White Oak, S. C. |
February 19, 1865 -- 10 p.m. |
(Received 8:30 p.m. 20th) |
|
General R. E. Lee |
|
After close examination, and
exerting every means in my power, I find it impossible for the
troops now in Charleston
to form a junction with me this side of Greensborough. Believing it
best, from information just received from Governor Vance and General
Bragg, to transport the troops by rail to that point, I have
directed General McLaws to move them by rail as rapidly as possible.
I am also of the opinion that Cheatham, at Newberry this morning
with 2,000 men, and Stewart, eighteen hours behind him, with 1,200
men, cannot form a junction with me except by moving across via
Statesburg and Manchester, and thence by rail to Greensborough. This movement will require
some days, owing to difficulties of crossing the Broad and Wateree
Rivers. The enemy has advanced to-day to near Winsborough in force, and is
still moving along the railroad, keeping between this place and Broad River, thus cutting off Cheatham and Stewart. |
G. T. Beauregard |
General |
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