off all cattle, sheep, and hogs not necessary for its consumption, and impress and send to Charleston, to be turned over to the Chief-Engineer, all negroes capable of bearing arms. It will also destroy all mills, boats, buildings (that may be useful to the enemy for military purposes), and all rice, corn, and other provisions not necessary for its own subsistence, beyond such as is absolutely necessary for the consumption of the owners, and their families and slaves.

12. All teams and wagons (with their drivers) on plantations about to fall into the hands of the enemy, not required by their owners, shall be impressed for the use of the army. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Geul.

Telegram.

POCOTALIGO, S. C., Dec. 20th, 1864: 10.40 A. M. The Officer Corndg. at Hardeeville, or Capt. COURTNEY, Post Quartermaster :

Send immediately by courier the following to the officer commanding the guard at Savannah River bridge:

Burn immediately and thoroughly destroy the Savannah River Railroad bridge and trestle on this side. Send copy of above to General Wheeler and General Taliaferro for their information.

G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl.

Telegram.

POCOTALIGO, S. C., Dec. 20th, 1864 : 10.30 A. M.

It is essential that the Savannah River should be commanded by your gun boat as long as possible from the enemy's upper battery to as high up as navi gation will permit. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Com. HUNTEK, on board of Nacon, near Parysburg, S. C., care of Capt. COUKTXEY, at Hardeeville.

Telegram.

POCOTALIGO, S. C., Dec. 2lst, 1864: 10.30 A. M.

General Jones reports no transportation available to send you. Should rains commence, any delay in movement may be fatal to its success. General Tal iaferro and command must be ordered back soon as practicable.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Lieut.-Gciil. W. J. HARDEE, Comdg. Dcpt., Savannah, Ga.

(522 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLII.

Telegram.

HARDEEVILLE, Dec. 21st, 1864. Gcul. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

We brought out from Savannah forty-nine (49) pieces of light artillery, which will be disposed of as follows: Twelve (12) to Wheeler, twelve (12) with the forces here, including two (2) pieces to be sent to New River, four (4) to Honey Hill, five (5) to Coosawhatchie, fourteen to report to Colonel Gonzales at Po-cotaligo, and two (2), manned by militia-men, to accompany Smith's division.

W. J. HARDER, Lieut.-Gcul.

RICHMOND, April 6th, 1875. Gcul. G. T. BEAUREGARD. New Orleans:

General, —Your letter of March 30th was received last evening. I have not seen Colonel Jones's book on " The Siege of Savannah in 1864," to which you allude, but will get it at an early day.

I have heard so many misstatements from time to time in regard to this event, that the seizure of my papers and other effects in upper South Carolina by a troop of marauding Federal cavalry just after the war, which has pre vented me from being able to give any statement of the affair which I could authenticate by documents, has always been a matter of sincere regret; and I have not thought that any other kind of statement would be worthy of con sideration. My recollections, however, are very clear in regard to circum stances, and my official position gave me peculiar advantages for knowing the opinions of the leading officers, and the plans determined on from time to time; yet I am unable to give exact dates, or to arrange the occurrences in the proper order.

Enclosed I send you a few papers for your perusal, which will fix some dates, and will show you what were the relations between General Hardee and my self, and also will throw some light on his intentions and views.

I happened to be at the councils of war held at both your visits to Savannah, the first about the 7th or 10th of December, and the last about the 17th, and in the absence of Colonel Roy, A. G. for General Hardee, acted as secretary of tho meetings.

The first council was composed of yourself, with Generals Hardee, McLaws, Wright, and G. W. Smith. At the last one of the major-generals was absent, but I cannot state positively which one. I wrote at your dictation the general plan of operations, which was substantially followed out in the orders issued by Colonel Roy, by order of General Hardee.

Your recollection is somewhat in error in regard to tho construction of the bridge across the Savannah River. It was on your first visit that the question of providing a means of evacuation was discussed, as you will see by referring to the note of General Hardee. By the 13th tho bridge was completed across tho main channel, and the causeway was made over Hutchinson's Island. Tho completion of the bridge was delayed by the destruction of rice boats, collected by my orders at different points on the river, by the cavalry we had on the South Carolina shore, who thought that they were being collected by the enemy to transport his force across. When you returned, about the 17th, you found tho

bridge yet incomplete, arid I well remember the anxiety you expressed when I stated the condition of affairs in consequence of this blunder. * * *

The bridge work was done by a company of engineer troops, under the com mand of Captain Robert M. Stiles; and the causeway by a force under Mr. Daniel Callahau, previously a railroad contractor, then in the service of the Engineer Department of Confederate States. Most efficiently did these gentlemen, and. the officers and men acting with them, do their duty.

The bridge and causeway were located by myself in person immediately after my arrival at Savannah, and I received no suggestions from any except yourself as to the manner of construction. My recollection of these suggestions is the same as your own, except that they were made on your first and not on your last visit.

On or about the 13th of December General Hardee thought seriously of evac uation, without awaiting the completion of the bridge; at least such, was my impression from our consultations, and this view his note of the 13th, urging the construction of a floating wharf oil the north side of Hutchinson's Island, seems to corroborate. We were certainly in a precarious situation, but I urged that the enemy had not yet shown the disposition to act in the direction which it had previously been agreed on must be the signal for our departure, and that we might yet perfect our communications in time. Most gallantly and soldierly did he examine each question, take every responsibility, and make his disposi tions for action, when the time came. In making this statement I would not in any manner detract from his noble fame. Ho may have had information that he did not care to impart to me; and while I communicate my thoughts on the subject to you, I do not desire to put this idea of his (which could only have been executed at such fearful risks) on record.

The memoranda instructing me to prepare orders for the evacuation of Charleston, and notes for the disposition of his force at other times, made in his own hand, which you will doubtless recognize, will show that the clearness of the instructions I had drawn up for him at Savannah was sufficiently satisfac tory for him to trust me in the same line of duty again, though previously I had scarcely done more than to put your orders in form, and I believe that I retained his confidence during his life.

Excuse a hastily written letter. I thought it best to write at once; and if any points might suggest themselves to you on which you might wish to com pare your recollection of events with mine, I would at all times be ready to write all that I can remember.

The scraps I enclose are the only ones now in my possession, I think, in which General Hardee used his own pen; and as they are of little value to others, and I prize them as relics of the past, I will be obliged to you to return them to me, after making any copy or memoranda from them that you wish.

Very sincerely and respectfully yours, etc., JNO. G. CLARKE.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Dec. 23d, 1884. To Genl. S. COOPER, Adjt.-Genl., Richmond, Va.:

Unless Wheeler's cavalry of twelve so-called brigades can be properly organ-

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLII.

izcd into divisions under good commanders, a large portion of it Lad better be dismounted forthwith. Its conduct in front of the enemy and its depredations on private property render it worse than useless. I regret being unable to rec ommend for promotion any of General Wheeler's brigadiers ; but hope that if two or three available Major-Generals cannot be had, promotions might be made for the purpose indicated from General Hampton's cavalry. Brigadier-General Dearing, of that command, attracted my attention last summer as a promising officer. I would be glad to have him. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Dec. 25ffi, 1864.

Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD:

Have no official tidings from Army Tennessee; but am apprehensive that some reverse has taken place. General S. D. Lee telegraphs from Florence, December 23d: " Will be in Okolona or Columbus in a few days, and will be glad to have your views in relation to recent events in Tennessee." I have telegraphed him for an explanation. GKO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, D. W. LA., SIIREVEPORT,

Jan. 5th, 1865.

j — Your letter of the 3d iust., relating to the crossing of troops to the east bank of the Mississippi River, and enclosing copies of correspondence on that subject, has been, received. In reply I have the honor to state that in my opinion it is impracticable at this season of the year to cross any considerable body of men. The following are some of the reasons upon which this opinion is based:

When the attempt was made last summer, under the direction of Lieutenant-General Taylor, the roads leading to the Mississippi River were practicable for all arms of the service, and the country through which the movement was made abounded in forage and provisions, a concentration of the troops with a view of forcing or surprising a passage of the river induced a corresponding concentration of the enemy's gunboats. After making renewed attempts to effect a crossing General Taylor abandoned the enterprise as hopeless, express ing the opinion that it was impracticable. The vigilance of the enemy, and their means of resisting the crossing were so great that Major-General Wharton, commanding the cavalry, after a careful reconnoissauce made use of the illus tration, "that a bird, if dressed in Confederate gray, would find it difficult to fly across the river." The only feasible plan to have crossed at that time would have been to have crossed the army in small squads at various points, leav ing it virtually without organization, and making it equivalent, in the disaf fected condition of the troops at that time, to a disorganization and disper sion of two-thirds of the army. If it were impracticable when Lieutenant-General Taylor so justly pronounced it so, the difficulties arc greatly increased at this time.

The country is exhausted of its provisions and forage. The swamps are ut terly impracticable for an army. The country would not support the troops,

and provisions caimot be carried with them. The Washita River being now high, any troops occupying the country east of it would be isolated between the rivers and must be ultimately lost, for I have no artillery of sufficient calibre to prevent the occupation of the Washita by the enemy's ironclad vessels. It would be impossible to place in the river the system of torpedoes suggested by General Beauregard, because the preliminary preparations would necessarily bo known to the enemy, and a concentration of their gunboats would prevent the placing of even one of the frames suggested.

In my opinion, the only means of crossing a force at any time would be to occupy two points on the bank with artillery of sufficiently heavy calibre to control the river, and to support the batteries thus established with a force suf-licieutly strong to prevent their capture by a land-force. But there is not a gun in my command which would make an impression upon a heavy ironclad; and experience at Vicksburg and Port Hudson shows that even with numerous heavy batteries the Mississippi caimot be blockaded.

These reasons induce mo to think that it is entirely impracticable to cross an army over the Mississippi River at this time. The utmost that can be done is to pass men in small squads, with the disorganization and demoralization at tendant upon such a proceeding.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. B. BUCKNER, Lieut.-Genl. Comdg.

To Col. J. F. BELTON, A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, T. M. D., SIIREVEPORT, Jan. 6th, 1865. Official.

II. P. PRATT, A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, SIIREVEPORT, LA., Jan. 6th, 1865.

General, —Your letter of December 2d from Montgomery, Ala., together with a communication from Colonel Brent, Assistant Adjutant-General, of the 3d of the same month, were delivered by your aid, Captain Toutant, on the 20th ultimo. Feeling convinced of the utter impracticability of operating during the winter season, I delayed answering your letter until Lieutenaut-General Buckner, commanding District of West Louisiana, to whom it had been sub mitted, could be consulted. I enclose yon a copy of his reply.

The swamps on the Mississippi are at this season impassable for conveyances; the bayous and streams all high and navigable for the enemy's gunboats; the country has been so devasted by the contending armies, and is so exhausted that the troops would require transportation for supplies for near three hun dred miles from the interior to the Mississippi. Appreciating our necessities in your department, and ardently desiring the transfer of this army to your aid, I am powerless to assist you either by crossing troops or by operating in North Arkansas and Missouri. The country north of Red River is bare of supplies, and is at this season utterly impracticable for the operations of armies and the movement of troops. More than two hundred miles of destitution intervene between our supplies and the enemy's works on the Arkansas, near live him-

II.—39

dred of desert separate our base oil Red River from the productive region of Missouri. Trusting you appreciate the difficulties under which I labor, and believe in an honest desire on my part to assist you, I remain,

Your friend and obedient servant,

E. KIRBY SMITH, Geiil. Gcnl. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Comdg. Military Division of the West.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLIII.

Telegram.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY TENNESSEE, Dec, 12th, 1864.

Six MILES FROM NASHVILLE, ON FRANKLIN PIKE, via

BURTON, 12TH, via MOBILE, 12TH. To Geiil. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

Whenever you can, I will be pleased if you could visit this army.

J. B. HOOD, Geul.

Telegram.

HEADQUARTERS, SPRING HILL, Dec. 17th, 1864.

Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD (Duplicate) :

In front of Nashville, on the morning of the 15th, the enemy attacked both of our Hanks about the same time. On our right they were repulsed with heavy loss, but towards evening they succeeded in driving in our infantry outpost upon our left flank. Dispositions were made during the night to meet any renewed attack. Early on the 16th they made a general attack on our entire line, and all their assaults were handsomely repulsed with heavy loss till 3.30 p. M., when a portion of our line to the left of the centre suddenly gave way, causing in a few moments our line to give way at all points, our troops retreat-iug rapidly down the Franklin pike. We lost in the day's engagement fifty pieces artillery, with several advanced wagons; our loss in killed and wounded is very small. Our loss in prisoners is not yet fully ascertained, but is com paratively small. Major-General Ed. Johnson and Brigadier-Generals T. B. Smith and II. R. Jackson are among them. I still have artillery enough with the army, and am moving to the south of Duck River.

J. B. HOOD, Genl.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Dec. 23d, 1864: 10 A. M.

Inform General Hood that no reinforcements can possibly bo sent him from any quarter. General Taylor has no troops to spare, and every available man in Georgia and South Carolina is required to oppose Sherman, who is not on a " raid," but on an important campaign.

Should General II. bo unable to gain any material advantage in Tennessee with his present means, he must retire at once behind the Tennessee River, and come with or send to Augusta by best and quickest route all forces not abso lutely required to hold defensive line referred to.

G. T. BEAUKEGARD.

Col. G. W. BRENT, A. A. G., Montgomery, Ala.

Telegram.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Dec. 24M, 1864. To Geul. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Charleston, S. C.:

General Taylor reports enemy left Mernpliis on. 21st, moving on State Line road. His advance reached Lafayette depot, 11 A. M. 20th. Force—two bri gades negroes, one of white cavalry. Object of movement riot developed. Have nothing official from Hood. GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

Telegram.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Dec. 25M, 1864. To Geul. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Charleston, S. C.:

General S. D. Lee reports from Florence he will be at Okolona in a few days. States he would be glad to have General Beauregard's views in regard to recent events in Tennessee. There are no advices whatever from that quarter, and I do not understand General Lee's telegraph. Am apprehensive that some reverse may have occurred. GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

Telegram.

RICHMOND, VA., Jan. 2d, 1865. Geul. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

Yours of 31st December received. If you find it necessary to make the change suggested, you are authorized to employ General Taylor as proposed.

JEFFN. DAVIS.

Telegram.

AUGUSTA, GA., Jan. 3d, 1865: 9 p. M.

I have selected a defensive line behind Brier Creek in Georgia to connect with Salkehatchie line; have ordered General Smith to have it reconnoitred and report to you. I leave in morning. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Lieut.-Genl. W. J. HARDEE, Charleston, S. C.

Telegram.

CORINTH, Miss., Jan. 3d, 1865. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

Your telegrams of the 27tli and 28th from Charleston and Montgomery re ceived. Steps are being taken to execute your orders therein contained, but a certain time is absolutely necessary that the army may have some rest and obtain a supply of shoes and clothing. I am assembling army at Tupelo for these purposes. It is important that you should visit this army before the pro jected move if you can leave your present position.

J. B. HOOD, Genl.

ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

RICHMOND, Jan. 6th, 1865. Extract—Special Orders, No. 4 :

* * * XVI. The Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida will here after include, besides the States of South Carolina and Florida, that portion of

Georgia embraced in the following lines: commencing at Augusta and running along the Georgia Railroad to Warren ton, thence via Sparta and Milledgeville, following the line of the railroad to the Ocmulgee River, but not including Macon; do\vn the Ocmulgee to Coffee County, following the western boundary of that county to the Alapaha River, and down that river and the Suwaneo to the Gulf. By command of the Secretary of War,

JNO. WITHERS, Assist. Adjt.-Gcul. To Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Comdg., etc.

Telegram.

RICHMOND, VA., Jan. 7tli, 1865. To Genl. BEAUREGARD :

Hardee needs aid. If Hood has not complied with your suggestion, please give the matter prompt attention. JEFFN. DAVIS.

MACOX, GA., Jan. 7th, 18G5: 11 A. M. To Genl. S. COOPER, Adjt.-GeuL, Richmond, Va.:

General Hood reports from Corinth, Miss., January 3d, 1865, that the army recrossed Tennessee River at Baiubridge without material loss since battle of Franklin, and that it will be assembled in a few days in vicinity of Tupelo to bo supplied with shoes, clothing, and forage, which are necessary to render it eifective for military operations, and that it absolutely requires rest. He deems it of vital importance that the Trans-Mississippi troops should be furlonghed by organizations for one hundred days. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

MACOX, GA., Jan. 7th, 1865 : 9 A. M. To Col. GEO. WM. BRENT, A. A. G., Montgomery, Ala.:

I leave this evening. Order General Hood in writing to make report of his operations from Tuscumbia to Nashville, and back to Tupelo. I have tele graphed him to same effect. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Jan. Qth, 1865. To President JEFFERSON DAVIS, Richmond, Va.:

I will leave as soon as practicable for Hood's army, and will send to Hardee's assistance all troops which can be spared. Condition of common roads and breaks in railroads will, however, delay their arrival. Should circumstances permit, I will return with them. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl.

Telegram.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Jan. 9th, 1865. To Genl. J. 13. Hood, Genl. Comdg., Army of Tennessee, Tupelo, Miss.:

President orders that whatever troops you can spare be sent forthwith to General Hardee's assistance. Consult General Taylor, if with you, and prepare accordingly. I will bo at Tupelo as soon as practicable.

G. T. BEAUREGARD, Gcul.

Telegram.

TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 10th, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

I am preparing to obey the orders contained in your cipher telegram of the 9th. Have had a full consultation with Lieutenant-General Taylor, but will be able to make no shipment before your arrival here, which will, I hope, be very soon. J. B. HOOD, Geul.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

Jan. 10th, 1865. Special Orders, No. 5:

1. In pursuauce of a telegram from A. and I. G. O., Richmond, Major-Geueral D. H. Hill and personal staff will proceed to Charleston and report to Lieutenant-General W. J. Hardee. Quartermaster's Department will furnish transportation for their horses. * * *

By command of General Beauregard.

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

Telegram.

RICHMOND, VA., Jan. llth, 1865. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

Your assignment of General D. H. Hill is approved.

S. COOPER, A. and I. G.

Telegram.

TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 11/7?, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

Your telegram in relation to Jackson's division received. When shall I ex pect you here ? It will require four days to remove the sick and wounded and stores from this place. When these are removed will be ready to carry out the orders of the President. J. B. HOOD, Genl.

RICHMOND, Jan. 14th, 1865. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

Dear General, —I received your letter by Colonel Paul, and would have an swered it sooner but for the great pressure of business which has been upon me for some time past. I cannot bring my mind to the conviction that arming our slaves will add to our military strength, and the prospective and inevitable evils resulting from the measure make me shrink back from the step as only to be taken when on the very brink of the precipice of ruin. At first I was in clined to think we might with some advantage employ negro soldiers; but the more I think of it the more disinclined I am to resort to what at best can only be regarded as a doubtful experiment. The Yankees now do not get as many of our negroes (by absconding to them) as they did at first, because the negro knows he will be put into their armies and forced to fight. If we force him to fight he will, as between the two sides, go to the enemy, because they offer him present stronger inducements—better food and clothing, and unlimited whiskey —and hold out to him as a reward in the future, in the event of success, a pro prietary right in the soil to which he is attached. He is made to believe by the

artful and lying Yankee that he will have a farm given him out of his master's land, and that ho shall be made in every respect the equal of the white men.

But I do not estimate him as a soldier likely to decide the fate of battles. We have on our rolls this side of the Mississippi 401,000 men; of these there are present and effective some 175,000. We ought easily to keep in the field an effective present force of 200,000. This is as many as we can well feed and clothe, and is amply sufficient to prevent subjugation or even the overrunning of our territory; and the two things are widely different if our people have the pluck, fortitude, and endurance which I believe they have. After all, what is the use of " putting men into the army," whether they be white or black, if we cannot keep them there? If we had the absentees and deserters back we would have over 300,000 effectives this side of the Mississippi, and we have oil the other side nearly 70,000. I believe we want reorganization in our army— better discipline, and, as a means to that end, better officers. If we could feed and clothe our soldiers well, and pay them regularly—if we would officer them properly, and thus improve the morale generally, we would have numbers enough, especially if the conscription laws were firmly and impartially carried out. What we want is not new and additional legislation in army matters, so much as an energetic administration of existing laws. There are some few necessary things to be done by law—such as "consolidation," doing away with elections and promotion by seniority, a more summary mode of dropping worth less officers, the improvement of the cavalry arm (the point so forcibly dwelt upon by you), and some stringent remedy for the absenteeism of officers. Upon all these subjects my committee lias been at work and framed bills which we hope may prove efficacious if adopted by Congress. I send you a copy of our Cavalry Bill as it passed our House. It is now pending in the Senate. It was drawn by General Wickham, a distinguished cavalry officer, now a member of my committee, and meets with General Wade Hampton's warm approval, as well as that of various distinguished cavalry officers whom we were able to consult. I have written Governor Magrath concerning the condition of things in South Carolina, and would bo glad if you would read the letter which I have requested him to show you. Very truly yours,

WM. PORCIIER MILES.

I received your telegram with reference to General J.,* and showed it to the Secretary of War. I fear he will not be assigned to duty.

MERIDIAN, Jan. Uth, 1865.

BY TELEGRAPH FROM KICIIMOXD, Jan. 12th, 18G5. To Lieut.-Genl. R. TAYLOR :

Yours of 9th received. General Beauregard went to Army of Tennessee with large discretionary power. Your name was referred to, and it would be well for you to see him. Sherman's campaign has produced bad effects on our peo ple. Success against his future operations is needful to animate public con fidence. Hardee requires more aid than Lee can give him. Hood's army is

General Joseph E. Johnston.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLIII.

the only source to which we can now look. If you can hold Thomas in check with the addition to your forces of Generals Forrest and Roddy restored to your Department and the cavalry of Hood's army, which cannot be profitably sent to the East, then, as fast as it can be done consistently with the efficiency of the troops, the rest of Hood's army should be sent to look after Sherman. The presence of those veterans will no doubt greatly increase efficiency of force now with Hardee. You may show this to General Beaurcgard.

JEFFN. DAVIS.

BY TELEGRAPH FROM MERIDIAN, Jan. IZtli, 1865. To President DAVIS, Richmond, Va.:

My telegram of the 9th expressed the conviction that an attempt to move Hood's army at this time Avould complete its destruction. Hood failed to hold Thomas in check with Forrest, Roddy, and his own cavalry, and thirty thou sand troops to assist them. To represent these thirty I have barely three thousand (3000) inefficient cavalry outside of the inadequate garrison of Mobile. I think it would be beneficial to the cause for me to see you.

Respectfully, R. TAYLOR, Lieut.-Geul.

Private and Confidential.

MERIDIAN, Jan. 15th, 1865.

General, —I scud you herewith translation of a cipher telegram received late last evening (14th) from the President, with a copy of my reply thereto. Ho evidently has failed to understand what I intended to convey, relative to Gen eral Hood's army, in my despatch of the 9th. The despatch referred to was as follows:

"Have just returned from General Hood's army at Tupelo. This army re quires rest, consolidation, and reorganization. Without these latter it will be useless anywhere. Full power should be giA r en to the commander at once to reorganize and consolidate."

You will observe that in this despatch I say nothing about Thomas, nor any plan of campaign ; but merely refer to the condition of Hood's army, and what, in my judgment, that condition demanded. My opinion, as expressed to you verbally, is, that unless the authorities at Richmond can be made to see the military position as it now exists, we can expect nothing but disaster during the impending campaign. In any event, the condition of the railroads will not per mit the speedy removal of troops to the East; and I believe I can effect more good to the cause by an interview with the President than in any other way. I feel it my duty to propose this, unpleasant as the trip to Richmond at this time is. I go to Mobile to-night, where I hope to hear from you.

I am, General, most respectfully, etc., R. TAYLOR, Lieut.-Genl.

To Genl. BEAUREGARD, Tupelo, Miss.

Telegram.

TUPELO, Jan. 17th } 1865. Col. G. W. BRENT, Chief of Staff:

Order General Smith to inspect works at Choctaw and Open Bluff, and give

such orders as may be necessary for defence of rivers at those points; obstruc tions and torpedoes recommended for Tennessee River mnst be used there.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

TUPELO, Miss., Jan. ISth, 1865. Geul. J. B. HOOD, Coindg. Army of Teun.:

General, —General Beanregard directs that you will hold Lee's corps in readi ness to move as soon as necessary preparations can be made for its transporta tion, and that you -will cause it to be thoroughly equipped for the field as soon as practicable.

He also directs that you will cause a battalion of three light batteries of Napoleons, composed, if practicable, of South Carolina and Georgia companies, thoroughly equipped for the field, to proceed to Macon, Ga. (under a good field-officer), as soon as they can be equipped, and there await further orders. They will take steamer at Columbus for Montgomery, Ala. The field transportation of the above-named troops shall accompany them. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY BRYAX, Major, and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 181 h, 1865. Genl. J. B. HOOD, Coindg. Army of Tenn.:

General, —Understanding that the transportation of Lee's corps will be ready in the morning, I desire the movement of Lee's corps from here to Augusta, via Montgomery, Macon, and Milledgeville, should commence as soon as practicable. The troops should leave here with at least twenty (20) rounds of ammunition in their cartridge-boxes, with three days' cooked rations, which should be renewed at Meridian and Montgomery, and four days' at Macon. The troops sent via Mobile will renew their rations and forage sufficient to last to Montgomery, where they will renew their supplier, as well as at Macon.

Your chief quartermaster and commissary will make the necessary arrange ments for the rapid transportation of these troops to their destination.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 19th, 1865. Genl. J. B. HOOD, Comdg. Army of Tenn.:

General, —General Beauregard directs that you hold Cheatham's corps (except Gibson's brigade, ordered to Mobile) in readiness to move at any time an order may be issued to that effect from these Headquarters.

He also directs that you hold in readiness to move, upon the receipt of similar orders, another battalion of three light batteries at Columbus, Miss. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY BRYAN, Major, and A. A. G.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLIII.

633

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 19th, 1865. Lieut.-Col. A. R. MASON, A. A. G., Headquarters Army of Term.:

Colonel, —General Beauregard desires that General Hood "will send with the troops going to Georgia one hundred rounds of small-arms ammunition per man, including what they have in their cartridge-boxes, and one hundred rounds of ammunition per gun for the light batteries. Ho desires, also, that the ordnance •wagons, ambulances, and a due proportion of the supply train belonging to them, should also be sent. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY BRYAN, Major, and A. A. G.

Telegram.

RICHMOND, VA., Jan. Wth, 1865. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

General Hill having arrived at Augusta, General Hardee has been authorized at his request to place him on duty there. S. COOPER, A. and I. G.

Iteturn of the Army of Tennessee, Commanded by General J. B. HOOD, for period ending

January 20th, 1865.

Tupelo, Miss., Jan. 20«ft, 1865.

Official.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLIII.

Telegram.

TUPELO, Miss., Jan. 23d, 1865.

Gcnl. BEAUREGARD:

Chcatbani stands forty-seven hundred, sixty-seven hundred, then seventy-three hundred. A. P. MASON, Lieut.-Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE,

TUPELO, Jan. 23d, 18G5. Col. GEO. WM. BRENT, A. A. G.. Montgomery, Ala.:

Colonel, —General Hood, desiring to leave, I have to-day assumed command of this army without waiting longer for a response from the President.

Enclosed is a copy of the order from the General Commanding, under which I have assumed command, the original having "been left with me with blank date, with directions to advise yon of the date of its goiug into effect. General Hood left this morning for Richmond.

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

R. TAYLOR, Lieut.-Genl.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Jan. 25tf<, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD:

Enemy made a demonstration on Little Britain Island yesterday. Reinforce ments for Charleston are needed immediately. Send me, if possible, three thou sand men at once. All quiet on the Combahee. I will keep you fully advised.

W. J. HARDEE, Lieut.-Genl.

Telegram.

AUGUSTA, GA., Jan. 28th, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

The enemy is moving rapidly upon Augusta. Hope that troops will be hur ried up. Respectfully, D. II. HILL, Major-Genl.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Jan. 28th, 1865. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD:

General Hill reports from Brier Creek, enemy advancing on all roads from Savannah on west side of river.

I think your presence of extreme importance at this juncture.

W. J. HARDEE, Lieut.-Genl.

Telegram.

MONTGOMERY, Jan. 28M, 1865. Geul. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

Every energy is being used to push troops forward rapidly. They are being sent both via Selma and Mobile as fast as capacity of the railroad will permit.

R. TAYLOR, Lieut.-Geul.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Jan. 29th, 1865. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

The enemy have failed so far iii all attempts to cross the Combahee. Indi cations are that the 15th and 17th corps, now in Carolina, will cross Savannah and unite with the column moving towards Augusta.

W. J. HARDEE, Lieut.-Genl.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., Jan. 29/fr, 1865. Gov. Jos. E. BROWN, Gov. of Georgia, Milledgeville, Ga.:

General Beanregard desires that you will use the militia of your State and all other means to secure the return of all deserters and absentees to their com mands.

The militia can be used profitably on this duty.

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G. The same despatch sent to Governor Charles Clark, of Mississippi.

Telegram.

MACON, Miss., Jan. 30th, 1865. Col. G. W. BRENT :

Am corresponding with General Taylor as to the means of carrying out the recommendations of General Beauregard about militia.

CIIAS. CLARK, Gov. of Miss.

Telegram.

OPELIKA, ALA., Jan. 30th, 1865. To Brig.-Gcnl. MACKALL, Macon, Ga.:

Hold Palmer's battalion in readiness to move on General D. H. Hill's order. General Beauregard desires that you will procure one hundred and fifty horses for the artillery now en route. If they cannot be had from Majors Smith and Wheeler's horse camp at Macou, they must be impressed. General Beauregard will reach Macou to-morrow.

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

Telegram.

MERIDIAN, Miss., Jan. 30th, 18G5. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

Sherman's movements render a victorj* necessary to us at once, and it will require all our means to insure it. I can resist a raid without Stewart's corps, and cannot fight a battle with it against an army; and French's division is very weak, but will enable me to fully garrison Mobile and Choctaw Bluff. The remainder of the corps should go east at once to insure success there. We can thus save Lee's communications, raise the siege of Mobile, should it bo invested, or be prepared to meet Thomas when he advances in the spring. Last of Cheat-ham's corps, except furlonghed men, will leave here on Wednesday. I find upon inquiry that his Tennessee division has been furlotighed until tenth, and Brant-ley's and Sharp's brigades until twelfth, proximo. Will report further about artillery. R. TAYLOR, Lieut.-Genl.

£36 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLIV.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLIV.

AUGUSTA, Feb. 2d, 1865. Lieut.-Gcnl. W. J. HARDEE, Charleston, S. C.:

I have concluded to send Stevenson's forces to Branchville to-morrow. Can you furnish him with artillery ? G. T. BEAUREGARD.

AUGUSTA, GA., Feb. '3d, 1865. Major-Gcnl. D. H. HILL, Green's Cut, Ga.:

General Bean regard desires that you will send at once the brigade of Lee' corps now with yon to this place, by rail, to report to General Stevenson.

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

RICHMOND, VA., Felt. 4th, 1865. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Augusta, Ga.:

* * * You will assume command of all the forces in the district as denned before your departure to the west, and should you deem it advisable will direct General Hardeo to resume the command of his old corps when it arrives, and add to it any other forces which may be advantageously associated with it. * * *

JEFFERSON DAVIS. Official.

GEO. WM. BRENT, Col., and A. A. G.

Telegram.

CARTER'S FORD, Feb. 4/7i, 1885 : 11 r. M. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

The enemy crossed the Salkehatchie between Broxton and River's bridges; also above River's bridge, compelling me to fall back upon Branchville. It Avas with difficulty that my command could be withdrawn, as I was completely flanked on both sides. The fighting at River's bridge was quite sharp, and lasted several hours. L. McLAWS, Major-Gcnl.

Telegram.

AUGUSTA, Feb. 5/7i, 1865. To Gov. Jos. BROWN, Macon, Ga.:

The crisis is again upon your State. I earnestly call on your Excellency to send at once to General Smith, for the defence of Augusta, all the forces you can possibly put in the iield. Any man who returns to the army an absentee should be exempted. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

AUGUSTA, Feb. 5M, 1865. To Gov. W. J. MAGRATII, Columbia, S. C.:

Tho crisis is again upon your State. I earnestly call on your Excellency to

assemble, at Columbia, all the available forces of the State, exempting, how ever, any one who will return an absentee to the army.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

AUGUSTA, Feb. 6th, 1865. To Commanding Officer, Columbia, S. C.:

It is still uncertain whether enemy, after reaching Branchville, will move on Augusta, Columbia, or Charleston. He may move on two last at once, without our being able to check him long. Make, accordingly, all necessary prepara tions. Communicate this to Governor Magrath and General Winder.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

GRAHAMS, Feb. 6th, 1865: 11.50 p. M. Geul. BEAUREGARD :

Enemy will certainly take possession of railroad to-morrow, and I shall get between him and Augusta. I have sent one brigade to reinforce Colonel Crews, who is now between enemy and Augusta; should he move towards Columbia I will cross bridge above and get in his front. I have ordered all bridges below Holman's bridge destroyed. J. WHEELER, Major-Genl.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Feb. 7th, 1865. To Geul. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

If your health will permit, I consider it of great importance that you should come here at once. W. J. HARDEE, Licut.-Genl.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Feb. 10th, 1866. Gcnl, G. T. BEAUREGARD :

The enemy have crossed the South Edisto at Bennaker's bridge. Stevenson has concentrated his force on North Edisto to oppose him. Wheeler telegraphs that General Allen having informed him that enemy is moving on Augusta, he is going with all his available forces to Aikeu to meet him. Enemy's gunboats have left the Tugador. Enemy repulsed to-day by General Wright. This morn ing enemy crossed from Dixon, Horse, and Battery islands to James Island, and are now in front of our works in some force. One monitor in Stono. The enemy have kept up a constant fire to-day, but not on city.

W. J. HARDEE, Lieut.-Geul.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Feb. 10th, 1865. Geiil. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

General Hardee is very anxious for you to come here, if only for one day, as you did in Savannah. It would be a great relief to him. He desires me so to inform you. A. E. CIIISOLM, A. D. C.

(538 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLIV.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Feb. 10th, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

I feel sure your presence here, if possible, would do great service at this juncture. THOMAS JORDAN.

Telegram.

COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. 10th, 1865.

Lieut.-Genl. W. J. HARDEE, Charleston, etc.:

I have just arrived here. Will join you as soon as practicable. Meanwhile I advise concentration from the Combahee on the Edisto line.

G. T. BEAUREGAED.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Feb. llth, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

Do you direct that the agreement made on the 2d inst. be carried into eifect immediately? Please answer at once. W. J. HARDEE, Lieut.-Geul.

Yes—undoubtedly. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Feb. 12f/i, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

General Wright has been withdrawn from Ashepoo across Edisto, and enemy having crossed North Edisto near Orangebnrg, McLaws is retiring from Brauch-ville to the Four-hole swamp. Sixteen transports appeared in Bull's Bay to-day.

W. J. HARDEE, Lieut.-Gcul.

Telegram.

COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. 14//i, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

Scouts report enemy camped on State road, 15th Corps in front, 20th next, 10th next, think 14th in rear. Prisoner from Kilpatrick's wagon train reports him on Blackville and Columbia road—says they arc marching on Columbia.

WADE HAMPTON, Major-Genl.

Telegram.

COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. Uth, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

Enemy demonstrating at Thewitz ferry; think they will cross there. Rein forcements should go to Kingsville. Think movement against this place seri ous. All quiet in front. WADE HAMPTON, Major-Genl.

Telegram.

KINGSVILLE, S. C., Feb. Uth, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

The enemy appeared in force at the railroad bridge at 12 M., to-day; after skirmishing awhile, our forces fell back across the bridge and burned the bridge. Scouts brought'in prisoner of 17th Army Corps, who says that corps near Fort Motto, 15th Army Corps confronting Columbia. All quiet to-night.

H. D. CLAYTON, Major-Genl.

Telegram.

COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. 14th, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

The enemy have driven Clayton across the railroad "bridge, ami it has been burnt. He reports heavy force moving on McCord's ferry. Reinforcements sent there from Kingsville. Cavalry been skirmishing with the enemy in front, on Little Congaree bridge, and have checked their advance.

C. L. STEVENSON, M;ijor-Genl.

Telegram.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. Uth, 1865. Major-Geul. CHEATHAM, Comdg. Corps, Augusta, Ga.:

General Beauregard directs you to hasten your movement on Columbia.

JNO. M. OTEY, A. A. G. N. B.—Same was sent to Lieutenant-General A. W. Stewart.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. 15th, 1865. Major R. RIIETT, A. Q. M.:

General Beauregard wishes every effort made to remove all quartermaster stores from this place to some point on the Charlotte Railroad, beyond Chester-ville. JNO. M. OTEY, A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. 15th, 1865. Capt. J. D. WITHERSPOON, A. C. S.:

Captain, —General Beauregard directs that all the subsistence stores, except fifty thousand (50,000) rations, be sent from the city in the direction of Chester-villo and Charlotte, N. C. JNO. M. OTEY, A. A. G.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Feb. 16th, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

Your telegram from Columbia received. On receipt of your despatch yester day from Florence preparations been again pushed forward. The movement will begin to-day, and be carried out without delay.

W. J. HARDEE, Lieut.-Genl.

Telegram.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Feb. IGth, 1865. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

General Hardee has been sick in bed for two (2) days, threatened with typhoid fever. His surgeon says he must be sent off to-morrow. I have telegraphed General McLaws, who is the next in rank, to come to Charleston and take command. T. B. ROY, A. A. G.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLV.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OP THE WEST,

COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. IGth, 18G5. Major-Geul. B. F. CHEATIIAM, Conidg. Corps:

General, —General Beauregard directs me to say, that, as the enemy now occu pies a position between his forces and those under yourself, he deems it best that you move to the Greenville Railroad, at the nearest point, and, if forced by the enemy, take cars with your command to Abbeville, and await further orders, reporting to these headquarters your arrival and the condition of your command. You will also report to Major-General D. II. Hill your movements, that Lieu tenant-General Stewart may be kept advised.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. M. OTEY, Lieut.-Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST, SEVEN MILES FROM COLUMBIA, ON RICE CREEK SPRING ROAD,

Feb. llth, 1805. Lieut.-Genl. W. HAMPTON, Conulg. Cavalry :

General, —General Beauregard wishes you to inform General Stevenson that, in view of the danger of the enemy crossing Broad River above Wheeler's right, it is deemed best that Stevenson and his command should reach Cookham to night, between Big Cedar and Little Cedar Creek; and his train, the vicinity of Ridgeway, if possible. Cookham is about eighteen miles from Columbia; Ridgeway, about twenty-five miles.

The cavalry will necessarily follow its movements. Delay the enemy as much as possible. I will await at Killiau's Station to hear from you. The General wishes you to keep him advised of the enemy's movements. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. M. OTEY, Lieut.-Col., and A. A. G.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

COLUMBIA, S. C., Feb. 17th, 1865. Col. G. W. BRENT, A. A. G., Augusta, Ga.:

Colonel, —We leave here this morning, retreating in the direction of Charlotte, X. C. Chesterville, S. C., is the first point of concentration, and if it cannot be accomplished there, then Charlotte.

Every inch of ground will be contested, and it is hoped Cheatham and Stew art may reach Charlotte at least in time to join us. Let the orders for Cheat-ham and Stewart to join us remain in force and be executed with the least delay practicable, by the best and shortest routes, according to existin^ circum-

O ' O

stances. The following routes might be followed by troops and trains moving to Chcstervillc or Charlotte, according to circumstances.

1st. Augusta, Edgeiield, Newberry, and Chesterville ; the portion of the route from Newberry to Chesterville may be unsafe should the enemy advance north ward from his present positions, extending along Broad River, from Columbia towards Alston. It is not yet known how near he is to the latter place.

2d Route: Augusta, Edgefield, 96 Depot, on Greenville and Columbia Rail road, Huntsville, on Laurensville and Newberry Railroad, Unionvillc, and Chesterville.

3d Route: Washington, Abbeville, Laurensville, Uuionvillc, and Chester ville.

Should the concentration have to be made north of Chesterville, from Lau rensville, the troops should move on the Spartauburg, thence to Yorkville and Shelby, N. C., theuce to Charlotte, N. C. Provisions and forage should bo col lected in advance, at proper points on any of the routes indicated which may be selected or adopted. Working parties should be sent in advance to re store roads and bridges, or construct bridges when required.

A detachment of cavalry should accompany each column of troops, or each train moving as above referred to. The troops and trains should not be sent in small detachments, but should move regularly, as much as circumstances will permit. By command,

JNO. M. OTEY, Lieut.-CoL, and A. A. G.

General Hampton's Plan of Concentration proposed to General Beaurcgard.

DOKO, Feb. 18th, 1SC5.

General, —As Sherman marches in so extended a manner, it has occurred to me that we might concentrate on one of his corps and destroy it. At present the 15th Corps is on the Winnsboro' road; the 17th on the railroad; and the other two, I suppose, across the Broad River. The country between the two corps here is rough and inaccessible, so that if we could concentrate in front of the 17th Corps, we might defeat it before support could reach it. All the cavalry with the infantry could, I think, defeat one corps.

I think that you might get some troops from Charleston, if they were sent by rail at once to Camden. The road to Camden, as you are aware, turns off from the Wilmington Railroad, seven miles beyond Kingsville. Now, if troops could come up to the junction of the Camdeu and Wilmington road, they could hold the crossings of the Wateree till you could get reinforcements to them. The swamp is very wide and very difficult, even in the best weather, so that a small body of troops could check a much larger one. I could send some cavalry to aid, if necessary. If Sherman conies this way, you will be able to get some of your troops by Camden to the line of our march. If, on the con trary, he moves on Charleston, the troops at the Wateree would be in the proper position. Cheatham, too, can now join us, if yon send, telling him to make forced marches. With a few thousand more men wo can cripple Sherman greatly. I am, very respectfully yours,

WADE HAMPTON, Lieut.-Gcnl. Gcul. BKAUKEGARD.

II.—40

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLV.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

WHITE OAK, S. C., Feb. Wth, 1865: 4.15 P. M. Lieut.-Genl. W. HAMPTOX, Coindg. Cavalry :

General, —General Beanrcgard directs me to inform you tliat the trains and infantry will turn off from this place, taking the road via Hazlewood and Rich Hill to Landsford, on the Catawba; thence they will move along the east bank of the Catawba to Belair; thence to Charlotte. He desires your cavalry to conform its movements accordingly, protecting the flanks and rear of the col umn. Thirty thousand (30,000) rations are still at Chesterville; if not needed by you, let the order be given for their removal.

Should the report of the advance of the enemy in this direction be confirmed, the trains and troops will leave here about daylight in the morning. Respectfully, yonr obedient servant,

Jxo. M. OTEY, Lieut.-Col., and A. A. G.

WHITE OAK, Feb. Wth, 1885. Gcnl. BRAXTOX BRAGG, Wilmington, N. C.:

Have ordered McLaws to move as rapidly as possible "by rail to Greensboro', N. C. Please communicate with him fully, and aid him all in your power. Am obliged to you for your information. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

WHITE OAK, Feb. Wth, 18G5. Genl. L. McLAWS, Charleston, S. C.:

Orders for movement to Cheraw countermanded. Send infantry, with due proportion of artillery, by rail to Greensboro', N. C., as rapidly as possible. Call upon General Bragg and Governor Vance for all the assistance in their power. Not a moment must be lost in executing this order. Leave your cavalry to protect country north of Sautee River. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

HEADQUARTERS, PETERSBURG, Feb. 19//<, 18G5. His Excellency J. C. BRECKINRIDGE, Sec. of War, Richmond, Va.:

Sir, —The accounts received to-day from South and North Carolina are unfa vorable. General Beauregard reports from Whmsboro' that four corps of the enemy are advancing on that place, tearing up the Charlotte Railroad, and that they will probably reach Charlotte by the 24th, and before he can concentrate his troops there. Ho states, General Sherman \vill doubtless move thence on Greensboro', Danville, and Petersburg, or unite with General Schofield at Raleigh or Weldon.

General Bragg reports that General Schofield is now preparing to advance from Newbern to Goldsboro', and that a strong expedition is moving against the Weldon Railroad at Rocky Mount.

He snys that little or no assistance can be received from the State of North Carolina; that exemptions and reorganizations under late laws have disbanded the State forces, and that they will not be ready for the field for some time.

I do not see lio\v Sherman can make the march anticipated by General Beau-regard; but he seems to have everything his own way, which is calculated to

cause apprehension. General Bcauregard does not say what lie proposes or what he can do. I do not know where his troops are or on what lines they are moving. His despatches only give movements of the enemy.

He has a difficult task to perform under present circumstances, and one of his best officers—General Hardee—is incapacitated by sickness. I have also heard that his own health is indifferent, though he has never so stated. Should his strength give way there is no one on duty in the Department that could replace him, nor have I any one to send there. General J. E. Johnston is the only officer whom I know who has the confidence of the army and people, and if he was ordered to report to me I would place him there on duty. It is necessary to bring out all our strength, and, I fear, to unite our armies, as, separately, they do not seem able to make head against the enemy. Everything should be de stroyed that cannot be removed out of the reach of Generals Sherman and Schofield. Provisions must bo accumulated in Virginia, and every man in all the States must be brought out. I fear it may be necessary to abandon all our cities, and preparations should be made for this contingency.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

K. E. LEE, Geul.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

NEAR WHITE OAK, S. C., Feb. 20th, 1865. Major-Geul. C. H. STEVENSON, Comdg. Lee's Corps:

Genera^ —General Beauregard directs that you move with your command by the shortest and best route to Laudsford's ford, thence to Charlotte, via Belair and Pleasant Valley. You will await further orders at Charlotte. Unless other wise pressed, you will move at the rate of about twenty miles a day. He will move along the railroad, so as to be in telegraphic communication with General Hampton and the War Department. He will probably pass the night at Ches-terville, and to-morrow night at or about the railroad bridge, on the Catawba. General Hampton has been instructed to give orders to his trains whether to accompany yours or remain under his protection.

Respectfully, your obedient servant, A. R. CIIISOLM, A. D. C.

WHITE OAK, Fel). 20//J, 1865. Lieut.-Genl. HAMPTON, Winnsboro', S. C.:

Stevenson moves this morning via Landsford, Belair, and Pleasant Valley, to Charlotte, where he will await further orders, carrying his own trains. I shall move along the railroad, that I may be in telegraphic communication with yourself and the Department. You will now have to guard your own trains, unless you prefor sending them on with General Stevenson's.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

General HAMPTON to General BEAUREGARD.

CHESTER, Feb. 21sf, 1865. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

No movement reported on Monticello road. Enemy did not occupy Wiims-

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLV.

boro' till to-day. Wheeler reports force this evening two miles west Youngville. All quiet here. WADE HAMPTON, Lient.-Geul.

- WILMINGTON, Fcl. 21st, 1865.

Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Chester:

On my arrival I find my forces driven from west side Cape Fear, and the rail road in possession of the enemy. Have notified General Hardee. Two corps, Scliofiekl and Terry, are opposing Hoke's division. BRAXTON BRAGG.

Telegram.

CHESTER, Feb. 22<1, 18G5. Genl. BEAUREGARD :

Enemy are evidently moving eastward. The 14th Corps is on the railroad. Sherman has moved to his right. Kilpatrick is also here. Butler reports enemy moving towards Catawba River. I think they intend to cross low down, or to move towards Cannier). Scouts report them leaving Broad River and moving east. WADE HAMPTON, Lieut.-Genl.

Memoranda.

CIIERAW, Fcl. 22d, 1865.

General Hardee, after receiving General Beanregard's orders, ordering the movement to be made by rail to Greensboro', communicated immediately with General Bragg, who informed him that he had been compelled to withdraw to the east side of the Cape Fear River, thereby leaving the railroad unprotected, and advised General Hardee that the route by Wilmington was impractica ble. General Hardee has returned to the original plan of leaving the rail road at Cheraw, and thence by overland to Greensboro', N. C. The first troops will arrive at Cheraw to-night, and, the wagons coming through by common road, it will be live or six days before the head of the column will probably leave this point. The distance to Greensboro' from this point is one hundred and thirty-one miles, and a good route can be had on east side of Yadkin River, and through a country that is represented to be sufficiently productive to fur nish forage and commissary stores for the command. The Yadkin is crossed on bridge at this point, and there will be no ferrying on the route. The left flank of the column will be protected by the Yadkin River, which at this season is said to be beyond fording.

Immediate steps will be taken to establish communications with General Beauregard by Charlotte. W. D. PICKETT, Licut.-Col.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMIES C. S., Feb. 22fl, 1865. Special Order No. ?> :

General J. E. Johnston, C. S. A., is hereby assigned to the command of the two military departments known as the "Department of Tennessee and Georgia," and the "Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida/' and the troops therein. lie will proceed at once to effect a concentration of all available forces and make the necessary dispositions to thwart the designs of the enemy oper ating in those Departments.

General Beauregard, C. S. A., will report to General Johnston, commanding, etc., for assignment to such duty as he deems most advisable.

By command of General R. E. Lee. W. H. TAYLOR, A. A. G.

Genl. G. T. BEAUKEGARD, Commanding, etc.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMIES C. S., Feb. 23rf, 1865. Genl. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Comdg., etc.:

General, —I enclose a copy of the order assigning General Johnston to com mand, of which you have already been notified by telegram. I did not need the assurance contained in your reply to my despatch, of your cheerful acqui escence and willing co-operation in a measure deemed necessary for the good of the service, knowing as I do that personal considerations have no place in your mind when the welfare of the country is concerned. The situation of af fairs in my judgment requires that we should put forth our best efforts, and I was desirous that we should not, in such an emergency, be without the assist ance of the skill and ability of one of our most distinguished officers. The re ports that have reached mo of the precarious condition of your health made me the more anxious lest the arduous and responsible duties that have devolved upon you should prove too great for your physical capacity, and I could not but feel apprehensive of the consequences of being deprived of your services at a critical moment. I trust, however, that you will now be able, without injury to yourself, to afford General Johnston the full benefit of your support.

I beg to return you my thanks for the gratification I derive from the knowl edge that the course I have thought most judicious is not misunderstood or unappreciated by yourself. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE, Genl.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST, CHARLOTTE, N. C., Feb. 22d, 18G5.

Colonel, —General Beauregard directs that you proceed forthwith and with out delay to Cheraw, S. C., with the despatch placed in your charge, and deliver it to Lieu ten ant-General Hardec. Should General Hardee not have arrived there you will have the same telegraphed to him wherever he may be, if prac ticable, and obtain from him an acknowledgment of its receipt.

Should you not be able to telegraph to General Hardee, you will call upon the Superintendent of the Darlington and Cheraw Railroad for a locomotive to convey you to the headquarters of that officer. As it is all important that you reach General Hardeo at the earliest practicable moment, you are authorized to call on citizens along the road for relays of horses, and, if necessary, you are authorized to resort to impressment. Care must be taken by you to return to the owners their animals on your return.

Citizens along the route, from Charlotte, N. C., to Cheraw, S. C., are requested to render Colonel Cook every assistance in the performance of his duty. Respectfully, Colonel, your obedient servant,

Jxo. M. OTEY, A. A. G.

Lieut.-Col. COOK, 8th Texas Cavalry,

Bearer of despatch to General Hardee.

(346 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLV.

Telegram.

GOLDSBORO', Feb. 23d, 1865. Gcnl. G. T. BEAUREGARD :

"NVilniingtoii was evacuated at 7 A. M., 22d inst. I saw General Bragg at his Headquarters ten miles this side. He had advised our friends to pass to Cheraw. I return hy first train. D. II. HAMILTON.

Important Appeal.

HEADQUARTERS, DIVISION OF THE WEST, CHARLOTTE, N. C., Feb. 2'3d, 1865.

To delay the advance of the enemy, until our troops can he massed in strength sufficient to crush them, I appeal to all good and patriotic citizens in the region of country threatened hy the enemy to turn out in full force all available labor, •with axes, spades, and mattocks, to destroy and obstruct roads leading towards Charlotte from the south, commencing first along the roads leading to Lands-ford, and other crossings between that point and the railroad bridge, obstruct ing at the same time all roads parallel to the river within the following limits: the Pleasant Valley road, on the east, to a point opposite Landsford, thence across the Catawba to Fishing Creek; thence up said creek to the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad. Afterwards the work should be continued far ther up the river, should the enemy threaten an advance in that direction. Tho negroes should be assembled at the following points, viz. : Charlotte, Pleasant Valley, Belair, Landsford, Fort Mills, and Rock Hill, under the direction of their owners, each with six days' provisions, cooking utensils, and blankets. As far as possible the negroes will be employed at points not distant from their homes. They will be protected by guards, and assisted by the Home Guards of the State.

An engineer officer will be at each of the points of rendezvous to give proper direction to the labor of all who will now join us in the struggle to stay and destroy the ruthless invaders of our homes. G. T. BEAUREGARD, Genl.

CHARLOTTE, Fcl). 23d, 1865.

I earnestly appeal to the people of North Carolina to comply promptly with this request. I am satisfied they could render no greater service to their country. Z. B. VANCE, Governor of North Carolina.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

IN FIELD, CHARLOTTE, N. C., Feb. 2<lth, 1865.

General, —General Bcauregard directs that you order the headquarters' staff of the Army of Tennessee to report to General J. E. Johnston, at or near this place, as soon as possible. Tho officer of the Adjutant-General's Department should bo directed to bring with him such records as will be indispensable to a reorganization.

He further orders that the troops and trains of that army (except the light

.artillery), as have arrived in Augusta (accompanied by Young's division of cav alry, if not indispensable to the safety of Augusta), to move to tliis place via Newberry, Uniouville, and Yorkville, or Chesterville. Should movements of enemy permit it, latter route.

The light batteries of the Army of Tennessee now at Augusta and Macon will remain at those points until further orders, reporting themselves to their headquarters. Respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. M. OTEY, A. A. G. Major-Gcnl. D. II. HILL.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

MACON, GA., Feb. 24 to, 1865. Gcnl. G. T. BEAUREGARD:

The great necessity for the services of the militia of this State for a time in the agricultural field, in connection -with the fact that the State is, for the first time in some ten months, free from threatened advance of the enemy upon the interior, and the further fact that they are composed of a class of men not sub ject to Confederate service, induce me to withdraw them for a time from your command, that they may have a furlough till the State is again threatened by the enemy.

When needed for the defence of this State I hope to have them ready for the occasion, prepared to act with the same distinguished gallantry and patriotic devotion which has heretofore characterized their conduct upon the battle field. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Jos. E. BROWN.

CHARLOTTE, N. C., Feb. 24to, 1865. Genl. R. E. LEE, Petersburg, Va. :

Telegram 22d inst. duly received. March of Hardee's troops on this place from Cheraw was changed to railroad via Wilmington and Raleigh, on assur ance of Governor Vance and General Bragg that the troops could reach hero much sooner. The fall of Wilmington, however, caused the order to be imme diately countermanded by General Bragg and myself.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

CHARLOTTE, N. C., Feb. 2m, 1865. Genl. R. E. LEE, Petersburg, Va.:

General Hampton reports from Chesterville yesterday evening no enemy nearer than White Oak; he is reported crossing Peay's Ferry. A largo forco of cavalry moved from Hopcwell Church towards Rocky Mount Ferry. But ler is now across river. Hampton will put himself in front of enemy, leaving one brigade to press his rear. I have ordered Hardee to hasten his march from Cheraw. Mail courier reports Cheatharn. at Jones's Ferry, on Ennoree, morning of 22d inst. I have ordered him and Stewart here via Unionville and Chester ville, where I may stop them temporarily. Enemy's movement would seem to indicate Cheraw and Fayetteville as their present objective point.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLVI.

General Taylor reports from Meridian, Miss., on 15th, twenty-five (25) trans ports, loaded with troops, accompanied by General Thomas, reached Vicksburg on the 13th hist. G. T. BEAUHEGARD.

General J. E. Johnston's Address to his Troops.

CHARLOTTE, N. C., Feb. 25M, 1865. General Orders No. 1:

In obedience to the orders of the General-m-chief, the undersigned " assumes command of the Army of Tennessee and all troops in the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida." He takes this position with strong hope, be cause ho will have, in council and in the field, the aid of the high talents and skill of the distinguished general whom he succeeds.

Ho exhorts all absent soldiers of the Army of Tennessee to rejoin their regi ments and again confront the enemy the}" so often encountered in Northern Georgia, and always with honor. He assures his comrades of the army \vho still are with their colors, that the confidence in their discipline and valor which he has publicly expressed is undiminished.

J. E. JOHNSTON, Geul.

CHARLOTTE, X. C., Feb. 23//<, 18G5: 7.30 A. M. Genl. BRAXTOX BRAGG, Rocky Fish Creek, near Wilmington, N. C.:

Should enemy move as supposed the plan proposed is the best, if concentra tion can be made in time, especially before Sherman and Schofield could unite. Johnston now commands here. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

CHARLOTTE, N. C., Feb. 27th, 18G5. Genl. R. E. LEE, Petersburg, Va.:

General Johnston assumed command day before yesterday (25th). Enemy's position still about same, on Lancaster and Camden road, made almost im passable by heavy rains. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

CHARLOTTE, N. C., Feb. 28/7«, 18G5. Genl. B. BRAGG, Rocky Point, near Wilmington, N. C.:

As Fayetteville may bo our future point of concentration, will you order all roads and bridges repaired forthwith to it from Warsaw, Smithfield, and Ra leigh ? G. T. BEAUREGARD.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLVI.

General Hampton's Statement before United States Commissioner Brooks, in Relation to the Burning of Columbia.

BEING duly sworn, General Hampton said: On the night of the IGUi of February he received a telegram from President Davis, announcing his pro motion to the position of Lieutenant-General, and directing him to assume command of all the cavalry in South Carolina; General Beauregard was the

Commander-in-chief. General Hampton's command consisted of "Wheeler's corps of cavalry, and a division of cavalry under General M. C. Butler, amount ing in all to about 4100 men, in and about Columbia, when Sherman advanced on the city with 75,000 men. The only attempt to check the advance of the Federal troops was made at Cougaree Creek by General Butler, who had under his command a few of his own and Wheeler's men and a small Ken tucky brigade under Breckinridge, the whole number not exceeding six hun dred men. This affair occurred on the 15th, after which the advance of Sher man was undisputed. The Federal army arrived opposite Columbia on the 15th, and without any warning began to shell the town in every direction. Hunt's Hotel, where General Beauregard had his headquarters, was struck by a piece of shell; two or three shells struck the workshops; one passed through the old State House, and three struck the new State House, the marks of which are still to be seen. Some of the shells were thrown as far as the Charlotte road, which is two miles from the river, and some passed near the asylum, which is the northeastern boundary of the city. The shelling took place early on the morning of the 10th, and during that night the Federal troops com menced the passage of the river. On the morning of the 17th General Hamp ton directed the officers under his command to withdraw their men from Colum bia and its vicinity, as the city was to be surrendered and no offensive acts were to be committed. The Confederates were ordered to be moved to Wiuns-boro'. When General Beauregard was advised of what had been done he left the city and also went off towards Winnsboro', feeling quite unwell at the time. General Hampton then instructed the Mayor of Columbia, Dr. T. J. Goodwyn, to send out a flag of truce to meet the advance-guard of Sherman's army, and to announce that the city was evacuated, and that he had come out to surren der it. This was about six o'clock on the morning of the 17th. General Hamp ton gave the Mayor directions how to proceed, where to go, and what he was to do; he then called his attention to the cotton that was lying along Richard son Street, and recommended that he should put a guard over it, telling him there was danger that it would take fire, and that if it did so it would endanger the city. This cotton had been removed from the warehouses where it had been stored, in order to transport it to the open fields adjoining the city, where it might be burned; but finding there was not sufficient means for transporta tion, it was left in Richardson Street. The Mayor, with a flag of truce, met the leading column of the Federal army, composed of Stone's brigade, and surren dered the city. General Hampton had moved out by the Asylum road, w r ith one of Butler's brigades, and stationed himself at the upper boundary street, facing towards Richardson Street. From the position he occupied he com manded a view of the whole town and vicinity. He saw the Mayor come back with the flag, and surrounded by columns of troops. It Avas about 10 A. M. when the Federal troops entered Columbia, and about 9 A. M. when General Hampton had the conversation with the Mayor in the vicinity of the cotton. There were no Confederate troops in Columbia when the Federal army entered. General Hampton was the last officer in the town, and he left just prior to the entry of the Federal army. He states positively that up to that time there

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLVI.

were no fires iu progress in Columbia. When asked what orders were given in reference to the disposition of the cotton in Columbia, immediately prior to the 17th of February, General Hampton stated that an order had been issued by General Beauregard on the 14th to Major Allen J. Green, the post commander, to have the cotton moved out of the warehouses to a place where it could be burned, if it became necessary to do so, without endangering the town. Not having the transportation at his disposal, Major Green had placed it in the streets. Ou the night of the 16th, when General Hampton was assigned to duty at Columbia, he called General Beauregard's attention to the position of this cotton, Celling him that if it were burned it would endanger the town, and urged him to order that the cotton should not be burned. This he did. Being asked whether that order not to fire the cotton had been carried out by the Confederates, he answered that he knew by official investigation and by per sonal observation that it had not been fired by them.

General Hampton's Letter to General Beauregard.

WILD WOODS, Miss., April 22rf, 1886.

General, —General Sherman having charged ine in his official report with the destruction of Columbia, and having repeated the same falsehood in a recent letter to Benjamin Rawlius, of that city, may I beg you to state such facts in reference to this matter as are in your possession? You were in command of the Confederate troops when Sherman entered Columbia; you had left the city just before he occupied it, and you gave orders not only as to the movements of troops, but as to the disposition of all the public property, as well as of the cotton which was in the city. You were, therefore, fully cognizant of all the facts relating to the burning of the city, and you can state with entire cer tainty who is answerable for this atrocious crime.

I am, very respectfully yours,

WADE HAMPTON.

General Beauregard''s Endorsement of the Foregoing Letter.

NEW ORLEANS, May 2d, 1866.

The above statement of General Wade Hampton, relative to the orders issued by me at Columbia, S. C., not to burn cotton in that city, is perfectly true and correct. The only thing on fire at the time of the evacuation was the depot building of the South Carolina Railroad, which caught fire acciden tally from the explosion of some ammunition ordered to be sent towards Char lotte, N. C. G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Governor Orr's Letter to General Hampton.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28th, 1872.

Dear Sir, — I have received your letter inquiring as to my recollection of a conversation that occurred in the Executive Office in Columbia, in 1867, be tween yourself and General Howard, of the United States Army, as to the burn-

ing of Columbia. I do not remember all that was said; but General Howard said, in substance, that the city was burned by the United States troops ; that he saw them fire many houses, and that he tried to arrest the conflagration ; and that he regretted the destruction of the city. Without undertaking to give his words, the foregoing contains the substance of what he said relative to the destruction of Columbia.

Very respectfully,

JAMES L. ORR.

General John S. Preston's Letter to Dr. Trezevante.

COLUMBIA, Jan. 2d, 1873.

Desr Sir, —I have your note asking me to state my recollection of the con versation between Wade Hampton and Howard, in the presence of Governor Orr, myself, and others. The substance of the conversation was that General Howard said, and reiterated it, that no one was authorized to say that the Fed eral troops did not burn Columbia, and he saw them doing so in numerous in stances and in various localities in the town. The conversation was almost exclusively between General Hampton and General Howard, the other persons present saying but very little.

Very truly yours,.

JOHN S. PRESTON.

Extract from the Rev. A. Toomer Porter's Testimony before the Committee of Citi zens, appointed by Authority of the South Carolina Legislature.

it* * * i n the bright light of the burning city, General Sherman recognized me and remarked : ' This is a horrible sight!' ' Yes,' I replied,' when you reflect that women and children are the victims.' He said, 'Your Governor is respon sible for this.' 'How so f I replied. 'Who ever heard,' he said, 'of an evacu ated city being left a depot of liquor for an army to occupy ? I found one hun dred and twenty casks of whiskey in one cellar. Your Governor, being a law yer or a judge, refused to have it destroyed, as it was private property, and now my men have got drunk, and have got beyond my control, and this is the result.'"

Extract from Mayor Goodwyris Testimony before the same Committee.

"* * * The same day (18th of February) General Sherman," deposes the Mayor, "sent for me. I went to see him about 1 o'clock. He met me very cord ially, and said he regretted very much that our city was burned, and that it was my fault. I asked him how ? He said, in suffering ardent spirits to be left in the city after it was evacuated, saying, ' Who could command drunken sol diers ?' There was no allusion made to General Hampton, to accident, or to cotton. * * * I saw very few drunken soldiers that night; many who ap peared to sympathize with our people told me that the fate and doom of Columbia had been common talk around their camp-fires ever since they left Savannah."

(552 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLVI.

Extract from the Report of the Committee of Citizens appointed by the South Caro lina Legislature to Collect Evidence in Relation to the Burning of Columbia.* a * * * Within ail hour afterwards three rockets were seen to ascend from a point in front of the Mayor's dwelling. But a few minutes elapsed before fires in swift succession broke out, and at points so far apart that they could not have been communicated from the one to the other. At various parts of the town the soldiers, at the appearance of the rockets, declared that they were the appointed signals for a general conflagration. The fire companies, with their engines, promptly repaired to the scene of the fires and endeavored to arrest them, but in vain. The soldiers of General Sherman, with bayonets and axes, pierced and cut the hose, disabled the engines, and prevented the citizens from extinguish in n the flames."

Extracts from General Sherman's Testimony as Filed, with other Official Depositions

in certain Claims vs. United States, before " The Mixed Commission on British

and American Claims," in Washington, D. C.

#**### #**

Question. Yon, however, entered the city of Columbia with the main army about two hours later?

Ansu-cr. Yes, sir.

Q. I would like for you to be particular; please try and remember how long it was afterwards ?

A. Stone's brigade could not have been in town more than an hour and a half before I came in ; we came in very quickly; the pontoon-bridge was nearly done when I got this message from Stone, and sent back and told him to go right into town. * * *

Q. Wouldn't this bo about correct if you were to say that the main army en tered Columbia about 12 o'clock?

A. Near 11; I suppose nearer 11 than 12 o'clock. Somewhere between 11 and 12.

Q. You were riding at the head of the column?

A. Yes, sir.

Q. With General Howard?

A. General Howard was by my side; he was commanding the right wing and I was commanding in chief. * * * Our staffs rode right behind us, and then came the head of the column, which, I think, was the second division, 15th Corps, commanded by General Charles R. Woods.

Q. General Howard, then, I understand you to say, had orders from you as to the disposition of troops ?

A. Yes, sir. * * The leading division of the 15th Corps, commanded by General Woods, was to occupy Columbia, and the other two divisions to pass through and encamp just outside the town. * * *

* The document referred to, besides being made the subject of a special Report to the South Carolina Legislature, was also published in full in the Charleston News and Courier of September llth, 1879.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLVII. G53

Q. Do I understand you to say that burning cotton flies in the air ?

A. Indeed it does.

Q. About how many feet high in the air ?

A. As many as six hundred feet; yes, I saw it fly, probably, from four or five hundred yards—fifteen hundred feet in distance.

Q. I do not mean rolling along the ground.

A. No, sir; I mean up in the air, like a fire-ball.

Q. How about height: does it rise above ten feet ?

A. Yes, sir; one hundred and fifty feet; whirling round.

Q. Balls of what size ?

A. Probably fifty pounds—forty or fifty pounds.

Q. How many feet in the air ?

A. One hundred, or one hundred and fifty feet in the air. * * *

Q. But the police force was from Woods's division of the 15th Corps, save such stragglers as may have strayed in from other commands ?

A. Yes, sir; all the troops in Columbia were from the 15th Corps, save such stragglers as may have strayed in from other commands. * * *

JAS. O. CLEPHAXE, United States Commissioner.

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLVII.

General BeauregarcCs Instructions to General Ilardce.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION or THE WEST,

CHARLOTTE, N. C., Feb. 2Gth, 1865. Lieut.-Genl. W. J. HARDEE, Cheraw, S. C.:

General, —The enemy at last accounts having been at Rocky Mount and Peay's Ferry, on the Catawba River, and it being still undetermined whether he will move thence on this place or upon Fayetteville, N. C., via Cheraw, you will please concentrate your forces as rapidly as possible at the latter place, and there hold them in readiness to move at a moment's notice, either on this point, as already instructed, or to oppose his advance as long as possible should he march by the way of Cheraw, in which event Hampton's cavalry will co operate with you.

Should any movement of Schofield from "Wilmington threaten to intercept your march upon Fayetteville, and you are not strong enough to give him bat tle, you will then retire slowly in the direction of Raleigh, doing all in your power to check your adversary's advance at'all favorable positions.

A line of couriers has been established hence to Fayetteville, via Cheraw or Rockingham, as the movements of the enemy shall make necessary.

Please keep General Bragg (who is still near Wilmington) and myself advised of your movements, and of those of the enemy which may come to your knowl edge. There is telegraphic communication from Fayetteville with these Head quarters.

Your Engineers should repair forthwith the roads and bridges on the route

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLVII.

to Faycttevillo and Salisbury, including, especially, a new bridge across Rocky River. In conclusion, I will again call your attention to the importance of saving surplus stores and supplies of all descriptions at Cheraw. To that end they should be held stored in trains, ready, at the proper moment, to be sent by rail, either in the direction of the Santee River or towards Manchester, or even to Camden, as may become most judicious, in view of known movements of the enemy.

In case of a retrograde movement before the enemy, you will please remove or destroy all supplies of every kind liable to fall into his hands, in which connection I enclose General Orders No. 4, A. and I. G. Office.

Respectfully, General, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

CHARLOTTE, N. C., March 1st, 1865. Lieut.-Gcnl. W. J. HARDEE, Chcraw, S. C.:

General,—Your letter of the 27th nit. has been received. My letter of the 26th covers all the points submitted by you. The enemy moving to the east ward, your forces will no longer be required here; you will therefore act as already instructed. It is of the utmost importance that he should not get any of the surplus stores and supplies at Clieraw; they should be destroyed, as Avell as the rolling-stock of those railroads, sooner than fall in the enemy's hands. For fear that the enemy may have some engines and cars to run on the North eastern, the Wilmington and Manchester, and the Wilmington and Charlotte railroads, it is advisable to destroy effectually the bridges 011 the Santee (if not already done), on the Little Pedee and on the "Big Swamp." The cars and engines should be so disposed of as not to fall in the hands of the enemy. In case of danger they should be thoroughly destroyed. The prisoners at Florence should be sent forthwith to Fayettevillo or Raleigh if not received by the en emy at Wilmington. Should the enemy move towards Georgetown, you should endeavor to co-operate with the cavalry to press on his Hanks and rear. Under present circumstances no instructions will be sent to await your arrival aii Wadesboro'. The most energetic measures should bo taken by the military and civil authorities to obstruct all roads on which the enemy is likely to move, using, freely, torpedoes to prevent the removal of these obstructions. Mr. Fra-zcr Mathews knows how to lay these torpedoes to the best advantage. The bridge on Rocky River should be rebuilt.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,

CHARLOTTE, N. C., March Gth, 1865. Lieut.-Gonl. W. J. HARDEE, Rockingham, via Troy:

General,—I have just received a copy of your telegram of the 4th inst,, from Rockingham to General Johnston, who is on his way to Fayctteville. You

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLVII. C55

chould have followed the instructions contained in my letter of the 26th ult. (acknowledged "by Colonel Roy) and not of the 24th. Fayetteville and Raleigh being evidently the objective points of the enemy, General Johnston find myself contemplate a concentration of forces at the first of those points, if possible, otherwise at the latter. You are therefore directed to remove at once, and rapidly, from your present position to Fayetteville, if still practica ble ; if not, to Raleigh.

The ends to be attained by this movement are so momentous, indeed so vital to success of operations which have been determined upon, that it is expected you will permit none but insurmountable obstacles to turn you aside from the attempt, except, of course, if General Johnston should see cause, in the existing state of affairs, to change your instructions and give other orders.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. T. BEAUKEGARD, Genl.

Telegram.

CHARLOTTE, N. C., March 7tlt, 1865. Genl. Jos. E. JOHNSTON, Fayetteville, N. C.:

Have jnst received copy telegram to you from Hardee, saying he is moving on Greensboro'. He has not obeyed my instructions of 26th ult. He should be recalled at once to Fayetteville or Raleigh.

Shall troops from here be sent to Sinithfield or Raleigh ?

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

Telegram.

CHARLOTTE, N. C., March 7//i, 1365.

Genl. Jos. E. JOHNSTON, Fayetteville, N. C.:

To save time I have sent following despatch from here and Greensboro' to General Hardee, on road from Rockingharn: " March at once on Fayetteville, if possible; if not, then on Raleigh." G. T. BEAUREGARD.