Of course, I inferred that General Lee would succeed in making junction with General Johnston, with at least a fraction of his army, somewhere to my front.

I at once altered the foregoing orders, and prepared on the day appointed, viz., April 10th, to move straight on Raleigh, against the army of General Johnston, known to be at Smithfield, and supposed to have about thirty-five thousand men.
Wade Hampton's cavalry was on his left front and Wheeler's on his right front, simply watching us and awaiting our initiative.
Meantime the details of the great victories in Virginia came thick and fast, and on the 8th I received from General Grant this communication, in the form of a cipher-dispatch: HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES WILSON'S STATION, April 5, 1865 Major-General SHERMAN, Goldsboro', North Carolina: All indications now are that Lee will attempt to reach Danville with the remnant of his force.

Sheridan, who was up with him last night, reports all that is left with him--horse, foot, and dragoons--at twenty thousand, much demoralized.

We hope to reduce this number one-half.

I will push on to Burkesville, and, if a stand is made at Danville, will, in a very few days, go there.