HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,
March 20, 1865.

General J. E. JOHNSTON:

I can but express my hearty congratulations at your victory of the 19th. It was skillful planned and boldly executed. It was skillfully planned and boldly executed. The gratification to will give to the country will be equaled by the gratification which will be felt for yourself and the brave army that achieved it.

R. E. LEE.

SMITHFIELD STATION, March 20, 1865.

Lieutenant-Colonel ANDERSON, Assistant Adjutant-General:

I send dispatch from Major Ayer, from Augusta. Did you received cipher dispatch from Richmond sent to you yesterday by one of General Bragg's couriers? Gist's brigade is expected to-day. I received no instructions in regard to movement of troops from this place. If you have any to give please inform me. I requested commanding officer of Lowry's brigade to arrest and convey to front all stragglers he may find on his march.

Respectfully, your servant,

JAMES COOPER,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

NEAR BENTONVILLE, March 20, 1865 - 2. 30 p. m.

Captain COOPER, Smithfield:

Send all troops of Army of Tennessee this way as soon as they arrived, not to march, however, after night.

ARCHER ANDERSON.

RALEIGH, N. C., March 20, 1865 - a. m.

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, Smithfield, N. C.:

General Elzey has reported for orders from Augusta. I have ordered him to Macon with all light batteries not required for the defense of Augusta. Do you intend that he shall supersede General Cobb?

G. T. BEAUREGARD.

NEAR BENTONVILLE,

March 20, 1865 - 4. 30 p. m.

General BEAUREGARD, Raleigh:

General Olzey's being sent to Macon in command of artillery will not interfere with General Cobb's local command. Please so inform them. I think it will be better for you to bring up Lee. All artillery without horses, including that which was at Smithfield, should be sent immediately as far as Greensborough.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

SMITHFIELD, March 20, 1865.

General BEAUREGARD:

The Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps were yesterday moving on the road from Fayetteville to Goldsborough; the Fourteenth and Twentieth

91 R R - VOL XLVII, PT II