Weareallwellandhavedonefinely。Therainsmakeourroadsdifficult，andmaydelayusaboutFayetteville，inwhichcaseI
wouldliketohavesomebread，sugar，andcoffee。Wehaveabundanceofallelse。IexpecttoreachGoldsboro’bythe20thinstant。
W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
Onthe9thIwaswiththeFifteenthCorps，andtowardeveningreachedalittlechurchcalledBethel，inthewoods，inwhichwetookrefugeinaterriblestormofrain，whichpouredallnight，makingtheroadsawful。Allthemenwereatworkcorduroyingtheroads，usingfence—railsandsplitsaplings，andeveryfootofthewayhadthustobecorduroyedtoenabletheartilleryandwagonstopass。Onthe10thwemadesomelittleprogress;onthe11thI
reachedFayetteville，andfoundthatGeneralHardee，followedbyWadeHampton’scavalry，hadbarelyescapedacrossCapeFearRiver，burningthebridgewhichIhadhopedtosave。OnreachingFayettevilleIfoundGeneralSlocumalreadyinpossessionwiththeFourteenthCorps，andalltherestofthearmywasnearathand。A
dayortwobefore，GeneralKilpatrick，toourleftrear，haddividedhisforceintotwoparts，occupyingroadsbehindtheTwentiethCorps，interposingbetweenourinfantrycolumnsandWadeHampton’scavalry。Thelatter，doubtlesstomakejunctionwithGeneralHardee，inFayetteville，brokeacrossthisline，capturedthehouseinwhichGeneralKilpatrickandthebrigade—commander，GeneralSpencer，were，andforatimeheldpossessionofthecampandartilleryofthebrigade。However，GeneralKilpatrickandmostofhismenescapedintoaswampwiththeirarms，reorganizedandreturned，catchingHampton’smen——inturn，scatteredanddrovethemaway，recoveringmostofhiscampandartillery;butHamptongotoffwithKilpatrick’sprivatehorsesandacouplehundredprisoners，ofwhichheboastedmuchinpassingthroughFayetteville。
Itwasalsoreportedthat，inthemorningafterHardee’sarmywasallacrossthebridgeatCapeFearRiver，Hampton，withasmallbodyguard，hadremainedintown，readytoretreatandburnthebridgeassoonasourforcesmadetheirappearance。Hewasgettingbreakfastatthehotelwhenthealarmwasgiven，whenheandhisescorttooksaddle，butsoonrealizedthatthealarmcamefromasetofourforagers，who，asusual，wereextremelyboldandrash。
Ontheseheturned，scatteredthem，killingsomeandmakingothersprisoners;amongthemGeneralHoward’sfavoritescout，CaptainDuncan。Hamptonthencrossedthebridgeandburnedit。
ItookupmyquartersattheoldUnitedStatesArsenal，whichwasinfineorder，andhadbeenmuchenlargedbytheConfederateauthorities，whoneverdreamedthataninvadingarmywouldreachitfromthewest;andIalsofoundinFayettevillethewidowanddaughterofmyfirstcaptain（GeneralChilds），oftheThirdArtillery，learnedthathersonFredhadbeentheordnance—officerinchargeofthearsenal，andhadofcoursefledwithHardee’sarmy。
Duringthe11th。thewholearmycloseddownuponFayetteville，andimmediatepreparationsweremadetolaytwopontoonbridges，oneneartheburnedbridge，andanotheraboutfourmileslowerdown。
Sunday，March12th，wasadayofSabbathstillnessinFayetteville。
Thepeoplegenerallyattendedtheirchurches，fortheywereaverypiouspeople，descendedinalargemeasurefromtheoldScotchCovenanters，andourmentoowererestingfromthetoilsandlaborsofsixweeksofashardmarchingaseverfelltothelotofsoldiers。Shortlyafternoonwasheardinthedistancetheshrillwhistleofasteamboat，whichcamenearerandnearer，andsoonashout，longandcontinuous，wasraiseddownbytheriver，whichspreadfartherandfarther，andweallfeltthatitmeantamessengerfromhome。Theeffectwaselectric，andnoonecanrealizethefeelingunless，likeus，hehasbeenformonthscutofffromallcommunicationwithfriends，andcompelledtolistentothecroakingsandprognosticationsofopenenemies。Butinaveryfewminutescameupthroughthetowntothearsenalontheplateaubehindagroupofofficers，amongwhomwasalarge，floridseafaringman，namedAinsworth，bearingasmallmail—bagfromGeneralTerry，atWilmington，havingleftat2p。m。thedaybefore。OurcouriershadgotthroughsafefromLaurelHill，andthiswasthepromptreply。
AsinthecaseofourformermarchfromAtlanta，intenseanxietyhadbeenfeltforoursafety，andGeneralTerryhadbeenprompttoopencommunication。Afterafewminutes’conferencewithCaptainAinsworthaboutthecapacityofhisboat，andthestateoffactsalongtheriver，Iinstructedhimtobereadytostartbackat6
p。m。，andorderedCaptainByerstogetreadytocarrydispatchestoWashington。IalsoauthorizedGeneralHowardtosendbackbythisopportunitysomeofthefugitiveswhohadtraveledwithhisarmyallthewayfromColumbia，amongwhomwereMrs。Feasterandhertwobeautifuldaughters。
IimmediatelypreparedlettersforSecretaryStanton，GeneralsHalleckandGrant，andGeneralsSchofield，Foster，Easton，andBeckwith，allofwhichhavebeenpublished，butIincludehereonlythosetotheSecretaryofWar，andGeneralsGrantandTerry，assamplesofthewhole:
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI，INTHEFIELD，FAYETTVILLE，NORTHCAROLINA，Sunday，March。12，1885。
Hon。E。M。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
DEARSIR:Iknowyouwillbepleasedtohearthatmyarmyhasreachedthispoint，andhasopenedcommunicationwithWilmington。
Atug—boatcameupthismorning，andwillstartbackat6P。M。
IhavewrittenalettertoGeneralGrant，thesubstanceofwhichhewilldoubtlesscommunicate，anditmustsufficeformetotellyouwhatIknowwillgiveyoupleasure——thatIhavedoneallthatI
proposed，andthefruitsseemtomeampleforthetimeemployed。
Charleston，Georgetown，andWilmington，areincidents，whiletheutterdemolitionoftherailroadsystemofSouthCarolina，andtheutterdestructionoftheenemy’sarsenalsofColumbia，Cheraw，andFayetteville，aretheprincipalsofthemovement。Thesepointswereregardedasinaccessibletous，andnownoplaceintheConfederacyissafeagainstthearmyoftheWest。LetLeeholdontoRichmond，andwewilldestroyhiscountry;andthenofwhatuseisRichmond。Hemustcomeoutandfightusonopenground，andforthatwemusteverbeready。Lethimstickbehindhisparapets，andhewillperish。
Irememberwellwhatyouaskedme，andthinkIamontherightroad，thoughalongone。Myarmyisasunitedandcheerfulasever，andasfullofconfidenceinitselfanditsleaders。Itisutterlyimpossibleformetoenumeratewhatwehavedone，butI
incloseaslipjusthandedme，whichisbutpartial。AtColumbiaandCherawwedestroyednearlyallthegunpowderandcartridgeswhichtheConfederacyhadinthispartofthecountry。Thisarsenalisinfineorder，andhasbeenmuchenlarged。Icannotleaveadetachmenttoholdit，thereforeshallburnit，blowitupwithgunpowder，andthenwithramsknockdownitswalls。ItakeitforgrantedtheUnitedStateswillneveragaintrustNorthCorolinawithanarsenaltoappropriateatherpleasure。
Hopingthatgoodfortunemaystillattendmyarmy。Iremainyourservant，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI，INTHEFIELD，FAYETTVILLE，NORTHCAROLINA，Sunday，March。12，1885。
Lieutenant—GeneralU。S。GRANT，commandingUnited，StatesArmy，CityPoint，Virginia。
DEARGENERAL:Wereachedthisplaceyesterdayatnoon;Hardee，asusual，retreatingacrosstheCapeFear，burninghisbridges;butourpontoonswillbeupto—day，and，withaslittledelayaspossible，IwillbeafterhimtowardGoldsboro’。
AtughasjustcomeupfromWilmington，andbeforeIgetofffromhere，IhopetogetfromWilmingtonsomeshoesandstockings，sugar，coffee，andflour。Weareabundantlysuppliedwithallelse，havinginameasurelivedoffthecountry。
Thearmyisinsplendidhealth，condition，andspirits，thoughwehavehadfoulweather，androadsthatworldhavestoppedtraveltoalmostanyotherbodyofmenIeverheardof。
Ourmarch，wassubstantiallywhatIdesigned——straightonColumbia，feigningonBranchvilleandAugusta。Wedestroyed，inpassing，therailroadfromtheEdistonearlyuptoAiken;again，fromOrangeburgtotheCongaree;again，fromColombiadowntoKingsvilleontheWateree，anduptowardCharlotteasfarastheChesterline;thenceweturnedeastonCherawandFayetteville。AtColombiawedestroyedimmensearsenalsandrailroadestablishments，amongwhichworeforty—threecannon。AtCherawwefoundalsomachineryandmaterialofwarsentfromCharleston，amongwhichweretwenty—fivegunsandthirty—sixhundredbarrelsofpowder;andherewefindabouttwentygunsandamagnificentUnitedStates’arsenal。
Wecannotaffordtoleavedetachments，andIshallthereforedestroythisvaluablearsenal，sotheenemyshallnothaveitsuse;
andtheUnited，Statesshouldneveragainconfidesuchvaluablepropertytoapeoplewhohavebetrayedatrust。
Icouldleavehereto—morrow，butwanttoclearmycolumnsofthevastcrowdofrefugeesandnegroesthatencumberus。SomeIwillsenddowntheriverinboats，andtheresttoWilmingtonbyland，undersmallescort，assoonasweareacrossCapeFearRiver。
Ihopeyouhavenotbeenuneasyaboutus，andthatthefruitsofthismarchwillbeappreciated。Ithadtobemadenotonlytodestroythevaluabledepotsbytheway，butforitsincidentsinthenecessaryfallofCharleston，Georgetown，andWilmington。IfI
cannowaddGoldsboro’withouttoomuchcost，Iwillbeinapositiontoaidyoumateriallyinthespringcampaign。
Jos。JohnstonmaytrytointerposebetweenmehereandSchofieldaboutNewbern;butIthinkhewillnottrythat，butconcentratehisscatteredarmiesatRaleigh，andIwillgostraightathimassoonasIgetourmenreclothedandourwagonsreloaded。
Keepeverybodybusy，andletStonemanpushtowardGreensboro’orCharlottefromKnoxville;evenafeintinthatquarterwillbemostimportant。
TherailroadfromCharlottetoDanvilleisallthatislefttotheenemy，anditwillnotdoformetogothere，onaccountofthered—clayhillswhichareimpassabletowheelsinwetweather。
IexpecttomakeajunctionwithGeneralSchofieldintendays。
Yourstruly，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEMISSISSIPPI，INTHEFIELD，FAYETTVILLE，NORTHCAROLINA，Sunday，March。12，1885。
Major—GeneralTERRY，commandingUnitedStatesForces，Wilmington，NorthCarolina。
GENERAL:IhavejustreceivedyourmessagebythetugwhichleftWilmingtonat2p。m。yesterday，whicharrivedherewithouttrouble。Thescoutwhobroughtmeyourcipher—messagestartedbacklastnightwithmyanswers，whicharesupersededbythefactofyouropeningtheriver。
GeneralHowardjustreportsthathehassecuredoneoftheenemy’ssteamboatsbelowthecity，GeneralSlocumwilltrytosecuretwoothersknowntobeabove，andwewillloadthemwithrefugees（whiteandblack）whohaveclungtoourskirts，impededourmovements，andconsumedourfood。
Wehavesweptthe，countrywellfromSavannahtohere，andthemenandanimalsareinfinecondition。Haditnotbeenforthefoulweather，IwouldhavecaughtHardeeatCheraworhere;butatColumbia，Cheraw，andhere，wehavecapturedimmensestores，anddestroyedmachinery，guns，ammunition，andproperty，ofinestimablevaluetoourenemy。Atallpointshehasfledfromus，\"standingnotontheorderofhisgoing。\"
ThepeopleofSouthCarolina，insteadoffeedingLee’sarmy，willnowcallonLeetofeedthem。
Iwantyoutosendmealltheshoes，stockings，drawers，suger，coffee，andflour，youcanspare;finishtheloadswithoatsorcorn:Havetheboatsescorted，andletthemrunatnightatanyrisk。WemustnotgivetimeforJos。JohnstontoconcentrateatGoldsboro’。WecannotpreventhisconcentratingatRaleigh，butheshallhavenorest。IwantGeneralSchofieldtogoonwithhisrailroadfromNewbernasfarashecan，andyoushoulddothesamefromWilmington。IfwecangettheroadstoandsecureGoldsboro’
byApril10th，itwillbesoonenough;buteverydaynowisworthamillionofdollars。IcanwhipJos。Johnstonprovidedhedoesnotcatchoneofmycorpsinflank，andIwillseethatthearmymarcheshencetoGoldsboro’incompactform。
Imustridourarmyoffromtwentytothirtythousanduselessmouths;asmanytogodownCapeFearaspossible，andtheresttogoinvehiclesoroncapturedhorsesviaClintontoWilmington。
Ithankyoufortheenergeticactionthathasmarkedyourcourse，andshallbemosthappytomeetyou。Iam，trulyyourfriend，W。T。SHERMAN，Major—General。
InquicksuccessionIreceivedothermessagesfromGeneralTerry，ofolderdate，andthereforesupersededbythatbroughtbythetugDavidson，viz。，bytwonavalofficers，whohadcomeuppartlybycanoesandpartlybyland;GeneralTerryhadalsosenttheThirteenthPennsylvaniaCavalrytosearchforus，underColonelKerwin，whohaddispatchedMajorBerkswithfiftymen，whoreachedusatFayetteville;sothat，byMarch12th，IwasinfullcommunicationwithGeneralTerryandtheoutsideworld。Still，I
wasanxioustoreachGoldsboro’，theretomakejunctionwithGeneralSchofield，soastobereadyforthenextandlaststageofthewar。Ithenknewthatmyspecialantagonist，GeneralJos。E。
Johnston，wasback，withpartofhisoldarmy;thathewouldnotbemisledbyfeintsandfalsereports，andwouldsomehowcompelmetoexercisemorecautionthanIhadhithertodone。Ithenover—estimatedhisforceatthirty—seventhousandinfantry，supposedtobemadeupofS。D。Lee’scorps，fourthousand;
Cheatham’s，fivethousand;Hoke’s，eightthousand;Hardee’s，tenthousand;andotherdetachments，tenthousand;withHampton’s，Wheeler’s，andButler’scavalry，abouteightthousand。Ofthese，onlyHardeeandthecavalrywereimmediatelyinourfront，whilethebulkofJohnston’sarmywassupposedtobecollectingatornearRaleigh。Iwasdetermined，however，togivehimaslittletimefororganizationaspossible，andaccordinglycrossedCapeFearRiver，withallthearmy，duringthe13thand14th，leavingonedivisionasarearguard，untilthearsenalcouldbecompletelydestroyed。Thiswasdeliberatelyandcompletelyleveledonthe14th，whenfirewasappliedtothewreck。LittleotherdamagewasdoneatFayetteville。
Onthe14ththetugDavidsonagainarrivedfromWilmington，withGeneralDodge，quartermaster，onboard，reportingthattherewasnoclothingtobehadatWilmington;buthebroughtupsomesugarandcoffee，whichweremostwelcome，andsomeoats。Hewasfollowedbyacoupleofgunboats，undercommandofCaptainYoung，UnitedStatesNavy，whoreachedFayettevilleafterIhadleft，andundertooktopatroltheriveraslongasthestageofwaterwouldpermit;andGeneralDodgealsopromisedtousethecapturedsteamboatsforalikepurpose。Meantime，also，IhadsentorderstoGeneralSchofield，atNewbern，andtoGeneralTerry，atWilmington，tomovewiththeireffectiveforcesstraightforGoldsboro’，whereI
expectedtomeetthembythe20thofMarch。
Onthe15thofMarchthewholearmywasacrossCapeFearRiver，andatoncebeganitsmarchforGoldsboro’;theSeventeenthCorpsstillontheright，theFifteenthnextinorder，thentheFourteenthandTwentiethontheextremeleft;thecavalry，actingincloseconcertwiththeleftflank。Withalmostacertaintyofbeingattackedonthisflank，IhadinstructedGeneralSlocumtosendhiscorps—
trainsunderstrongescortbyaninteriorroad，holdingfourdivisionsreadyforimmediatebattle。GeneralHowardwasinlikemannerorderedtokeephistrainswelltohisright，andtohavefourdivisionsunencumbered，aboutsixmilesaheadofGeneralSlocum，withineasysupport。
Inthemeantime，IhaddispatchedbylandtoWilmingtonatrainofrefugeeswhohadfollowedthearmyallthewayfromColumbia，SouthCarolina，underanescortoftwohundredmen，commandedbyMajorJohnA。Winson（OneHundredandSixteenthIllinoisInfantry），sothatweweredisencumbered，andpreparedforinstantbattleonourleftandexposedflank。
InpersonIaccompaniedGeneralSlocum，andduringthenightofMarch15thwasthirteenmilesoutontheRaleighroad。ThisflankfollowedsubstantiallyaroadalongCapeFearRivernorth，encounteredprettystubbornresistancebyHardee’sinfantry，artillery，andcavalry，andthegroundfavoredourenemy;forthedeepriver，CapeFear，wasonhisright，andNorthRiveronhisleft，forcingustoattackhimsquareinfront。IproposedtodriveHardeewellbeyondAverysboro’，andthentoturntotherightbyBentonavilleforGoldsboro’。Duringthedayitrainedveryhard，andIhadtakenrefugeinanoldcooper—shop，whereaprisonerofwarwasbroughttome（sentbackfromtheskirmish—linebyGeneralKilpatrick），whoprovedtobeColonelAlbertRhett，formercommanderofFortSumter。Hewasatall，slender，andhandsomeyoungman，dressedinthemostapprovedrebeluniform，withhighjackbootsbeautifullystitched，andwasdreadfullymortifiedtofindhimselfaprisonerinourhands。GeneralFrankBlairhappenedtobewithmeatthemoment，andweweremuchamusedatRhett’soutspokendisgustathavingbeencapturedwithoutafight。Hesaidhewasabrigadecommander，andthathisbrigadethatdaywasHardee’srear—guard;thathiscommandwascomposedmostlyoftherecentgarrisonsofthebatteriesofCharlestonHarbor，andhadlittleexperienceinwoodcraft;thathewasgivinggroundtousasfastasHardee’sarmytohisrearmovedback，andduringthisoperationhewaswithasingleaideinthewoods，andwascapturedbytwomenofKilpatrick’sskirmish—linethatwasfollowinguphisretrogrademovement。Thesemencalledonhimtosurrender，andorderedhim，inlanguagemoreforciblethanpolite，toturnandrideback。HefirstsupposedthesementobeofHampton’scavalry，andthreatenedtoreportthemtoGeneralHamptonfordisrespectfullanguage;buthewassoonundeceived，andwasconductedtoKilpatrick，whosenthimbacktoGeneralSlocum’sguard。
Therainwasfallingheavily，and，ourwagonscomingup，wewentintocampthere，andhadRhettandGeneralBlairtotakesupperwithus，andourconversationwasfullandquiteinteresting。Induetime，however，RhettwaspassedoverbyGeneralSlocumtohisprovost—guard，withorderstobetreatedwithduerespect，——andwasfurnishedwithahorsetoride。
Thenextday（the16th）theoppositioncontinuedstubborn，andnearAverysboro’Hardeehadtakenupastrongposition，beforewhichGeneralSlocumdeployedJackson’sdivision（oftheTwentiethCorps），withpartofWard’s。Kilpatrickwasonhisrightfront。
Comingup，Iadvisedthatabrigadeshouldmakeawidecircuitbytheleft，and，ifpossible，catchthislineinflank。Themovementwascompletelysuccessful，thefirstlineoftheenemywassweptaway，andwecapturedthelargerpartofRhett’sbrigade，twohundredandseventeenmen，includingCaptainMacbeth’sbatteryofthreeguns，andburiedonehundredandeightdead。
Thedeployedlines（Ward’sandJackson’s）pressedon，andfoundHardeeagainintrenched;butthenextmorninghewasgone，infullretreattowardSmithfield。Inthisaction，calledthebattleofAverysboro’，welosttwelveofficersandsixty—fivemenkilled，andfourhundredandseventy—sevenmenwounded;aseriousloss，becauseeverywoundedmanhadtobecarriedinanambulance。Therebelwounded（sixty—eight）werecarriedtoahousenearby，allsurgicaloperationsnecessarywereperformedbyoursurgeons，andthenthesewoundedmenwereleftincareofanofficerandfourmenoftherebelprisoners，withascantysupplyoffood，whichwasthebestwecoulddoforthem。InpersonIvisitedthishousewhilethesurgeonswereatwork，witharmsandlegslyingaroundloose，intheyardandontheporch;andinaroomonabedlayapale，handsomeyoungfellow，whoseleftarmhadjustbeencutoffneartheshoulder。Someoneusedmyname，whenheasked，inafeeblevoice，ifIwereGeneralSherman。HethenannouncedhimselfasCaptainMacbeth，whosebatteryhadjustbeencaptured;andsaidthatherememberedmewhenIusedtovisithisfather’shouse，inCharleston。Iinquiredabouthisfamily，andenabledhimtowriteanotetohismother，whichwassentherafterwardfromGoldsboro’。
IhaveseenthatsameyounggentlemansinceinSt。Louis，wherehewasaclerkinaninsurance—office。
WhilethebattleofAverysboro’wasinprogress，andIwassittingonmyhorse，Iwasapproachedbyamanonfoot，withoutshoesorcoat，andhisheadbandagedbyahandkerchief。HeannouncedhimselfastheCaptainDuncanwhohadbeencapturedbyWadeHamptoninFayetteville，buthadescaped;and，onmyinquiringhowhehappenedtobeinthatplight，heexplainedthatwhenhewasaprisonerWadeHampton’smenhadmadehim\"getoutofhiscoat，hat，andshoes，\"whichtheyappropriatedtothemselves。HesaidWadeHamptonhadseenthemdoit，andhehadappealedtohimpersonallyforprotection，asanofficer，butHamptonansweredhimwithacurse。IsentDuncantoGeneralKilpatrick，andheardafterwardthatKilpatrickhadappliedtoGeneralSlocumforhisprisoner，ColonelRhett，whomhemademarchonfoottherestofthewaytoGoldsboro’，inretaliation。TherewasastoryafloatthatKilpatrickmadehimgetoutofthosefineboots，butrestoredthembecausenoneofhisownofficershadfeetdelicateenoughtowearthem。Ofcourse，Iknownothingofthispersonally，andhaveneverseenRhettsincethatnightbythecooper—shop;andsupposethatheistheeditorwhorecentlyfoughtaduelinNewOrleans。
>FromAverysboro’theleftwingturnedeast，towardGoldsboro’，theFourteenthCorpsleading。Iremainedwiththiswinguntilthenightofthe18th，whenwewerewithintwenty—sevenmilesofGoldsboro’andfivefromBentonsville;and，supposingthatalldangerwasover，IcrossedovertojoinHoward’scolumn，totheright，soastobenearertoGeneralsSchofieldandTerry，knowntobeapproachingGoldsboro’。IovertookGeneralHowardatFalling—
CreekChurch，andfoundhiscolumnwelldrawnout，byreasonofthebadroads。IhadheardsomecannonadingoveraboutSlocum’sheadofcolumn，andsupposedittoindicateaboutthesamemeasureofoppositionbyHardee’stroopsandHampton’scavalrybeforeexperienced;butduringthedayamessengerovertookme，andnotifiedmethatnearBentonsvilleGeneralSlocumhadrunupagainstJohnston’swholearmy。Isentbackordersforhimtofightdefensivelytosavetime，andthatIwouldcomeupwithreenforcementsfromthedirectionofCog’sBridge，bytheroadwhichwehadreachednearFalling—CreekChurch。Thecountrywasveryobscure，andthemapsextremelydefective。
BythismovementIhopedGeneralSlocumwouldholdJohnston’sarmyfacingwest，whileIwouldcomeonhisrearfromtheeast。TheFifteenthCorps，lessonedivision（Hazen’s），stillwelltotherear，wasturnedatoncetowardBentonsville;Hazen’sdivisionwasorderedtoSlocum’sflank，andorderswerealsosentforGeneralBlair，withtheSeventeenthCorps，tocometothesamedestination。
MeantimethesoundofcannoncamefromthedirectionofBentonsville。
Thenightofthe19thcaughtusnearFalling—CreekChurch;butearlythenextmorningtheFifteenth’Corps，GeneralC。R。Woods’sdivisionleading，closeddownonBentonsville，nearwhichitwasbroughtupbyencounteringalineoffreshparapet，crossingtheroadandextendingnorth，towardMillCreek。
Afterdeploying，IorderedGeneralHowardtoproceedwithduecaution，usingskirmishersalone，tillhehadmadejunctionwithGeneralSlocum，onhisleft。Thesedeploymentsoccupiedallday，duringwhichtwodivisionsoftheSeventeenthCorpsalsogotup。
AtthattimeGeneralJohnston’sarmyoccupiedtheformofaV，theanglereachingtheroadleadingfromAverysboro’toGoldsboro’，andtheflanksrestingonMillCreek，，hislinesembracingthevillageofBentonsville。
GeneralSlocum’swingfacedoneoftheselinesandGeneralHoward’stheother;and，intheuncertaintyofGeneralJohnston’sstrength，Ididnotfeeldisposedtoinviteageneralbattle，forwehadbeenoutfromSavannahsincethelatterpartofJanuary，andourwagon—
trainscontainedbutlittlefood。IhadalsoreceivedmessagesduringthedayfromGeneralSchofield，atKinston，andGeneralTerry，atFaison’sDepot，approachingGoldsboro’，bothexpectingtoreachitbyMarch21St。Duringthe20thwesimplyheldourgroundandstartedourtrainsbacktoKinstonforprovisions，whichwouldbeneededintheeventofbeingforcedtofightageneralbattleatBentonsville。Thenextday（21st）itbegantorainagain，andweremainedquiettillaboutnoon，whenGeneralMower，everrash，brokethroughtherebellineonhisextremeleftflank，andwaspushingstraightforBentonsvilleandthebridgeacrossMillCreek。
Iorderedhimbacktoconnectwithhisowncorps;and，lesttheenemyshouldconcentrateonhim，orderedthewholerebellinetobeengagedwithastrongskirmish—fire。
IthinkImadeamistakethere，andshouldrapidlyhavefollowedMower’sleadwiththewholeoftherightwing，whichwouldhavebroughtonageneralbattle，anditcouldnothaveresultedotherwisethansuccessfullytous，byreasonofourvastlysuperiornumbers;butatthemoment，forthereasonsgiven，IpreferredtomakejunctionwithGeneralsTerryandSchofield，beforeengagingJohnston’sarmy，thestrengthofwhichwasutterlyunknown。Thenextdayhewasgone，andhadretreatedonSmithfield;and，theroadsallbeingclear，ourarmymovedtoGoldsboro’。TheheaviestfightingatBentonsvillewasonthefirstday，viz。，the19th，whenJohnston’sarmystrucktheheadofSlocum’scolumns，knockingbackCarlin’sdivision;but，assoonasGeneralSlocumhadbroughtuptherestoftheFourteenthCorpsintoline，andafterwardtheTwentiethonitsleft，hereceivedandrepulsedallattacks，andheldhisgroundasordered，toawaitthecomingbackoftherightwing。Hisloss，asreported，wasnineofficersandonehundredandforty—fivemenkilled，eighthundredandsixteenwounded，andtwohundredandtwenty—sixmissing。Hereportedhavingburiedoftherebeldeadonehundredandsixty—seven，andcapturedthreehundredandthirty—eightprisoners。
Thelossoftherightwingwastwoofficersandthirty—fivemenkilled，twelveofficersandtwohundredandeighty—ninemenwounded，andseventymissing。GeneralHowardreportedthathehadburiedonehundredoftherebeldead，andhadcapturedtwelvehundredandeighty—sevenprisoners。
Ourtotalloss，therefore，atBentonsvillewas:1，604
GeneralJohnston，inhis\"Narrative\"（p。392），assertsthathisentireforceatBentonsville，omittingWheeler’sandButler’scavalry，onlyamountedtofourteenthousandonehundredinfantryandartillery;and（p。393）stateshislossesas:2，343
Widediscrepanciesexistinthesefigures:forinstance，GeneralSlocumaccountsforthreehundredandthirty—eightprisonerscaptured，andGeneralHowardfortwelvehundredandeighty—seven，makingsixteenhundredandtwenty—fiveinall，toJohnston’ssixhundredandfiftythree——adifferenceofeighthundredandseventy—two。IhavealwaysaccordedtoGeneralJohnstonduecreditforboldnessinhisattackonourexposedflankatBentoneville，butIthinkheunderstateshisstrength，anddoubtwhetheratthetimehehadaccuratereturnsfromhismiscellaneousarmy，collectedfromHoke，Bragg，Hardee，Lee，etc。AfterthefirstattackonCarlin’sdivision，Idoubtifthefightingwasasdesperateasdescribedbyhim，p。385，etseq。IwascloseupwiththeFifteenthCorps，onthe20thand21st，consideredthefightingasmereskirmishing，andknowthatmyordersweretoavoidageneralbattle，tillwecouldbesureofGoldsboro’，andofopeningupanewbaseofsupply。Withtheknowledgenowpossessedofhissmallforce，ofcourseIcommittedanerrorinnotoverwhelmingJohnston’sarmyonthe21stofMarch，1865。ButIwascontentthentolethimgo，andonthe22dofMarchrodetoCog’sBridge，whereImetGeneralTerry，withhistwodivisionsoftheTenthCorps;andthenextdaywerodeintoGoldsboro’，whereIfoundGeneralSchofieldwiththeTwenty—thirdCorps，thuseffectingaperfectjunctionofallthearmyatthatpoint，asoriginallycontemplated。
Duringthe23dand24ththewholearmywasassembledatGoldsboro’;
GeneralTerry’stwodivisionsencampedatFaison’sDepottothesouth，andGeneralKilpatrick’scavalryatMountOliveStation，nearhim，andthereweallrested，whileIdirectedmyspecialattentiontoreplenishingthearmyforthenextandlaststageofthecampaign。ColonelW。W。Wrighthadbeensoindefatigable，thattheNewbernRailroadwasdone，andalocomotivearrivedinGoldsboro’onthe25thofMarch。
Thuswasconcludedoneofthelongestandmostimportantmarchesevermadebyanorganizedarmyinacivilizedcountry。ThedistancefromSavannahtoGoldsboro’isfourhundredandtwenty—fivemiles，andtheroutetraversedembracedfivelargenavigablerivers，viz。，theEdisto，Broad，Catawba，Pedee，andCapeFear，ateitherofwhichacomparativelysmallforce，well—handled，shouldhavemadethepassagemostdifficult，ifnotimpossible。
Thecountrygenerallywasinastateofnature，withinnumerableswamps，withsimplymudroads，nearlyeverymileofwhichhadtobecorduroyed。InourroutewehadcapturedColumbia，Cheraw，andFayetteville，importantcitiesanddepotsofsupplies，hadcompelledtheevacuationofCharlestonCityandHarbor，hadutterlybrokenupalltherailroadsofSouthCarolina，andhadconsumedavastamountoffoodandforage，essentialtotheenemyforthesupportofhisownarmies。Wehadinmid—winteraccomplishedthewholejourneyoffourhundredandtwenty—fivemilesinfiftydays，averagingtenmilesperday，allowingtenlay—days，andhadreachedGoldsboro’withthearmyinsuperborder，andthetrainsalmostasfreshaswhenwehadstartedfromAtlanta。
Itwasmanifesttomethatwecouldresumeourmarch，andcomewithinthetheatreofGeneralGrant’sfieldofoperationsinallApril，andthattherewasnoforceinexistencethatcoulddelayourprogress，unlessGeneralLeeshouldsucceedineludingGeneralGrantatPetersburg，makejunctionwithGeneralJohnston，andthusunitedmeetmealone;andnowthatwehadeffectedajunctionwithGeneralsTerryandSchofield，Ihadnofearevenofthatevent。OnreachingGoldsboro，IlearnedfromGeneralSchofieldallthedetailsofhisoperationsaboutWilmingtonandNewbern;alsoofthefightoftheTwenty—thirdCorpsaboutKinston，withGeneralBragg。
IalsofoundLieutenantDunn，ofGeneralGrant’sstaff，awaitingme，withthegeneral’sletterofFebruary7th，coveringinstructionstoGeneralsSchofieldandThomas;andhisletterofMarch16th，inanswertomineofthe12th，fromFayetteville。
Theseareallgivenheretoexplainthefullreasonsfortheeventsofthewartheninprogress，withtwoorthreelettersfrommyself，tofilloutthepicture。
HEADQUARTERSOFTHEARMIESOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
CITYPOINT，VIRGINIA，February7，1865
Major—GeneralW。T。SHERMAN，commandingMilitaryDivisionoftheMississippiGENERAL:Withoutmuchexpectationofitreachingyouintimetobeofanyservice，IhavemailedtoyoucopiesofinstructionstoSchofieldandThomas。IhadinformedSchofieldbytelegraphofthedepartureofMahone’sdivision，southfromthePetersburgfront。
ThesetroopsmarcheddowntheWeldonroad，and，astheyapparentlywentwithoutbaggage，itisdoubtfulwhethertheyhavenotreturned。Iwasabsentfromherewhentheyleft。JustreturnedyesterdaymorningfromCapeFearRiver。IwenttheretodeterminewhereSchofield’scorpshadbettergotooperateagainstWilmingtonandGoldsboro’。Theinstructionswiththiswillinformyouoftheconclusionarrivedat。
Schofieldwaswithme，andtheplanofthemovementagainstWilmingtonfullydeterminedbeforewestartedback;hencetheabsenceofmoredetailedinstructionstohim。HewilllandonedivisionatSmithville，andmoverapidlyupthesouthsideoftheriver，andsecuretheWilmington&CharlotteRailroad，andwithhispontoontraincrossovertotheislandsouthofthecity，ifhecan。Withtheaidofthegunboats，thereisnodoubtbutthismovewilldrivetheenemyfromtheirpositioneightmileseastofthecity，eitherbacktotheirlineorawayaltogether。TherewillbealargeforceonthenorthbankofCapeFearRiver，readytofollowupandinvestthegarrison，iftheyshouldgoinside。
TherailroadsofNorthCarolinaarefourfeeteightandone—halfinches。gauge。Ihavesentlargepartiesofrailroad—mentheretobuildthemup，andhaveorderedstocktorunthem。Wehaveabundanceofitidlefromthenon—useoftheVirginiaroads。I
havetakeneveryprecautiontohavesuppliesreadyforyouwhereveryoumayternup。IdidthisbeforewhenyouleftAtlanta，andregretthattheydidnotreachyoupromptlywhenyoureachedsalt—water