you will keep all persons coming into the lines, and allow none to go out on the flanks or ahead. Report when you arrive at Falling Creek.

J. D. COX,

Major-General.

HDQRS. PROVISIONAL CORPS, ARMY OF THE OHIO,
In the Field, March 20, 1865.

COMMANDING OFFICER OF BATTALION CAVALRY,

White Hall:

SIR: You will continue the movement toward Goldsborough, covering the head of the infantry column, to-morrow morning at 6 o'clock, unless otherwise ordered before that hour.

By command of Major-General Cox:

THEO. COX,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Falling Creek Church, March 20, 1865-4 a. m.

Major General A. H. TERRY,

Commanding, &c.:

GENERAL: I have just learned through your cavalry of your arrival at Faison's. Johnston with his concentrated force made an unsuccessful attack on my Left Wing yesterday, near Bentonville. I am just starting with my Right Wing to attack him. Feel into Goldsborough for General Schofield, and up to the Falling Creek and Cox's Bridge for me. We have cavalry pickets south of Goldsborough. The Neuse bridges are burned.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Falling Creek Church, March 20, 1865-6 a. m.

Major-General TERRY,

Faison's Depot:

GENERAL: I have this moment received your dispatch of yesterday. I had just sent off a cipher dispatch to you, but as yours is plain I infer you have no cipher clerk. Yesterday Johnston with his force concentrated struck my Left Wing near Bentonville, and they had a severe battle, lasting until night. General Slocum beat them off, but was uneasy. I am now turning the Right Wing on Bentonville. I want you to move to Mount Olive Station and communicate with General Schofield, who ought to be at Golsborough to-night, and then feel up for me on the south of the Neuse, toward Bentonville. Get the railroad from Northeast Branch to Neuse in running order, to the capacity of the captured stock. The railroad and road bridges near Goldsborough were burned yesterday on being threatened by some of our cavalry parties. If General Schofield gets to Goldsborough the road bridge should be rubuilt at once. If you need pontoons I can send you some of canvas. Half our trains are with General Slocum, near Bentonville, and the other half about eight miles south of this, on