I do not think I want any more troops (other than absentees and recruits) to fill up the present regiments, and I can make up an army of eighty thousand men by April 10th.

I will post General Kilpatrick at Mount Olive Station on the Wilmington road, and then allow the army some rest.
We have sent all our empty wagons, under escort, with the proper staff-officers, to bring up from Kinston clothing and provisions.
As long as we move we can gather food and forage; but, the moment we stop, trouble begins.
I feel sadly disappointed that our railroads are not done.

I do not like to say there has been any neglect until I make inquiries; but it does seem to me the repairs should have been made ere this, and the road properly stocked.

I can only hear of one locomotive (besides the four old ones) on the Newbern road, and two damaged locomotives (found by General Terry) on the Wilmington road.

I left Generals Easton and Beckwith purposely to make arrangements in anticipation of my arrival, and have heard from neither, though I suppose them both to be at Morehead City.
At all events, we have now made a junction of all the armies, and if we can maintain them, will, in a short time, be in a position to march against Raleigh, Gaston, Weldon, or even Richmond, as you may determine.
If I get the troops all well planed, and the supplies working well, I may run up to see you for a day or two before diving again into the bowels of the country.
I will make, in a very short time, accurate reports of our operations for the past two months.