n destroying lines of communication, bridges,
and supplies of the enemy. Willston in the West was operating south
of Tennessee, cutting off all chance of re-enforcements from that
direction, and Sherwood's cavalry in the direction of Augusta and
northward, performing the same character of service, while Sherlin was
again marching with 10,000 cavalry around Laws, making the whole country
untenable for want of facilities in gathering supplies, of which at
this time the enemy was in great need. The whole coast from Savannah
to Newbern, with forts, gunboats and munitions of war, was now in our
hands, with 100,000 as good soldiers as ever marched or fought a battle
almost entirely untrammeled, well supplied, and ready to drive Jones or
any opposing force north back to Laws, where the whole could be crushed
at one blow. Sherwood was to so conduct his movements as to detain Jones
in his front until the 10th of April, and then he was to move directly
against him and drive and follow him; but if possible, to get to the
Roanoke River, so as to hold Laws in his position.

"While Silent was preparing for his final movement against the enemy,
which was to commence on the 29th of March, Laws, suspecting the
movement, on the morning of the 25th, selecting the weakest point in our
lines, as he thought, assaulted the right of Meador's position in front
of the Ninth Corps. The point assaulted was a small fort known as Fort
Sleman, where the two opposing forces were not more than 200 yards
separated from each other. At dawn of day the rebels moved against
this point with Gadden's Corps, re-enforced by Bush Jones's division.
Parker's pickets were overwhelmed and the trenches taken by the enemy,
so that the main line of the Union forces was broken. The rebels now
seeing their advantage wheeled to the right and left, sweeping our lines
before them, and capturing our batteries, which they at once turned upon
Fort Sleman. The fort made all resistance possible, but, being assaulted
in front, flank and rear, was compelled to surrender. The guns of
the fort were now turned upon our own lines on either side with great
effect, driving our men and taking complete possession of this part of
our intrenchments.

"General Parker at this juncture came upon the scene, brought up
artillery on the hills commanding the point attacked, and ordered his
forces to occupy the fort. General Hartley also moved up and massed his
division and assaulted the enemy as