«Мемуары генерала У. Т. Шермана. Том II, Часть 4»

Генерал Джонстон в своем «Повествовании» (стр. 392) утверждает, что его общие силы при Бентонвилле, если не считать кавалерию Уиллера и Батлера, составляли всего четырнадцать тысяч сто пехотинцев и артиллеристов; а на странице 393 он приводит следующие свои потери: 2343 человека В этих цифрах существуют крупные расхождения: например, генерал Слокем отчитывается о 338 захваченных пленных, а генерал Говард — о 1287, что в сумме дает 1625 человек против 653 у Джонстона — разница составляет 872 человека. Я всегда отдавал должное генералу Джонстону за смелость при нападении на наш уязвимый фланг под Бентонвиллем, однако считаю, что он занижает свои силы, и сомневаюсь, что в то время у него были точные ведомости по его разношерстной армии, собранной из частей Хока, Брэгга, Харди, Ли и др. После первой атаки на дивизию Карлина я сомневаюсь, что бои носили столь отчаянный характер, как описано им на странице 385 и далее. Я находился в непосредственной близости от Пятнадцатого корпуса 20-го и 21-го чисел, расценивал те стычки как рядовые перестрелки и знаю, что имел приказ избегать генерального сражения до тех пор, пока мы не будем уверены в Голдсборо и в создании новой базы снабжения. Обладая нынешними знаниями о его малочисленных силах, я, конечно, совершил ошибку, не разгромив армию Джонстона 21 марта 1865 года. Но тогда я был доволен и тем, что позволил ему уйти, и 22 марта выехал к Когс-Бриджу, где встретился с генералом Терри и его двумя дивизиями Десятого корпуса; а на следующий день мы въехали в Голдсборо, где я обнаружил генерала Скофилда с Двадцать третьим корпусом, осуществив тем самым идеальное соединение всей армии в этой точке, как и предполагалось изначально. В течение 23-го и 24-го чисел вся армия собралась в Голдсборо; две дивизии генерала Терри расположились лагерем на Фейсонс-Депо к югу от него, а кавалерия генерала Килпатрика — на станции Маунт-Олив неподалеку, и там мы все отдыхали, в то время как я сосредоточил особое внимание на пополнении припасов армии для следующего и заключительного этапа кампании. Полковник В. В. Райт проявил такую неутомимость, что Ньюбернская железная дорога была восстановлена, и 25 марта в Голдсборо прибыл первый паровоз. Так завершился один из самых протяженных и важных маршей, когда-либо совершенных организованной армией в цивилизованной стране. Расстояние от Саванны до Голдсборо составляет четыреста двадцать пять миль, а пройденный маршрут охватывал пять крупных судоходных рек, а именно: Эдисто, Брод, Катоба, Пиди и Кейп-Фир, на любой из которых относительно небольшие, но умелые силы должны были сделать переправу чрезвычайно трудной, если не невозможной. Местность в целом находилась в первозданном состоянии, изобиловала бесчисленными болотами и располагала лишь грунтовыми дорогами, почти каждый милю которых приходилось покрывать лежневым настилом. На нашем пути мы захватили Колумбию, Черо и Фейетвилл — важные города и склады снабжения, принудили к эвакуации город и гавань Чарлстона, полностью разрушили все железные дороги Южной Каролины и потребил колоссальное количество продовольствия и фуража, необходимых противнику для содержания собственных армий. Мы совершили весь путь в четыреста двадцать пять миль в разгар зимы за пятьдесят дней, преодолевая в среднем по десять миль в день с учетом десяти дневок, и прибыли в Голдсборо с армией в великолепном состоянии и с обозами, сохранившимися почти так же свежо, как при нашем выступлении из Атланты. Для меня было очевидно, что мы сможем возобновить марш и войти в театр оперативных действий генерала Гранта в течение всего апреля, и что в природе не существовало сил, способных задержать наше продвижение, если только генералу Ли не удастся ускользнуть от генерала Гранта под Петерсбергом, соединиться с генералом Джонстоном и в таком составе встретить меня в одиночку; и теперь, когда мы соединились с генералами Терри и Скофилдом, я не опасался даже этого исхода. По прибытии в Голдсборо я узнал от генерала Скофилда все подробности его операций под Уилмингтоном и Ньюберном, а также о стычке Двадцать третьего корпуса под Кинстоном с генералом Брэггом. Я также обнаружил ожидавшего меня лейтенанта Данна из штаба генерала Гранта с письмом генерала от 7 февраля, содержащим инструкции генералам Скофилду и Томасу, и его письмом от 16 марта в ответ на мое от 12-го числа из Фейетвилла. Все они приводятся здесь для разъяснения полных причин событий шедшей тогда войны, дополненных двумя-тремя моими собственными письмами для полноты картины.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES

CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, February 7, 1865

Major-General W. T. SHERMAN, commanding Military Division of the Mississippi

GENERAL: Without much expectation of it reaching you in time to be of any service, I have mailed to you copies of instructions to Schofield and Thomas. I had informed Schofield by telegraph of the departure of Mahone's division, south from the Petersburg front. These troops marched down the Weldon road, and, as they apparently went without baggage, it is doubtful whether they have not returned. I was absent from here when they left. Just returned yesterday morning from Cape Fear River. I went there to determine where Schofield's corps had better go to operate against Wilmington and Goldsboro'. The instructions with this will inform you of the conclusion arrived at.

Schofield was with me, and the plan of the movement against Wilmington fully determined before we started back; hence the absence of more detailed instructions to him. He will land one division at Smithville, and move rapidly up the south side of the river, and secure the Wilmington & Charlotte Railroad, and with his pontoon train cross over to the island south of the city, if he can. With the aid of the gunboats, there is no doubt but this move will drive the enemy from their position eight miles east of the city, either back to their line or away altogether. There will be a large force on the north bank of Cape Fear River, ready to follow up and invest the garrison, if they should go inside.

The railroads of North Carolina are four feet eight and one-half inches. gauge. I have sent large parties of railroad-men there to build them up, and have ordered stock to run them. We have abundance of it idle from the non-use of the Virginia roads. I have taken every precaution to have supplies ready for you wherever you may turn up. I did this before when you left Atlanta, and regret that they did not reach you promptly when you reached salt-water....

Alexander Stephens, R. M. T. Hunter, and Judge Campbell, are now at my headquarters, very desirous of going to Washington to see Mr. Lincoln, informally, on the subject of peace. The peace feeling within the rebel lines is gaining ground rapidly. This, however, should not relax our energies in the least, but should stimulate us to greater activity.

I have received your very kind letters, in which you say you would decline, or are opposed to, promotion. No one world be more pleased at your advancement than I, and if you should be placed in my position, and I put subordinate, it would not change our personal relations in the least. I would make the same exertions to support you that you have ever done to support me, and would do all in my power to make our cause win.

Yours truly,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES

CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, January 81, 1865.

Major-General G. H. THOMAS, commanding Army of the Cumberland.

GENERAL: With this I send you a letter from General Sherman. At the time of writing it, General Sherman was not informed of the depletion of your command by my orders. It will, be impossible at present for you to move south as he contemplated, with the force of infantry indicated. General Slocum is advised before this of the changes made, and that for the winter you will be on the defensive. I think, however, an expedition from East Tennessee, under General Stoneman might penetrate South Carolina, well down toward Columbia, destroying the railroad and military resources of the country, thus visiting a portion of the State which will not be reached by Sherman's forces. He might also be able to return to East Tennessee by way of Salisbury, North Carolina, thus releasing home our prisoners of war in rebel hands.

Of the practicability of doing this, General Stoneman will have to be the judge, making up his mind from information obtained while executing the first part of his instructions. Sherman's movements will attract the attention of all the force the enemy can collect, thus facilitating the execution of this.

Three thousand cavalry would be a sufficient force to take. This probably can be raised in the old Department of the Ohio, without taking any now under General Wilson. It would require, though, the reorganization of the two regiments of Kentucky Cavalry, which Stoneman had in his very successful raid into Southwestern Virginia.

It will be necessary, probably, for you to send, in addition to the force now in East Tennessee, a small division of infantry, to enable General Gillem to hold the upper end of Holston Valley, and the mountain-passes in rear of Stevenson.

You may order such an expedition. To save time, I will send a copy of this to General Stoneman, so that he can begin his preparations without loss of time, and can commence his correspondence with you as to these preparations.

As this expedition goes to destroy and not to fight battles, but to avoid them when practicable, particularly against any thing like equal forces, or where a great object is to be gained, it should go as light as possible. Stoneman's experience, in raiding will teach him in this matter better than he can be directed.

Let there be no delay in the preparations for this expedition, and keep me advised of its progress. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES

CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, January 81, 1865.

Major-General J. M. SCHOFIELD, commanding army of the Ohio.

GENERAL: I have requested by telegraph that, for present purposes, North Carolina be erected into a department, and that you be placed in command of it, subject to Major-General Sherman's orders. Of course, you will receive orders from me direct until such time as General Sherman gets within communicating distance of you. This obviates the necessity of my publishing the order which I informed you would meet you at Fortress Monroe. If the order referred to should not be published from the Adjutant-General's office, you will read these instructions as your authority to assume command of all the troops in North Carolina, dating all official communications, "Headquarters Army of the Ohio." Your headquarters will be in the field, and with the portion of the army where you feel yourself most needed. In the first move you will go to Cape Fear River.

Your movements are intended as cooperative with Sherman's movement through the States of South and North Carolina. The first point to be obtained is to secure Wilmington. Goldsboro' will then be your objective point, moving either from Wilmington or Newbern, or both, as you may deem best. Should you not be able to reach Goldsboro', you will advance on the line or lines of railway connecting that place with the sea-coast, as near to it as you can, building the road behind you. The enterprise under you has two objects: the first is, to give General Sherman material aid, if needed, in his march north; the second, to open a base of supplies for him on the line of his march. As soon, therefore, as you can determine which of the two points, Wilmington or Newbern, you can best use for throwing supplies from to the interior, you will commence the accumulation of twenty days rations and forage for sixty thousand men and twenty thousand animals. You will get of these as many as you can house and protect, to such point in the interior as you may be able to occupy.

I believe General Innis N. Palmer has received some instructions directly from General Sherman, on the subject of securing supplies for his army. You can learn what steps he has taken, and be governed in your requisitions accordingly. A supply of ordnance-stores will also be necessary.

Make all your requisitions upon the chiefs of their respective departments, in the field, with me at City Point. Communicate with me by every opportunity, and, should you deem it necessary at any time, send a special boat to Fortress Monroe, from which point you can communicate by telegraph.

The supplies referred to in these instructions are exclusive of those required by your own command.

The movements of the enemy may justify you, or even make it your imperative duty, to cut loose from your base and strike for the interior, to aid Sherman. In such case you will act on your own judgment, without waiting for instructions. You will report, however, what you propose doing. The details for carrying out these instructions are necessarily left to you. I would urge, however, if I did not know that you are already fully alive to the importance of it, prompt action. Sherman may be looked for in the neighborhood of Goldsboro' any time from the 22d to the 28th of February. This limits your time very materially.

If rolling-stock is not secured in the capture of Wilmington, it can be supplied from Washington: A large force of railroad-men has already been sent to Beaufort, and other mechanics will go to Fort Fisher in a day or two. On this point I have informed you by telegraph.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES

CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, March 16, 1865.

Major-General W. T. SHERMAN, commanding military Division of the Mississippi.

GENERAL: Your interesting letter of the 12th inst. is just received. I have never felt any uneasiness for your safety, but I have felt great anxiety to know just how you were progressing. I knew, or thought I did, that, with the magnificent army with you, you would come out safely somewhere.

To secure certain success, I deemed the capture of Wilmington of the greatest importance. Butler came near losing that prize to us. But Terry and Schofield have since retrieved his blunders, and I do not know but the first failure has been as valuable a success for the country as the capture of Fort Fisher. Butler may not see it in that light.

Ever since you started on the last campaign, and before, I have been attempting to get something done in the West, both to cooperate with you and to take advantage of the enemy's weakness there--to accomplish results favorable to us. Knowing Thomas to be slow beyond excuse, I depleted his army to reinforce Canby, so that he might act from Mobile Bay on the interior. With all I have said, he has not moved at last advices. Canby was sending a cavalry force, of about seven thousand, from Vicksburg toward Selma. I ordered Thomas to send Wilson from Eastport toward the same point, and to get him off as soon after the 20th of February as possible. He telegraphed me that he would be off by that date. He has not yet started, or had not at last advices. I ordered him to send Stoneman from East Tennessee into Northwest South Carolina, to be there about the time you would reach Columbia. He would either have drawn off the enemy's cavalry from you, or would have succeeded in destroying railroads, supplies, and other material, which you could not reach. At that time the Richmond papers were full of the accounts of your movements, and gave daily accounts of movements in West North Carolina. I supposed all the time it was Stoneman. You may judge my surprise when I afterward learned that Stoneman was still in Louisville, Kentucky, and that the troops in North Carolina were Kirk's forces! In order that Stoneman might get off without delay, I told Thomas that three thousand men would be sufficient for him to take. In the mean time I had directed Sheridan to get his cavalry ready, and, as soon as the snow in the mountains melted sufficiently, to start for Staunton, and go on and destroy the Virginia Central Railroad and canal. Time advanced, until he set the 28th of February for starting. I informed Thomas, and directed him to change the course of Stoneman toward Lynchburg, to destroy the road in Virginia up as near to that place as possible. Not hearing from Thomas, I telegraphed to him about the 12th, to know if Stoneman was yet off. He replied not, but that he (Thomas) would start that day for Knoxville, to get him off as soon as possible.

Sheridan has made his raid, and with splendid success, so far as heard. I am looking for him at "White House" to-day. Since about the 20th of last month the Richmond papers have been prohibited from publishing accounts of army movements. We are left to our own resources, therefore, for information. You will see from the papers what Sheridan has done; if you do not, the officer who bears this will tell you all.

Lee has depleted his army but very little recently, and I learn of none going south. Some regiments may have been detached, but I think no division or brigade. The determination seems to be to hold Richmond as long as possible. I have a force sufficient to leave enough to hold our lines (all that is necessary of them), and move out with plenty to whip his whole army. But the roads are entirely impassable. Until they improve, I shall content myself with watching Lee, and be prepared to pitch into him if he attempts to evacuate the place. I may bring Sheridan over--think I will--and break up the Danville and Southside Railroads. These are the last avenues left to the enemy.

Recruits have come in so rapidly at the West that Thomas has now about as much force as he had when he attacked Hood. I have stopped all who, under previous orders, would go to him, except those from Illinois.

Fearing the possibility of the enemy falling back to Lynchburg, and afterward attempting to go into East Tennessee or Kentucky, I have ordered Thomas to move the Fourth Corps to Bull's Gap, and to fortify there, and to hold out to the Virginia line, if he can. He has accumulated a large amount of supplies in Knoxville, and has been ordered not to destroy any of the railroad west of the Virginia Hue. I told him to get ready for a campaign toward Lynchburg, if it became necessary. He never can make one there or elsewhere; but the steps taken will prepare for any one else to take his troops and come east or go toward Rome, whichever may be necessary. I do not believe either will.

When I hear that you and Schofield are together, with your back upon the coast, I shall feel that you are entirely safe against any thing the enemy can do. Lee may evacuate Richmond, but he cannot get there with force enough to touch you. His army is now demoralized and deserting very fast, both to us and to their homes. A retrograde movement would cost him thousands of men, even if we did not follow.

Five thousand men, belonging to the corps with you, are now on their way to join you. If more reenforcements are necessary, I will send them. My notion is, that you should get Raleigh as soon as possible, and hold the railroad from there back. This may take more force than you now have.

From that point all North Carolina roads can be made useless to the enemy, without keeping up communications with the rear.

Hoping to hear soon of your junction with the forces from Wilmington and Newborn, I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD,

COX'S BRIGADE, NEUSE RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA, March 22, 1865

Lieutenant-General U. S. GRANT, Commander-in-Chief, City Point, Virginia.

GENERAL: I wrote you from Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Tuesday, the 14th instant, that I was all ready to start for Goldsboro', to which point I had also ordered General Schofield, from Newborn, and General Terry, from Wilmington. I knew that General Jos. Johnston was supreme in command against me, and that he would have time to concentrate a respectable army to oppose the last stage of this march. Accordingly, General Slocum was ordered to send his main supply-train, under escort of two divisions, straight for Bentonsville, while he, with his other four divisions, disencumbered of all unnecessary wagons, should march toward Raleigh, by way of threat, as far as Averysboro'. General Howard, in like manner, sent his trains with the Seventeenth Corps, well to the right, and, with the four divisions of the Fifteenth Corps, took roads which would enable him to come promptly to the exposed left flank. We started on the 16th, but again the rains set in, and the roads, already bad enough, became horrible.

On Tuesday, the 16th, General Slocum found Hardee's army, from Charleston, which had retreated before us from Cheraw, in position across the narrow, swampy neck between Cape Fear and North Rivers, where the road branches off to Goldsboro'. There a pretty severe fight occurred, in which General Slocum's troops carried handsomely the advanced line, held by a South Carolina brigade, commanded by a Colonel Butler. Its Commander, Colonel Rhett, of Fort Sumter notoriety, with one of his staff, had the night before been captured, by Kilpatrick's scouts, from his very skirmish-line. The next morning Hardee was found gone, and was pursued through and beyond Averysboro'. General Slocum buried one hundred and eight dead rebels, and captured and destroyed three guns. Some eighty wounded rebels were left in our hands, and, after dressing their wounds, we left them in a house, attended by a Confederate officer and four privates, detailed out of our prisoners and paroled for the purpose.

We resumed the march toward Goldsboro'. I was with the left wing until I supposed all danger had passed; but, when General Slocum's head of column was within four miles of Bentonsville, after skirmishing as usual with cavalry, he became aware that there was infantry in his front. He deployed a couple of brigades, which, on advancing, sustained a partial repulse, but soon rallied, when he formed a line of the two leading divisions (Morgan's and Carlin's) of Jeff. C. Davis's corps. The enemy attacked these with violence, but was repulsed. This was in the forenoon of Sunday, the 19th. General Slocum brought forward the two divisions of the Twentieth Corps, hastily disposed of them for defense, and General Kilpatrick massed his cavalry on the left.

General Jos. Johnston had, the night before, marched his whole army (Bragg, Cheatham, S. D. Lee, Hardee, and all the troops he had drawn from every quarter), determined, as he told his men, to crash one of our corps, and then defeat us in detail. He attacked General Slocum in position from 3 P. M. on the 19th till dark; but was everywhere repulsed, and lost heavily. At the time, I was with the Fifteenth Corps, marching on a road more to the right; but, on hearing of General Slocum's danger, directed that corps toward Cox's Bridge, in the night brought Blair's corps over, and on the 20th marched rapidly on Johnston's flank and rear. We struck him about noon, forced him to assume the defensive, and to fortify. Yesterday we pushed him hard, and came very near crushing him, the right division of the Seventeenth Corps (Mower's) having broken in to within a hundred yards of where Johnston himself was, at the bridge across Mill Creek. Last night he retreated, leaving us in possession of the field, dead, and wounded. We have over two thousand prisoners from this affair and the one at Averysboro', and I am satisfied that Johnston's army was so roughly handled yesterday that we could march right on to Raleigh; but we have now been out six weeks, living precariously upon the collections of our foragers, our men dirty, ragged, and saucy, and we must rest and fix up a little. Our entire losses thus far (killed, wounded, and prisoners) will be covered by twenty-five hundred, a great part of which are, as usual, slight wounds. The enemy has lost more than double as many, and we have in prisoners alone full two thousand.

I limited the pursuit, this morning, to Mill Creek, and will forthwith march the army to Goldsboro', there to rest, reclothe, and get some rations.

Our combinations were such that General Schofield entered Goldsboro' from Newborn; General Terry got Cox's Bridge, with pontoons laid, and a brigade across Neuse River intrenched; and we whipped Jos. Johnston--all on the same day.

After riding over the field of battle to-day, near Bentonsville, and making the necessary orders, I have ridden down to this place (Cox's Bridge) to see General Terry, and to-morrow shall ride into Goldsboro.

I propose to collect there my army proper; shall post General Terry about Faison's Depot, and General Schofield about Kinston, partly to protect the road, but more to collect such food and forage as the country affords, until the railroads are repaired leading into Goldsboro'.

I fear these have not been pushed with the vigor I had expected; but I will soon have them both going. I shall proceed at once to organize three armies of twenty-five thousand men each, and will try and be all ready to march to Raleigh or Weldon, as we may determine, by or before April 10th.

I inclose you a copy of my orders of to-day. I would like to be more specific, but have not the data. We have lost no general officers nor any organization. General Slocum took three guns at Averysboro', and lost three others at the first dash on him at Bentonsville. We have all our wagons and trains in good order.

Yours truly,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD,

COX'S BRIGADE, GOLDSBORO', NORTH CAROLINA, March 23, 1865.

Lieutenant-General U. S. GRANT, commanding the Armies of the United States, City Point, Virginia.

GENERAL: On reaching Goldsboro' this morning, I found Lieutenant Dunn awaiting me with your letter of March 18th and dispatch of the 17th. I wrote you fully from Cox's Bridge yesterday, and since reaching Goldsboro' have learned that my letter was sent punctually to Newborn, whence it will be dispatched to you.

I am very glad to hear that General Sheridan did such good service between Richmond and Lynchburg, and hope he will keep the ball moving, I know that these raids and dashes disconcert our enemy and discourage him much.

General Slocum's two corps (Fourteenth and Twentieth) are now coming in. I will dispose of them north of Goldsboro', between the Weldon road and Little River. General Howard to-day is marching south of the Nenae, and to-morrow will come in and occupy ground north of Goldsboro', extending from the Weldon Railroad to that leading to Kinston.

I have ordered all the provisional divisions, made up of troops belonging to the regular corps, to be broken up, and the men to join their proper regiments and organizations; and have ordered General Schofield to guard the railroads back to Newborn and Wilmington, and to make up a movable column equal to twenty-five thousand men, with which to take the field. His army will be the centre, as on the Atlanta campaign. I do not think I want any more troops (other than absentees and recruits) to fill up the present regiments, and I can make up an army of eighty thousand men by April 10th. I will post General Kilpatrick at Mount Olive Station on the Wilmington road, and then allow the army some rest.

We have sent all our empty wagons, under escort, with the proper staff-officers, to bring up from Kinston clothing and provisions. As long as we move we can gather food and forage; but, the moment we stop, trouble begins.

I feel sadly disappointed that our railroads are not done. I do not like to say there has been any neglect until I make inquiries; but it does seem to me the repairs should have been made ere this, and the road properly stocked. I can only hear of one locomotive (besides the four old ones) on the Newbern road, and two damaged locomotives (found by General Terry) on the Wilmington road. I left Generals Easton and Beckwith purposely to make arrangements in anticipation of my arrival, and have heard from neither, though I suppose them both to be at Morehead City.

At all events, we have now made a junction of all the armies, and if we can maintain them, will, in a short time, be in a position to march against Raleigh, Gaston, Weldon, or even Richmond, as you may determine.

If I get the troops all well planed, and the supplies working well, I may run up to see you for a day or two before diving again into the bowels of the country.

I will make, in a very short time, accurate reports of our operations for the past two months. Yours truly,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General commanding.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD,

COX'S BRIGADE, GOLDSBORO', NORTH CAROLINA, March 24, 1865.

Lieutenant-General U. S. GRANT, City Point, Virginia.

GENERAL: I have kept Lieutenant Dunn over to-day that I might report farther. All the army is now in, save the cavalry (which I have posted at Mount Olive Station, south of the Nenae) and General Terry's command (which--to-morrow will move from Cog's Ferry to Faison's Depot, also on the Wilmington road). I send you a copy of my orders of this morning, the operation of which will, I think, soon complete our roads. The telegraph is now done to Morehead City, and by it I learn that stores have been sent to Kinston in boats, and that our wagons are loading with rations and clothing. By using the Neuse as high up as Kinston, hauling from there twenty-six miles, and by equipping the two roads to Morehead City and Wilmington, I feel certain we can not only feed and equip the army, but in a short time fill our wagons for another start. I feel certain, from the character of the fighting, that we have got Johnston's army afraid of us. He himself acts with timidity and caution. His cavalry alone manifests spirit, but limits its operations to our stragglers and foraging-parties. My marching columns of infantry do not pay the cavalry any attention, but walk right through it.

I think I see pretty clearly how, in one more move, we can checkmate Lee, forcing him to unite Johnston with him in the defense of Richmond, or to abandon the cause. I feel certain, if he leaves Richmond, Virginia leaves the Confederacy. I will study my maps a little more before giving my positive views. I want all possible information of the Roanoke as to navigability, how far up, and with what draught.

We find the country sandy, dry, with good roads, and more corn and forage than I had expected. The families remain, but I will gradually push them all out to Raleigh or Wilmington. We will need every house in the town. Lieutenant Dunn can tell you of many things of which I need not write. Yours truly,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD,

COX'S BRIGADE, GOLDSBORO', NORTH CAROLINA, April 5,1865

Major-General George H. Thomas, commanding Department of the Cumberland.

DEAR GENERAL: I can hardly help smiling when I contemplate my command--it is decidedly mixed. I believe, but am not certain, that you are in my jurisdiction, but I certainly cannot help you in the way of orders or men; nor do I think you need either. General Cruft has just arrived with his provisional division, which will at once be broken up and the men sent to their proper regiments, as that of Meagher was on my arrival here.

You may have some feeling about my asking that General Slocum should have command of the two corps that properly belong to you, viz., the Fourteenth and Twentieth, but you can recall that he was but a corps commander, and could not legally make orders of discharge, transfer, etc., which was imperatively necessary. I therefore asked that General Slocum should be assigned to command "an army in the field," called the Army of Georgia, composed of the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps. The order is not yet made by the President, though I have recognized it because both, General Grant and the President have sanctioned it, and promised to have the order made.

My army is now here, pretty well clad and provided, divided into three parts, of two corps each--much as our old Atlanta army was.

I expect to move on in a few days, and propose (if Lee remains in Richmond) to pass the Roanoke, and open communication with the Chowan and Norfolk. This will bring me in direct communication with General Grant.

This is an admirable point--country open, and the two railroads in good order back to Wilmington and Beaufort. We have already brought up stores enough to fill our wagons, and only await some few articles, and the arrival of some men who are marching up from the coast, to be off.

General Grant explained to me his orders to you, which, of course, are all right. You can make reports direct to Washington or to General Grant, but keep me advised occasionally of the general state of affairs, that I may know what is happening. I must give my undivided attention to matters here. You will hear from a thousand sources pretty fair accounts of our next march. Yours truly,

W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General.

[LETTER FROM ADMIRAL DAHLGREN]

SOUTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON

FLAG-SHIP PHILADELPHIA, CHARLESTON, April 20, 1865

Major-General W. T. SHERMAN, commanding Armies of the Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi.

Mr DEAR GENERAL: I was much gratified by a sight of your handwriting, which has just reached me from Goldsboro'; it was very suggestive of a past to me, when these regions were the scene of your operations.

As you progressed through South Carolina, there was no manifestation of weakness or of an intention to abandon Charleston, until within a few hours of the fact. On the 11th of February I was at Stono, and a spirited demonstration was made by General Schimmel-pfennig and the vessels. He drove the rebels from their rifle-pits in front of the lines, extending from Fort Pringle, and pushed them vigorously. The next day I was at Bull's Bay, with a dozen steamers, among them the finest of the squadron. General Potter had twelve to fifteen hundred men, the object being to carry out your views. We made as much fuss as possible, and with better success than I anticipated, for it seems that the rebs conceived Stono to be a feint, and the real object at Bull's Bay, supposing, from the number of steamers and boats, that we had several thousand men. Now came an aide from General Gillmore, at Port Royal, with your cipher-dispatch from Midway, so I steamed down to Port Royal to see him. Next day was spent in vain efforts to decipher-finally it was accomplished. You thought that the state of the roads might force you to turn upon Charleston; so I went there on the 15th, but there was no sign yet of flinching. Then I went to Bull's Bay next day (16th), and found that the troops were not yet ashore, owing to the difficulties of shoal water. One of the gunboats had contrived to get up to within shelling range, and both soldiers and sailors were working hard. On the evening of the 18th I steamed down to Stono to see how matters were going there. Passing Charleston, I noticed two large fires, well inside--probably preparing to leave. On the 17th, in Stono, rumors were flying about loose of evacuation. In course of the morning, General Schimmelpfennig telegraphed me, from Morris Island, that there were symptoms of leaving; that he would again make a push at Stono, and asked for monitors. General Schimmelpfennig came down in the afternoon, and we met in the Folly Branch, near Secessionville. He was sore that the rebs would be off that night, so he was to assault them in front, while a monitor and gunboats stung their flanks both sides. I also sent an aide to order my battery of five eleven-inch guns, at Cumming's Point, to fire steadily all night on Sullivan's Island, and two monitors to close up to the island for the same object. Next morning (18th) the rascals were found to be off, and we broke in from all directions, by land and water. The main bodies had left at eight or nine in the evening, leaving detachments to keep up a fire from the batteries. I steamed round quickly, and soon got into the city, threading the streets with a large group of naval captains who had joined me. All was silent as the grave. No one to be seen but a few firemen.

No one can question the excellence of your judgment in taking the track you did, and I never had any misgivings, but it was natural to desire to go into the place with a strong hand, for, if any one spot in the land was foremost in the trouble, it was Charleston.

Your campaign was the final blow, grand in conception, complete in execution; and now it is yours to secure the last army which rebeldom possesses. I hear of your being in motion by the 9th, and hope that the result may be all that you wish.

Tidings of the murder of the President have just come, and shocked every mind. Can it be that such a resort finds root in any stratum of American opinion? Evidently it has not been the act of one man, nor of a madman. Who have prompted him?

I am grateful for your remembrance of my boy; the thought of him is ever nearest to my heart. Generous, brave, and noble, as I ever knew him to be, that he should close his young life so early, even under the accepted conditions of a soldier's life, as a son of the Union, would have been grief sufficient for me to bear; but that his precious remains should have been so treated by the brutes into whose hands they fell, adds even to the bitterness of death. I am now awaiting the hour when I can pay my last duties to his memory.

With my best and sincere wishes, my dear general, for your success and happiness, I am, most truly, your friend,

J. A. DAHLGREN.

[General Order No. 50.]

WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE

WASHINGTON, March 27, 1865

Ordered--1. That at the hour of noon, on the 14th day of April, 1885, Brevet Major-General Anderson will raise and plant upon the ruins of Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, the same United States flag which floated over the battlements of that fort during the rebel assault, and which was lowered and saluted by him and the small force of his command when the works were evacuated on the 14th day of April, 1861.

2. That the flag, when raised, be saluted by one hundred guns from Fort Sumter, and by a national salute from every fort and rebel battery that fired upon Fort Sumter.

3. That suitable ceremonies be had upon the occasion, under the direction of Major-General William T. Sherman, whose military operations compelled the rebels to evacuate Charleston, or, in his absence, under the charge of Major-General Q. A. Gilmore, commanding the department. Among the ceremonies will be the delivery of a public address by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher.

4. That the naval forces at Charleston, and their commander on that station, be invited to participate in the ceremonies of the occasion.

By order of the President of the United States,

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

[General Order No. 41.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH

HILTON HEAD, SOUTH CAROLINA, April 10, 1865

Friday next, the 14th inst., will be the fourth anniversary of the capture of Fort Sumter by the rebels. A befitting celebration on that day, in honor of its reoccupation by the national forces, has been ordered by the President, in pursuance of which Brevet Major-General Robert Anderson, United States Army, will restore to its original place on the fort the identical flag which, after an honorable and gallant defense, he was compelled to lower to the insurgents in South Carolina, in April, 1861.

The ceremonies for the occasion will commence with prayer, at thirty minutes past eleven o'clock a.m.

At noon precisely, the flag will be raised and saluted with one hundred guns from Fort Sumter, and with a national salute from Fort Moultrie and Battery Bee on Sullivan's Island, Fort Putnam on Morris Island, and Fort Johnson on James's Island; it being eminently appropriate that the places which were so conspicuous in the inauguration of the rebellion should take a part not less prominent in this national rejoicing over the restoration of the national authority.

After the salutes, the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher will deliver an address.

The ceremonies will close with prayer and a benediction.

Colonel Stewart L. Woodford, chief of staff, under such verbal instructions as he may receive, is hereby charged with the details of the celebration, comprising all the arrangements that it may be necessary to make for the accommodation of the orator of the day, and the comfort and safety of the invited guests from the army and navy, and from civil life.

By command of Major-General Q. A. Gillmore,

W. L. M. BURGER, Assistant Adjutant-General.

Copy of Major ANDERSON's Dispatch, announcing the Surrender of Fort Sumter, April 14, 1861.

STEAMSHIP BALTIC, OFF SANDY HOOK

April 10, 1861, 10.30 a.m. via New York

Honorable S. Cameron, Secretary of War, Washington

Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned, the main gates destroyed by fire, the gorge-walls seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames, and its door closed from the effect of heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only being available, and no provisions remaining but pork, I accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard, being the same offered by him on the 11th inst., prior to the commencement of hostilities, and marched out of the fort, Sunday afternoon, the 14th inst., with colors flying and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting my flag with fifty guns.

ROBERT ANDERSON, Major First Artillery, commanding.

ГЛАВА XXIV.

КОНЕЦ ВОЙНЫ — ОТ ГОЛДСБОРО ДО РАЛИ И ВАШИНГТОНА.

APRIL AND MAY, 1865.

Как уже описывалось, армии под командованием соответственно генералов Дж. М. Скофилда, А. Х. Терри и моя собственная соединились в Голдсборо (Северная Каролина) и его окрестностях в течение 22 и 23 марта 1865 года, однако потребовалось еще несколько дней, чтобы все войска и обозные повозки достигли своих лагерей. Лично я прибыл в Голдсборо 23-го числа и встретился с генералом Скофилдом, который подробно описал свои операции в Северной Каролине до этой даты; кроме того, я застал лейтенанта Данна, адъютанта генерала Гранта, с его письмом от 16 марта, содержащим общее описание положения дел под Сити-Пойнт. На следующий день я получил другое письмо, более подробное, датированное 22-м числом, которое я и привожу здесь. Тем не менее я счел крайне важным провести личную встречу с генералом и решил лично отправиться в Сити-Пойнт, как только это позволят ремонтные работы на железной дороге, шедшие тогда под личным руководством полковника В. В. Райта:

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES VCITY POINT, VIRGINIA, March 22, 1865

Major-General SHERMAN, Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi.

GENERAL: Although the Richmond papers do not communicate the fact, yet I saw enough in them to satisfy me that you occupied Goldsboro' on the 19th inst. I congratulate you and the army on what may be regarded as the successful termination of the third campaign since leaving the Tennessee River, less than one year ago.

Since Sheridan's very successful raid north of the James, the enemy are left dependent on the Southside and Danville roads for all their supplies. These I hope to cut next week. Sheridan is at White House, "shoeing up" and resting his cavalry. I expect him to finish by Friday night and to start the following morning, raid Long Bridge, Newmarket, Bermuda Hundred, and the extreme left of the army around Petersburg. He will make no halt with the armies operating here, but will be joined by a division of cavalry, five thousand five hundred strong, from the Army of the Potomac, and will proceed directly to the Southside and Danville roads. His instructions will be to strike the Southside road as near Petersburg as he can, and destroy it so that it cannot be repaired for three or four days, and push on to the Danville road, as near to the Appomattox as he can get. Then I want him to destroy the road toward Burkesville as far as he can; then push on to the Southside road, west of Burkesville, and destroy it effectually. From that point I shall probably leave it to his discretion either to return to this army, crossing the Danville road south of Burkesville, or go and join you, passing between Danville and Greensboro'. When this movement commences I shall move out by my left, with all the force I can, holding present intrenched lines. I shall start with no distinct view, further than holding Lee's forces from following Sheridan. But I shall be along myself, and will take advantage of any thing that turns up. If Lee detaches, I will attack; or if he comes out of his lines I will endeavor to repulse him, and follow it up to the best advantage.

It is most difficult to understand what the rebels intend to do; so far but few troops have been detached from Lee's army. Much machinery has been removed, and material has been sent to Lynchburg, showing a disposition to go there. Points, too, have been fortified on the Danville road.

Lee's army is much demoralized, and great numbers are deserting. Probably, from returned prisoners, and such conscripts as can be picked up, his numbers may be kept up. I estimate his force now at about sixty-five thousand men.

Wilson started on Monday, with twelve thousand cavalry, from Eastport. Stoneman started on the same day, from East Tennessee, toward Lynchburg. Thomas is moving the Fourth Corps to Bull's Gap. Canby is moving with a formidable force on Mobile and the interior of Alabama.

I ordered Gilmore, as soon as the fall of Charleston was known, to hold all important posts on the sea-coast, and to send to Wilmington all surplus forces. Thomas was also directed to forward to Newbern all troops belonging to the corps with you. I understand this will give you about five thousand men, besides those brought east by Meagher.

I have been telegraphing General Meigs to hasten up locomotives and cars for you. General McCallum, he informs me, is attending to it. I fear they are not going forward as fast as I world like.

Let me know if you want more troops, or any thing else.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

Железная дорога до Голдсборо была отремонтирована к вечеру 25 марта, после чего, оставив генерала Скофилда главным командующим, я в компании с полковником Райтом, инженером-строителем, и парой штабных офицеров отправился на паровозе в Сити-Пойнт (Виргиния). Мы прибыли в Ньюберн тем же вечером, который провели в обществе генерала Палмера и его искусной супруги, а рано утром следующего дня продолжили путь в Морхед-Сити, где генерал Эстон предоставил в наше распоряжение небольшой захваченный пароход «Россия» под командованием капитана Смита. Мы немедленно вышли в море и двинулись вдоль побережья, прибыв утром 27-го числа к крепости Монро, где я сошел на берег и телеграфировал своему брату, сенатору Шерману, в Вашингтон, приглашая его приехать и вернуться со мной в Голдсборо. Мы продолжили подъем по реке Джеймс до Сити-Пойнт, куда прибыли в тот же полдень. Я обнаружил, что генерал Грант вместе со своей семьей и штабом занимает живописную группу хижин на берегу реки Джеймс с видом на гавань, заполненную судами всех классов — как военными, так и торговыми, — с обширными причалами и складами. Генерал принял меня сердечнейшим образом, и мы весьма обстоятельно обсудили дела. Пробыв у него около часа, он обмолвился, что президент мистер Линьон находится в этот момент на борту парохода «Ривер Куин» (River Queen), стоявшего у причала, и предложил нам навестить его. Мы пешком спустились к причалу, поднялись на борт и обнаружили мистера Линкольна одного в кормовой каюте. Он прекрасно меня помнил и сразу же завязал весьма интересную беседу. Он выказывал живое любопытство к многочисленным эпизодам нашего великого марша, доходившим до него по официальным каналам и из газет, и, казалось, получал большое удовольствие от более комичных деталей — о «баммерах» и их ухищрениях по добыванию продовольствия и фуража в то время, когда внешний мир полагал нас умирающими с голоду; но в то же время он выразил немалую тревогу, как бы во время моего отсутствия с армией в Северной Каролине не произошло какой-либо беды. Я пояснил ему, что эта армия находится в тепле и комфорте, в хороших лагерях под Голдсборо; что для сбора фуража и продовольствия к новому маршу потребуется несколько дней; и что генерал Скофилд вполне способен командовать ею в мое отсутствие. Нанеся должный, продолжительный и дружеский визит, мы распрощались и вернулись в расположение генерала Гранта, где миссис Грант приготовила чай. За столом миссис Грант поинтересовалась, не видели ли мы миссис Линкольн. «Нет, — ответил генерал, — я не справлялся о ней», а я добавил, что даже не знал о ее присутствии на борту. Тогда миссис Грант воскликнула: «Ну и парочка же вы!» — и добавила, что наше пренебрежение непростительно, на что генерал сказал, что мы нанесем визит снова на следующий день, дабы загладить непреднамеренную бестактность. Рано утром следующего дня, 28 марта, все главные офицеры армии и флота — генералы Мид, Орд, Ингаллс и др., а также адмирал Портер — нанесли мне визит. В это время «Ривер Куин» стояла на якоре посреди реки на траверзе причала, и мы вновь отправились навестить мистера и миссис Линкольн. Адмирал Портер сопровождал нас. Мы взяли у причала маленький буксир, доставивший нас на борт, где нас снова самым любезным образом принял президент, проводивший нас в кормовую каюту. После общих любезностей генерал Грант поинтересовался здоровьем миссис Линкольн, после чего президент заглянул в ее каюту, вернулся и попросил нас извинить ее, поскольку она нездорова. Затем мы вновь перешли к общей беседе, в ходе которой генерал Грант пояснил президенту, что в самую эту минуту генерал Шеридан пересекает реку Джеймс с севера по понтонному мосту ниже Сити-Пойнт; что он располагает крупными, прекрасно оснащенными силами кавалерии, с помощью которых намерен ударить по Саутсайдской и Данвиллской железным дорогам, посредством которых один лишь генерал Ли в Ричмонде снабжал свою армию; и что, по его мнению, события приближаются к кризису, причем его единственное опасение заключалось в том, что генерал Ли не станет ждать достаточно долго. Я также пояснил, что моя армия в Голдсборо достаточно сильна, чтобы разбить объединенные армии Ли и Джонстона, при условии что генерал Грант сможет подоспеть в течение дня или около того; что если Ли продержится в Ричмонде еще две недели, я смогу дойти до Берксвилла, после чего Ли придется либо голодать внутри своих линий, либо выйти из укреплений и сражаться с нами на равных условиях. И генерал Грант, и я предполагали, что кому-то из нас придется дать еще одно кровавое сражение и что оно станет последним. Мистер Линкольн не раз восклицал, что было пролито уже достаточно крови, и спрашивал нас, нельзя ли избежать еще одного сражения. Я отлично помню свои слова о том, что мы не можем контролировать это обстоятельство; что оно неизбежно зависит от нашего противника; и я предполагал, что и Джефф. Дэвис, и генерал Ли будут вынуждены дать еще одно отчаянное и кровопролитное сражение. Я скорее предполагал, что оно выпадет на мою долю где-то близ Рали; а генерал Грант добавил, что если Ли погодит еще несколько дней, он расположит свои армию так, что если противник оставит Ричмонд и попытается соединиться с генералом Джоз. Джонстоном в Северной Каролине, он (генерал Грант) окажется у него на хвосте. Мистер Линкольн неоднократно выражал беспокойство по поводу того, что меня нет с моей армией в Голдсборо, на что я вновь заверил его, что генерал Скофилд вполне способен командовать в мое отсутствие; что я собираюсь отправиться в обратный путь в тот же день и что адмирал Портер любезно предоставил в мое распоряжение пароход «Бэт» (Bat), который, по его словам, был гораздо быстрее моего собственного судна «Россия». В ходе этой беседы я поинтересовался у президента, готов ли он к концу войны. Что надлежит делать с мятежными армиями после их поражения? И как поступить с политическими лидерами, такими как Джефф. Дэвис и др.? Должны ли мы позволить им бежать и т. д.? Он ответил, что готов ко всему; все, чего он от нас хотел, — это разгромить противостоящие армии и вернуть людей, составлявших конфедеративные силы, по их домам, к работе на фермах и в мастерских. Что до Джеффа. Дэвиса, то он едва ли мог свободно высказать свои мысли, но намекнул, что тому следовало бы убираться во свояси, «бежать из страны», вот только ему самому не пристало говорить об этом открыто. Как водится, свой смысл он проиллюстрировал притчей: Один человек некогда дал обет абсолютной трезвости. Навещая друга, он получил приглашение пропустить стаканчик, но отказался, сославшись на обет; тогда друг предложил лимонад, который был принят. Приготавливая лимонад, друг указал на бутылку бренди и заметил, что лимонад станет приятнее, если плеснуть туда немного бренди; на что гость ответил, что если тот сделает это «без его ведома», то он «не возражает». Из этой аллегории я сделал вывод, что мистер Линкольн хотел побега Дэвиса — но «без его ведома». Я не делал никаких записей этой беседы в то время, но присутствовавший при ней адмирал Портер сделал их и в 1866 году предоставил мне отчет об этом, который я привожу ниже, хотя адмирал описывает первый визит 27-го числа, тогда как моя память относит присутствие адмирала Портера на следующий день. Тем не менее он может быть прав, и он мог находиться с нами днем ранее, поскольку я пишу это главным образом по памяти. Состоялось две отдельные встречи: первая — поздно во второй половине дня 27 марта, а вторая — около полудня 28-го числа, обе в кормовой каюте парохода «Ривер Куин»; в обоих случаях мистер Линкольн был полон откровенности в беседе, заверяя меня, что в мыслях он полностью готов к гражданской реорганизации дел на Юге, как только закончится война; и он определенно уполномочил меня заверить губернатора Вэнса и народ Северной Каролины, что, как только мятежные армии сложат оружие и вернутся к мирным занятиям, им будет немедленно гарантировано соблюдение всех прав граждан общей страны; а во избежание анархии существовавшие тогда штатные правительства с их гражданскими чиновниками будут признаны им в качестве де-факто правительств до тех пор, пока Конгресс не учредит другие. Я знаю, что при расставании с ним я был более чем когда-либо поражен его добротой, глубоким и искренним сочувствием к страданиям всего народа, порожденным войной и маршем вражеских армий через Юг; и тем, что его искренним стремлением казалось скорейшее окончание войны без новых кровопролитий и опустошений, а также возвращение всех людей из обоих регионов по их домам. Выражаясь словами его второй инаугурационной речи, он казался преисполненным «милосердия ко всем, злобы ни к кому» и, превыше всего, абсолютной веры в мужество, доблесть и честность армий на полях сражений. В минуты покоя или слушания его руки и ноги казались почти безжизненными, а лицо — изнуренным и осунувшимся; но стоило ему заговорить, как лицо озарялось, высокая фигура словно распрямлялась, и он становился живым воплощением благодушия и товарищества. Последними словами, обращенными ко мне, которые мне помнятся, было то, что он почувствует себя лучше, когда я вернусь в Голдсборо. Мы расстались у трапа «Ривер Куин» около полудня 28 марта, и больше я его не видел. Из всех людей, встреченных мною за жизнь, он воплощал в себе элементы величия в сочетании с добротой в большей степени, чем кто-либо другой.