GOLDSBOROUGH, March 12, 1865.

Major-General HOKE,

Kinston, N. C.:

If Chesnut's squadron South Carolina cavalry is near your order it here immediately and to report on arrival.

JOHN B. SALE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Goldsborough, March 12, 1865.

Captain PARIS,

Commanding Light Artillery Battalion:

CAPTAIN: The general commanding directs you will immediately send a battery of your command to the country bridge near Goldsborough, and have them placed in position to defend the bridge against expected raid from the other side.

Very respectfully, &c.,

JOHN B. SALE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Goldsborough, March 12, 1865.

Colonel T. J. LIPSCOMB,

Second South Carolina Cavalry:

The general commanding directs that you will take position oin South River at and near the point where it is crossed by the highway leading from Goldsborough to Fayetteville. You will put yourself in communication with Lieutenant-General Hampton, who is in that vicinity. You will appropriately dispose your command so as to discover the first approach of the enemy from the direction of Fayetteville, and report to these headquarters by coureir daily. You will report oftener when there shall be any special information to communicate. Should the enemy appear you will fall back before him toward Smithfield or Goldsborough, as the case may be, so as ultimately to join the main body of the forces of this command.

Respectfully, &c.,

JOHN B. SALE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

P. S. -Captain Chesnut, with his squadron, will be directed to rejoin you as soon as he can be found.

J. B. S.

GOLDSBOROUGH, March 12, 1865.

OPERATOR AT MOESELEY HALL:

Inform me when the rear guard, consisting of all infantry at Kinston, passes on the march this way, and promptly send forward all orders by courier. Keep your office open till ordered from here to close.

JOHN B. SALE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.