NEAR HILLSBOROUGH, April 16, 1865.

General WHEELER:

GENERAL: It is very desirable that you should not cross the river unless the enemy has done so or is moving. In either of these cases you can cross the strike him where you can. I will explain fully as to this when I see you.

Yours, respectfully,

WADE HAMPTON,

Lieutenant-General.

LEXINGTON, April 17, 1865.

General JOHNSTON:

Has General Breckinridge arrived? Answer immediately.

JEFF'N DAVIS,

President.

GREENSBOROUGH, N. C., April 17, 1865-9. 30 a. m.

President DAVIS, Lexington, N. C.:

I have arrived. General Johnston returned last night to HIllsborough. He received an answer from Sherman, the exact character of which I can't ascertain, but General Beauregard says its tone was conciliatory. I have telegraphed General Johnston to know if he desires me to go on, and will dispatch you when I receive his answer.

JOHN C. BRECKINRDIGE,

Secretary of War.

GREENSBOROUGH, April 17, 1865-11 a. m.

President DAVIS:

General Johnston has just dispatched me from Hillsborough that he is about to confer personally with General Sherman, and he will know in two or three hours whether I will be required there.

JOHN C. BRECKINRDIGE,

Secretary of War.

NEAR HILLSOBOROUGH, April 17, 1865-2 p. m.

Honorable J. C. BRECKINRIDGE:

Come to Hillsborough this evening, to Hampton's quarters, two miles east on railroad. Answer.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

HILLSBOROUGH, April 17, 1865.

General G. T. BEAUREGARD:

At 2 p. m. I telegraphed General Breckinrdige to come here to-night. If he has not received the dispatch, tell him to come to this house near railroad, two miles east of two. Answer. I must see him before 9 a. m. to-morrow.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

APRIL 17, 1865.

As the avowed motive of the Government of the United States for the prosecution of the existing war with the Confederate States is to secure a reunion of all the States under one common government, and as wisdom and sound policy alike require that a common government