HEAQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

Near Bentonville, N. C., March 21, 1865.

Lieutenant Colonel J. H. W. MILLS,

Chief Commissary of Subsistance, Seventeenth Army Corps:

COLONEL: Colonel Joel has been directed to move his train to a temporary depot to be established east of the railroad and from there to send all empty wagons to Kinston for sugar, coffee, hard bread, and shoes. You will go with it and procure the commissary supplies. The general wishers you to have all supplies compactly loaded sent to the command here at once. The wagons so sent will be unloaded here and sent to Kinston.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. CADLE, JR.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS:

Near Bentonville, N. C., March 21, 1865.

Lieutenant Colonel E. M. JOEL,
Chief Quartermaster Seventeenth Army Corps:

COLONEL: The major-general commanding directs that you move the trains of the Third and Fourth Divisions to Mount Olive Depot, and there await directions from Captain Steele, who has gone to find the location of a temporary depot to be established by Captain Reese, chief engineer, on the Neuse River east of the railroad. As soon as practicable after establishing your train at this depot you will take all the empty wagons to Kinston and bring back sugar, coffee, hard bread, and shoes. For this purpose wagons loaded with foraged supplies and surplus camp and garrison equipage will be unloaded at the depot. Captain Steele will be at Mount Olive this p. m. I have ordered General Mower's train to move to Everettsville and the quartermaster to communicate with you at Mount Olive.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. CADLE, JR.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING,
[March 21], 1865-2 p. m.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN, General-in-Chief:

GENERAL: I am informed by Colonel Poe that you design swinging this wing to the left and rear of the Right. It can be done, I think, without difficulty. I shall, of course, keep my present lines, withdrawing gradually from my extreme left. I shall not commence the movement without further orders from you, but shall be prepared to commence it to-morrow morning.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. W. SLOCUM,

Major-General.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, near Bentonville, N. C., March 21, 1865.

Major General H. W. SLOCUM, Commanding Left Wing:

GENERAL: General Sherman directs me to say Colonel Poe has returned from your headquarters and that you may commence the