Today in History:

264 Series I Volume XLVI-III Serial 97 - Appomattox Campaign Part III

Page 264 N. AND SE. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter LVIII.


HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
March 29, 1865.

Bvt. Major General A. S. WEBB,

Chief of Staff:

Twelve deserters from Cook's and Battle's brigades came in on General Potter's front. One man can from the rear at dusk. They know of no movement of troops. Cox's brigade was expected to strengthened their line, which was has been weak since the 25th. Colonel Robinson, commanding McLaughlen's brigade, reports three deserters from Lewis' brigade, who state that they anticipate a heavy fight on their right and an attack here. I have as yet heard nothing from the mounted regiments that was to report to me.

JNO. G. PARKE,

Major-General.


HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
March 29, 1865.

Bvt. Major General A. S. WEBB,

Chief of Staff:

Two of Sherman's men, after having been taken prisoners escaped from their guard, came into our lines this afternoon and make the following statement:


HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, PROVOST-MARSHAL'S OFFICE,
March 29, 1865.

Hiram Witmer, of Company H, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and Elzy C. Gray, Company I, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, state that they were captured on the 10th instant by Wade Hampton's cavalry seven miles south of Fayetteville, N. C. They were taken from there same night, crossing the Cape Fear River; next day were marched to Raleigh, N. C.; next day were put on the cars and taken to Henderson Station, Weldon and Petersburg Railroad; from tere were three days marching to Richmond and Danville Railroad; struck this railroad at Roanoke Station, then broke guard and left on the 21st for the Union lines, crossing the Nottoway between Blacks and Whites Station and Jonesborough; followed the north side of the Nottoway to he junction of that river and the Weldon railroad about five [miles] south of the month of Stony Creek' then struck north; passed Sussex Court-House, keeping the Nottoway to our left, recrossing it rear the Weldon railroad in a boat, and came into our lines near Reams' Station. Heard of none of the enemy's forces except about 200 cavalry at jonesborough, 500 at Stony Creek bridge. Heard the rest had gone to the left of the enemy's lines, looking for Sheridan.

JNO. G. PARKE,

Major-General.


HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
March 29, 1865 - 10.30 p. m.

Major-General MEADE:

Heavy cannonading on my front just commenced. No report as yet.

JNO. G. PARKE.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., NINTH ARMY CORPS, Numbers 8.
March 29, 1865.

A sufficient time having elapsed for a candid examination into the action of the 25th instant, the brevet major-general commanding desires to congratulate the troops of this division. You have passed


Page 264 N. AND SE. VA., W. VA., MD., AND PA. Chapter LVIII.