O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/3 [S# 97]

UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM MARCH 16, 1865, TO JUNE 30, 1865.(*)--#4

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST-MARSHAL-GENERAL,
ARMIES OPERATING AGAINST RICHMOND, VA.,
City Point, March 22, 1865.

Major-General ORD,
Commanding Army of the James:

GENERAL: Our scouts brought the following information from Richmond this morning, which could have been forwarded yesterday had they been able to make the connection night before last, which was not done. Our agent in Richmond saw on Sunday night a long train of cars, loaded with troops, pass out of the city on the Danville railroad. He does not know to what command these troops belong; and having received prior to seeing them the information which he was to bring <ar97_79> from our friends he did not dare communicate with them again before leaving town the next day. He describes the train, however, and the troops with great particularity, and we have no doubt from his statement that troops were forwarded at that time. He heard a bare rumor that they were going to Amelia Court-House. Our friends in Richmond send us word that the Virginia Central Railroad is expected to be in running order as far as the Rivanna River in ten days from day before yesterday. They also say that the remnant of Hood's army, under General Cheatham, has reached General Joseph Johnston. The following is in writing, and, not being understood by us, is given exactly as forwarded:

Morgan's returned prisoners are being sent to Abingdon. If you do not take a hostage for Colonel Asworth (see dispatch of March 15), he will be hung.

The Richmond Dispatch of March 15 contains the following:

CASTLE THUNDER ITEMS.

Yesterday one of the prisoners of war at the Libby, Col. J. H. Asworth, of the First Regiment U.S. Georgia Volunteers, was transferred from that place to Castle Thunder, he having been recognized as a former captain in the C. S. service.

Our friends say that up to last Saturday, so far as they could learn, only three companies of negro troops had been raised. They are being drilled. It is, of course, possible that more than this number have been recruited, but our friends seem to be certain that no more have been organized into companies. The following is given as indicative of the present condition of Richmond:

May God bless and bring you soon to deliver us. We are in an awful situation here. There is great want of food.

Word is sent us of the return of Pickett's division, heretofore reported, to a position on the Williamsburg road, but our friends do not believe that the whole division is there, without saying, however, how much of it is or is not.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. H. SHARPE,
Assistant Provost. Marshal. General.

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