Wednesday, 22d—Companies E and F of the Eleventh Iowa were sent out at 6 o’clock this morning on the skirmish line, but there were no rebels to be seen in our front. They left during the night, crossing the Neuse river, and retreating towards Raleigh, the state capital. Kilpatrick’s cavalry pursued them for several miles. The rebels fought in the pine woods, which were set on fire by the shells from our artillery. The fire compelled them to fall back, and they left their dead and wounded on the battlefield, to the mercy of the flames; the clothing was entirely burned off some of the bodies. The loss was very light on both sides. We remained all day in bivouac at the rifle pits, while the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps moved back towards Goldsboro.
March 2015
22nd. Clear. Wind up. Soon after breakfast accompanied Col. Nettleton to the boat which he took for Washington and home on a five days’ leave. Thede and I sent a letter. Would that we could go with him. How happy the home folks will be, especially Melissa and Minnie.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
March 22, 1865.—There is a railroad as far as Knoxville, and William wishes me to go with him; and if the regiment should be ordered farther, I can return from there at any time; and since I am here he wants me to see all of the South that I can. The band came last night and serenaded us. They play beautifully now. They have improved very much. They always come and serenade me as soon as they know I have come to camp.
Mrs. Lyon’s Diary.
Huntsville, March 21, 1865.—We arrived here safely, notwithstanding all the dangers we have escaped. Whenever we would get sleepy, some of the officers would tell of some escape or of the trains being fired into. Ours was a wild train and would not be expected; therefore the General thought it was in no danger of being fired into. When we reached here a beautiful barouche met them at the cars. The General kindly invited me to ride with them, and Minerva rode with the driver. He took the ladies to the hotel and then took us to William’s headquarters. I went in and found Mrs. Moulton. William had gone down town.
We reached here about nine o’clock in the morning. They did not expect William back until dinner, so I had a good rest before he got here. When he got back he came up to the room, not expecting to see any one, and was very much surprised to find me here. The first thing he said was, “I have just written for you not to come here. We are ordered away and go in a day or two.” But he forgave me, however, for coming. Mrs. Moulton said she would not have been more pleased to see her own sister than to see me.
Jerry also had a great surprise. Mrs. Moulton sent him for something into another room where Minerva was sitting. We were on hand to hear what he would say, and when he saw her he stood perfectly still with his mouth wide open and his big eyes bunged out, staring at her. She said, “Why, Jerry! Ain’t you glad to see me?” He said, “Sartain, sure, I thought it was your ghost until you spoke.”
March 21, 1865.
We moved out this morning just before daylight and got within 50 yards of the Rebel skirmish line, but nothing going forward on our right or left, we returned to our original position. Had one man in Company H slightly wounded. We could have held our advanced line just as well as not. I think our right must rest on the river. Some 35,000 or 40,000 Rebels are reported here under Johnston.. Some prisoners report Lee. I would like to see them whaled, but would like to wait until we refit. You see that too much of a good thing gets old, and one don’t enjoy even campaigning after 50 or 60 days of it together. I believe I am surfeited with oven bread—(“death balls” our cook calls them), biscuit, and pork. I feel finely; wet from head to foot, has rained since noon hard most of the time. About 1 p.m. the main line moved out on our skirmish line, and as quick as they get their works up (about one-half hour), our regiment deployed as skirmishers on our brigade front, and our whole corps skirmish line moved forward. I think the 17th drove the enemy on our right at the same time. We took their skirmish pits along the whole front of our division, but they were very close to their main line and we did have a very interesting time holding them, I assure you. I don’t think it was more than 75 yards to the main line of the Rebel works, and they in plain sight, only a straggling scrub oak undergrowth and a few large pines intervening. The Rebels came out of their works twice to retake their pits.
The first time the left of our regiment had to fall back, the brigade on our left giving way and exposing our flank, but we all rallied in a minute and made the Johnnies fairly fly back. The next time our brigade again broke, but our men held their pits, and the 26th Illinois, which was just coming out to relieve our regiment, faced its left wing for the pits occupied by the enemy, and went for them with a first-class yell. You should have seen the Rebels run. It did me a power of good. The other brigade then came back to their position, the 26th relieved me, and we are now ready for bed. We have been wonderfully fortunate to-day, only 10 wounded and none killed. The pride of the regiment, Frank Lermond, had his arm broken by a ball, but a resection operation will leave him a tolerably good arm. I think this has been as exciting and lively a p.m. as ever I saw. Terry’s 24th Army Corps has come up, and lays about six miles back of us to-night.
Chattanooga, Tuesday, March 21. Health good. All runs smooth in camp. No startling news. All hands have been working all day. I was under Simonds. Put up the logs of one shanty in the morning, roofed another one in the afternoon. No mail.
March 21st.—Clear and warm. Apricots in blossom. At last we have reliable information that Johnston has checked one of Sherman’s columns, at Bentonville, capturing three guns. This success is a great relief—more as an indication of what is to follow, than for what is accomplished. So Bragg and Johnston have both shown successful fight lately. Beauregard next. Sherman has three full generals in his front, with accumulating forces. A few days more will decide his fate—for immortality or destruction.
There are many red flags displayed this morning in Clay Street, for sales of furniture and renting of houses to the highest bidders. They have postponed it until the last moment to realize the highest possible prices—and they will get them, in consequence of Johnston’s success, which revives the conviction that Richmond will not be evacuated. But they have overreached themselves in demanding extortionate prices—such prices depreciating the currency—$1500 being equivalent to one barrel of flour! If it be determined to abandon the city, what will houses rent for then?
Lord Russell’s letter, forwarded from Washington some days ago, after much consultation here, was sent back to Gen. Lee by the Secretary of State, declining to receive a communication from a neutral power through a hostile one, and expressing doubts of its authenticity. Gen. Lee returns the papers to-day, suggesting that the expression of doubts of the authenticity be omitted—but will, at all events, when returned to him again, have it delivered to Gen. Grant. Mr. Benjamin thinks there is some occult diplomatic danger in the papers—at least he is idle, and wants some diplomatic work on his hands, in the regular way. How to avoid doing anything whatever, diplomatically, with this matter before him, is the very quintessence of diplomacy! He can look at it, read it, handle it, and return it to Lord John, and then diplomatically prove that this government never had any knowledge of its existence!
“The following official dispatch, from Gen. Lee, was received yesterday:
“Headquarters Armies Confederate States,
March 20th, 1865.
“Hon. John C. Breckinridge, Secretary of War.
“Gen. J. E. Johnston reports that about 5 P.M. on the 19th inst. he attacked the enemy near Bentonsville, routed him, capturing three guns. A mile in rear, the enemy rallied upon fresh troops, but was forced back slowly until 6 o’clock P.M., when, receiving more troops, he apparently assumed the offensive, which movement was resisted without difficulty until dark. This morning he is intrenched.
“Our loss is small. The troops behaved admirably well.
“Dense thickets prevented rapid operations.
“R. E. Lee.”
Tuesday, 21st—We advanced our line of battle a half mile, driving in the rebel skirmishers. Our loss was quite large in killed and wounded. All our artillery was brought into action and at times this afternoon the roar of cannon was fearful; but the rebels made no reply. Their loss in killed and wounded was large. There was some hard skirmishing on both sides. The Fifth and Twenty-fourth Corps under command of General Ord joined us this afternoon, thus reinforcing General Sherman’s army. The army is in fine spirits for all that the men are poorly clothed and short of rations; but anything that General Sherman wants done now, they are willing to do. All know that when we gain this battle, we will have a short rest and a chance to draw some clothing, besides securing rations, for forage is scarce.
21st. Clear and beautiful day. Warm. Cleaned up. Went to the landing. Could find nothing which I wanted. Rained. Papers of the 20th received. Everything seems to be moving off prosperously. God grant us an early peace. Dreamed of little Carrie.
Camp Hastings, March 21, 1865.
Dearest: — You would have boiled over with enjoyment if you had been here today. General Crook came out to my quarters. Both bands were out and all the men. We had about forty rousing cheers, a speech from Chaplain Collier, a good talk from the general, a little one from me, and lots of fun. It is four weeks today since the capture.
We are having the finest possible time. The Twenty-third is not camped with me now. It is two and one-half miles off in the prettiest camp they ever had the other side of town. But the brigade is a unit now. The mountain scenery is glorious; the men happy and well behaved. Chaplain Little and his wife get up something good at the log chapel daily. . . .
Affectoinately
R.
We have an old fellow, hard-looking and generally full of liquor, who brings in our wood and builds fires — of the Thirteenth. He says, “I was glad to see old Uncle George.”
Mrs. Hayes.
