Wednesday, April 19, 1865
Command is still in the same position as the last few days. Rumors
are that General Joseph E. Johnston has surrendered and that the
stipulations are being carried into effect at or near Raleigh.
Rumors also contradict the death of President Lincoln, which,
it is hoped, is the case.
Camps are still being daily improved a little, but the general
situation is still poor.
Thursday, April 20, 1865
Everything is unusually quiet about the camps. The rumors which
circulated everywhere that President Lincoln was still alive,
were unfortunately false. The sad news of his death is now fully
confirmed.
Had the pleasure of taking a ride through the countryside and
chatting with the citizens. This was my first ride out since entering
the Army. Received marching orders for tomorrow at half-past five
in the morning and am preparing, and the men are preparing, for
the move.
Picket: three companies of the 85th Illinois.
Friday, April 21, 1865
Left at half-past five this morning in the direction of Holly
Springs, where we arrived at noon. Weather is quite warm and hazy.
It rained most of the afternoon and rendered everything quite
unpleasant about the camps.
We received a small mail, but I was unfortunate and didn't get
anything. Holly Springs is a small place of a dozen houses, situated
at the crossroads from Chapel Hill & Fayetteville roads and
Raleigh and Aven's Ferry roads.
Picket: two companies of the 125th Illinois.
Distance marched: fourteen miles.
Camped at Holly Springs, North Carolina.
Order of March
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
Saturday, April 22, 1865
Everything is quiet about camp. Many extravagant rumors are constantly
in circulation. Prominent among which are those leading to the
shortest road to muster our. One rumor comes to us stating that
the Army of the Tennessee is now in motion towards Richmond and
that our Army of Georgia will follow in a few days. Everything
promises a speedy termination of the grand struggle.
Picket: three companies of the 125th Illinois.
Sunday, April 23, 1865
Weather is pleasant and cool; high winds all day. Had a pleasure
ride into the country. Saw ladies - rather rough stock - though
they make strong pretension toward refinement.
Have been troubled a great deal with repentant citizens who are
constantly hovering about headquarters for begging purposes, generally
for horses, with which they have usually been accommodated, regardless
of their loyalty or disloyalty.
Monday, April 24, 1865
One prominent rumor now circulating is an item which says that
a forward move is planned, after Johnston and his rebels. It appears
that the peace negotiations with him will prove a failure. Woe
to the Rebels and this Southern Confederacy if we must continue
the bloody struggle much longer.
Late at night: this rumor appears to gain strength and everybody
is making calculations that we will move out in a day or two.
Picket: tow companies of the 52d Ohio.
Tuesday, April 25 1865
Today, orders are again given for a forward march. The pending
negotiations with Joe Johnston have apparently proved a failure.
Had a nice time in the country. Ladies rather agreeable for Rebels.
Strong hopes are still entertained for the surrender of Johnston's
army, which must now be done by tomorrow noon. All the army, except
the 14th Army Corps, is now in motion and I trust, with bigness,
movement will soon over-claim all we lost by the Armistice of
the last ten days.
Picket; two companies of the 52d Ohio.
Wednesday, April 26 1865
Orders for a forward march were counter-manded at 2 a.m. and again
everything looks uncertain, though we think the war is now over.
Picket: two companies of the 52d Ohio.
Thursday, April 27, 1865
The glorious news has come at last: Johnston has surrendered all,
east of the Chattahoochee River.
The war is now virtually finished.
Picket: two companies of the 52d Ohio and two companies of the
125th Illinois.
Friday, April 28, 1865
Nearly all forenoon, troops have been marching towards Raleigh,
homeward bound, at which time the bands played.
Picket: two companies of the 86th Illinois.
Saturday, April 29, 1865
Sunday, April 30, 1865
No entries.
Monday, May 1, 1865
Marched from camp at Morrisville at 5:30 a.m. in the direction
of Oxford. Found the roads generally good except about three miles,
which had been previously very badly cut up by the Army trains.
Reached the Unica River at 2 p.m. Troops crossed on the bridge
and the wagon train forded the stream.
Country is good for North Carolina. Proceeded rapidly.
Men are all in good cheer and stand the march excellently.
Weather has been good for most of the day, though it did rain
a little in the early part.
Picket: none indicated.
Distance marched: twenty-two miles.
Order of March
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
Tuesday, May 2, 1865
Departed at 5 a.m. Weather is fair and the road is good. The country
is not very well watered. The soil, while sandy, is apparently
very poor. Improvements are very ordinary. Many log houses and
few frame houses; no brick houses and no barns.
Reached Hazzard Run, three miles south of Oxford, having forded
a river this forenoon.
Passed Oxford, which is a pretty little town of about nine hundred
inhabitants, and well-situated on high ground. A great many citizens
appeared in front of their houses and looked well pleased.
Picket: one company of the 86th Illinois.
Distance marched: twenty-two miles.
Order of March
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
Wednesday, May 3, 1865
Departed at 5 a.m. and met the 20th Army Corps. Halted one hour
and a half, long enough for them to clear the road, then moved
along that road for about three miles and took a left hand road.
We left Williamsboro on our right and gained about four miles
on the 20th Corps. At this point, we were ahead of the 2d Division
of the 20th Corps, but through courtesy gave them the road and
made a dinner halt. Were much detained by them all afternoon.
Reached camp one mile south of the Roanoke River, where we bivouacked
for the night, giving the right of way to two divisions of the
20th Corps. Weather fine and cool and the roads are fine. Country
very fair.
Picket: none indicated.
Distance marched: twenty miles.
Order of March
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
Thursday, May 4, 1865
Left at 4 a.m. and crossed the Roanoke on a pontoon bridge. The
river at this point is about seven hundred feet wide and has an
average depth of about six feet. After crossing, we took the road
leading to Boydton, a county seat of about five hundred inhabitants
- old dilapidated buildings are the principal characteristic.
About five miles beyond Boydton, we saw the first demonstration
of genuine Unionism since we left eastern Tennessee. Two queenly
beauties hoisted the Union flag and called for patriotic airs.
Camped at Barry's Mill near the Meheren River. It is a small stream.
Picket: none indicated.
Distance marched: twenty-four miles.
Order of March
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
Friday, May 5, 1865
Moved out of camp at 5 a.m. in the direction of Dannenburg courthouse
at Lewistown, from which place took the road leading to Nottaway
Courthouse and camped 4 1/2 miles from that place. Crossed Nottaway
River at Great Falls. Marched through a very fair country with
moderate improvements.
Timber is principally oak and pine with a little chestnut and
hickory. Generally very fair timber.
Picket: one company from 86th Illinois.
Camped on Whetstone Creek.
Distance marched: twenty-seven and a half miles.
Order of March
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
Saturday, May 6, 1865
Marched at 5 a.m. The roads are good but the weather is very oppressive,
due to the heat. Many men have dropped out of the ranks from sheer
exhaustion. The country lately passed over has been the marshiest
I every saw in the South. I found myself very disappointed at
times, though some farms are much better improved than any seen
since we left Middle Tennessee.
Today's was the longest march that we have ever made, since we
entered the service, having gone 32 miles.
Picket: none indicated.
Camped on the Appomattox River.
Order of March
86th Illinois
125th Illinois
22d Indiana
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
Sunday, May 7, 1865
Took up our line of march again at five o'clock this morning.
Crossed the Appomattox River and moved on across Swift Creek and
made a dinner halt on a little stream one mile east of the latter
stream and fourteen miles from Richmond. After an hour's pause,
we again proceeded forward on the Richmond road. Reached camp
on a creek at four o'clock, having marched twenty-five miles from
our previous camp on the Appomattox River. The race is won, between
the 14th and the 20th Army Corps. The men, though very tired,
felt good over being so near home.
Picket: none indicated.
Distance marched: 25 miles.
Order of March
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
Monday, May 8, 1865
Tuesday, May 9, 1865
Wednesday, May 10, 1865
No entries.
Thursday, May 11, 1865
Marched at 7 a.m. towards Richmond and proceeded through the city
between the hours of ten and twelve o'clock, then moved on towards
Hanover Courthouse. We camped within three miles of it, having
passed the outer line of defense to the city, and crossed the
famous Chickahominy Creek, so noted in McClellan;s Campaign against
the Rebel capital in 1862.
Richmond is a beautiful city, or rather, it was, in its day. At
the evacuation by the rebels, the mostly business part of the
city was burnt.
Picket: none indicated.
Distance Marched: twenty one miles.
Camped near Hanover Courthouse.
Order of March
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
Friday, May 12, 1865
Marched at 12 noon towards Hanover Courthouse, where we found
the creek so swollen from last night's rain that we were unable
to cross at the wagon road. We then moved about three-quarters
of a mile upstream and crossed on the railroad bridge. This, we
found, answered our need. Column massed and halted near town for
the 3rd Division to get out of the road and then moved forward
and crossed the Passamunkey River and marched about six miles
to a point where we camped for the night.
Picket: none indicated.
Distance Marched: eleven miles.
Camped near the North Anna River.
Order of March
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
Saturday, May 13, 1865
Moved out at 7 a.m. Brigade was in the rear of Division and had
charge of wagon trains. Found roads very badly cut up and difficult
to move the wagon train along. The country travelled over today
has been almost entirely devastated by the passage of armies over
the last four years. The soil is apparently very poor and the
country hilly, very badly improved. Generally, the inhabitants
are quite impoverished and live in the most miserable of log cabins,
with an occasional church in the countryside.
Pickets; none indicated
Distance marched: nineteen miles.
Camped 1 1/2 miles northwest of Chilesburg
Order of March
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois.
52d Ohio
Sunday, May 14, 1865
Marched at 7 a.m. in the direction of Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan
River. Road is bad and most outlandishly crooked. Country marched
over is still very much devastated and not generally very well
improved. Saw two fine plantations, or what is left of them. Water
plenty and good. Halted for dinner near Good Hope Church and after
one hour's rest, again moved forward. We camped about eight miles
from the church at Plentiful Creek, near Lewis' Mills.
Country travelled over this afternoon is less devastated.
Picket: none indicated.
Camped at Lewis' Mills on Plentiful Run.
Distance marched: 19 miles.
Order of March
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois.
Monday, May 15, 1865
Proceeded at half-past six in the morning and came up with General
Baird's column, where we came up with General Baird's column,
where we detained about a half hour, then again moved on, having
to stop frequently on account of the tardiness ahead. Made a dinner
halt on a creek. After an hour, again moved on and crossed the
Rapidan River by wading and camped about 1 1/2 miles from it on
the north side. Camp is located in an open field. Fuel is scarce.
The ground is nice and dry, with a heavy coat of grass on it.
Picket: none indicated.
Distance marched: 19 miles.
Order of March
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
Tuesday, May 16, 1865
Marched at 7 a.m. on a good road and reached the Rapphannock River
at noon. Forded that stream. Water was about three feet deep.
The entrance to the ford is bad on the north bank and required
a heavy detail to pull wagons out and repair the roads.
After a short halt, we again went ahead about about two miles,
to Elk Run, where we camped for the night. Today, we have travelled
twenty-two miles mostly over a very good country which once had
good improvements upon it. Thanks to the war, however, now all
is desolate and waste. Fuel is scarce.
Picket: none indicated.
Distance marched: 22 miles.
Order of March
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
Wednesday, May 17, 1865
Marched at 5 a.m. Crossed Elk Run, Cedar Run, Kettle Run and Broad
Run. Marched most of the day along the line of the Alexander &
Orange Railroad. After making a dinner halt, turned our course
northward towards Centreville and camped on the famous Bull Run
for the night about 3 1/2 miles from Centreville. Marched over
a most beautiful country, the Manassas Plains, all of which are
hideously devastated by the frequent passage of warring armies.
Distance marched 21 miles.
Order of March
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
Thursday, May 18, 1865
Departed at 5 a.m. and reached Centreville at six o'clock, where
we made a halt of fifteen minutes. Then we again headed on, towards
Alexandria on the Centrevill & Alexandria Turnpike, to Allendale.
We got there at half-past eleven.
Allendale, like many other towns, or places, of some note, in
the early part of this war, has but little left to mark where
it once stood. The whole country is ruined. Not a fence to be
seen anywhere.
Distance marched: 16 miles.
Camped at Allendale.
Picket: none indicated.
Order of March
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
Friday, May 19, 1865
Marched at 7 a.m. in the direction of Alexandria. Went into camp
between the Washington & Alexandria. Went into camp between
the Washington & Alexandria Turnpike on very rough hills.
Rained a little all morning, so as to render everything quite
uncomfortable while establishing the camp. We are now about five
miles from Alexandria and eight miles from Washington, on the
ground so long occupied by the Army of the Potamac.
Here, it is supposed that the grand march of our army ends. We
have fought many battles of the most gigantic war, and travelled
perhaps a greater distance through an enemy's territory than possibly
any other army known in fairly modern times. We did it with a
great rapidity, of which we are very proud, but what matters most
is, 'we did it', of which I am very proud.
Distance marched: six miles.
Picket: none indicated.
Order of March
86th Illinois
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
52d Ohio
85th Illinois
Saturday, May 20, 1865
Sunday, May 21, 1865 } No entries.
Monday, May 22, 1865
Tuesday, May 23, 1865
Today, the last general demonstration of military array was made
by many of the gallant troops of the 3rd Brigade and, in fact,
by a large portion of General Sherman's grand raiding Army of
Georgia, South and North Carolina.
Though little time was afforded for preparation, the display was
magnificent and the marching in column was superb.
Order of March
52d Ohio
22d Indiana
125th Illinois
85th Illinois
86th Illinois
Wednesday, May 24, 1865. No entry.
Thursday, May 25, 1865
Changed camp today from near the City of Alexandria to near the
Soldiers' Home, two and a half miles from Washington.
Found the camping ground very good and shady.
Friday, May 26, 1865
Paid Chester. For work to date, four months and twenty-six days
at ten dollars ($10) per month $48.33. For other work done previously,
three months and sixteen days $35.00 - total $83.33. Less advances
and for other expenses earlier listed, $52.80. Balance due to
date $30.53.
Paid in full to date: $31.00.