Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[715] Beauregard's headquarters to Goldsboro, N. C., and have sent a message to General Sherman.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Your despatch of yesterday is just received. I shall at once proceed to carry out your instructions.

If proper arrangements can be made to have sugar, coffee, and clothing sent from Savannah to Augusta, they can be brought hither by way of Atlanta, or they can be sent by boat directly to this place from Darien.

I shall be able to get forage, bread, and meat from south-western Georgia, the railroad from Atlanta to Dalton or Cleveland cannot be repaired in three months.

I have arranged to send an officer at once, via Eufala, to General Canby, with a copy of your despatch. General Cobb will also notify General Taylor of the armistice. I have about three thousand (3,000) prisoners of war, including Generals Cobb, Smith, Mackall, Mercer, and Robertson. Can't you arrange with General Johnston for their immediate release? Please answer at once. I shall start a staff officer to you to-morrow.

In compliance with instructions by telegraph through General J. E. Johnston, I have the honor to send to your headquarters, Captain L. M. Hosea, Sixteenth U. S. Infantry and Acting Aide-de-camp of my staff. I have conferred fully with him in regard to the status of affairs here under the armistice; he can, therefore, give you all necessary information.

I have also sent you several communications through the telegraph, but have received no notice of their having reached you. Be good enough to send me definite instructions for my future government, and make the necessary arrangements for forwarding to us supplies of small stores and clothing. I have directed Captain Hosea to see my chief quartermaster and commissary before returning, and give them such instructions after conference with you as may be necessary.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

An officer under flag of truce from Columbus reports that Canby has captured Spanish fort and Mobile, with the garrison of the fort. Selma and Montgomery were occupied a few days ago by our troops. Forrest and a part of the garrison of Mobile have retreated into Mississippi.

(Signed)

General Sherman has directed me to open a supply line for my command by the way of Dalton and Atlanta. It will require days to repair the road. There are but few materials and means for that purpose to be had at this end of the line; please give the necessary instructions to have the work begun at Dalton and pushed forward as rapidly as possible to Atlanta. I am making arrangements to have everything done from this end that our means will permit.

General Cobb has turned over all the Confederate supplies under his control on the S. W. Railroad, and done all in his power to assist us in buying from the people, but it will be difficult to obtain a sufficient quantity of forage to last till the new crop is ready for use.

We shall soon begin to need small stores and clothing; they might be sent from Savannah to Augusta, or up the Altamaha and Ocmulgee to Buzzard Roost.

Both State and Confederate authorities seem anxious to give me all the assistance in their power. The people are well disposed and anxious for peace. By an arrangement with General Cobb I have paroled all of the prisoners captured in Georgia, besides the remnant of those brought from Alabama.

If Croxton's brigade were moved to Dalton it could protect the railroad repairs in that quarter in case guard should become necessary. There is enough C. S. A. cotton in store here to pay for opening the road.¹

Since writing my last telegram General Croxton has joined me with his command in fine condition.