drove in the enemy's pickets. I have heard but little firing in your direction, and now can hear none at all. Please give me informaiton from time to time what to do. Soon as I get my troops across I shall move on. The ford is growing worse and worse, and citizens inform me that if many troops cross it will become impassable. The force at Dismal Cross-Roads being still there this morning, I have been forced to keep a strong picket on the road leading in that direction.

Respectfully, major, your obedient servant,

J. WHEELER,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
Smithfield and Clinton Road, March19, 1865 - 3. 30 p. m.

Major H. B. McCLELLAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

MAJOR: A prisoner just brought in, belonging to Kilpatrick's cavalry, reports that his command moved from Dismal Cross-Roads this morning in direction of the Widow Peacock's house, on the Clinton road, which is south from Dismal Cross-Roads. When he was captured he suposed the head of the column had reached Widow Peacock's house.

Respectfully, major, your obedient servant,

J. WHEELER,

Major-General.

N. B. - At Widow Peacock's house the enemy could turn off and go in direction of Bentonville or Goldsborough.

BENECIA [?], March 19, 1865 - 9 p. m.

Major-General WHEELER,

Commadning Cavalry Corps:

GENERAL: Your dispatch of 5 p. m. is just received. I wish that you would leae sufficient force to hold the bridge on Clinton and Smithfield road and bring the rest of your command to Bentonville at as early an hour in the morning as you can. Guard the roads leading to Bentonville. We drove the enemy one mile and a half to-day, capturing four guns, and General Jonston proposes to maintain his position to-morrow. Send out your best scouts to get information. I shall be to-night near where the battery was to-day.

Respectfully,

WADE HAMPTON.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION,
March 19, 1865.

Major H. B. McCLELLAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

MAJOR: Scouts have just brought in two prisoners from Fifteenth Corps, captured on Cox's Bridge road, about one mile and a half above this point. They report that their corps in marching on the road to our right. They have also brought in two prisoners from Fourteenth Corps. They reported that their corps is in front of our infantry line on this road, and the twentieth Corps in rear of it.

Very respectfully, &c.,

M. C. BUTLER,

Major-General.