(Confidential.)
MAJ.-GEN. GEO. PICKETT,
Commanding, etc., Petersburg, Va.
GENERAL: From all the information I have received, I think
the garrison at New Berne can be captured, and I wish it tried, unless upon
close examination you find it impracticable. You can use for that purpose
Barton's, Kemper's, Corse's, and as much of Ranson's brigades as you can draw
to that point. I shall send in addition Hoke's brigade from this army. General
Hoke is familiar with the vicinity of New Berne, has recently returned from a
visit to that country, and it is mainly upon his information that my opinion
has been formed. He will hand you this letter and explain to you the general
plan which at this distance appears to me the best. You can modify it according
to circumstances developed by investigation and your good judgment. It is
proposed that General Barton shall pass south of Trent River and attack the
forces said to be stationed behind Brice's Creek, get possession of the
railroad to Beaufort, cut off reinforcements from that quarter, and take the
town in reverse. General Hoke will move down between the Trent and the Neuse,
endeavor to surprise the troops on Bachelor's Creek, silence the guns in the
star fort and batteries near the Neuse, and penetrate the town in that
direction; Whitford's battalion, or such other force as may be designated, to
move down north of the Neuse, occupy if they cannot capture Fort Anderson at
Barrington Ferry, and endeavor to take in flank with the batteries the line
south of the Neuse, so as to lighten Hoke's work. The night previous to the
land attack Colonel Wood of the Navy with 200 men in boats will descend the
Neuse and endeavor to surprise and capture the gunboats in that river, and by
their aid drive the enemy from their guns. General Whiting will be requested on
the day appointed for the attack to threaten Swansborough with the troops he
has north of the Cape Fear, so as to fix the attention of the enemy at Morehead
City, etc., and to cooperate otherwise in the general plan. Everything will
depend upon the secrecy, expedition, and boldness of your movements. General
Barton should move first, and be strong enough to resist any combination of the
forces from New Berne and Beaufort. The cavalry had better accompany him to cut
the telegraph and railroad, gain information, etc. General Hoke with his own
brigade should move next, the force north of the Neuse to keep pace with him.
Colonel Wood will attend to his part.
If successful, everything in New Berne should be sent back
to a place of security. In that event, too, it is hoped that by the aid of the
gunboats water transportation can be secured, the enemy driven from Washington,
Plymouth, etc., and much subsistence for the army obtained. I wish you
therefore to follow up your success. It will also have the happiest effect in
North Carolina and inspirit the people. I propose Major Dearing for the command
of the artillery of the expedition. With the two battalions of Longstreet's
corps near Petersburg there should be twelve 10 pounder Parrotts and two
2O-pounder Parrotts; two 2O-pounder Parrotts will be sent from Richmond. At
Kinston I understand there are four Napoleons and one 3-inch rifle. From
Branch's battalion I hope you will get more rifle guns, of which, if possible,
you should have about twenty and as many Napoleons as you desire. The guns and
ammunition must be sent by railroad and the horses by common route. See that
you have a sufficiency of ammunition and subsistence. I wish you also not to
interrupt the general travel of the railroad, but to use the empty trains going
south for the transportation of troops, etc. When the day of attack is fixed
notify General Whiting. If you have to use the telegraph, merely say, "The
day is ____;" name the day of the month — he will comprehend. Commit nothing to
the telegraph that will disclose your purpose. You must deceive the enemy as to
your purpose, and conceal it from the citizens. As regards the concentration of
troops, you may put it on the ground of apprehension of an attack from New
Berne. General Hoke will give out that he is going to arrest deserters and
recruit his diminished regiments.
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
General.
SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of
Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 322-3
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