Good Friday, April 14.—A gloomy day. I went to church in the morning, and listened to one of the finest sermons I ever heard. The text was “and the people stood beholding.” The vocal music was excellent; the voices were very sweet, and the contralto is one of the finest I ever listened to. Captain Hicks and his wife went with me, and were more charmed than ever with the music.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Raleigh, N. C., April 14, 1865, 1 p.m.
We passed through town and were reviewed by Sherman, who stood at the south gate of the State Capitol grounds. Just as Colonel Wright saluted, his horse turned his heels towards Sherman and did some of the finest kicking that ever was seen. It was most amusing. Raleigh is a fine old town. Many beautiful residences, and the gardens filled with the choicest shrubbery
The 14th A. C. guards the place. Wheeler’s men sacked it. Division hearquarters received orders to save their rations. What we have is to last 30 days and maybe 40 days. That means a long march, though it is hinted that we do not follow Johnston. Some think we are going into East Tennessee. The citizens of Raleigh generally come to their gates to look at us, but make no demonstrations that I have heard of. The 14th A. C. is protecting them in all their rights. Not a thing disturbed.
High rolling country and large farms. The town is fortified all around, but works were old. I never saw so few negroes in a Southern city. Our headquarter’s foragers brought in five Rebel deserters to-night, and five dozen eggs which I think were the most valuable.
April 14th.—Bright and cool.
Gen. Weitzel and his corps having been ordered away, Major-Gen. Ord has succeeded to the command at Richmond, and his corps has been marching to Camp Lee ever since dawn. I saw no negro troops among them, but presume there are some.
Gen. Weitzel’s rule became more and more despotic daily; but it is said the order dictating prayers to be offered by the Episcopal clergy came from Mr. Stanton, at Washington, Secretary of War. One of the clergy, being at my house yesterday, said that unless this order were modified there would be no services on Sunday. To-day, Good Friday, the churches are closed.
The following circular was published a few days ago:
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“To the People of Virginia.
“The undersigned, members of the Legislature of the State of Virginia, in connection with a number of the citizens of the State, whose names are attached to this paper, in view of the evacuation of the City of Richmond by the Confederate Government, and its occupation by the military authorities of the United States, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, and the suspension of the jurisdiction of the civil power of the State, are of opinion that an immediate meeting of the General Assembly of the State is called for by the exigencies of the situation.
“The consent of the military authorities of the United States to the session of the Legislature in Richmond, in connection with the Governor and Lietenant-Governor, to their free deliberation upon public affairs, and to the ingress and departure of all its members under safe conducts, has been obtained.
“The United States authorities will afford transportation from any point under their control to any of the persons before mentioned.
“The matters to be submitted to the Legislature are the restoration of peace to the State of Virginia, and the adjustment of questions involving life, liberty, and property, that have arisen in the State as a consequence of the war.
“We therefore earnestly request the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and members of the Legislature to repair to this city by the 25th April (instant).
“We understand that full protection to persons and property will be afforded in the State, and we recommend to peaceful citizens to remain at their homes and pursue their usual avocations, with confidence that they will not be interrupted.
“We earnestly solicit the attendance in Richmond, on or before the 25th of April (instant), of the following persons, citizens of Virginia, to confer with us as to the best means of restoring peace to the State of Virginia. We have procured safe conduct from the military authorities of the United States for them to enter the city and depart without molestation: Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, A. T. Caperton, Wm. C. Rives, John Letcher, A. H. H. Stuart, R. L. Montague, Fayette McMullen, J. P. Holcombe, Alexander Rives, B. Johnson Barbour, James Barbour, Wm. L. Goggin, J. B. Baldwin, Thomas S. Gholson, Waller Staples, S. D. Miller, Thomas J. Randolph, Wm T. Early, R. A. Claybrook, John Critcher, Wm. Towns, T. H. Eppes, and those other persons for whom passports have been procured and especially forwarded that we consider it to be unnecessary to mention.
“A. J. Marshall, Senator, Fauquier; James Neeson, Senator, Marion; James Venable, Senator elect, Petersburg; David I. Burr, of House of Delegates, Richmond City; David J. Saunders, of House of Delegates, Richmond City; L. S. Hall, of House of Delegates, Wetzel County; J. J. English, of House of Delegates, Henrico County; Wm. Ambers, of House of Delegates, Chesterfield County; A. M. Keily, of House of Delegates, Petersburg; H. W. Thomas, Second Auditor of Virginia; St. L. L. Moncure, Chief Clerk Second Auditor’s office; Joseph Mayo, Mayor of City of Richmond; Robert Howard, Clerk of Hustings Court, Richmond City; Thomas U. Dudley, Sergeant Richmond City; Littleton Tazewell, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Richmond City; Wm. T. Joynes, Judge of Circuit Court, Petersburg; John A. Meredith, Judge of Circuit Court, Richmond; Wm. H. Lyons, Judge of Hustings Court, Richmond; Wm. C. Wickham, Member of Congress, Richmond District; Benj. S. Ewell, President of William and Mary College; Nat. Tyler, Editor Richmond Enquirer; R. F. Walker, Publisher of Examiner; J. R. Anderson, Richmond; R. R. Howison, Richmond; W. Goddin, Richmond; P. G. Bayley, Richmond; F. J. Smith, Richmond; Franklin Stearns, Henrico; John Lyons, Petersburg; Thomas B. Fisher, Fauquier; Wm. M. Harrison, Charles City; Cyrus Hall, Ritchie; Thomas W. Garnett, King and Queen; James A. Scott, Richmond.
“I concur in the preceding recommendation.
“J. A. Campbell. “
Approved for publication in the Whig, and in handbill form.
“G. Weitzel, Major-Gen. Commanding.
“Richmond, Va., April 11th, 1865.”
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To-day the following order is published:
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“Headquarters Department Of Virginia,
“Richmond, Va., April 13th, 1865.
“Owing to recent events, the permission for the reassembling of the gentlemen recently acting as the Legislature of Virginia is rescinded. Should any of the gentlemen come to the city under the notice of reassembling, already published, they will be furnished passports to return to their homes.
“Any of the persons named in the call signed by J. A. Campbell and others, who are found in the city twelve hours after the publication of this notice, will be subject to arrest, unless they are residents of the city.
“E. O. C. Ord, Major-Gen. Commanding.”
Judge Campbell informs me that he saw Gen. Ord yesterday, who promised to grant me permission to take my family to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and suggesting some omissions and alterations in the application, which I made. Judge C. is to see him again to-day, when I hope the matter will be accomplished.
Judge Campbell left my application with Gen. Ord’s youngest adjutant, to whom he said the general had approved it. But the adjutant said it would have to be presented again, as there was no indorsement on it. The judge advised me to follow it up, which I did; and stayed until the adjutant did present it again to Gen. Ord, who again approved it. Then the polite aid accompanied me to Gen. Patrick’s office and introduced me to him, and to Lieut.-Col. John Coughlin, “Provost Marshal General Department of Virginia,” who indorsed on the paper: “These papers will be granted when called for.”
Friday, 14th—We started at 5 a. m. and marched twenty-one miles. We crossed the Neuse river at noon and passed through Raleigh about dusk, going into bivouac four miles west of town. Raleigh is a very nice place, and not a building was burned. Our division had the advance, the Eleventh and Thirteenth Iowa being on train guard.
14th. Spent the day reading the papers and writing letters. Wrote to Mr. Porter and Bails’ people. The whole north seems jubilant over the glorious successes, and becomingly ascribes the praise to God. All seem disposed to be lenient to the enemy, too, all but Davis. Salute fired. Four years today since the flag came down from Sumter.
Charleston, S.C., April 14,1865.
I have seen the same old flag raised on Sumter by General Anderson himself,[1] Garrison,[2] George Thompson, Tilton, Beecher,[3] and a host of abolitionists being present. It was a most beautiful and glorious sight. . . .
[1] The United States flag was raised on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor on April 14, 1865, by General Robert Anderson, who had been compelled to surrender the same fort four years before.
[2] William Lloyd Garrison.
[3] Henry Ward Beecher.
Chattanooga, Friday, April 14. On guard once more, and eight hours more of the rebellion to be trod out by night. The day is very pleasant. Grazed my horses and Griff’s as usual. Men are scarce to take care of all the horses. Those not on duty drilled an hour, foot drill, in the morning.
12 M. Another salute of two hundred guns fired in commemoration of raising aloft the stars and stripes on the ruined walls of Sumter, where four years ago to-day the heroic Anderson was obliged to pull it down by the traitorous crew. To him is the glory of replacing the good old ensign over that work that now lies in ruins, the fate of all treason.. The soldier heart swells with the same emotion as now stirs the bosom of our noble President and great Beecher. God bless them and our Country.
April 14th. Orders to clean up and prepare for a parade in town to celebrate the surrender of General Lee, and the capture of Richmond. The parade to take place in the afternoon. All troops in this vicinity to take a part in the big parade. Our company, C, color company, made a fine appearance in the parade, every man doing his best. During the parade there was great excitement, cheering, and rejoicing, all along the line of march. After the parade we were allowed our liberty for the rest of the day and evening. In the evening the townspeople illuminated the best they could under present conditions. Returned to camp quite late tonight, tired but happy.
Thursday Night.—Fearful rumours are reaching us from sources which it is hard to doubt, that it is all too true, and that General Lee surrendered on Sunday last, the 9th of April. The news came to the enemy by telegram during the day, and to us at night by the hoarse and pitiless voice of the cannon. We know, of course, that circumstances forced it upon our great commander and his gallant army. How all this happened—how Grant’s hundreds of thousands overcame our little band, history, not I, must tell my children’s children. It is enough for me to tell them that all that bravery and self-denial could do has been done. We do not yet give up all hope. General Johnston is in the field, but there are thousands of the enemy to his tens. The citizens are quiet. The calmness of despair is written on every countenance. Private sorrows are now coming upon us. We know of but few casualties.
