Feb. 1st A steamboat arrived from Savannah loaded with oats. A detail of 150 men from our brigade was made to unload them. We received no mail, nor any news of any kind from the outside world. I was still very weak and troubled with a lame back. The weather was warm and pleasant.

Feb. 2nd A detail of forty men was made under charge of Lieut. Wait of Co. "D" to work on the roads across the river. They were obliged to work in mud and water all day and they had a hard time of it. I took plenty of quinine, still I was not well. Weather was some cooler.

Feb. 3rd There was no movement of troops near us that I heard of. Still there was indications of an early advance. I felt worse and was confined to my bunk. I suffered with sever pains in my back and limbs. Weather cloudy and cool.

Feb. 4th Our brigade moved over the pontoon bridge into South Carolina. We marched 2 1/2 miles and went into the camp of a brigade belonging to the 20th Corps which had moved forward. Our duties were to guard supplies and perform picket and fatigue duties. I felt a little better but being still lame I rode over in an ambulance. We had a heavy rain in the forenoon, later it cleared off pleasantly.

Feb. 5th The balance of the 14th Corps crossed the river, followed by a large wagon-train, which was passing over the pontoon bridge at dark. We got hold of New York papers of Jan. 28th. They contained Richmond news of the 23rd. The capture of Fort Fisher and Wilmington, by our forces, was a severe loss to the Confederates. It practically put a stop to blockade running and interfered very much with their communication with the outside world. Many in the South were becoming despondent. Private Waller of my company was discharged for disability. Poor boy, he displayed wonderful courage. He wanted to remain in the army until the end. He would persist in the performance of duty when he was sick rather than to complain. But he got to having fits and had to be discharged at 18 years of age. His father had been a member of the company, was captured at Chicamauga, and died in Andersonville prison. I felt much improved. The weather was pleasant and warm.

Feb. 6th We moved at 10-30 A.M., taking a northeast course, passed through Robertsville, seven miles from the ferry and after a march of 12 miles went into camp at Sundrin. Robertsville had been pretty much destroyed by our cavalry under Gen. Kilpatrick. We passed a few bad swamps, but as a rule, the roads were passably good. My health had sufficiently improved so that I marched with the company. The weather was windy and cool.

Feb. 7th We marched 8 miles, moving on the Orangeville Road, leaving the Augusta Road to our left. We found the roads obstructed in every possible manner to delay our movements, consequently it was by the hardest that we were able to go eight miles. The 20th Corps moved on a road to our right. Foragers scoured the country upon the right and left and many articles of food which could not be taken along were destroyed. Evidently our army had entered upon a campaign of destruction and South Carolina was destined to reap a bitter experience. My health was much improved. The weather was rainy and cold.

Feb. 8th We remained in camp because the roads were so blockaded in front that we could not move. Men were sent forward to remove the obstructions. Our camp was close to what had been the town of Lawtonville. It never had been a large place, but now only one church and a few negro cabins remained to mark the spot. Our cavalry had burned the town. The foragers came into camp well loaded with bacon and sweet potatoes. My health was quite good except some rheumatic troubles.

Feb. 9th We marched at sunrise, our course was a little west of north. We went 19 miles and went into camp at sundown. We found the roads generally in good condition. A few bad mud holes, over which we were obliged to pass in single file. The country through which we passed was about the same as we found the days before.

Feb. 10th We moved at 7 A.M. Marched 18 miles and went into camp at 5 o'clock P.M. The roads were in good condition and we found the country to be much better than we had seen before in the state. Most of the residences that we passed were deserted and we saw but few white people. Of negroes we saw plenty, especially of women and children. Forage was found in abundance. We received a mail before leaving camp in the morning. I got a letter from my wife, also one from Lieut. Burnham written at Beaufort, S.C. He wrote he was improving. I was still troubled with rheumatism, though I was able to march with my company.

Feb. 11th We moved at 6 A.M. going nearly in a northwest direction and crossed the Salkehatche River. We passed through Barnwell and went to within three miles of Williston Station on the Augusta and Charleston Railroad making a march of 14 miles. Barnwell, the county seat of Barnwell county, had been a pretty place of about 1500 inhabitants. But all of the business portion, with many of the finest residences, had been burned to the ground before we reached there. We passed through a fine, rich country where nearly all kind of forage was found in plenty.

Feb. 12th We marched at 6-15 A.M. Went to Whitepond Station, thence along the South Carolina and Georgia R.R. to Windsor Station. Here we countermarched and returned to Whitepond Station and camped for the night. Making a march all together of 14 miles. Our division thoroughly destroyed the railroad for a distance of three miles. The 3rd Division destroyed it north of Windsor. I was detailed to take charge of twenty five men, called brigade pioneers, whose duty it was to march at the head of the division and to repair the roads if needed. We found them however, in very good condition.

An incident occurred which upon one hand showed the most desperate daring of a soldier and on the other illustrated some of the dangers to which the average soldier is exposed, especially when serving in an enemies' country. Our party of pioneers marched at the head of the division. General Carlin and staff was about thirty paces behind us. In passing through a strip of timber, we came to a point where the roads forked. A signal was given us to follow the road to the left. Just at this moment a stylish, young Lieutenant came riding up from the front and addressing Gen. Carlin said, "General you will take the road leading to the right", "No" said Gen. Carlin, "I go to the left". "Sir" said the Lieutenant, "The General orders that you move to the right", "What General?" asked Carlin, speaking as one in authority. This seemed to completely unnerve the Lieutenant, whereupon he wheeled his horse and dashed down the road with lightning speed. "Halt!", yelled Gen. Carlin, at the same time he said to me, "Captain, halt that man." I repeated the order to the men and several muskets were discharged simultaneously. The horse and its rider went down in a heap. When we reached the spot our gay Lieutenant was dead. Upon examination, it was found that under his Federal uniform he wore that of a Confederate Lieutenant. He was a spy. He had met us at the forks of the road for the purpose of misleading us, probably to direct us into an ambush. But his nerve failed him at a critical moment.

Feb. 13th We marched at 8 A.M. Went to South Edisto River, eight miles, where we halted three hours, then moved across the river and went six miles, making 14 miles for the day. We camped at night on a road leading to Columbia, the state capitol, and just forty miles from that place. This was my 24th birthday, the 4th one I had passed in the army. I reported Private A. O. Rice of my company as absent, probably captured or killed. He had been detailed as forager on the 8th since which he had not returned to the company. The weather was clear but windy.

Feb. 14th We moved at 8 A.M., went to the north Edisto River twelve miles, and went eight and a half miles beyond and went into camp at dark. This made a march of 20 1/2 miles for the day and brought us to within 19 1/2 miles from Columbia. We passed through a rather poor country, a small portion of it was under cultivation. Still our foragers obtained a fair amount of supplies. It rained hard all of the afternoon.

Feb. 15th We marched at 6 A.M. We left the Columbia road to our right and went to Lexington, 17 miles distant, and camped at 6 P.M. Lexington, the county seat of Lexington County, was but a small town situated thirteen miles west from Columbia. The 20th Corps moved on the direct Columbia road. For the first time since leaving Savannah we heard skirmishing. The foragers of our regiment encountered a party of Confederates and captured two of them belonging to Texas cavalry. Our regiment was detached from the brigade and marched on a road to the left for a while but we rejoined the command before going into camp.

Feb. 16th At 7 o'clock A.M. our brigade moved into Lexington to guard the place. Three regiments were distributed over town as house guards. The rest of the brigade took a position just outside, built slight fortifications and sent out pickets, our regiment among the latter. We remained here until noon when we moved in the direction of Columbia. Marching six miles in this direction, we turned to the left, crossed the Saluca River on pontoons and went into camp at 9 o'clock P.M. after a march from Lexington of 10 miles. The boys were all very tired. I was still troubled with rheumatism.

Feb. 17th We marched at 7 A.M. went four miles in the direction of Broad River when we struck what was called the Newbury road and followed this 12 miles northwest and went into camp at 3 P.M. having 16 miles over bad roads. We passed through a productive country, where provisions were to be had in liberal quantity. Some fine horses and mules were found that had been hidden in swamps. They were appropriated for the use of the army. Private Rice of my company who had been absent nine days and was supposed to have been killed or captured, came into camp mounted upon a magnificent horse which he had found hidden away from our line of march. He had watched the horse several days before he was able to get him from those having him in charge. I turned the horse over to Major Walker and he gave him to Gen. Hobart who, at the end of the war, took him to Wisconsin. Weather was clear and cool.

Feb. 18th It was the fortune of the 1st Division to remain in camp. The men appreciated the rest. The 2nd and 3rd Divisions marched on a road to our right, built a pontoon bridge and crossed Broad River three miles from our camp. The Confederate General Cheatam was said to be moving from the direction of Augusta with a view to crossing Broad River at Alston. His force was said to be 12,000 strong. We were informed of the capture of Columbia by our forces. Our foragers found an abundance of flour, meal, bacon, hams, shoulders, molasses and sweet potatoes, besides forage for animals.

Feb. 19th We moved at 9-30 A.M. went three miles in a northerly direction and crossed Broad River on a pontoon bridge. We crossed the Greenville R.R. continued north until we struck a road running N.W. from Columbia, followed this to within two and a half miles of Alston and went into camp having marched 10 miles. All of the 14th Corps was across Broad River and the 20th Corps was following close behind us. Orders were issued to have all of our wagons filled with provisions, as we would make a long march through a section of country where food would be scarce. A soldier belonging to the 37th Ind. was shot dead by one of our guards at the pontoon bridge. He was riding a horse and was ordered to halt as he rode on to the bridge. Upon refusing to do so one shot was fired by the guard. The ball passed through the soldiers body and the head of his horse, killing both instantly. I was detailed to act as major of the regiment. This gave me an opportunity to ride. I appreciated it.

Feb. 20th We marched six miles, crossing Little River at Ebanezer Church and went into camp at 2 o'clock P.M. The bridge over Little River had been destroyed but it was rebuilt by the 2nd Brigade under supervision of Brig. Gen. Buell. It was reported that the Confederates were concentrating a force at Winnsboro, eleven miles from our camp. There was a considerable skirmishing in our front. Orders were issued by Gen. Slocum strictly forbidding the destruction or waste of provisions. Everything was to be saved for the army. We seldom saw an able bodies white man. All such were soldiers.

Feb. 21st We marched to Winnsboro, eleven miles, halted half an hour for rest, then went five and a half miles on a road running parallel with the Danville and Columbia R.R. and went into camp having marched 16 1/2 miles. We passes through a productive country where supplies were found in large quantities. Many fine horses and mules were found and brought into camp. A difficulty occurred between men belonging to the 14th and the 20th Corps. There was a strife by the advance of each corps to see which could first get into Winnsboro. In point of fact each arrived there at about the same time but there was a war of words and some fist fighting was indulged in. However nobody was seriously injured. Winnsboro, the county seat of Fairfield Co., was a pretty place of about 3,000 inhabitants. The weather was fine. My health was good.

Feb. 22nd We moved at 6 A.M. For a distance of eight and a half miles we marched parallel with and about two miles from the Danville and Columbia R.R. Then we turned to the left and struck the road at Blackstock Station and destroyed two and a half miles of track south of that place. then moved to the Chester road and went into camp, fourteen miles from Winnsboro, though we had travelled 17 1/2 miles to get there. Captain Ewing and Lieutenant Morgan of our regiment came into camp. They had been captured at Chickamauga, confined in Confederate prisons 17 months and had managed to escape while being moved from Columbia. They were both looking well. The weather was windy and cold.

Feb. 23rd We were again on the move at 6-30 A.M. Our course was nearly due east via Gladius Grove to near Rocky Mount, making a march of 16 miles. We went into camp three miles from the Catawba River. The 20th Corps moved on the same road in our advance. Gen. Kilpatrick, with his cavalry force, passed us and crossed the river, after we went into camp. It was reported in camp that 35 men belonging to our cavalry had been found with their throats cut, a paper pinned upon their coats on which was written "Death to all foragers." It was said that Gen. Kilpatrick demanded an explanation from Gen. Wheeler in regard to the matter and threatened to shoot every prisoner he had in retaliation. It rained hard all of the afternoon.

Feb. 24th Our corps remained in camp all day. The 20th Corps crossed the Catawba River upon the pontoon bridge. A Union soldier was found dead two miles from our camp. He had been shot in the face in a manner as to completely disfigure him, so that he could not be identified. I heard no more about Gen. Kilpatricks retaliatory threat. It rained hard all day. My health was good as was also that of the troops in general.

Feb. 25th We remained in camp. Rain continued to pour down in torrents and the road were becoming next to impassible. It looked as though we would soon become mud-bound. The 20th Corps had crossed the river and was encamped several miles from the east bank. A portion of our wagon train crossed the river. I rode down to the pontoon bridge, three miles. The roads could not have been worse.

Feb. 27th At 2 o'clock P.M. the 21st Wis. and 33rd Ohio were called upon to march to the relief of a foraging party of 35 men, with 50 mules and 9 wagons in charge, that had been attacked by the Confederates five miles from our camp. We moved out rapidly but we arrived upon the ground too late to render assistance. The men and mules had been captured and were gone and the wagons were partially destroyed. In our outward trip I was left in charge of two companies at a crossroads. We barricaded our position with fence rails, behind which we secreted ourselves. Shortly we observed two Confederate soldiers advancing leisurely up the road toward us wholly unaware of our presence. When they had arrived sufficiently near, I invited them to surrender. They appeared much surprised to receive such an invitation , and for a moment seemed to contemplate retreat. But they soon learned that we should insist upon their compliance with our request and they gracefully surrendered. Each was mounted upon a good horse. These I was allowed to keep for the use of Gus and myself. The prisoners we turned over to the provost guard. We returned to camp at 8 o'clock P.M. It commenced to rain at dark.

Feb. 28th About noon the 1st and 2nd brigades of our division formed a line and threw out skirmishers to prevent the Confederate cavalry from pressing too closely while the 14th Corps crossed the river. At 3 P.M. we had all passed over the pontoon bridge, except those on the skirmish line, who remained until after dark and were brought over in boats as the pontoon bridge had been removed. The Confederates occupied our camps in less than ten minutes after we left them. We could watch their movements from across the river.

March 1st We marched at 6 A.M. moving in a northeastern direction. We went 14 miles and camped at Sumpters Battles, near Hanging Rock Creek. Our regiment marched in the rear of the 14th and 20th Corps. The roads were in a wretched condition and we moved slow. It was 9 P.M. when we went into camp. Rations of hardtack and coffee was issued to our brigade. In the tiresome march, through mud and water I found it a rare treat to be mounted upon a good horse. The weather was cold and rainy.

Mar. 2nd We marched at 6 A.M. went 14 miles and encamped at 6-30 P.M. We found the roads much better than the day before. A few bad places had to be repaired. We crossed Hanging Rock Creek in sight of Hanging Rock where our Revolutionary fathers gained a victory over the British. Much of the ground thereabouts had been fought over by the armies of the Revolution. We crossed the Little Linches Creek seven miles from Hanging Rock. It was reported that the right wing of our army had opened communication with the 23rd Corps at Cheraw. The report however was not generally credited. Most of the day was rainy.

Mar. 3rd We again moved at 6 A.M., marched 16 miles in an easterly direction. We crossed Big Linches Creek and went into camp near a point where the Camden and Charlotteville road crossed the Lancaster and Chesterfield road. We passed the unimportant town of Texahaw. The roads were generally in bad shape on account of mud and sticky clay. The boys went into camp pretty tired. Some rain fell during the day. My health good.

Mar. 4th We marched at 6-30 A.M. Our course was due east 9 1/2 miles to Mount Croghan P.O. Here we turned north, marched 6 1/2 miles and west into camp 1/2 mile north of the N.C. state line. It had been just one month since we had entered South Carolina at Sisters Ferry. Since then we had traveled 307 miles in the State. Weather was windy and cold.

Mar. 5th We marched at 8 A.M. going 13 miles directly east and went into camp at 3-30 P.M. Our camp was very near to the state line and but two miles from the Great Peedee River. Our brigade moved in the rear of our Corps and wagon train. Our pontoon men were ahead of us busy laying a pontoon bridge across the river. The weather was still windy and cold.

Mar. 6th Our division started out at daylight and went 2 miles to the Peedee, or Yadkin, River. Here we stacked arms and waited all day for the completion of the pontoon bridge. At sundown the bridge was finished and Kilpatrick's cavalry commenced moving over it. The river at this point was 300 yards in width and quite rapid. The 20th Corps crossed this stream at Cheraw nine miles below. The weather was disagreeable cold. My health was good.

Mar. 7th The cavalry under Kilpatrick finished crossing the river at midnight. Our division promptly moved over behind them. The 21st Wis. being in the advance was the first infantry regiment to cross at this point. We marched two miles and halted until nearly noon when we moved in a northeasterly direction, going 15 miles and went into camp at sundown. A portion of our route was through a productive section where our foragers got hold of some provisions. The weather was much more pleasant.

Mar. 8th We moved at 6-15 A.M. going in an east of northeast course, marched 21 miles and went into camp one and a half miles from Blue Bridge across Downing Creek. We marched rapidly the later part of the day in order to save the bridge from being destroyed by the Confederates. As it was they had set fire to it but no great amount of damage was done. We found the roads in good condition - dry and smooth - but the country was extremely poor and but thinly settled. Occasionally we met a citizen who was outspoken in his loyalty to the Union. Very unlike anything that we heard while in South Carolina. Our camp at night was 33 miles from Fayetteville.

Mar. 9th We marched at noon, taking the old Fayetteville road, so called to distinguish it from the plank road which ran parallel and a short distance from it. The wagon trains moved on the plank road. We marched 11 miles and went into camp at 9-30 P.M. We were delayed three hours on account of a bridge being destroyed. It was a barren section of country we passed through. We passed but two houses in eleven miles. An order was issued by Gen. Slocum forbidding pillaging or needless destruction of property. We were reminded that many citizens of North Carolina were loyal to the Union. It rained all day and was quite cool.

Mar. 10th We again moved forward at 6-30 A.M. We marched 8 1/2 miles and at 1 P.M. we went into camp for the day. We were halted in order to give the troops and wagon trains an opportunity to close up. Our men were tired and they appreciated a half a days rest. There was some fighting three miles to our left. Kilpatrick's force was engaged with Confederate cavalry. It was reported that our loss was considerable.

Mar. 11th We marched at 6-30 A.M., taking the Fayetteville road, went 14 miles and went into camp at 1 o'clock P.M. one mile from that place. Fayetteville had been evacuated by the Confederates the night before. Upon leaving the town they had destroyed the bridge across Cape Fear River. The place contained between three and four thousand inhabitants. It was the county-seat of Cumberland county but its chief importance was in the fact that here was located a United States arsenal and armory. This the Confederates had utilized to its fullest extent for five years. Here they had manufactured arms and accoutrements. Major Walker rode into town leaving me in command of the regiment.

One of the officers of the 21st Wis. had an experience here that went to show some of the ups and downs of army life. Lieutenant Cook of Company "A" while out foraging on the 9th had been captured, was taken to Fayetteville and was held there as a prisoner until the evening of the 10th when he managed to escape from his guard. Of course he knew that sooner or later our forces would occupy the town and he was willing to await there the coming of that event. Accordingly he carefully secreted himself by crawling under the floor of a fashionable residence. It happened that at the time there was gathered a select party, composed of stylish, young residences of the town, with a number of gay and dashing Confederated officers. There was singing, playing, dancing and feasting and all were delighted and happy. The jolly crowd indulged in lots of small talk and occasionally uttered some big talk. To all of which our lonely, envious Lieutenant listened while he lay cramped and shivering on the cold ground beneath them. All went gayly above until midnight, when like a flash of lightning from a clear sky the announcement was made that "Sherman's bummers were close at hand". Suddenly a change came over the scene. All was confusion and hurry. Farewells were tenderly though quickly spoken. Officers must away to attend to duties call. They must go forth to so and dare in defence of the dear ones, "to protect them from the despised invaders". Those brave officers did go and they kept going until they were safely upon the opposite side if the Cape Fear River and the bridge was in flames. At daylight Lieutenant Cook crawled out from his uncomfortable position to find that our army was in undisputed possession of Fayetteville.

Mar. 12th All of the 14th Corps remained in camp. Two pontoon bridges were laid across the Cape Fear River, one a little above town, the other three miles below. I rode into town and looked about. The arsenal and armory was an extensive affair. The buildings, I was told, spread over ten or twelve acres of ground and were furnished with valuable machinery. But by orders of General Sherman all was thoroughly destroyed. A small steamer came upon the river from Wilmington. We were notified that upon its return we could send out letters to friends. I wrote as follows:

Fayetteville N.C.
March 12th 1865

My Dear Wife,

I have just been informed that there will be an opportunity to send out letters on the little river steamer that arrived here a few moments ago from Wilmington. In one of my last letters written to you from Sisters Ferry, I spoke of being afflicted with ague and with rheumatism and I realize that in this account the past five weeks has been a period of deep anxiety to you. Therefore I embrace this first opportunity to write you with gladness, especially so because I am able to say that I am well and that I have been favored with good health most of the time since this campaign commenced. I have had the good fortune also to be furnished with a good horse to ride, having been detailed as acting Major of the regiment. Thus I have escaped some of the hardships of the campaign.

Since leaving Sisters Ferry we have marched 361 miles. The army has destroyed many miles of R.R. track and nearly all of the public property that was found. Of course a large amount of private property went with the rest. Our army has mostly subsisted off from the country through which we passed and many horses and mules have been secured for the use of the army. Our campaign through South Carolina has been one of sore affliction to the people of the state. Georgia suffered severely but the desolation left behind us there is not to be compared to the wholesale destruction of property in South Carolina.

Fayetteville a city of about 3000 inhabitants is 120 miles from Wilmington, N.C., on the Cape Fear River. It is a place of importance because here was located a U.S. arsenal and armory, an extensive affair but it is being totally destroyed by order of Gen. Sherman. The Confederates will feel the loss of it very much but the tide seems to have turned against them upon every hand. We think the end of the rebellion is not far away.

We are not yet at the end of our campaign. Which way we shall go from here, no one seems to know. I presume however that we shall move still farther toward the north star. I am reminded that our little steamer is about to start down the river. I must close. Be of good cheer.

Truly Yours,
James

Chapter Eighteen --->