March 17th.—Bright and cool. A violent southeast gale prevailed last evening, with rain. Of course we have no news in the papers from any quarter. Sheridan having retired, all the local troops returned yesterday.
After all, the President does not reap a perfect triumph over Congress. The bill suspending the writ of habeas corpus passed the House by only four majority; and in the Senate it was defeated by nine against six for it! So the President cannot enjoy Cromwell’s power without the exercise of Cromwell’s violence.
We shall have a negro army. Letters are pouring into the department from men of military skill and character, asking authority to raise companies, battalions, and regiments of negro troops. It is the desperate remedy for the very desperate case— and may be successful. If 300,000 efficient soldiers can be made of this material, there is no conjecturing where the next campaign may end. Possibly “over the border,” for a little success will elate our spirits extravagantly; and the blackened ruins of our towns, and the moans of women and children bereft of shelter, will appeal strongly to the army for vengeance.
There is a vague rumor of another battle by Bragg, in which he did not gain the victory. This is not authentic; and would be very bad, if true, for then Sherman’s army would soon loom up in our vicinity like a portentous cloud.
The Commissary-General, in a communication to the Secretary urging the necessity of keeping the trade for supplies for Lee’s army, now going on in Eastern North Carolina, a profound secret, mentions the “miscarriage of the Fredericksburg affair,” which proves that the government did send cotton and tobacco thither for barter with the enemy.
One reason alleged for the refusal of Congress to suspend the writ of habeas corpus, is the continuance of Mr. Benjamin in the cabinet.
Friday, 17th—Our division is still in the lead. We started at 7 a. m. and marched fifteen miles. Our regiment was train guard and we did not get into bivouac until midnight. The rebels are in our front and hard to drive; their main force, however, is on our left, in front of the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps. It was clear today and quite pleasant.
17th. Reveille at 4. Moved out at 8, having been in line two hours. In rear of the train. Got into camp before dark. Plenty of rations. Passed through Aylett’s Ware House and camped near King William Court House, 8 miles from White House.
March 17th. Martinsburg. Weather clear, but very windy. Putting camp in order. Hoping for good weather. Lieutenant Merwin returned today, having been a prisoner of war since June 15th, 1863, most of the time at Richmond, Va.
March 17th. 1865.
Military affairs here are approaching a crisis. Everything betokens immediate action. Quartermasters have sent all superfluous baggage to Washington, and have everything packed, ready to move. Officers and men are sending home their “extras,” by orders from Headquarters. The Second and Fifth Corps struck tents at 12 o’clock last night, but had not moved at noon today. The Ninth Corps has been engaged for several days in throwing up breastworks to protect their flank, which shows that we are to hold these lines, while all troops on our left will be cut loose and sent to some other point. Furloughs continue to be granted as freely as last winter, which shows Grant is not short of men.
Mr. Collier started for home yesterday. Mr. Woodin leaves tomorrow morning. Colonel Swift, who went home to recruit, is on detached duty in Detroit.
A flag of truce came inside our lines the fifteenth inst. Rumor says, “Peace Commissioners.”
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
March 16, 1865.—The boat was tied up all night. I wonder if it will be tonight. We rode all day. We thought we saw the body of a man in the driftwood today. We still pass lots of cattle floating in the river.
Two miles from left bank of Black River, N. C.,
March 16, 1865.
About 14 miles to-day. About a dozen swamps, as many showers, three hard rains, and an awfully rough march. The men waded, I should think altogether, one-half mile of water from ankle to waist deep. They went through every swamp yelling like Indians. Rained all yesterday and last night. I saw peach and thorn blossoms, some wintergreen and arbor vitae growing wild. Two days like this would demoralize a citizen much. We drew three days’ hard bread to-day to last five. In the 26 preceding our division drew besides sugar and coffee, only two and one-half days’ of hard bread. Very poor country to-day. The boats brought us some late papers.
The latest account of Sheridan capturing Early. Don’t believe it. Saw Herald’s account of the inauguration. The writer should be shot. Of half a dozen boats that come to Fayetteville, only two brought cargoes, and both of them oats. Ridiculous, 40,000 pair of shoes would have been sensible. Many of the men are barefoot. Sherman and Hampton are having a spicy correspondence on murdering foragers. Think Hampton is a little ahead at this date. Have only seen the first letter on each side. There is talk of a fight at Goldsboro. I do hope this army will get two weeks in camp before it battles. It is a little too loose now for heavy, steady work. General Wood says that Sheridan with four divisions of cavalry is coming through to join us.
Chattanooga, Thursday, March 16. Rained furiously last night and blew a hurricane. Several of the tents blown down to-day. I was detailed to go to the hills (I ought not to have volunteered to go yesterday) with three men to load three post teams with logs. Road very wet and muddy, and when we got there we were hardly able to lift the logs, as we were very small men. Coming back, upset one wagon in a puddle many feet deep. Another wagon broke the tongue and we left it. Reached camp 2 P. M. very hungry and very dirty. Some of the reserve batteries have marching orders to report at Washington.
March 16th.—Clouds and sunshine; warm. Splendid rainbow last evening.
We have nothing new in the papers from any quarter. Sheridan’s position is not known yet, though it must be within a short distance of the city. There was no battle yesterday. Sheridan reports the killing of Commodore Hollins, and says it was done because he attempted to escape at Gordonsville.
Sherman’s march through South Carolina is reported to have been cruel and devastating. Fire and the sword did their worst.
Congress, the House of Representatives rather, yesterday passed a bill suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. The Senate will concur probably. Also the President’s suggestion amending the Conscript act has been passed. The President has the reins now, and Congress will be more obedient; but can they save this city? Advertisements for recruiting negro troops are in the papers this morning.
It is rumored that Sheridan has crossed the Chickahominy and got off without hinderance. If this be so, Gen. Lee will be criticised.
One P.M. It is ascertained that Sheridan has withdrawn to the York River, and abandoned any attempt on Richmond.
And it is supposed by high military authority that but for the providential freshet, Sheridan would have succeeded in crossing the James River, and cutting the Danville Railroad, which would have deprived Lee’s army of supplies. The freshet rendered his pontoon bridge too short, etc. This may be claimed as a direct interposition of Providence, at a time when we were fasting, praying, etc., in accordance with the recommendation of the government.
Thursday, 16th—We had a thunderstorm yesterday at 2 p. m. and today we had an all-day rain. We marched twelve miles in the mud, our division taking the lead. Our regiment crossed the South river after dark, on the stringers of the bridge, the rebels having burned a part of the bridge. The engineers have to lay the pontoons for the artillery and teams to cross. The country is very poor and forage is scarce.
