HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., April 18, 1865.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

Chief of Staff, Armies of the United States, Washington, D. C.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to forward copies of two dispatches* from Brigadier-General Potter, commanding the expedition now operating against the railroad in South Carolina near Sumterville. They are dated, respectively, the 10th and 11th instant. He is meeting with complete success.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Q. A. GILLMORE,

Major-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Twenty-seven Miles Northwest of Raleigh, April 18, 1865.

Major-General STONEMAN,

Commanding Cavalry:

GENERAL: General Johnston and I have agreed to maintain a truce in the nature of statu quo by which each is to stand fast till certain propositions looking to a general peace are referred to our respective principals. You may therefore cease hotilities, but for supplies may come to me near Ralegh. Keep your command well in hand and approach Durham's Station or Chapel Hill, and I will supply you by our railroad. As soon as you reach the outer pickets report to me in person or by telegraph.

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

The above order is given by agreement between Major-General Sherman and myself. The march of Major-General Stoneman's command under it is not to be interfered with by Confederate troops.

J. E. JOHNSTON,

General.

GREENSBOROUGH, April 19, 1865.

Major General W. T. SHERMAN,

Commanding U. S. Forces in North Carolina:

GENERAL: As your troops are moving from the coast toward the interior of South Carolina, and from Columbus toward Macon, Ga., I respectfully suggest that you send copies of your orders announcing the suspecsion of hostilities for transmittal to them by me, supposing the interior route to be the shortest,

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. E. JOHNSTON,

General, C. S. Army.

HDQRS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, Raleigh, N. C., April 19, 1865.

Brigadier General L. S. BAKER, C. S. Army,

Nash County, N. C.:

GENERAL: Yours of the 18th is received. General Johnston has not made an actual surrender of his army, but we have been in conference

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* See Potter to Gillmore, April 10 and 11, pp. 161, 176.

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