Bridge and thence down the River road to within about three miles of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, and on the following morning moved across the Neuse RIVER into Goldsborough.

For more detailed statements I respectfully refer to reports of division commanders. A tabulated return is appended.

I cannot close this report without calling the attention oft e commanding general to the efficiency displayed by my division commanders. Major General J. A. Mower, commanding First Division, is deserving of great praise for the skill shown in crossing the Salkehatchie, South Ediston, and Pedee Rivers. Brigadier General M. F. Foce, commanding THIRD Division, at the North Edisto displayed his usual ability, and Bvt. Major General G. A. Smith, at Broxton's Bridge, on the Salkehatchie, and at Fayetteville, deserves special mention. I desire specially to mention Lieutenant Colonel S. T. Hughes, commanding Ninth Illinois Mounted Infantry. He, with his command, made several brilliant charges d was always ready for any service required. To Lieutenant- Colonel Hickenlooper, assistant inspector- general, of my staff, a brave and gallant officer, my thanks are due for the efficient manner in which he performed any duty required. Lieutenant Colonel D. T. Kirby, Twenty- seventeenth Missouri Volunteers, of my staff, was wounded in a charge on the enemy at Salkehatchie River and was taken to the rear. By this accident I lost the services of a gallant and efficient officer. Cap C. Cadle, Jr., adjutant- general, on my staff, deserves great praise for the manner in which he has discharged the duties of that most important and responsible position, and I have recommended him for promotion to the rank of lieutenant- colonel on account of the ability, zeal, and fidelity which he has displayed. To all of my staff I am indebted for their cheerful and prompt discharge of duty in the several positions held by them.

Respectfully,

FRANK P. BLAIR, JR.,

Major- General, Commanding Seventeenth Army Corps.

Captain A.m. VAN DYKE,

Asst. Adjt. General Army and Department of the Tennessee.

Appendix A.

Consolidated report of mechanical work as performed by the pioneer corps of he Seventeenth Army Corps, Army of the Tennessee, during the campaign from Pocotaligo, S. C., to Goldsborough, N. C., from January 30, 1865, to March 24, 1865.

Description of work done. First Third

DIVISION. Division.

Corduroy built. . . yards 13,135 24,753

Bridges built. . . do 133 303

Rafting prepared. . . do 190 . . .

Side roads cut. . . do 25,980 53,836

Obstructions of fallen timber 150 650

cleared. . . do

Infantry foot bridges. . . do . . . . . .

Half- destroyed bridges repaired. . . . . . . .

. number

Batteries built a. . . do 6 2

Breast works built. . . yards 5,096 4,140

Railroad track destroyed. . . do 27,280 25,440

Railroad culverts destroyed. . . 8 7

number

Trestle- work destroyed. . . yards . . . . . .

Cars destroyed. . . number . . . . . .

Car wheels destroyed. . . pairs 150 . . .

Description of work done. Fourth Total.

Division.

Corduroy built. . . yards 32,975 70,863

Bridges built. . . do 439 875

Rafting prepared. . . do . . . 190

Side roads cut. . . do 17,675 97,491

Obstructions of fallen timber 150 950

cleared. . . do

Infantry foot bridges. . . do . . . 1,760

Half- destroyed bridges repaired. . . . . 11

. number

Batteries built a. . . do 5 13

Breast works built. . . yards 3,505 12,741

Railroad track destroyed. . . do 35,200 87,920

Railroad culverts destroyed. . . 8 23

number

Trestle- work destroyed. . . yards 300 300

Cars destroyed. . . number 3 3

Car wheels destroyed. . . pairs . . . 150

a Containing in all forty- seven embrasures.