Today in History:

58 Series I Volume LIII- Serial 111 - Supplements

Page 58 S. C., S. GA., MID. & E. FLA., & WEST. N. C. Chapter LXV.

Station. Found supplies more plentiful since crossing the Tar River. The citizens in general were glad to sell, but there were some exceptiions in the case of wealthy planters, who refused to sell to officers for mess supplies out of their abundance of farm produce. This section of country had scarcely felt the war, and the planters were insolent, declaring their intention to hold and whip their slaves as of old. The negroes flocked to the camps, asking advice. They were not permitted to come along, but were advised to remain adn await patiently the enforcement of the law which made them free. May 3, marched fourteen miles. Went into camp near the Roanoke at Robinson's Ferry. The pontoons of the Fifteenth and Seventeenth united were too short to span this broad river. A trestle road was built out into the shallow water about 100 feet. Some pirogues and flat-boats were found and used, and so the bridge was pieced out. The entire length was sixty-four feet. Lumber was hauled from a saw-mill five miles distant. May 4, moved late in the afternoon. Crossed the Rowanty and entered Virginia. Marched 10 miles and camped near White Plains. May 5, left camp at 4.30 a. m. Crossed the Meherrin River at Pennington's Bridge. Marched twenty-four miles. May 6, moved at 5 a. m. Marched twenty-eight miles. Crossed Nottoway and Stony Rivers. Struck the boydton Plank Road, passed Dinwidie Court-House, and went into camp about two miles beyond. May 7, left camp at 5 a. m. Marched into Petersburg. Camped at General Ewell's old headquarters. Found forage there, and directed the quartermasters to procure supplies. May 8, left Petersburg at 4 p. m. Marched with miles and camped. May 9, arrived at Manchester at 10 a. m. Camped by the mills near the pontoons. Gneeral and staff came up from City Point and joined camp. May 11, borke camp at 8 a. m. Rode with the general as the reviewed the troops of the Fourteenth passing through Richmond. Marched twenty miles, crossing the Chickahominy and camping near Hanover Court-House. Rained heavily at night. May 12, remained in camp till afternoon waiting the roads to dry. Crossed the Pamunkey River on pontoon bridge. The river was rising rapidly and flooding the botoomk; delayed the train of the Fourteenth Corps. Made seven miles, and camped half a mile beyond Concord Church. May 13, marched seventeen miles to Chilesburg. May 14, moved at 4.30 a. m. Marched sixteen miles and a half. Forded Po River, which swam our horses. Built a log bridge across for the trains. Camped at Spotsylvania Court-House. May 15, rode with the general and staff over the battle grounds, also over Chancellorsville. Camped at Marye's Heights. In the evening visited the city. It looked desolate. I found along the inhabitants an intense bitterness of feeling and hatred of the Government, with a disposition to boast of their former victories and hint of opporunities yet to come. May 18, marched twenty-four miles. All suffered much from the great heat. Halted at noon near Pohick Church; camped within six miles of Alexandria. May 19, moved through Alexandria and camped two miles beyond. Found General Webster already encamped with the rest of the staff headquarters, property, &c., from Savannah. ReMained there till May 22, when we removed, passing through Washington and camping near the Finley Hospital. May 23 and 24, attended the grand review of the armies in Washington. The balance of the month was spent in closing up accounts with quartermasters about to leave. On the 27th of May I received from General Sherman a leave of absence for thirty days, with orders to report at its close to the headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi, wherever it might be. On the 29th of May I started for home. In the latter part of June I received orders from General Sherman to meet him


Page 58 S. C., S. GA., MID. & E. FLA., & WEST. N. C. Chapter LXV.