AVERASBOROUGH, March 15, 1865.

(Via Barbee's, 12. 30 p. m.)

General J. E. JOHNSTON,

Raleigh, N. C.:

The enemy, after being checked at Silver Run, retured toward Fayetteville. Hampton has transferred his command over Black River, to be in front of any movement upon Goldsborough. I heard nothing from Butler on the Clinton road during the night, and I am holding my command here awaiting further information. Prisoners say Sherman is receiving supplies at Fayetteville, by water, from Wilmington.

W. J. HARDEE.

Abstract from field return of McLaw's for March 15, 1865.

Present for duty.

Command. Officers Men. Effective Total Aggregate

total present. present.

present.

Conner's . . . . . 1,217 1,294 1,452

brigade. .

Blanchard's . . . . . 326 382 440

brigade. .

Harrison's . . . . . 788 1,034 1,115

brigade. .

Fiser's . . . . . 725 819 880

brigader. .

Hardy's . . . . . 329 409 448

brigade. .

Henderson's . . . . . 270 344 385

brigade. .

Brook's . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

battalion .

artillery.

Grand total. . . . . . 3,655 4,282 4,720

.

SMITHFIELD, March 15, 1865-8. 30 a. m.

General J. E. JOHNSTON,

Raleigh:

Enemy reported last night as having crossed at Kinston ins mall force. Your dispatch received placing me in command here.

BRAXTON BRAGG,

General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Smithfield, March 15, 1865.

Colonel T. J. LIPSCOMB:

Your two dispatches by courier (yesterday's date) came last night. On our arrival here yesterday afternoon a courier was dispatched to you, by direction of the general commanding, advising you that headuqarters are here for the present, and instructing you to so modify the disposition of your command as to adapt it to the change here made, still covering and holding in observation the approaches from Fayetteville northward and eastward, and to send your reports her einstead of to Goldsborough. These instructions or enow repeated. Your report is a little indefinite as to the crossing of the enemy at Blockersville, and proceeding up the Warsaw road. Have you since ascertained such to be the fact? It will be necessary that you send a courier daily to me to report positions, discoveries, &c. Your order to Lieutenant Stack