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.
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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.