Mar. 13th We marched at 7 A.M. passing through town to the river, crossed over the pontoon bridge, moved out 2 1/2 miles east and went into camp at noon. Our entire 14th Corps marched through town together, moving in splendid order. None among its many regiments presented a more soldierly appearance than the 21st Wis. The 20th Corps marched in front of the 14th Corps and went into camp five miles from town. There was some skirmishing in our front and some artillery firing several miles down the river. Our foragers came into camp with but little.

Mar. 14th The 2nd Division of our corps had quite a skirmish on our left. It was a contest with the Confederates for the possession of a grist mill. After a sharp fight, in which we lost several men wounded, our forces got control of the mill. Another small steamer or two came up the river from Wilmington. We got hold of New York papers of March 3rd. The war news was very encouraging to us. The fall of Charleston and Wilmington was a serious loss to the Confederacy and with Sherman's army passing through the very heart of their country, it was not strange that they were getting despondent.

Mar. 15th We marched at 10 A.M., moved on the Raleigh plank road, going 8 1/2 miles we went into camp at 6 P.M. It seemed to be the impression that our destination was Goldsboro, a place on the Weldon Railroad, seventy miles from Fayetteville. It was reported in camp that Gen. Lee was evacuating Richmond. Gen. Hobart told me that the report was credited in official circle. That event did not occur until nineteen days later. On our march we met a large number of negroes, on their way to Wilmington and freedom. Two divisions of the 20th Corps and the 2nd and 3rd divisions of the 14th moved in front of us. Weather was showery.

Mar. 16th At 9-30 A.M. our division moved forward on the Raleigh plank road. Going 6 miles we came to the battlefield of Averysboro. Our advance had been engaged with a Confederate force under Gen. Joe Johnson and had suffered quite a loss. The enemy had fallen back a short distance and our men were busy caring for the dead and wounded. Our brigade moved forward in line of battle to relieve the line in front, in doing which we lost seven men. We engaged the enemy and continued under fire until dark, when the Confederates retreated from the field. This proved to have been quite a fierce engagement and our loss was reported at nearly one thousand in killed and wounded. The Confederates loss was fully as much or more including prisoners. Among the later was Gen. Rhett, a South Carolina aristocrat.

Mar. 17th The Confederates having retreated form our front, our army moved again, this time in the direction of Goldsboro. Our division moved from the battlefield across Black River and struck the Goldsboro road three miles from the point where it left the Raleigh plank road. We were delayed to assist in building a bridge over Black River and we marched but 6 miles during the day. The Confederates had retreated in the direction of Raleigh and everything seemed to indicate a hasty retreat. War material was scattered everywhere. Wagons and even ambulances containing wounded soldiers were abandoned by the Confederates. All of the wounded were taken along with the army and made as comfortable as possible.

Mar. 18th We marched at 6 A.M., went 14 miles and camped at 4 P.M. The roads were in very good condition. We passed a number of fine plantations where supplies were found quite abundantly. Our cavalry force under Gen. Kilpatrick had some sharp fighting on our left. A portion of our division was sent to their support, though they did not become engaged. The general health of the army was good and all of the boys were cheerful. The weather was pleasant.

Mar. 19th We now come to the battle of Bentonville, General Sherman's last battle of the Civil War. The Confederates had retreated from Averysboro in the direction of Raleigh and our force had turned to the right towards Goldsboro. As we were incautiously moving in that direction we encountered a strong force of Confederate cavalry. Our brigade, being in the advance of the 14th Corps, was at once formed into line of battle and moved forward, the enemy readily falling back before us. We were astonished after advancing a mile or more, through swamps and a thick growth of underbrush, to find ourselves with a strong force of infantry and artillery behind them. They opened upon our line a destructive fire at short range, which not only checked our advance, but killed and wounded a number of our men. Gen. Carlin, who was with us at the front, remarked, "Boys we will stay right here.". We built a line of works for protection and remained here until 2 o'clock P.M.

In making the advance to this point a gap had been made in our line of battle, extending from the left of our regiment. I never knew how wide this opening was, nor how it happened to occur, but it was there. I have thought that the enemy in front of us had a better understanding of it than we did, for at 2 o'clock P.M. a strong Confederate force was moved into the gap with the evident intention of capturing our brigade. It appeared to us like a hazardous thing for them to do, but they chose to take the chance. After passing our line the wheeled to the left, which brought them to our left and rear and immediately opened upon us a fierce fire of musketry, which added to the racking of artillery and musketry from the front, compelled us to abandon our position. In moving three hundred yards to the right we were obliged to wade through water two feet deep a portion of the distance. We formed a line and engaged the enemy for a half hour or more, when we were again outflanked, and had to save ourselves from capture, we fell back to the line of Gen. Mitchell's brigade and continued the engagement until after dark. The Confederates, by abandoning their killed and wounded, succeeded in making their way back to their original line, and our brigade returned to the point near which we established our line in the morning.

Nearly all of the 14th and 20th Corps had been engaged and the fighting had been severe all day. We had unexpectedly met a strong force here in the swamps under that able commander Gen. Joe Johnson who thought to demolish our corps before assistance could reach us. He took desperate chances but failed. Gen. Sherman confident in the superiority of his force, when concentrated, chose to fight a defensive battle, consequently the Confederate loss was 5000 while ours was 2000. The 21st Wis. lost 5 killed and 25 wounded.

In the above I have spoken only of the part taken by our brigade in the battle on the first day. I know nothing of the general plan of battle, if indeed there was any plan at all. Our commanders were evidently surprised to meet an infantry force here. Gen. Slocum remarked that our advance was making a "big fuss over fifteen hundred Confederate cavalry". In truth we had something besides cavalry. The opening in our lines, as referred to, was the result of somebodies carelessness, which caused the lives of good men, and exposed our brigade to capture. But fortunately we saved ourselves and was able to inflict quite a heavy loss upon the enemy.

I cannot close these notes for the day without referring to the heroic bravery of "Gus", as shown at the battle and also at Averysboro on the 16th. He was not an enlisted man, consequently was not expected to expose himself in battle. But he insisted upon staying close to me all of the time so that in case I was wounded he could assist me. He at all times manifested the same devotion to my interest, wholly unmindful of danger or exposure to himself. His most fervent wish seemed to be that I might live to return to my home and that he might go with me.

Mar. 20th In the morning the 1st Division moved forward and occupied the ground where the battle opened on the day before. We commenced to build a line of breastworks but soon our brigade was advanced a half a mile to the front, built a strong line of earthworks and remained here all day. We were joined upon the right by the 2nd Division. Constant skirmishing was kept up all along the line and there was some artillery firing also. The Confederate dead lay thickly strewn over the ground within and near our lines until buried by our men. While engaged in building breastworks I strained myself in the right groin by lifting, which developed into hernia. This disability had always been a source of much trouble to me since and upon application I was, in 1880, granted a pension of $20 per month with arrearage back to the time I left the service.

Mar. 21st Our brigade remained behind our earthworks. The troops upon our right advanced a short distance and swung to the left, which formed nearly a right angle to our works and the main line. There was hard fighting off to our right. The cannonading was extremely heavy. Our whole was ordered to hold ourselves in readiness for a general engagement at any moment. But the fight did not become general and we were not engaged.

Mar. 22nd It was discovered at an early hour that the Confederates had abandoned their position in our front. At 8 o'clock A.M. our troops began to move. Our 1st Division moved half a mile to the front, stacked arms and remained until 2 P.M. when we marched 6 miles on the Goldsboro road. We learned that Gen. Johnson's forces had retreated in the direction of Smithfield, leaving our route open to Goldsboro. The 23rd Corps, under Gen. Scofield, was at that place.

Mar. 23rd We moved out at 7 A.M. and after a march of 16 miles we went into camp 1 1/2 miles north of Goldsboro. On our march we crossed the Neuse River at Cox's Bridge where we passed the forces of Gen. Terry composed of the 24th and 25th Corps, the latter of which wholly colored soldiers. This force came through from Wilmington. We found the 23rd Corps at Goldsboro. They had left our army at Rome, Ga. in the previous October, had been at the battle of Nashville and was afterwards transferred, by the way of Washington, D.C., to Newburn, N.C. and from there had marched to Goldsboro. It seemed to us like meeting old friends when we saw them. Gen. Sherman issued an order declaring the campaign at an end, congratulating the army upon the results attained. He stated that the army should now have rest and abundant supplies, both of which was much needed. After leaving Savannah our army had made a march of 470 miles, much of the distance was through mud and rain. Still the general health of the troops was good. A few days of rest and then move on.

Camp 21st Wis. Vol.
Goldsboro N.C. Mar 24th 1865

My Dear Wife,

The first mail to leave this army after the ending of our campaign in the Carolinas, will close in a few moments. I must send in a line to tell you I am still in the land of the living and that, as ever, you are held in kind remembrance. Since I last wrote you on the 13th, we have been engaged in two battles. That at Averysboro on the 16th and at Bentonville on the 19th, 20th and 21st. Our regiment lost, in the two battles, 3 killed, including one officer and 23 wounded. At Bentonville our regiment was in a very exposed position and for a time it appeared as though the list of our loss might include us all, but fortune favored us and it was comparatively light, though I still believe I never was in a hotter place before. The Confederates were defeated in both engagements, with an aggregate loss, supposed to be, but not less than 5,000. Ours was much less.

Since leaving Savannah, Ga. this army has marched 470 miles, through rain, sunshine and mud. We will probably be allowed to rest here a few days and then move on. However much the boys may need the rest, I believe they would willingly forego that pleasure until the close of the war which all regard as near at hand. I am still enjoying a fair degree of health, am still acting major of the regiment, hence many advantages are afforded me. We are eagerly watching for a mail from the north. Whenever it does arrive I hope to be remembered, I hope to get a letter from you. I am notified that the mail will close. I have written hurriedly. I hope you will please overlook all mistakes and believe as ever.

Yours Very Truly,
James M.

Mar. 24th We received orders to establish our camp in good shape as we would probably remain at Goldsboro for some time. To me was assigned the duty of laying out the camp for our regiment. At 4 o'clock A.M. the right wing of our brigade went out on a foraging expedition. They returned to camp at 11 A.M. having met with fair success. At noon the left wing of the brigade went out upon a like mission. I was in command of the 21st Wis.. We went five miles in a northwest direction, obtained eight large loads of corn and came into camp at sunset.

A small party of foragers sent out from our brigade in the morning had quite a brisk skirmish with the Confederates in which several of our boys were wounded and a few captured. Among the latter was Private Rice of my company. He was a good, young soldier but at times was foolishly reckless. I was not much surprised that the Confederates got him at last. He it was, who for nine days was absent from the company on our march through South Carolina. He was supposed to have been killed or captured and was so reported on the company rolls. But on the ninth day he came riding into camp upon the back of a splendid horse. When he had obtained possession of the horse, the rear of our army was fifty miles or more away from him but he was a desperate character and absolutely fearless.

Mar. 25th I was sent out five miles in command of four companies of the regiment to bring in a wounded soldier, said to have been left in a private house. We went out over five miles and searched diligently, but having no guide, we failed to find the soldier. It may have been a false report sent into our camp for the purpose of getting a squad of soldiers into a trap. Our party returned to camp shortly after noon. Sergeant Hansen, who had been sent from Savannah to New York after clothing for the officers of our regiment, arrived in camp. He brought some of the clothing sent for but had met with the misfortune to have a portion of it stolen from him at Newburn, N.C. I had only sent for a blouse and this I received. The weather was windy.

Mar. 26th This was our first Sunday in camp at Goldsboro. It passed off quietly. Our corps received a large mail, the first since our arrival here. The hearts of many of the boys were gladdened by the reception of letters from friends. I received one from my wife dated Feb. 19 - five weeks old - but new to me. I also received a letter from brother, Frank. who was still connected with the 14th Wis. regiment. I rode into town for the first time. Goldsboro, the county seat of Wayne County, N.C., contained nearly 2,000 inhabitants and was a railroad center of some importance. A soldier belonging to the 15th Corps was publicly shot after having been condemned by court-martial for making an assault upon an old woman. The weather was disagreeably cold and windy.

Mar. 27th We drew some clothing for men of the regiment though much less than our requisitions had called for. Another large mail was received from the north. I got letters from my wife and friends, also several receipts for official reports I had sent from Savannah to Washington, D.C. There was but little sickness among the troops. Though we had made a long marches and been exposed to the hardships of a winter campaign, the command had suffered but slightly from sickness. In fact the vegetable diet we were able to obtain while on the march served to promote good health.

Mar. 28th I made out "Inventory and Inspection Report of Camp and Garrison Equipage and Ordinance" to be condemned and sent to Adjutants office. Company officers and clerks worked faithfully upon payrolls. We were notified that we would probably receive four months pay while here and of course we were anxious to have our rolls in readiness. I rode into town with our quartermaster in a buggy, my first buggy ride in years. Rations were accumulating in town very rapidly. It was thought there would be a movement of the army before long. I obtained a copy of the New York Herald of Mar. 24th. The war news was very favorable for the Union cause. Gold was quoted at 150 1/2, a heavy decline from the high point it had reached during the war.

Mar. 29th All company officers worked steadily upon the payrolls. Olsen and I nearly completed those for Co. "G". The Division Inspector came and examined the government stores that were to be condemned in our regiment. I wrote out and tendered my resignation from the service. Major Walker approved my papers, as did also General Hobart, our brigade commander. The general kindly granted me the privilege to personally carry my application to division headquarters. Here General Carlin approved it and allowed me to deliver it at corps headquarters and here I left it. After three and a half years of active service I had concluded to make an effort to resign from the army. If I was successful in the attempt I certainly should appreciate it. If not: well I felt confident the end of the war was not far distant and, as I have said before, there was a degree of pride in thinking I might be in at the close. But there was at least three very good reasons why I desired to leave the army at this time: first, my wife and I had purchased a farm in Wisconsin and had arranged to take possession of it in the 1st of April. Second, **** seldom that I was free from rheumatic pains, at times I was almost entirely helpless from this cause. Third, it was evident to me that the injury I received at the battle of Bentonville was likely to become a source of trouble. Hence I felt that I had a right to ask to be relieved from further service.

Mar. 30th I completed my company payrolls and did some work upon my company books. We obtained some New York papers. Everything looked favorable for the cause of the Union. Sergeant Rice, of company "D", received a commission as Lieutenant in a new regiment and started for Wisconsin. Weather quite cool.

Mar. 31st I received official notice from headquarters that my resignation had been accepted. Of course I felt grateful that my petition had been granted, yet it was with feelings of regret that I was about to break those ties of comradeship which had been formed under conditions of hardship and danger. My relations with officers and men of the regiment had always been of a friendly character and I cherished kindly feelings toward all. But now profoundly thankful that my life had been spared through dangers seen and unseen and that I was blessed with a measure of good health. I was ready to bid adieu to army life. Weather was still windy and cool.

April 1st I made out my "Camp and Garrison Equipage" report for the month of March, also worked ordinance report for the first quarter in 1860. I went into town to see about the inspection report of condemned property in order that I might be able to make out my proper report to the government. It was my desire to settle up my business with "Uncle Sam" so far as possible before I left the regiment. The weather was very windy.

April 2nd This was my last Sunday in the army and I made a busy day of it. Lieutenant Cook, of Co. "A", was detailed to take command of my company until either Lieutenant Watson or Burnham arrived. I turned over to Lieut. Cook all of the government property for which I was responsible and took receipt for the same. I made out and mailed all necessary reports to the government, settled up all private business matters in the regiment and was ready for my departure.

In the evening I called upon Gen. Hobart and Col. Fitch. These officers had shown me many acts of kindness, had spoken to me words of encouragement and praise. I esteemed their friendship and shall ever hold each of them in grateful remembrance. Then there was Major Walker, the soul of honor and a perfect gentleman always, ever mindful of the comfort and happiness of others. He was to me a good friend and was always ready to bestow a favor. He placed me under especial obligations upon the occasion by handing me the following letter:

Headquarters 21st Wis. Vol.
Goldsboro, N.C.
April 2nd 1865

Captain:

As you are about to leave the service I desire to express to you my respect for your character both as an officer and a gentleman.

Your prompt, cheerful and efficient discharge of every duty as an officer, and your courteous demeanor as a gentleman have entitled you to that respect and esteem with which I can assure you are regarded by the officers and men of this regiment.

With the sincerest wishes for your welfare and future prosperity I am, Captain,

Your friend and servant
Chas. H. Walker
Major Com'd'g

The following letter was the last one written to my wife from the army.

Camp 21st Wis. Vol.
Goldsboro N.C.
April 2nd, 1865

My Dear Wife,

Prepare for good news, I am out of the U.S. Service. I tendered my resignation three days ago and it has been accepted. I am ready to start for Wisconsin, will leave here very early tomorrow morning and will probably be at home about the time you get this. I feel sure you will rejoice with me upon my release from further service. I would not boast of what I have done but I believe I have performed my part in this war, at least in length of service and I am glad I had the inclination and courage to do this.

It is late and I must close this, my last letter to you from the army. It is short but probably you may be able to extract some sweet from it. Good-bye until we meet. As ever yours truly

James M.

Apr. 3rd Gus and I started for Wisconsin. I hardly know which of us was the most pleased, Gus or myself. I was going to my home. Gus was leaving his native south land. Of course I was delighted with the prospect before me but Gus was none the less pleased. We took the cars from Goldsboro at 3-30 in the morning and arrived at Newburn at 10 A.M., the distance being about 55 miles. Here we remained until 7 o'clock in the evening when we left on the steamer "Elcid" for Fortress Monroe. I was fortunate in having for travelling companions Lt. Col. Pugh, of the 53 Wis., late a captain in the 22 Wis. and Captain G. H. Brown of the 22nd Wis., resigned, and like myself, on his way to Wisconsin. I experienced a good deal of trouble at Newburn in securing transportation for Gus. In fact the authorities at first absolutely refused to grant a permit for Gus to go north. It seemed that during the last two years of the war many negroes had been induced to go north and enlist, to be credited either as a substitute or to help fill up the quota of some delinquent town while a draft was pending. A brisk business had been done on this line and lots of money had been made out of it. It was a veritable underground railway engaged in conducting negroes from the land of slavery into the army for the sole benefit of northern philanthropists. "You would take the "darkie" north and sell him for a substitute". was said to me. It required my best efforts to convince those in authority that I was not in the negro selling business and that Gus and myself were turning our attention from things pertaining to war to those that led to peace. I finally was successful in securing the required transportation. Gus was much relieved when we left Newburn.

Apr. 4th Our steamer (Elcid) ran down to the mouth of the Neuse River, cast anchor and waited for daylight to pass through the channel into Pamlico Sound. At 7 o'clock A.M. we were on the move, ran to near Fort Hatteras and again cast anchor. I was informed that we would remain here some hours waiting for the tide. Here our vessel took on a supply of rations. There was a large number of Confederate prisoners on board who were confined below deck. Aside from these the passenger accommodations of the boat was taxed to the utmost. I had been unable to secure cabin passage, but I made arrangements with the porter, by which I was allowed to occupy his room for the trip. Our steamer moved over the bar and passed Fort Hatteras at dark.

Apr. 5th The old Atlantic Ocean was decidedly rough, as I was told usually in the vicinity of Cape Hatteras. The waves rolled mountain high and our vessel trembled from stem to stern. Another vessel that moved near us could not be seen by us when we settled into the trough of the sea. Most of the passengers were sea-sick. I was not entirely free from it myself. The Confederate prisoners had a hard time of it, confined as they were, below deck. When those passengers upon the upper decks were crowding to the ships railing all day long to pay their compliments to the sea, it can be imagined that the condition of those prisoners huddled together below must have been doubly serious.

Apr. 6th Our steamer weathered the storm through the night, though it was agreed by all on board that we had met with a rough experience. Before noon the waters had calmed somewhat, our stomachs had, in a measure, became settled - or - empty - and the spirits of those on board had revived wonderfully. We arrived at Fortress Monroe at 3 o'clock P.M. after being rocked upon the Atlantic for forty-six hours. Here I again met with difficulty in securing transportation for Gus. The same objections were urged as at Newburn. Colored men had been taken here, enlisted as soldiers, and accredited to northern towns in order to prevent the draft. Undoubtedly *sharpers had made a thriving business of it, as many towns had paid large amounts of money for men to fill their respective quotas but the darkie got none of it. The authorities were determined to stop the using of negroes for this purpose. Gus became very much alarmed at the difficulties we encountered and feared I would be obliged to leave him behind. But I assured him I would not. At length I met Captain Starkweather, who had served upon the staff of his brother, Gen. Starkweather when he was in command of our brigade. The captain was now on duty at Fortress Monroe. Upon relating to him my difficulty in obtaining transportation of Gus he advised me to represent that Gus was from Kentucky and now desired to return to his home. True he was from Kentucky - a long ways from there. By acting upon the advise of Captain Starkweather I had no further trouble. The war news was most glorious. Richmond and Petersburg had been taken and thousands of prisoners had been captured by our forces. Fierce fighting was still in progress in Virginia which seemed to indicate the overthrow of Lee's army. We left Fortress Monroe for Baltimore at five o'clock P.M. on the steamer Louisiana.

Apr. 7th We had a pleasant trip up the Chesapeake Bay from Fortress Monroe to Baltimore, Md. where we arrived at seven o'clock A.M. We started at half past nine A.M. for Chicago via Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, passing through the later place at nine o'clock P.M. The war news from Virginia was most favorable. Gen. Sheriden was having wonderful success. He had captured many prisoners, including four Confederate generals. It was reported that Jeff. Davis and his cabinet had been captured but this report proved premature. The entire army of Gen. Lee was in full retreat with Grant's forces in close pursuit. People everywhere along our route were jubilant. The weather was pleasant.

April 8th We arrived at Chicago at eleven o'clock P.M. after a ride 37 1/2 hours from Baltimore. We passed through portions of Ohio and Indiana by daylight and saw some fine and some very rough country. I paid $33 railroad fare from Baltimore. War news continued favorable. Lee with his army was making a desperate attempt to escape from our forces but Grant was intent upon the capture of the entire Confederate army in Virginia. The weather was quite cold. Snow flew.

Sunday, Apr. 9th No trains left Chicago for Milwaukee nor was I able to find a boat leaving for that place on Sunday. Consequently we were obliged to spend the day in Chicago. I visited the family of my cousin, G.P. Randall, at No. 606 W. Washington Street and I enjoyed the visit very much. Late in the evening the news flashed over the wires that Lee's entire army had surrendered to Gen. Grant. Chicago at once went wild. All was excitement. Everybody was joyous and happy over the news. And well they might be, for the end of a long. bloody war had virtually been reached. While in Chicago we stopped at the Adams House.

Apr. 10th Gus and I left Chicago over the Lake Shore railroad at 9-30 P.M. and arrived at Milwaukee shortly after noon. We were obliged to remain here until 6-30 P.M. at which time we left over the Milwaukee and Prairie Du Cheen railroad and reached Eagle about 8 o'clock P.M. Here we hired a livery team to take us nine miles to Mr. Pollards, where we arrived at midnight. I found my wife and all of her family well.

This was a day of joyous excitement throughout the entire north on account of Lee's surrender to Grant. Milwaukee wildly celebrated the news. I never witnessed such patriotic enthusiasm. The good time for which our soldiers had bravely fought and for which our fathers, mothers, wives and sweethearts had so fervently prayed was at hand. Well might the people rejoice and be glad at the prospect of an honorable peace.

How different four days later when the sad news was flashed over our land that our beloved President had died by the hand of an assassin. Then it was that the spirit of exultation was suddenly turned to sadness and strong men went to their sorrow in tears. Patriotic people everywhere felt that in the death of the President each had sustained a personal loss.

Three years, six months and five days had elapsed since I had entered the army. Most of the time had been spent in active service in the field. I had participated in some of the hard fought battles of the war, been exposed to the dangers of the picket and skirmish line and endured the hardships of the campaign. Though I had witnessed much of suffering and death, I had for the most part enjoyed a measure of good health myself. But I had seen enough of war and it was with feelings of gladness that I now bid farewell to army life.

Chapter Nineteen --->