Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-03-23
Correspondent ofthc N. Y. world.l

the RoaBoke--Lee 4Udneuce,ing to De-
feat the Plans If Gen. Grant, dc, dc.
I Correspondent ofthc n. Y. World.
BALTIMORE, March l6.
LATER NEWS FROM suERMAN's ARMY.
/ Some later news has been received here
in regard to Sherman progress in the Car
oinas which throws additional light upon
his march, and dispels the errors into which
the public were led by the eprofoundignorance
which prevailed with regard to his move
ments up to yesterday The belief that he
had fa lien back toward the coast, mentioned
in my letter Of March -, was founded upon
facts which were well known, and which
were therein stated; and it was not until
the afternoon of the l4th that anything had
come to light which confiictcd with that be-
lief. Then, for the first time, it became
known that Sherman had marched from
Camden to Chcraw and from Cheraw into
North Carolina, and that he was at Laurel
Hill on the Sth of March. The accounts
that have reached here, of his march from
Camden to Laurel Hill, are as follows
On the 2oth of February, Gen. Hardces
corps had moved up from Florence to Che
raw, where. it effected communication with
General Johnston army, of which it now
constituted the left wing. The main body
OF Johnston army occupied a position be-
tween Cheraw and Wadcsboro. The caval-
ry, under Gen. Hampton, were thrown for
ward from Cheraw toward Camden, to watch
Sherman movements Gen. Sherman was
moving from Camden toward Chcraw.
BY the 2d Of March it became evident to
Gen. Johnston that Sherman had determin-
cd to move on Fayetteville. The confederate
left wing was accordingly drawn back, and
vi l..lt i
army passed through the latter place, crossed
the Great Pedce river without opposition
and reached Laurel Hill, from which point
they continued their march toward Fayette-
/, vile. Ia the meantime Gen. Johnston 5
!, whole army was marching toward Raleigh
by roads nearly parallel to those Of which
Sherman army was moving. Hampton >
cavalry was moving on his right flank, and
keeping him advised of Shcrinan's move
ments. Fitzpatrick cavalry was moving on
Sherman left flank. 1t was while in this
position, and when Sherman was u short
distance east Of Laurel Hill. that the battle
between Hampton and Fitzpatrick took
place alluded to by Gen. Lee in his dispatch
5 of March l3'
The ability of Gen. Sherman to advance
/, north any further than Fayetteville will de-
+ pend npon the strength Of the confederate
forces which will be concentrated under
General Johnston, on the line of the Neusc
river 1t is of the first importance, then,
> to ascertain their actual numbers. 1t must
be remembered that there is good reason to
believe that Stephen d. Lee $ corps of
D Hood army is now at Goldsboro, operating
, with the troops under Gen Bragg a corps
which is certainly over 10, 900 strong. The
main body of the troops which Beauregard
handed over to General Johnston must
amount to fully $1,000 Gen. Hampton $
cavalry cannot be less than 5000; Cheat
ham 5 corps is 1000 strong; llardcc left
Charleston with upwards Of l6, 600 men ;
and Bragg troops recently at Wilmington,
and now at kinston, amount to 1000 -
This makes total force of IS, 900 men and
it is this force that will confront General
Sherman, when he seeks to advance from
Fayetteville toward any point on the Ncuse
river.
A glance at the map will show that so far
as mere distance is concerned, Gen Sher-
man, since he left Savannah, has already
advanced halfway to Richmond But u
careful study Of the map, and of the actual
circumstances by which he is surrounded,
will show that he has by no means surmoun
ted half the obstacles that lie in his way
, The Neusc river is not near so great a
: stream as either the Santee or the Great
:, Pedee and yet it will prove far greater
: military obstacle. All of General Lee $
/, :, movements, for the last three weeks, indi-
IL IL cate that he has determined to fight the
y great battle with Sherman either there ol
on the Roanoke river, and in all probability
g to command in person. Every part of tho
d line Of the Neusc river is in direct rairoat
communication with Richmond and if the
in great battle of the war is to be fought upor
I,ne l,,, 4 Al