ce the two armies, that is the one under Hampton
and the other under Hardee, came together. Hardee having recovered
from his indisposition, relieved General McLaws, the latter returning
to Augusta, Ga. Kershaw's Brigade was soon after put in Wathal's
Division.

On the 22nd of February General Jos. E. Johnston, who was then living
at Lincolnton, N.C., was called from his retirement and placed in
command of all the troops in North and South Carolina and Georgia.
Although the army was nothing more than detachments, and widely
separated and greatly disorganized when he reached them, still they
hailed with delight the appointment of their former faithful old
commander. His one great aim was the convergence of the various armies
to one point in front of the enemy and strike a blow at either one or
more of his columns, either at Fayetteville or at the crossing of the
Cape Fear River. Hardee had been racing with Sherman to reach
Cheraw and cross the PeeDee before Sherman could come up. He only
accomplished this after many forced marches by "the skin of his
teeth," to use a homely expression. He crossed the PeeDee one day
ahead of the enemy, burning the bridge behind him, after moving all
the stores that were possible. The right wing, under General Howard,
crossed the PeeDee at Cheraw, while the left, under Slocum, crossed
higher up, at Sneedsboro. Hampton was forced to make a long detour
up the PeeDee and cross at the fords along the many little islands in
that stream.

On the 8th of March General Bragg, with Hoke's Division, reinforced
by a division under D.H. Hill, of Johnston's command, numbering in
all about two thousand, attacked three divisions under General Cox,
at Kiniston, defeating him with much loss, capturing one thousand five
hundred prisoners and three pieces of artillery.

During the campaign our cavalry was not idle on the flanks or front
of Sherman, but on the contrary, was ever on the alert, striking the
enemy wherever possible. General Butler intercepted and defeated a
body of Federals on their way to destroy the railroad at Florence, at
or near Mount Elan. General Wheeler, also, at Homesboro, came up with
the enemy, and after a spirited brush, drove the enemy from the field,
capturing a number of prisoners. Again, near Rockinham, the same
officer put the enemy to rout. General Kilpatrick had taken up camp on
the road leading to Fayetteville, and commanding that road which was
necessary for the concentrat