Wednesday, 3d—We started at 5 a. m. and marched twenty miles today. Crops look fine. There are a great many rebel soldiers throughout the country here, who have just returned from the armies of Johnston and Lee. Our army, for the first time, is passing through the country without destroying property.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Tuesday, 2d—Weather pleasant. We started at 6:30 a. m. and marched seventeen miles today. We crossed the Tar river at 10 this morning, and passed through some very fine country this afternoon. There is nothing new.
Monday, 1st—Our corps, the Seventeenth, took up the line of march at 6 a. m. and marched fifteen miles, going into bivouac at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. No foraging parties are allowed on this march, and no railroad or any kind of property is to be destroyed. The army, by divisions, is to go into bivouac when convenient about 3 p. m. each day, and about three miles apart, so that the trains and artillery can get into their corrals before dark. We passed through Forestville and Wake Forest, towns a mile apart, at about noon today. We have good roads and fine weather for marching.
Sunday, 30th—Remained in bivouac all day. We had a heavy rain last night, but it is clear and warm today. A man from the Fifteenth Iowa preached in our camp at early candlelight this evening.
Saturday, 29th—Reveille sounded shortly after midnight and we had our knapsacks packed long before daylight. Some of the boys were so happy and excited that they did not sleep much during the night. At 7 o’clock we took up the march, stepping to music as we left our camp. We crossed the Neuse river about noon and after marching twelve miles for the day, went into bivouac. By order of General Howard we are to lay over here until Monday, when we will continue our journey. The Fifteenth Corps is taking a road to our right. General Sherman’s headquarters wagons are going through with the Seventeenth Corps. The Thirty-second Illinois Regiment was taken from the Iowa Brigade and was brigaded with the First Brigade of the Second Division of the Seventeenth Corps. Our brigade is the First Brigade of the Fourth Division of the Seventeenth Corps.
Friday, 28th—The weather continues fine. We spent the day in washing and cleaning our clothing. We received orders to start for Washington at 8 o’clock in the morning, going by way of Richmond, Virginia. Great rejoicing in camp at the thought of going home—to come back no more. The report is that the four corps under Sherman, with Kilpatrick’s cavalry, are going North, while the Twenty-third Corps under Schofield will remain at Raleigh until all of Johnston’s men leave for their homes. He will take over the munitions of war surrendered by Johnston.
Thursday, 27th—We returned to our old camp just vacated and put our shelter tents over the old “ranches” again. By 1 p. m. the tents were all filled, we were at home once more and enjoying ourselves. The boys are now waiting for orders to start for their homes, but we are wondering which way we will go. Some think we will have to go back to the coast and take ship for New Orleans; but I guess we will leave that to General Sherman—he has never yet made a mistake in leading us.
Wednesday, 26th—The weather is pleasant. We remained in camp all day. Lieutenant-General Grant and Major-General Sherman went to the front early this morning. The report came late this afternoon that Johnston had surrendered his entire army to Sherman. Great rejoicing in camp! Johnston is to retain one-seventh of his small arms until his men start for their homes.
Tuesday, 25th—We broke camp again and at 7 a. m. started to move forward, our division, the Fourth, taking up the rear. We marched six miles and went into camp for the night. All is quiet in the front. Deserters from Johnston’s army are still coming in from the front. They declare that they do not want to do any more fighting, for they know that their cause is lost. They also expressed the belief that Johnston would surrender without fighting.
Monday, 24th—The Seventeenth Army Corps marched to Raleigh this afternoon and was reviewed by Lieutenant-General Grant and Major-General Sherman. Their reviewing stand was in front of the governor’s mansion. The army was glad to see their old commander once more. We received orders to move forward in the morning, since the terms of the surrender of Johnston’s army were not approved by the War Department at Washington. This is not good news for us, but we are hoping that Johnston will surrender without more fighting.
