ROCK HILL, February 22, 1865-11 a. m.

General R. E. LEE,

Richmond, Va.:

The Catawba River from Landsford to the railroad bridge offering no defensive line for a small force General Stevenson is retiring with the trains to Charlotte.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

HEADQUARTERS,
February 22, 1865.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD:

I have directed General J. E. Johnston to assume command of southern army and to assign you to duty with him. Together I feel assured you will beat back Sherman.

R. E. LEE.

CHARLOTTE, N. C., February 22, 1865.

General R. E. LEE,

Richmond, Va.:

Your dispatch informing me that you had directed General Joseph E. Johnston to assume command of the southern army and to assign me to duty with him has just been received. In the defense of our common country I will at all times be happy to serve with or under so gallant and patriotic a soldier as General Johnston.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

CHARLOTTE, N. C., February 22, 1865.

General R. E. LEE,

Richmond, Va.:

Lieutenant-General Hampton reports as follows from Chester:

Enemy are evidently moving eastward. The Fourteenth Corps on the railroad. Sherman has moved to his right. Kilpatrick is there also. Butler reports enemy moving toward Catawba River. I think they intend to cross low downor to move on Camden. Scouts report them leaving Broad River and moving east.

In consequence of the fall of Wilmington the route of McLaws' troops will be changed at once. Major-General Gilmer arrived here this evening.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMIES CONFEDERATE STATES, Numbers 3.
February 22, 1865.

I. General J. E. Johnston, C. S. Army, is hereby assigned to the command of the two military departments known as the Department of Tennessee and Georgia, and the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and the troops therein. He will proceed at once to effect a concentration of all available forces, and make the necessary dispositions to thwart the designs of the enemy operating in those departments.

II. General G. T. Beauregard, C. S. Army, will report to General J. E. Johnston, commanding, &c., for assigning to such duty as he deems most advisable.

By command of General R. E. Lee:

W. H. TAYLOR,
Assistant Adjutant-General.