Dwight Henry Cory Letters and Diary

Rained nearly all night last night but is clear this morning and the wind blows as though it had been commissioned to dry up the mud at once. In order to facilitate our movements Captain Cryer takes the place of Saxon in command of the Regt. On the 21st Recommended to the authorities of the State of Ohio for a Captains Commission which suggests the question to myself am I capable of holding, with credit to myself and safety to others, such a responsible position. Time will tell.

Thursday, March 23, 1865

This morning was clear and pleasant as a morning in March could be expected to be but Monday the wind rose and drove the sand with such force as to make one think he had suddenly been transferred to the great Desert.

Receive thirty-five recruits for the regiment. It seems strange that I receive no more letters than I have of late. Leave it be that All my former friends have decided to "drop" me?

Friday, March 24, 1865

Nothing going on in the regiment today except the assigning of recruits received yesterday.

Saturday, March 25, 1865

Were ordered out in line early this morning in order to be ready for any emergency. Marched to the scene of action but our services were not required. The Rebs take fort Sted. and other of our works but have to give them up to us again. Our loss estimated at 800. Theirs 8000. We take 2100 prisoners also in an attack made by us on their lines on our left we take a line of works and several hundred prisoners.

Sunday, March 26, 1865

In the melee yesterday one man of our regiment was severely wounded by a stray shell. (Steller) by name. He died last night. Every one feels jubilant over our sweep yesterday. Lincoln was within hearing distance of the fight and will doubtless return to Washington feeling like one old war horse. The regt. has not yet returned to camp. Sheridan is expected to join us tonight.

Monday, March 27, 1865

The regiment returns this afternoon to camp and Sheridan joins us and assumes Command of all the cavalry in this army. Genl Davis is superseded by Genl Crooks probably by recommendation of Sheridan and it pleases the 2nd Division generally for Davis has not shown himself the man sufficient for the place. The enemy threw shells at Sheridan's column while passing in front of Petersburg. Ordered to keep five days Rations on the men.

Tuesday, March 28, 1865

Went to City Point today and saw on my way there the 24th and 25th Corps which came last night. And today Generals Grant, Meade, Sherman, & Sheridan together with A. Lincoln are at the Point holding a consultation. This is probably one of the grandest meetings of military men that the world has ever seen and whether their deliberations shall meet our expectations the sequel must show.

Had my face copied today and a tune of 7.50 was the consequences.

Wednesday, March 29, 1865

Commence the summers campaign by breaking our camp and moving to Dinwiddie C. H. via Reames Station.

Genl Merritt commands the C. C. while Sheridan takes command of a military Division. It is very pleasant but the roads are not as good as might be desired but we reach Dinwiddie C. H. about six o'clock having traveled about forty miles and here we camp for the night. We met with no enemy on our march but their scouts keep on our flanks and occasionally fire at us.

Thursday, March 30, 1865

Commenced raining about midnight last night and has rained all day which renders our position any thing but comfortable. We lay still and wait for our train which on account of the bad roads is left far in the rear. Meanwhile our Division moves to the front and engages the enemy but with what success we have not yet learned, only by prisoners taken.

Almost entirely destitute of rations caused by some misunderstanding on our part.

Friday, March 31, 1865

Rather pleasant today. The regiment together with our division are ordered to the front and prepare to fight. Dismounted. Am ordered back from the front to joint the train and assist in bringing it forward. The roads are awful. Our division has a very hard fight in the afternoon and are driven back simply for the want of ammunition. The having of one brigade is highly complemented by General Sheridan. The loss in the Brig 220, in our regiment 16.

Saturday, April 1, 1865

The regiment is allowed to rest after its fight yesterday. General Picket's Division is captured by our forces today and are now lying at the C. H. (Dimwiddie) Heavy firing is heard all day in the direction of Hatcher's run and the report comes that the enemy have broken through our lines at that part it was left defended by the 9th Corps and our dismounted Cavalry. The firing was very heavy and constant both of artillery and musketing. Our victory or defeat seems to rest with our success, good or ill, today.

Sunday, April 2, 1865

The prisoners taken yesterday, 4000 in number, are marched to the Point and after the command have drawn rations of sugar, Coffee, & Hard Bread they move on toward Petersburg but meet with no opposition. News reach us that we hold Petersburg but is doubtless premature. The attack made on the 9th Corps yesterday was handsomely repeated and our men in turn charge and take the enemies principal lines of works and Petersburg is thus left at our mercy but we do not yet take possession of the place. Everything is turning in our favor.

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