HEADQUARTERS, SMITHFIELD, March 17, 1864.

His Excellency Governor VANCE,
Raleigh:

The railroad has brought us in the past thirteen days but some 500 men a day. I beg you to use your influance to improve its working for our benefit. We have troops at Salisbury, as well as wagons and teams, waiting for transportation. Enemy's army is along Black River. They attacked General Hardee repeatedly yesterday and were always repulsed, we think with very considerable loss.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

HEADQUARTERS,
Smithfield, March 17, 1865.

His Excellency Z. B. VANCE,

Raleigh:

The troops which attacked Hardee yesterday were the Fourteenth and most of the Twentieth Corps. Our loss between 400 and 500. Prisoners taken this morning give the Federal loss at 3,300.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

HEADQUARTERS,
Smithfield, March 17, 1865.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD,

Raleigh:

The enemy were attacking General Hardee's position five miles south of Averasborough all day yesterday; always repulsed. Our loss between 400 and 500. Prisoners taken this morning report Federal loss at 3. 300. Please hurry S. D. Lee, and desire commanding officers at Salisbury to send on transportation and artillery horses along the railroad, to be taken up whenever they may meet trains.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

RALEIGH, N. C., March 17, 1865 - 2. 30 p. m.

General JOHNSTON,

Smithfield, N. C.:

Telegraph superintendent here informs me General Hardee has ordered office at Barebee's closed and operator come here. I have ordered him to stop temporarily at Banks', twelve miles from here. General Hardee's order indicates movement of enemy on this place.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

(Same to General Bragg.)

RALEIGH, N. C., March 17, 1865 - 4 p. m.

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON,

Smithfield, N. C.:

Had already given orders referred to for General Lee to hurry bup his infanntry and for transportation and artillery horses from Salisbury to march to Greensborough. I will extend the order still further. I have ordered Gaston bridge to be floored.

G. T. BEAUREGARD.