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.