Wednesday, April 5. — Men relieved from picket about 12 noon, and started on march again. Weather very warm and hot. Had a very disagreeable march, halting every few minutes, until we reached Wellsville, about 31 miles from Petersburg. Went into camp for the night.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
April 5.—News has come that Selma is in the hands of the enemy, who have destroyed it, and are en route for Montgomery. Dr. de Yampert’s home is near Selma, and he has no doubt but that it is now in their possession. He says he does not care, as he expected to lose his all.
Dr. Bemiss is here on a tour of inspection; I am much pleased to see him again; it is like seeing a very old friend to meet any of our former surgeons. He is low-spirited, and it is not much wonder, as he has been separated from his wife and children a long time, and there seems little chance at present of his seeing them soon; and, what adds to the trouble, communication through the lines is very uncertain. These are things we try not to think about.
Mrs. Newsom arrived to-day. She does not intend remaining, but is trying to reach the army in North Carolina, as her brother is there. She is leaving two of her negroes, a man and his wife, with Dr. de Yampert.
April 5th.—Bright and pleasant.
Stayed with my next door neighbors at their request last night— all females. It was quiet; and so far the United States pickets and guards have preserved perfect order.
The cheers that greeted President Lincoln were mostly from the negroes and Federals comprising the great mass of humanity. The white citizens felt annoyed that the city should be held mostly by negro troops. If this measure were not unavoidable, it was impolitic if conciliation be the purpose.
Mr. Lincoln, after driving to the mansion lately occupied by Mr. Davis, Confederate States President, where he rested, returned, I believe, to the fleet at Rocketts.
This morning thousands of negroes and many white females are besieging the public officers for provisions. I do not observe any getting them, and their faces begin to express disappointment.
It is said all the negro men, not entering the army, will be put to work, rebuilding bridges, repairing railroads, etc.
I have seen a New York Herald of the 3d, with dispatches of the 1st and 2d inst. from Mr. Lincoln, who was at City Point during the progress of the battle. He sums up with estimate of 12,000 prisoners captured, and 50 guns.
The rumor of a success by Gen. Lee on Monday is still credited. Per contra, it is reported that President Davis is not only a captive, but will soon be exhibited in Capitol Square.
The Rev. Mr. Dashiell, who visited us to-day, said it was reported and believed that 6000 South Carolina troops threw down their arms; and that a large number of Mississippians deserted— giving such information to the enemy as betrayed our weak points, etc.
Three P.M. I feel that this Diary is near its end.
The burnt district includes all the banks, money-changers, and principal speculators and extortioners. This seems like a decree from above!
Four P.M. The Square is nearly vacated by the negroes. An officer told me they intended to put them in the army in a few days, and that the Northern people did not really like negro equality any better than we did.
Two rumors prevail: that Lee gained a victory on Monday, and that Lee has capitulated, with 35,000 men.
The policy of the conquerors here, I believe, is still undecided, and occupies the attention of Mr. Lincoln and his cabinet.
Wednesday, 5th—The regimental chaplains are occupying the pulpits of the different churches of Goldsboro and conducting nightly meetings. A large number of the boys are attending and a great many are coming forward and professing the name of the Lord. May the work continue until all have made the profession.
5th. Wednesday. Reached Juttersville Station on Danville R. R. at 10. 5th Corps made a reconnoissance and captured a large number of prisoners, wagons, flags, cannon, etc. Suffered some. Rebs at Amelia C. H. Cox spied.
April 5th. Orders received this morning to fall in without arms for a march into town and report at headquarters. Surprised to hear that we were to receive four months pay. It was overdue. No one left in camp but the camp guard. We were allowed more liberty than ever before. We remained in town all day. I was the only corporal in town with the company. Many of the boys are on the sick list. I was ordered to receive the pay for those of our company in the hospital, visit the hospital and give the boys their money. All were thankful to get the money and pleased to see me and were made happy over the good news I brought to them about General Grant’s success in routing the enemy. Returned to camp late tonight. I felt that I had put in a very busy day. Weather damp, cool, and very cloudy.
Chattanooga, Wednesday, April 5. After reading the morning Gazette to find the painful “no news”, when we knew there were armies in commotion, the details came, and my lot was to police in front of batteries with thirty others, post teams hauling. Worked all day but nobody hurt himself. The mail has been very short for two or three days.
New Creek, [West] Virginia, April 5, 1865.
Dear Lucy: — I am assigned to a new command of cavalry, infantry, and artillery — mostly West Virginia troops. I hated to leave my old command and at first was disposed to rebel. I am ordered to take command of an expedition through the mountains towards Lynchburg. It is over awful mountain roads, through a destitute country, and is in all respects a difficult, if not impossible, thing to do. I hope that Lee in his retreat will take such a direction as will make it plainly useless. If so, it will be abandoned, I trust. There will be little danger or hardship to me, but great hardships for the men. I will write you often till I start. I am to make my headquarters here while getting ready. I am to start from Beverly in Randolph County. Warm Springs, Staunton, and Lexington are named as points. — Love to all.
Affectionately ever,
R.
General Crook had the advance of Sheridan [in] the late movement at Petersburg.
Mrs. Hayes.
April 5 — The Yanks say that General Lee has evacuated Richmond, and I expect it is true, as they fired one hundred guns to-day around the prison in commemoration of the wilting, withering event.
April 5th.—Miss Middleton’s letter came in answer to mine, telling her how generous my friends here were to me. “We long,” she says, “for our own small sufficiency of wood, corn, and vegetables. Here is a struggle unto death, although the neighbors continue to feed us, as you would say, ‘with a spoon.’ We have fallen upon a new device. We keep a cookery book on the mantelpiece, and when the dinner is deficient we just read off a pudding or a crême. It does not entirely satisfy the appetite, this dessert in imagination, but perhaps it is as good for the digestion.”
As I was ready to go, though still up-stairs, some one came to say General Hood had called. Mrs. Hamilton cried out, “Send word you are not at home.” “Never!” said I. “Why make him climb all these stairs when you must go in five minutest ” “If he had come here dragging Sherman as a captive at his chariot wheels I might say ‘not at home,’ but not now.” And I ran down and greeted him on the sidewalk in the face of all, and walked slowly beside him as he toiled up the weary three stories, limping gallantly. He was so well dressed and so cordial; not depressed in the slightest. He was so glad to see me. He calls his report self-defense; says Joe Johnston attacked him and he was obliged to state things from his point of view. And now follow statements, where one may read between the lines what one chooses. He had been offered a command in Western Virginia, but as General Lee was concerned because he and Joe Johnston were not on cordial terms, and as the fatigue of the mountain campaign would be too great for him, he would like the chance of going across the Mississippi. Texas was true to him, and would be his home, as it had voted him a ranch somewhere out there. They say General Lee is utterly despondent, and has no plan if Richmond goes, as go it must.
