Sherman's troops at last reached Goldsboro on the 23d of the month and went into bivouac; and there his men were destined to have a long rest.

Schofield was there to meet him with the troops which had been sent to Wilmington.
Sherman was no longer in danger.

He had Johnston confronting him; but with an army much inferior to his own, both in numbers and morale.

He had Lee to the north of him with a force largely superior; but I was holding Lee with a still greater force, and had he made his escape and gotten down to reinforce Johnston, Sherman, with the reinforcements he now had from Schofield and Terry, would have been able to hold the Confederates at bay for an indefinite period.

He was near the sea-shore with his back to it, and our navy occupied the harbors.