bridge over the Neuse River, west of the railroad, with one from that army. You are also directed to see that the bridge train is well supplied with all necessary material, and that it is put in the best possible condition as regards its transportation, &c. By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard: CIRCULAR LETTER. A. M. VAN DYKE, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Goldsborough, N. C., March 24, 1865. There can be obtained for this command at Kinston five days' rations. There are also at the same point boots, shoes, and other quartermaster's stores for this army. Corps commanders will send, as soon as possible, all wagons of the supply trains and at least one-third of the wagons of the ordnance train (securing the ordnance unloaded from them in the best possible manner), to Kinston, in charge of the chief quartermaster of the corps, and bring forward these supplies. It is suggested that it would be better to send the trains in detachments and upon different days, rather than all at one time. The mounted organization of each corps will accompany the trains and guard them through. Corps commanders will use every exertion to fully equip their commands with the least possible delay. By order of Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard: A. M. VAN DYKE, Assistant Adjutant-General. OFFICE CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, 15TH ARMY CORPS, Maj. MAX. WOODHULL, Assistant Adjutant-General: MAJOR: Your order to move trains is just received. I will, of course, commence movement, but the supply trains are gone to Kinston and not yet returned. I have kept on foraging all day, and most of the ammunition trains are now out after the second and third load of forage to-day, and will not be in till late to-night. I would be ready by morn ing to make a better movement. Very truly, &c., G. L. FORT, Lieut. Col. and Chief Quartermaster, Fifteenth Army Corps. HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Maj. MAX. WOODHULL, Assistant Adjutant-General, Fifteenth Army Corps: MAJOR: Irespectfully report that I left my camp beyond Falling Creek at 8 o'clock this morning, moving in rear of General John E. Smith. Reaching the pontoon crossing over Neuse River, I left one brigade (the Third), as instructed by Major-General Logan, on the south side of the river, with instructions to remain until all the supply trains of the army corps shall have crossed the river, and in addition I left one regiment of the Second Brigade, directing it to report to LieutenantColonel Fort for instructions. Crossing over, I moved forward to my position on the New Berne road at Rouse's plantation, one mile and a half east of Webbville, encamping my two brigades on the left of the road in one line, with my right resting on the same. My position is a good one naturally, and I shall immediately strengthen it by works as soon as I can lay out the lines. My headquarters are at the house of Mr. Rouse. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SPECIAL ORDERS, C. R. WOODS, Brevet Major-General. HDQRS. 1ST DIV., 15TH ARMY CORPS, I. The division being now permanently encamped, the troops will be governed accordingly. A good substantial line of works, with abatis in front, will be erected to-morrow along the entire front of the line, brigade commanders selecting the high ridge ground in their respective fronts and extending their works so as to cover their front when formed in single line. The pioneers will construct an embrasure battery for four guns on the ground as now occupied by the Twelfth Wisconsin Battery, the embrasures opening two direct to the front, and the remaining two covering in the direction of the flanks. The regular camps will be established, the regulation limits being assigned to each regiment, and care will be taken after the camps are once formed to have them cleanly policed each day, and all refuse matter carried off and buried. Sinks will be dug in front of each regiment, and the men will be required to invariably make proper use of them, no offal being permitted in the vicinity of the camps. The men will at once be set to work thoroughly cleaning their arms and accouterments, aiming to have them in the very best condition in the shortest possible time, as drills, inspections, &c., will be ordered as soon as the encampment is well established. The attention of brigade and regimental commanders is also called to the fact that the troops are not wearing the hair as ordered by regulations. Each enlisted man will be required to have his hair cut as prescribed. By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. C. R. Woods: FRED. H. WILSON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. P. S.-There will be no ditch made inside the works, but one will extend along the entire front. The earth taken out will be used to strengthen the embankment. By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. C. R. Woods: FRED. H. WILSON, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Maj. MAX. WOODHULL, Goldsborough, N. C., March 24, 1865. Assistant Adjutant-General: I have the honor to report that this division broke camp this morn ing at 7 a. m., marching to this point, arriving at 12 m. and encamping about one mile east of town. My headquarters are at a small house about half way from town to the camp of my division. I am, respectfully, W. B. HAZEN, Major-General. HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Maj. MAX. WOODHULL, Assistant Adjutant-General, Fifteenth Army Corps: MAJOR: I have the honor to report that this command broke camp near Falling Creek at 7.45 this a. m., and, following the Fourth Division, marched to and through Goldsborough, encamping at 4 p. m. about one mile east of the town. The position of the command is as follows: Five regiments of the First Brigade and two of the Second are in line fronting east, the right of the former connecting with the First Division and the left of the latter resting on the North Carolina Railroad and connecting with the Fourth Division. One regiment of the Second Brigade is in rear of the remainder as reserve. The artillery is about 100 yards in rear of the center and the trains the same distance in rear of the left of the First Brigade. These headquarters are on the south side of the Kinston road and about 500 yards in rear of the infantry line. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, SPECIAL ORDERS, Į HDQRS. LEFT WING, ARMY OF GEORGIA, No. 30. III. Corps commanders will send all their available wagons to Kinston, starting at daylight to-morrow, for the purpose of bringing forward supplies. One regiment from each corps will be sent to guard its train. The trip to Kinston should be made in one day and the return trip in two days. IV. All negroes connected with the corps not employed by Government or by officers will be sent to Kinston with the train. V. As soon as the wagons now on the way from Kinston to this point with supplies are unloaded they will be sent back under a proper guard. By command of Maj. Gen. H. W. Slocum: ROBT. P. DECHERT, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY COMMAND, In the Field, Mount Olive, N. C., March 24, 1865. Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi: GENERAL: I have arrived at Mount Olive. The country is full of forage. General Atkins, with his brigade, is at Clinton, gathering in supplies from the country to bring to this point. I have three mills in successful operation; intend to grind corn in the cob for my animals; corn meal and flour for my men. A train of cars was here day before yesterday; none of my people saw it. Please have an engine and such cars as can be found to carry away my wounded and surplus stores, and to take down my commissary of subsistence and quartermaster to Wilmington for supplies. I understand that the Seventh Ohio and several other regiments of cavalry are with Major-General Schofield. In that case, I respectfully request that the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry be ordered to report to me as soon as possible. I wish to get my command in hand and make it effective. I shall make requisitions as soon as possible for horse equipments direct upon Lieutenant-General Grant's ordnance officer, and send them forward for approval at your headquarters. Captain Hayes, of my staff, who brings you this dispatch, will be able to answer all questions and bring any instructions you may have for me. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. KILPATRICK, Brevet Major-General, Commanding C valry. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, In the Field, Goldsborough, N. C., March 24, 1865. General KILPATRICK, Commanding Cavalry: GENERAL: Yours of this date to the general-in-chief is received, and he is much gratified that your command is in such good condition as to forage. Secure all you can. General Terry's command will be posted at Faison's and must have use of the railroad to supply it. All arrangements possible are being made to the end that all troops shall be well supplied. I inclose an order of this date which will give you a complete understanding of the matter.* At present there is a good supply of subsistence, clothing, &c., at Kinston, and if you will send your spare wagons there with the proper staff officers, Colonel Garber, acting chief quartermaster, will give you loads and all supplies that can be furnished. There is also a quantity of mail for the army there. I am, with respect, &c., Brig. Gen. D. H. RUCKER, L. M. DAYTON, Assistant Adjutant-General. GOLDSBOROUGH, March 24, 1865. Chief Quartermaster, Washington City: Please order all vessels loaded with transportation for the Twentythird Army Corps to Wilmington instead of Morehead City. J. M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General. SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 9. HDQRS. DEPT. OF NORTH CAROLINA, ARMY OF THE OHIO, In the Field, Goldsborough, March 24, 1865. * III. For the better protection of the railroad lines and economy of railroad transportation during preparations for the next campaign, the army will be distributed as follows, viz: General Terry will encamp his corps about Faison's, open and protect the Wilmington railroad, and draw his supplies from Wilmington. He will use his cavalry to patrol the road toward Wilmington, General Kilpatrick's cavalry having been * See Special Field Orders, No. 36, p. 7. ordered by the general-in-chief to occupy the space between General Terry's right and the Neuse. The First and Second Divisions, Twentythird Army Corps, will be stationed at short distance north of the Kinston railroad, covering the roads leading toward Moseley Hall and Kinston. Maj. Gen. D. N. Couch will command the two divisions, and will post them so as best to protect the railroad. Colonel Savage will report to General Couch with his regiment of cavalry for patrol and scouting duty. General Couch's troops will draw their supplies by wagons from Kinston. The Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, will remain in its present position. General Carter's division will form the immediate garrison of Goldsborough and will furnish all the guards and fatigue parties required about the town and depots. The two divisions will be commanded by Maj. Gen. J. D. Cox. The troops will be fully clothed and equipped and prepared in all respects for an active campaign as soon as possible. Staff officers will at once make requisitions for all supplies necessary for the complete equipment of the troops. * V. Brigadier-General Dodge, chief quartermaster, is charged with the execution of this order of the general-in-chief relative to the base at Wilmington and the line from Wilmington to Goldsborough, so far as devolves upon the quartermaster's department. He will consult with Col. W. W. Wright and co-operate with him in putting the railroad in working order in the shortest possible time. General Dodge is authorized to take possession of all machinery, tools, and other property, public or private, at Wilmington and along the line of the road which can be used in the execution of his orders. The engineer battalion of the Twenty-third Army Corps will reconstruct, in the shortest possible time, the railroad bridges over the Northeast River and the creek near Wilmington. General Terry will cause ties to be cut and distributed along the track to replace such as are decayed. VI. The commanders of all detachments of troops arriving at Wilmington, New Berne, or Morehead City will report to the district commander at Wilmington or New Berne, who will have such troops forwarded to their respective commands without delay. Troops coming to the front will be required to march. In no case will the railroad be used for their transportation. Officers commanding troops serving temporarily in the District of Beaufort, in connection with the general depot of supplies, will make the customary returns to Brigadier-General Palmer, commanding the district. Such troops will be borne on the district returns as temporarily attached. By command of Major-General Schofield: J. A. CAMPBELL, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. GOLDSBOROUGH, N. C., March 24, 1865. Brigadier-General HARLAND, Kinston, N. C.: Order the troops of General Terry's command to leave the cars at Kinston and march to Faison's. By order of Major-General Schofield: J. A. CAMPBELL, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. |