Today in History:

1078 Series I Volume XLVII-I Serial 98 - Columbia Part I

Page 1078 Chapter LIX]OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA.

Our main force is now located here, with the cavalry in advance at Northeast River, where the enemy has finally, under General Grants orders, coil sented to reccive the prisoners. Instructions have been given to bring them forward as rapidly as possible. A detachment has been sent over to obstruct the navigation of the Cape Fear as far as practi- cable, and if possible prevent troops from ascending by steamers. The river is in fine navigable order, however, and I fear we cannot long save the arsenal, the enemy having quite a number of light-draught boats above the obstructions. I am, sir, very respectfully. your obedient servant, BRAXTOK BRAGG, General. Lient. Col. W. H. TAYLOR, Assistant Adjutant- General, Hdqrs. Army of Northern Va. P. S.At the time General Schofield reached Fort Fisher, Brigadier- General Meagher, with one brigade, certainly, and probably two, reached Beaufort and proceeded immediately to New Berne. B.B. GOLDSBOROUGH, Mareh 6, 18653 p. m. The enemys advance was this morning nine miles from Kin ston. They are in heavy force and moving in confidence. A few hours would suffice to unite the forces at Smithfield with mine and insure a victory. BRAXTON BRAGG, General. General J. E. JOHNSTON, Fayetteville. GOLDSBOROUGH, March 7, 186511 a. m. General Hoke, at Kinston, thinks Schofield in his front. A deserter from the enemy yesterday also makes this report. I go down immedi- ately, having arranged to bring on troops rapidly. No delay will occur in making an issue. BRAXTON BRAGG. General J. E. JOHNSTON, Fayetteville. NEAR KINSTON, March 8, 18657 p. m. We attacked the enemy to-day about four miles in front of Kinston, and drove him from his position. He disputed the ground obstinately, and now confronts us about three miles from liis original line. We captured three pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners. The number of his dead and wounded left on the field is large. Our own loss, under Providence, is comparatively small. Major-Generals Hill and Hoke have exhibited their usizial zeal, energy, and gallantry in achiev- ing this result. Our troops behaved most handsomely. (The above portion of this dispatch sent to General Lee, Petersburg, Va., and Colonel Sale, assistant adjutant-general, Department of North Carolina, Goldsborough. The whole sent to General J. E. Johnston.) Schofield is not in our front. Major-General Cox, from Western Vir- ginia, is reported by prisoners to be in command, with three divisions. BRAXTON BRAGG. General J. E. JOHNSTON, Fayetteville, N. C.


Page 1078 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA.