., and A. A. G.
The foregoing report, written by Colonel Brent, from notes furnished him by General Beauregard on his return from the conference, was forwarded to the War Department, with the following endorsement:
Headquarters, Military division of the West, Augusta, Feb. 5th, 1865.
Respectfully forwarded to the War Department for the information of the President.
If it be true, as reported by prisoners and deserters, that Schoefield's corps (23d), from Middle Tennessee, and Sheridan's (19th), from the Valley of Virginia, have joined Sherman's army, it cannot be estimated at less than fifty-four thousand infantry and artillery—i. e., six corps, at nine thousand men each—to whom must be added about four thousand cavalry, forming a total of not less than fifty-eight thousand disciplined and well-organized men.
General Sherman afterwards informed General J. E. Johnston, in North Carolina (April 18th, 1865), that he had over seventy thousand men in all. G. T. Beauregard
n troops under him and veteran commanders, who were all confident of his ability to lead them; and he was justified, by the light of his past experience, in again counting upon victory.
It was, indeed, unfortunate that the War Department and Generals Bragg and Hardee did not understand the wisdom and necessity, at this juncture, of the concentration he advised.
It would have resulted in the re-establishment of our lines of communication and depots of supplies, and in the eventual relief—if not.
On the same day, and from the same place, he telegraphed General Lee as follows:
I have arranged with General Hardee for the immediate evacuation of Charleston, and concentration of our forces at Chesterville, S. C.; if those of General Bragg could be added thereto success might crown our efforts, however dark may appear the present hour. G. T. Beauregard.
While stopping, a few hours later, at Sumterville he forwarded this telegraphic message to General Lee:
Sumter Sta
