I therefore directed the left wing to march for Sneedsboro', about ten miles above Cheraw, to cross the Pedee there, while I in person proposed to cross over and join the right wing in Cheraw.

Early in the morning of the 3d of March I rode out of Chesterfield along with the Twentieth Corps, which filled the road, forded Thompson's Creek, and, at the top of the hill beyond, found a road branching off to the right, which corresponded with the one, on my map leading to Cheraw.

Seeing a negro standing by the roadside, looking at the troops passing, I inquired of him what road that was.

"Him lead to Cheraw, master!" "Is it a good road, and how far ?" "A very good road, and eight or ten miles." "Any guerrillas ?" "Oh! no, master, dey is gone two days ago; you could have played cards on der coat-tails, dey was in sich a hurry!" I was on my Lexington horse, who was very handsome and restive, so I made signal to my staff to follow, as I proposed to go without escort.
I turned my horse down the road, and the rest of the staff followed.

General Barry took up the questions about the road, and asked the same negro what he was doing there.