Dwight Henry Cory Letters and Diary

Our infantry and Cavalry took the South side R. R. yesterday and this morning we move to it and there hear from good authority that Richmond and Petersburg are ours. The Cavalry have just gone out expecting to engage A. P. Hitts Corps and as it is nearly surrounded there is some probability of its falling into our hands. Genl Grant passes us and says that Johnson with his entire Command has surrendered to Sherman and that Richmond was occupied by our troops at 8 1/2 o'clock this morning.

Tuesday, April 4, 1865

Leave the Southerland plantation where we were yesterday and move on towards Burke's station. The roads are passably good and the train moves pleasantly forward.

News comes that General Thomas is at Lynchburg with his command and is prepared to resist the advances of Lee. We capture General Burine and some of his Staff. Encamp long enough to feed after having marched 13 miles and then move on all night. During the past week our forces have captured about 8500 men together with two Major Generals.

Wednesday, April 5, 1865

Arrived at Gettersville at ten o'clock and issue rations to the Brigade. Several of our regiment were wounded in a fight, also two mortally and one killed. The result of the fight was we captured 1800 prisoners, 3 cannons and 450 mules together with trains loaded with supplies. Our forces seem to have every thing their own way and are bringing in prisoners faster than we can get rid of them. The enemy are expected to make a stand tomorrow and in anticipation our men have thrown up works for defense.

Thursday, April 6, 1865

The train lays still all day and advantage is taken to sleep, wash and the like. The Cavalry move out at 6 o'clock to engage the enemy but find the bird has flown, but we overtake them and the ball opens about 11.

The Cavalry Corps are sent round to the left to flank their retreating column and succeed in cutting it in two, leaving 8000 prisoners in our hands together with 16 pieces of artillery and considerable train which is burned.

Friday, April 7, 1865

The train moves to Burke's Station where the Danville, Petersburg, Lynchburg, & Richmond R. R.s form a junction and here we view the prisoners captured yesterday. Among them are Generals Fitzhugh Lee and Jewell and other infamous Generals too numerous to mention. Rained nearly all day and consequently the roads not entirely dry - before were not the best. Encamp for the night in the woods near the junction.

Saturday, April 8, 1865

Ordered to draw rations for the 2nd Cavalry division. Yesterday General Irving Frigg was captured by the enemy in a charge made by our forces on their train. Our cavalry suffered considerable loss as the enemy in force were concealed in the thick pine woods on either side of the road and as one charging column advances the enemy close up in our rear. This happened about 4 miles from Farmville towards Lynchburg on the R. R. The train with supplies for our forces lies still until 4 in the evening near Burkeville and then moves out to the Command.

Sunday, April 9, 1865

Heavy firing was heard all the afternoon yesterday and this morning but no news of the result has yet reached us. We hear that Lee has sent in under a flag of Truce to find what terms will be granted him should he surrender his forces but the heavy firing seems to reply "Unconditional." News comes tonight that Lee has surrendered all his forces in Virginia to General Grant and the report is confirmed by officers who ought to know but still it seems almost too good to be believed.

Monday, April 10, 1865

The heavy firing heard yesterday was done by Sheridan's Cavalry who were heading off Lees forces and had not yet heard of Lees surrender. The terms were agreed to today or last night late and the ceremony took place this morning. The victorious army tired and worn by constant marches felt as though their work were well nigh done and never had men engaged as soldiers greater cause for rejoicing then we have now.

Tuesday, April 11, 1865

The terms of surrender were 1st The Officers were to retain their side arms and all private property but all public property belonging to U. States is to be given into our hands.

2nd The men and Officers were paroled on the spot and all our men held by them as prisoners were also paroled. Lee states in a speech made to his army that he started from Richmond with 60,000 armed men and now he had only 12,000 to surrender besides 4,000 to 5,000 who had abandoned their arms.

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