If I can now add Goldsboro' without too much cost, I will be in a position to aid you materially in the spring campaign.
Jos.

Johnston may try to interpose between me here and Schofield about Newbern; but I think he will not try that, but concentrate his scattered armies at Raleigh, and I will go straight at him as soon as I get our men reclothed and our wagons reloaded.
Keep everybody busy, and let Stoneman push toward Greensboro' or Charlotte from Knoxville; even a feint in that quarter will be most important.
The railroad from Charlotte to Danville is all that is left to the enemy, and it will not do for me to go there, on account of the red-clay hills which are impassable to wheels in wet weather.
I expect to make a junction with General Schofield in ten days.
Yours truly, W.T.SHERMAN, Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, IN THE FIELD, FAYETTVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, Sunday, March.

12, 1885.
Major-General TERRY, commanding United States Forces, Wilmington, North Carolina.
GENERAL: I have just received your message by the tug which left Wilmington at 2 p.m.

yesterday, which arrived here without trouble.

The scout who brought me your cipher-message started back last night with my answers, which are superseded by the fact of your opening the river.
General Howard just reports that he has secured one of the enemy's steamboats below the city, General Slocum will try to secure two others known to be above, and we will load them with refugees (white and black) who have clung to our skirts, impeded our movements, and consumed our food.
We have swept the country well from Savannah to here, and the men and animals are in fine condition.