HDQRS. CAVALRY COMMAND, ARMY OF INVASION,
In the Field, S.C., March 3, 1865
Maj. L.M. Dayton,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Military Division of the Mississippi:
MAJOR: The enemy appeared in a considerable force this morning from the direction of Monroe, on the road to Blakeny’s, and skirmished with Colonel Spencer’s command, which crossed that road at 10 a.m. today at a point about six miles north of Blakeny’s. After striking the Chesterfield and Monroe road I moved down to Hornsborough Post-Office, then out upon the Wadesborough road to within ten miles of that point, where my own headquarters now are. My scouts have felt the enemy all day upon the left. I think Allen’s division of cavalry is now on the road from White’s Store to Wadesborough. I do not know what other forces of the enemy may be with him. I send you a map* indicating my encampment and country watched by my troops. I have had a horrible road to march on to-day. To-morrow I shall move to the vicinity of Sneedsborough unless I hear from you. Five miles of this road will be red slate and firm, after that sandy, and of course good. I have a scouting party in Wadesborough, who will bring me information of the enemy in that direction. Artillery firing is now heard north of and near to Clay’s Creek. Spencer, an hour since, had passed the road coming in from Meltonsville and White’s Store, and should be at this moment in position, covering that road, where I directed him to encamp to-night. My command is all in camp, and I believe my position a good one; covering, however, as I do so many roads, I shall have comparatively but a small force to resist any determined attack upon either one. I will be massed, however, at an early hour to-morrow morning on Chesterfield and Wadesborough road, at a point just north of North Carolina line. Please inform me what operations you require of me to-morrow, and, if possible, for the next day.
Very respectively, your obedient servant.
J. KILPATRICK, Brevet Major-General, Commanding Cavalry
Source: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Published under the direction of The Hon. Daniel S. Lamont, Secretary of War, by Maj. George B. Davis, USA, Mr. Leslie J. Perry, Mr. Joseph W. Kirkley, Board of Publication. Series I--Volume XLVII--in three parts. Part II--Correspondence, etc. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1895.
Kate Moore's information contributed by: John Ratcliffe jratcliffe@compuserve.com