Another very pleasant warm day. I have done but little today except to read, play checkers, rig up a table to get ready for writing. We are deprived of mails for some reason and I feel lonely enough without my regular mail. Arrangements have been made to let a squad of men go to the city each day undercharge of a Non-Comm officers and spend the day but I shall have so much to do I cannot go for some days to come. We hear painful news of Gen'l Sherman's trying to make peace with Gen'l Johnson but Grant has gone to set things right. Hope all will yet be well.
Wednesday, April 26, 1865
A very pleasant day. Spent the night comfortably. About 9 o'clock we moved on to our new campground and fixed up temporarily for we are in hopes not to remain here long before going North. I have written to Mary and the children, also to Frank and Emily. A great many of the Richmond women came onto the grounds to sell all sorts of food to soldiers. Most of them show a want of education and refinement seldom seen in the North. Hear no important war news from the war
Tuesday, April 25, 1865
Very fine warm day. Our two divisions (1st and 2nd) of the 24th Corps started this morning at 9 o'clock to march through the city of Richmond. All our colors were flying and bugles playing. The 3rd division of our corps acted as escort to us. The sidewalks were well lined with citizens of white and black complexions. As we passed through the principal street the soldiers on both sides of the street with officers of all rank stood with arms at a shoulder. It was very warm but we felt proud to march through the city that was so lately the capital of the defunct Confederacy. We marched a short distance out of the city and went into camp. Sgt. Inepeles and came to our camp. I hope our marching is over. Got letters today from Mary, Frank, Emily and Gracie. Was glad to get them.
Monday, April 24, 1865
Fair but quite cold today. Last night there was quite a heavy frost. We camped on a hill in an open field where the wind had full rake and we suffered some with cold. Started at 4 1/2 o'clock this morning and after a hard march of about 17 miles went into camp about 3 miles from the city feeling grateful enough for rest. The boys have made their money fly at the Sutlers today as they were out of rations and had not seen a Sutler for several weeks. The country through which we passed today was rather barren and deserted but the ladies came out to greet us as we passed much pleased to hear our bugles.
Sunday, April 23, 1865
Arose at 4 o'clock A.M. Got a hasty breakfast and started at 5 1/2 o'clock. Feet some sore. Feel well otherwise. Made pretty good time all day as it was cool and windy. Passed through a small place about 7 A.M. called Arminia Court House. The people turned out and stood in view while we passed with colors flying and Bugles playing Marched about 21 miles and went into camp about 4 P.M. pretty weary and footsore. We have only about twenty miles more to go before reaching the famed city of Richmond. We have passed through a rich farming country today.
Saturday, April 22, 1865
Fair and very warm. Drums beat at 4 o'clock to march. We got ready. Broke camp at 5 and marched about 18 miles in the forenoon. It was hot and the boys grumbled freely but when the boys stopped for dinner and were told they were to go no further today they forgot all their weariness and good humour prevailed again. We are now about 37 miles from Richmond by rail. Some farther the way we shall go but we can make it in two days more. We are marching on the line of the Danville and Richmond R.R. We hear glorious news from the South and West on the war.
Friday, April 21, 1865
Morning rainy. Mid day fair. Eve Rainy. We have been lying in camp all day today awaiting orders. I have written a long letter to Miss Valentine and spent most of the remainder of the day reading the stirring news of the day. We are living in a time of thrilling events. It is an age one may well covet to live in if he acts well his part. I saw Jesse Morgan of our town today. Hear no new war news that is reliable though there seems to be truth in the report that Johnson has surrendered to Sherman
Thursday, April 20, 1865
Morning rainy. P.M. fair and windy Expected to march this morning but the rain prevented it so we have had a day of rest which is gratefully enjoyed. Dr. Rowe and F.M. Foster visited us today. Have written letters to Mary, Gracie, Mary Emile, Arolyn, Flora. Have to borrow paper and envelope. The camp is full of all sorts of rumours about the troops going home and going to Richmond, going to Petersburg, and going to Washington but I don't pretend to know or believe one word of these idle camp rumours.
Wednesday, April 19, 1865
Fair and very warm. Started at 6 A.M. footsore and lame are all the boys. Our brigade has the advance today. Made good time and began to be pretty tired when we arrived at Burkesville at about 1:00 P.M. Went past the R.R. station a short distance and camped in a piece of thick pinewoods for the night. We found a large mail awaiting us. I got letters from Mary, Gracie, Arolyn, Miss Valentine, Myra and a few lines from Florence. Drew two days rations tonight. Joe Cushman and S.C. Record came to see me tonight. We were glad to see them. Read all of the particulars of the death of the president. Troop filled with sorrow mingled with indignation.
Tuesday, April 18, 1865
Fair and warm. Started at 5 o'clock A.M. marched about 12 miles arriving at the pretty village of Farmville at noon where we stopped to draw two days rations and make coffee. We then marched some four or five miles and went into a camp near a high bridge. A splendid iron bridge having 21 spans of 60 feet each supported by vast brick pillars 160 feet high. The rebs destroyed four spans. We hear the painful news that Abraham Lincoln our president is dead. Killed by an assassin in a theatre. The nation must be in deep mourning for the loss of so great and good a man who filled so high a position.
Monday, April 17, 1865
Another beautiful day. Turned out at 4 o'clock this morning. Fried some fritters and packed up ready for a march. Started at half past nine A.M. and made a hard march of about twenty five miles without stopping to eat from the fact that we had NOTHING TO EAT. About 1 o'clock P.M. arrived at a R.R. station where we got some hardtack which pleased the boys very much. Nothing of particular interest transpired through the day. The Johnnys were thick as flies going every way with no one to molest them. A sight good for the eyes.
Sunday, April 16, 1865
A lovely fair day. The civilians are crowding past us going to church. Ladies wear their old fashioned pasteboard sunbonnets worn by ladies North ten or twelve years ago. A large mail came today. I got two letters from Mary, one from M.E. Sleeper, two from Frank, one from John K. and Maria, one from Millie Urick. They cheered me very much. We drew fresh rations today brought from Lynchburg consisting of flour and bacon. Orders are to march at half past nine A.M. tomorrow. We are glad to get out of this wilderness. Had an inspection at 4 P.M. today.
Saturday/ April 15, 1865
Very rainy all day. Rained all last of the night violently. We are still lying here taking comfort as much as we can. We are overanxious to hear from the loved ones at home and to know what is going on in the busy world. We don't get a paper or letter and all feel anxious to go somewhere. I got hungry again today and bought about two pounds of meal for 50 cents and a few dried apples. No news of importance. I go to bed tonight hoping for better things tomorrow.
<added later>
President Lincoln died this morning at 7 o'clock and 22 minutes by a pistol shot fired last eve by an assassin.
President Lincoln died this morning at 7 o'clock and 22 minutes by a pistol shot fired last eve by an assassin.
Friday, April 14, 1865
Fair and very pleasant. We still lie here while waiting for bread and orders. No supper, no breakfast and no dinner.
Hurrah! Rations have come! good. We are alright now and I hope shall move soon. Hi, Will and I went out to a house, bought soap and each a towel and washed us all over so I feel much better. No mail has come yet. Don't hear any news but the boys are surmising all sorts of things in regard to peace. We all feel the war is nearly over. I feel that God alone has wrought this great work and we ought to give Him his glory. May we learn wisdom.
Thursday, April 13, 1865
Morning cloudy P.M. fair It rained violently all night so the roads are horrible. We have not a mouthful of anything to eat this morning and nothing in the Commissary. We have been around where beef has been slaughtered and cleaned the tripes and boiled them to eat. Also we have eaten raw corn and some have got a little fresh beef so we manage to keep alive. I have written a letter to Mary and to the children but no mail has yet come though we look for it hourly. I go to bed hungry enough but live in hopes of better times to come.
Wednesday, April 12, 1865
Some cloudy but no rain. Was relieved from picket about noon. No rations in camp or in the Commissary. Our boys have nothing but fresh meat to eat for two days. The rain has made the roads so bad that teams cannot get up with rations. We expected to march this morning but shall not probably go till we get something to eat. Col. got a barrel of flour tonight for the Regt. which gave us quite a nice little supper. The paroled Johnnys are going home by thousands.
Tuesday, April 11, 1865
Rained in the night and some all day today. I have been copying off my pencil diary and am now on picket 2 P.M. Some of our boys found the treacherous Rebs burying a cannon and reported it and a lot of men went out with horses and found 56 cannon buried with head and footboards and marked as if they were dead men. They are not quite shrewd enough for Yankees. I fear we may have trouble with these scamps yet for there is no honor in them. It is reported that the prisoners (36,000) are to be paroled. I hope not.
Monday, April 10, 1865
Rained last night and this morning. Slept last night with Hi Sleeper. The rebel army camped a short distance from here. Had 40,000 rations issued to them yesterday by Grant. Has rained nearly all day. We are still laying in camp resting from our weary march. It seems a relief to feel secure when we lie down at night knowing we shall not be alarmed by the foe during the night. Col. McArthur and Lt. Col. E.A. True came to the Regt. last evening, the former from a furlough t he latter from detached service. Have no chance to send or receive letters yet. Hope we may soon for I am anxious to hear from home and they must be to hear from us. We are rather short of rations yet.
Sunday, April 9, 1865
A very fine warm day. Started about 6 A.M. after eating two hardtacks and a cup of strong coffee. Heard the good news this morning of the capture of a large train of cars (five engines) loaded with provisions for Gen'l Lee’s army. 12 M. sitting on a captured cannon, one of 43 captured yesterday by Maj. Gen'l Custer at Appomattox Station with five battle flags and 2 thousand prisoners. There was a fight this morning and report says Lee has got cornered and has raised a flag of truce and is now negotiating with Grant for terms of surrender. Everyone is wild with excitement and hope. IT IS A FACT!! Lee has unconditionally surrendered about 2 P.M. Came up with the Regt. today. Glad enough to see them. None of Co. "B" are hurt except Sgt. Young as far as we know.
Saturday, April 8, 1865
Cloudy but no rain. We started at 2 o'clock this morning. Have been traveling through a beautiful farming country and now resting at a beautiful village called Farmville. 8 o'clock A.M. Called at a house and got some molasses. They would take no pay. About 500 Rebs were captured today and are marching on with us. Called at a nice house found the woman in tears because she said "Your people have taken the last mouthful of food. Every dish, knife, fork, spoon and in short everything and they feared they should starve. Such things disgrace our army. Marched till 9 o'clock at night. Then went into Park. Made a good dish of coffee then turned in. Regt. still ahead. Hear no firing today.
Friday, April 7, 1865
Cloudy but no rain. Started at sunrise past the scene of yesterdays battle. It was a horrid scene. The dead were still lying where they fell in their gore. Saw a Reb. Col. and another officer rank unknown lying on the field. The ground was literally covered with guns abandoned by the enemy. Made a halt at Gen’l Sheridan’s Headquarters and saw their Sgt. Gen’l Ewell, Maj. Gen’l Gordon ... Gen'l Kershaw. Also counted 30 battle flags, saw about 10,000 prisoners, the result of yesterday's fight. Another fight going on today. Hurah! here comes the 24th A.C Train 2-o'clock P.M. all right now shall follow this train till I find the regiment which is still ahead. Have seen our G.M. and several of my Co. Heard today that cousin J.A. Caldwell was killed. Crossed Lynchburg RR today. Train came from Richmond. Got Herald of the 4th. Went into park and at 9 P.M. 3000 more prisoners taken today and 43 cannon, 35 battle flags.
Thursday, April 6, 1865
Morn. cloudy with sprinkles of rain. Marched all night. Stopped at 7 to breakfast in a large field where are thousands of wagons, artillery, ambulances and troops waiting for the Johnnys who are nearby said to be cut off. It is reported that Sheridan has captured 150 wagons including Gen'l Lee's headquarters train. Seven stand of colors and seven or eight cannon. The order comes at 9 A.M. to hook up and start so we have no chance to sleep today. Rebs commenced to retreat early this morn. and our boys are in hot pursuit. We crossed the Danville R.R. about 11 A.M. 95 miles from D.and 45 from Richmond. P.M. heavy firing in front. About sunset we come in sight of the battlefield, marched awhile by moonlight passed one sergeant lying on his back dead shot through the breast. Went into Park at 9 o'clock P.M.
Wednesday, April 5, 1865
Fair and quite warm. Marched all night and about sunrise went into for breakfast. Up to this hour we have not seen a Reb only such as are going to the rear. The road is all the way strewn with dead horses and mules and perfectly paved with all kinds of soldiers clothing abandoned by our boys in their race for Berksville to cutoff the Johnnys up to G. Park We are marching on with every prospect that we are to march till morning. The roads are perfectly horrible. The thousands of teams that have passed have cut them up so as to render them almost impassable. The poor faded horses are mauled and cursed shamefully but they must be pushed on to carry ammunition to the troops who are pushing the enemy.
Tuesday, April 4, 1865
A.M. cloudy P.M. fair and warm. Slept soundly in a wagon last night. Started about sunrise. Passed a very large drove of cattle for the army. Saw Gen's Mead and Grant pass this morning. Made a long halt at noon. I found the 1st Maine Vets and 31st. ?? I saw F. Foster, E. Perkins, J. Morgan, J.O. Cushman and C. Record. Started about 3P.M. Passed many broken wagons, dead mules and horses, relics of the hurried Johnnys Hear nothing from my Regt. An official from Gen'l Grant announces the capture of Richmond which brought many cheers and caused many hats to fly up in the air. We hear too that Bushrod Johnson has surrendered 5,000 Johnnys. Hope it is so.
Monday, April 3, 1865
Some clouds but no rain.Hearing that everything was on the move I started with Jangraw to find the regiment but they had gone. We could not learn which way so went into Petersburg and traveled through it. Saw everywhere the marks desolation and ruin caused by our shells. Most of the people welcomed us with open arms as their deliverers saying we have been waiting to see you for over a year. We hope the reign of terror is now over. Not finding our regiment we left the city, going toward Danville. as we heard the army had gone that way. ? Provost Guard came up and compelled us to follow the 6th Corps, though we knew the 24th had gone another way. I kept with them till most night and slipped them and followed the 6th A.C. Ammunition train. Wish I could hear from my Regt
Sunday, April 2, 1865
Fair and warm. It has been a great day in the history of the Great Rebellion. There was very heavy cannonading away on the left today Supposed to be Sheridan. There was also very heavy cannonading in front of Petersburg and on the Johnnys all night. About 4AM the 6th Corps broke through the lines with a furious charge about 3 miles above Hatchers Run. At the same time the 24th AC broke through at HR and doubled up the ??? taking nearly all prisoners, about 1000. Our victorious army then swept every fort and Breast work clean to within a short distance of the city of R. They came upon some very strong works and made a flank movement compelling the evacuation of the city which will be ???? by our forces in the ????. It is reported that Richmond is being evacuated also Corporal Jangraw were left behind and stayed the night in the camp of the 2nd R.I. Regiment.
Saturday, April 1, 1865
Fair in the morning and all day. I spent the night with Mr. M. Record and started this morning to go to my Regt. The long roll beat in the night but it didn't turn out. J. Cushman and C. Record came over with me to my regiment. Found them comfortably situated in as good quarters as we left. I found three letters here for me One from Mary Two from Frank Also one from Gracie. I wrote letters to Emily and Frank also did some company writing. There has been very heavy fighting away on the left today Supposed to be Gen'l Sheridan. We are anxious to hear from him and his command.
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