The Diary of John Wesley Caldwell, 1865: 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.

More on John Wesley Caldwell

From the book, John Caldwell and Sarah Dillingham Caldwell... by Augustine Caldwell (1904) Maine Historical Society call number 929.2

"In the Civil War, he was one of the Six Sons of Wesley and Margaret Cushman Caldwell, who volunteered for three years ; four of whom became fatal victims. He enlisted Aug. 28, 1862, in the 8th Maine Vols. Inf. Co. B. Served three years ; mustered out at Richmond, Va., June 18, 1865, by General Order of War Dep't. He was in the expedition to Florida, when Jacksonville was taken; also in the Department of the South at Hilton Head and Beaufort, S.C. until April, 1864 ; then to Virginia, and was with the army of the James, at the taking to City Point and Bermuda Hundreds ; at Weir Bottoms Church, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, Chapin's Farm, second battle of Fair Oaks, Spring Hill : all the fighting around Richmond, Petersburg and capture of the same ; also the pursuit and capture of Gen Lee and his army at Appomatox, Va., April, 1865. At the return to Richmond he was mustered out as before stated, and then came the return to the home at Sherman Mills. Since the War he has held the offices of Postmaster, Trial Justice and Justice to the Peace."

"...Asbury Caldwell, the ninth child in the foregoing Family Record, was a brave Volunteer of the Civil War; the blood chills to read the brief story of his burial: He was shot in the battle before Petersburg. His brother, John Wesley Caldwell, was in the fight. He sought and found the body of Asbury. He entered a rebel house at night, and with the light of candles obtained a mantel, and inscribed the name of his soldier brother upon it, and placed it at the head of the hastily made grave. The rebels soon destroyed it. He also engraved the name in a Sycamore, close by. While at work upon the mantel, the bullets of the enemy were freely sprinkled upon the house, and the work had to be completed in the security of the cellar. "

The Diary of John Wesley Caldwell, 1865

Friday, April 7, 1865

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