[643] cause apprehension. General Beauregard does not say what he proposes or what he can do. I do not know where his troops are or on what lines they are moving. His despatches only give movements of the enemy. He has a difficult task to perform under present circumstances, and one of his best officers—General Hardee—is incapacitated by sickness. I have also heard that his own health is indifferent, though he has never so stated. Should his strength give way there is no one on duty in the Department that could replace him, nor have I any one to send there. General J. E. Johnston is the only officer whom I know who has the confidence of the army and people, and if he was ordered to report to me I would place him there on duty. It is necessary to bring out all our strength, and, I fear, to unite our armies, as, separately, they do not seem able to make head against the enemy. Everything should be destroyed that cannot be removed out of the reach of Generals Sherman and Schofield. Provisions must be accumulated in Virginia, and every man in all the States must be brought out. I fear it may be necessary to abandon all our cities, and preparations should be made for this contingency. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
Headquarters, Military division of the West, near White Oak, S. C., Feb. 20th, 1865.General,—General Beauregard directs that you move with your command by the shortest and best route to Landsford's ford, thence to Charlotte, via Belair and Pleasant Valley. You will await further orders at Charlotte. Unless otherwise pressed, you will move at the rate of about twenty miles a day. He will move along the railroad, so as to be in telegraphic communication with General Hampton and the War Department. He will probably pass the night at Chesterville, and to-morrow night at or about the railroad bridge, on the Catawba. General Hampton has been instructed to give orders to his trains whether to accompany yours or remain under his protection. Respectfully, your obedient servant,
Major-Genl. C. H. Stevenson, Comdg. Lee's Corps:
A. R. Chisolm, A. D. C.
Stevenson moves this morning via Landsford, Belair, and Pleasant Valley, to Charlotte, where he will await further orders, carrying his own trains. I shall move along the railroad, that I may be in telegraphic communication with yourself and the Department. You will now have to guard your own trains, unless you prefer sending them on with General Stevenson's.
Telegram.
General Hampton to General Beauregard.
No movement reported on Monticello road. Enemy did not occupy Winnsboroa
