Civil War Letters 1865

January 1, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

This is the first time I have written the New Year and I now wish it may be the happiest year that you have ever known. I know that if I live until my time expires that it will be a very happy time for me when I go home. I ought not to complain I have been so favored since I left home. But then I do not like the business.

Where I am now I can give the order and others will do the work. I have no manual labor to do. My clothing must be in good style and kept in the best of order. My colored servant keeps my clothing clear from dust and boots blacked and my horse's equipage in the best condition. He saddles and brings up my horse when wanted and is on hand to take it when I ride up to dismount. When I have an order to carry or when I ride out for pleasure there is an orderly to go with me who rides behind, that whenever I stop and dismount he rides up and takes my horse and attends it until I am ready to mount again. I am in favor with the Colonel and the other staff officers, so you see I have a very pleasant time. All the drawback there is to my enjoyment is that I am away from home and friends.

I have received four letters from you today. This is the second lot that I have received since we came in front of Savannah. The good news makes a happy New Year for,

Your affectionate husband,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters 1st Brig. 1st Div., 20th A. C.,Savannah, Ga.

January 6, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

We remain in the city yet. I have had an opportunity to see the most of it. It does not look much like a northern city. The buildings are not as high and are smaller on the ground and are mostly of wooden structure. Almost all of them are old, and in fact everything here is old style. All housework is so different from the North. Cooking is done in fireplaces and baking kettles.

The streets of the city are nicely laid out with many large storehouses on the river and bay. Very few of the streets are paved so they are very muddy when it is wet weather. The ground has not frozen any yet.

I shall try to write a longer letter next time.

With love to you and Ella,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters 1st Brig. 1st Div., 20th A. C., Savannah, Ga.,

Jan. 12, 1865.

Dear Wife,-

Our headquarters have been moved out of the city and we are now located two miles up the Savannah River from the city.

Our quarters are a large marble mansion known in these parts as Marble Hall. The work and architecture of the house is the latest I have seen here. I have the library for my room. The doors are of mahogany and the panels are of French plate glass. There are fireplaces in every room with very costly mantles. The house was deserted when we came here and some of the woodwork has been destroyed.

The grounds are nicely laid out, about forty feet above the highwater mark of the river. The ground slopes from the back of the house to the river and is about forty rods from it. In front of the house there is a beautiful lawn with rows of live oaks and large cones of grey moss hanging from the limbs. There is an avenue leading from the main road to the house on each side of which there is a row of brick dwellings back of the trees. These dwellings were for the slaves of the plantation. But now the people of the mansion and their slaves are all gone and our men have taken possession of the dwellings and the Colonel and his staff have the mansion. They make us good quarters.

We sometimes go boating on the river. We have a boat with a sail and one of the staff understands sailing it and runs down to the city in it. Or, we can go to the city on horseback. I enjoy the latter as I can go and come when I please.

Ever with love to you and Ella,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters 1st Brig. 1st Div., 20th A. C.,Savannah, Ga.,Jan. 16, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

The southern people think the people of the North are queer people. They see we are graceful in manners and polite to them, and will also thank a slave when he waits on us and converse with them. They never stop and talk with them.

When we were in the city the Colonel and his staff called on the Mayor and when about to leave the Mayor invited the Colonel and his staff to come and dine with him the next day. The Colonel thanked him but said he should be pleased to come another day, that we were invited out the next day to dine with a man at such a number and street. "Aye," said the Mayor in astonishment, "that man is a nigger."

"No," said the Colonel, "he is as white as I am."

The Mayor said, "That makes no difference, he is a nigger. He was a slave at one time but bought his freedom, educated himself and is now a man of some property, but he is a nigger just the same."

The Colonel said he should dine with him the next day.

The Mayor then named another day for us to come and dine with him, which was accepted. We were well entertained at both places.

I have seen the handsomest girls here in Savannah that I have seen anywhere. They are slaves and house servants. All through the South the best looking and smartest girls are taken for house servants. They are better clothed and better fed than field hands. Many of these house servants have children by their masters or masters' sons. This is the worst feature of slavery. I saw at the house of an owner of a plantation in Georgia while on the last campaign a good looking woman,- I should say an octoroon, who had two fine looking white children of whom she had the care, and I noticed she did not call them master and miss, as is usual when a slave speaks to a white free child. I asked her if those children were her master's and she said they were. I then asked where her mistress was. She said she had none that she was her master's housekeeper. I then asked where the mother of the children was. She said she was their mother. I said nothing more, and since then when I have seen black mothers and white children, I have asked no questions.

The slave owner talks about his good stock of negroes as much as a northern man does of his cattle or sheep, and talks about improving it the same.

I write you the above that you may know what slavery is, as the people of the North know but little of its sin. All will be free as soon as this war is over. It will be many years before they can assert their rights.

We are to move soon. We have had a review, marching through the city of Savannah. It was one of the finest I have ever seen. We are under marching orders and all are in readiness to move at an hour's notice. I do not know which way we are to go but it is reported that it is across the river and on to Richmond. If the weather is good I had as soon be on the move as to remain in Camp. If we keep at work the War will close the sooner, which is the wish of,

Your affectionate husband,

R. Cruikshank.

In the morning we received an order to move, but did not

start until one o'clock P. M. when we fell in and marched away from Camp down the river to Bay Street, Savannah, where we crossed the river on a pontoon bridge into South Carolina.

We marched through the rice swamps in a northerly

direction about six miles and went into camp for the night about seven o'clock P. M. It rained all the afternoon and the river rose several feet and flooded the swamps so that the water was up to the wagon body before the wagon train got through the swamp. It was late in the night before they all got in. It was a hard day's march to start out on. We had to march until we got to hard ground as there was no place to go into Camp in the swamps.

January 18, 1865.

The Brigade did not march until two o'clock P. M. The roads were good and weather fine. We marched toward Hardeeville about six miles and went into Camp at six o'clock P. M.

January 19, 1865.

It was raining hard when the order came to fall in this morning. We started at nine A. M., passed through Hardeeville and reached Pungbury at four P. M. and went into Camp for the night. The roads were very good. It continued to rain.

January 20, 1865.

It rained hard all day. We did not move as the roads were reported impassible.

January 21, 1865.

We remain in Camp and keep as comfortable as we can. It continues to rain.

January 22, 1865.

The rain poured down all day and all looked gloomy enough.

January 23, 1865.

It is clearing away bur the trains are unable to move yet.

January 24, 1865.

It has cleared off cold but we cannot move, the mud is so deep.

January 25, 1865.

We remain in Camp. We can hardly step out there is so much mud. The weather is clear and cold.

January 26, 1865.

We are in the mud yet, but it is drying up very fast.

We will start out as soon as the teams can move. If clear will move tomorrow.

January 27, 1865.

The Brigade started on the march at eight o'clock this morning. The roads were very good and we marched twelve miles, going into Camp for the night at four o'clock.

January 28, 1865.

Marched at seven o'clock A. M. toward Sisters Ferry on the Savannah River directly west from Bradhams. We came to a creek that had overflowed the whole valley, washing away a bridge and covering the causeway several feet deep in water,- so deep that it could not be forded, so received orders to turn back and march around by Robertsville and from there to the ferry. Accordingly we marched back toward Robertsville and camped for the night at five o'clock P. M.

January 29, 1865.

We marched at eight o'clock A. M., entered the village of Robertsville at twelve o'clock M., then marched on the road to Sisters Ferry about a mile. Here the causeway was submerged in water and two bridges were washed away. A foot bridge was built and two companies passed over and on to the ferry. They were the 46th Regt., Penna. Vols., and the 141st Regt., N.Y. Vols. The 123rd Regt., N.Y. Vols., and 5th Regt., Conn. Vet. Vols. remained near Robertsville. The two regiments that went on had orders to build a dock at the ferry for the landing of supplies brought there by boats.

January 30, 1865.

We remained near Robertsville guarding the teams and building bridges so that the teams could pass over.

January 31, 1865.

The Colonel, his staff and the two regiments with himmarched at seven A. M. We arrived at Sisters Ferry at nine A. M. and went to work unloading supplies from boats. It is a busy place.

Headquarters 1st Brig.,1st Div.,20th A. C.

Sisters Ferry, S. C., Feb 1, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

You will see by the enclosed that we have moved again and the work we are doing. We are up the river from Savannah about forty-five miles. It is not expected that we shall remain here long and when we move again we will cut loose from communication again and live on the country. It is not known by subordinate officers when or where we shall go but know that General Sherman will take us through all right. We have every confidence in him.

Since it has cleared away we have had lovely weather and it looks spring-like. If we remain here any length of time I will write a longer letter when we get settled.

Ever with love,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters 1st Brig.,1st Div.,20th A. C.

Sisters Ferry, S. C., Feb 3, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

I cannot write you a long letter this time as we are under marching orders again. Since we came here I have received four dear letters from you. We move so much they all come at one time. I have had a lovely time here. There has been a gunboat out in the river opposite our quarters and when any of us wished to take a row on the river we would go to the shore and call, "Pontuae Ahoy," and a boat with six oarsmen would come for us wherever we wished to go.

Yesterday I had an order to carry down the river six miles. I went by boat which was much easier than to go by horse. I was gone from the boat two hours on the business two hours and not one of the men left the boat all of that time. In return we lend them our horses when they come ashore and want to ride, which they enjoy very much.

General Kilpatrick has been quartering and messing with us two days. His men are to cross the river at this point. When he is on this side the whole army will be in South Carolina, and I think the state will suffer some before General Sherman gets through with it. The men will be harder on this state than they were on Georgia as it was the first to secede. I shall write again at the first opportunity.

Ever with love,

R. Cruikshank

Headquarters 1st Brig.,1st Div.,20th A. C.

Sisters Ferry, S. C., Feb 4, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

This great army is on the move again. Kilpatrick's men are crossing the river. The army is well supplied with rations and ammunition and all are anxious to be on the march. We march tomorrow. The Brigade has been hard at work laying corduroy from the pontoon bridge to hard ground, also on the causeway through the swamp to Robertsville. The bridges are rebuilt. Now all are in good order.

I hope the rainy season is over so the roads will be passible. It is hard marching for the men when it is wet weather. The mud works up and the teams get stuck and have to be lifted out. We will look on the bright side until the dark comes.

With love to you and Ella,

R. Cruikshank.

The Brigade left Sisters Ferry at ten o'clock A. M., marched through Robertsville about noon and marched toward Duck Branch. The Brigade is under the command of General Geary of the Second Division of the twentieth Army Corps, as our Division (the First) had marched in advance leaving us at the ferry.

We camped for the night about a mile beyond Robertsville on a road leading to Lawtonville. The roads were bad.

February 6, 1865.

We marched at six A. M., northeasterly, it raining all day. We made only short halts and went into Camp one mile beyond Beach Branch Post Office. Marched fifteen miles today.

February 7, 1865.

It is raining. Did not start early this morning as the Brigade was train guard and had two hundred wagons to help through the swamps. The road in many places had to be corduroyed and a bridge built up. In many places the men had to work in water up to their waists.

General Geary marched his division away, leaving our Brigade to get on the best they could. The men worked until after midnight getting the train through the swamps. The men cooked coffee and lay down for a short time without tents.

February 8, 1865

The Brigade took up the line of march at five o'clock A. M. At six A. M. General Geary moved on with a portion of his train. The remainder was brought on by our Brigade which crossed the Coosawatchie Swamp about noon. We reached the Salkehatchie Swamp at six P. M., having marched fifteen miles over bad roads. We camped for the night near Beaufords Bridge.

Here the enemy had strongly fortified with a line of breastworks extending for some distance on either side, with embrasures for cannon and strongly built parapets. No doubt we should have had a battle here had not a portion of the moving army on another road been in advance of us and the enemy were afraid of being flanked and left as soon as our advance reached the swamp.

February 9, 1865.

We marched at five o'clock A. M. and came up with General Geary's command at six A. M. and moved rapidly forward with him toward Blackville, a station on the South Carolina Railroad. So far on our march nearly every house and building was burned and other property destroyed. We marched fifteen miles and went into Camp for the night near Blackville.

February 10, 1865.

The Brigade was sent out at seven A. M. on a reconnaissance to Drewens (eight) bridges over the Edisto River and Swamp. We marched seven miles to the river and found two of the bridges destroyed. Here we met a force of Wheeler's cavalry but soon drove them back. Then foot bridges were built for the men to cross on. Skirmishers were sent forward supported by the Brigade. When we came out of the swamp into the open field we found the enemy in force only a short distance from the swamp.

I was dispatched at once to report the situation of our Brigade to General Geary, who was at the other side of the swamp and to ask him to press forward as fast as possible with his men. I believe I never rode a horse as fast as I did back over that causeway to General Geary. I could hear the Brigade skirmishing and I thought if the enemy made the attack and were strong enough, that Colonel Selfridge would have to fight to the death or surrender, as there was no way of retreat except this one narrow causeway.

I soon found General Geary and reported as directed and heard him order his men forward at once. I then hurried back and informed Colonel Selfridge that General Geary was advancing, when he ordered his Brigade to advance, which they did, and dislodged the enemy. There was no loss of life.

The foraging is good. The men have all they can carry, both meat and vegetables. After the enemy had been driven away the Brigade went into Camp about sundown, making about ten miles.

February 11, 1865.

At seven o'clock this morning six hundred men from the Brigade were detailed to corduroy the causeway and build the bridges across the Edisto Swamp. They finished the work about noon. In the afternoon our Division came up and Colonel Selfridge received orders to report to General Jackson who is in command. The Brigade rejoiced to get back again. We did not move today.

February 12, 1865.

We marched at nine A. M. reaching Jeffcoats Bridge over the north branch of the Edisto River at four o'clock P. M. We were train guard for the First and Third Divisions. We camped near the bridge for the night.

February 13, 1865.

We started from Camp at six A. M. crossed Jeffcoats Bridge and after marching five miles which took all day and until eleven P. M. to accomplish, we went into Camp.

February 14, 1865.

We marched at seven A. M. toward Lexington, traveled five miles and camped atone o'clock P. M. The men, so far, have found good foraging.

February 15, 1865.

We made a short march today and halted near Lexington Court House where we stayed all night.

February 16, 1865.

We marched only five miles today and camped within three miles of the Congaree River, opposite and within four miles of Columbia. The greater part of this march was through pine forests and they were on fire. Foraging was poor. The enemy in this section would not take any of the foragers prisoners, but if captured they suffered death. Their bodies were found mutilated, with papers pinned on their breasts on which was written, "Death to foragers."

The men retaliated by burning everything that they did not want to carry away, that would burn. I have known of them carrying the sick out of the planters houses into a negro shanty so as to burn the houses. I could tell how far the line of march had advanced on the other roads by the fires.

February 17, 1865.

We marched at eight A. M., crossed the Saluda River, marched five miles and camped on the north bank at eight o'clock P. M. Foraging poor.

February 18, 1865.

We marched at two P. M., , marched eight miles and encamped for the night at eight P. M. The roads were good but foraging was poor.

February 19, 1865.

We marched five miles and encamped for the night on the south side of Broad River. We marched only during the afternoon. Before marching we had orders to reduce our baggage to lighten the Headquarters' teams.

February 20, 1865.

We marched eight miles today. The roads were very goodand foraging was good.

February 21, 1865.

We marched at twelve M. We passed through Winnsboro about seven P. M. and went into camp two miles beyond, having marched ten miles. The roads were good and foraging good.

February 22, 1865.

Winnsboro was entirely destroyed by fire last night. It was a large, thriving place before the War. We marched at ten A. M. toward Rocky Mount Post Office, marching twelve miles, and went into Camp after midnight. The roads were rough and the country very hilly. Foraging is good.

February 23, 1865.

We marched at nine o'clock A. M., crossed the Catawba River on pontoons and assisted the wagons up a steep bank on the opposite side of the river. We marched eight miles through a hilly country and went into Camp about sundown. Foraging was good.

February 24, 1865.

We marched three miles and halted at nine A. M. on account of the Fourteenth Corps crossing our line of march. We did not move again but went into Camp.

February 25, 1865.

The roads were bad on account of a hard storm yesterday. We did not move.

February 26, 1865.

We marched at five o'clock P. M. in the rear of the Corps train. We marched seven miles and went into Camp within two miles of Haning Rock at eight P. M. The roads were in bad condition.

February 27, 1865.

The Brigade were on the road all day but did not march over three miles, the roads were in such bad condition. Foraging is very poor and provision low.

February 28, 1865.

We marched about eight miles with it raining on us all day. The roads were bad.

The Brigade marched on a high, sandy ridge all day and found very good foraging and very good roads. We made about fifteen miles. The soil absorbing the rain that had fallen made much better traveling than the clay soil. The men have enough to eat and are in good spirits again.

March 2, 1865.

The Brigade marched at about seven o'clock A. M. toward Chesterfield Court House. When within one mile of the place we were checked in our march by the enemy. The 5th Conn. Regt. and the 141st New York Regt. were sent forward as skirmishers by Colonel Selfridge and were supported by the 46th Penn. Regt, and the 123rd New York Regt. A battery also came up and opened fire on the enemy. The enemy replied to the artillery with theirs while the infantry moved forward on them, driving the Rebels through the town and across Thompson's Creek. As soon as the enemy had passed over the bridge they fired it and tried to hold the brigade back until it burned. Our men made it too warm for them, driving them back, and succeeded in putting out the fire, saving the greater portion of it. Two men were wounded in saving the bridge. The Brigade lay in the swamp and protected the bridge until morning.

The white people had all run away out of the village and the black people all ran into the brick smoke houses and were crowded in as full as they could hold of big and little, young and old. One woman had her ear shot off and was almost frightened to death. The houses looked as if the inhabitants had only stepped out to make a call. The woman's work was lying on the chair or the table as if it had just been thrown down. Fires were burning in the grates, all showing that we were not expected.

March 3, 1865.

At nine A. M. the 141st Regt. (N.Y.) was advanced as skirmishers to the bank of the river and drove the enemy from the opposite shore and crossed. The bridge was soon repaired and at three P. M. the remainder of the brigade crossed. We marched three miles and encamped at five P. M.

March 4, 1865

We marched about noon, advancing slowly all afternoon and night, expecting we might run against the enemy. We advanced seven miles and went into Camp at three o'clock in the morning, three miles west of the Peedee River. The roads were bad and foraging fair.

March 5, 1865.

The Brigade remained in Camp all day and sent out foragers for provision. One squad went to Cheraw where they got a good supply, and were returning when they were attacked by the enemy. The foragers returned the enemy's fire while moving back toward Camp, keeping them at a safe distance but losing one man. a sergeant of the 5th Conn. Regt.

March 6, 1865.

We moved to Cheraw and crossed the Peedee River at that point and remained in Cheraw several hours. There is a Rebel hospital here with five hundred sick Rebel soldiers. We marched all night until four o'clock the next morning.

March 7, 1865.

We only stopped long enough for coffee, crossed the line into North Carolina and camped near Laurel Hill, marching fifteen miles today.

March 8, 1865.

It rained hard all day. We marched about eight miles and encamped.

March 9, 1865.

We marched at seven A. M. The morning was cool and pleasant but it soon began to cloud over and about noon it began to rain hard, the rain continuing in hard showers all afternoon. The men and everything they had was soaked and the mud was ankle deep. We camped at five P. M., having marched seven miles.

March 10, 1865.

It rained hard in the morning when the Brigade started out and continued showers all day. The mud was deep and the streams swollen. The men were as wet at they could be so forded streams without stopping. Foraging was poor.

March 11, 1865.

This is a lovely morning and the sun came out warm. We marched at sunrise. The roads were very good. We crossed Rackfish Creek and encamped within two miles of Fayetteville, N. C. So far since we entered the state there has not been a house fired. There was one of the 123rd men, a forager, found shot by the side of the road. We marched twenty miles. Foraging was very good.

March 12, 1865.

We remained in Camp all day and sent out foraging parties who brought in supplies for the day. We cannot stop long in a place for we soon eat all provision.

March 13, 1865.

Orders came at two 'clock P. M. to fall in. The Brigade marched through Fayetteville where we were reviewed by General Sherman. The General saw a ragged lot of fellows. Some had one sleeve in their blouses and others had none. Many of them had pants torn off at the knee or all in rags from the knee down. The most of them had shoes so worn that their feet were almost on the ground, and yet the men appeared happy. The General called them his "ragamuffins."

From the review they passed on over the Cape Fear River on pontoon bridges and encamped for the night near the plank road. The road was in fair condition. Foraging was not very plenty. We marched seven miles.

Four of the 123rd men were taken prisoners near the village of Fayetteville. My colored boy and Dr. Chapman's were killed at the same time. They were out with our second horses to get forage when the enemy came onto them. The boys tried to run the horses off and save them when they were fired on. My boy was instantly killed, being shot through the body. The doctor's boy was wounded but kept running and was overtaken and would have fought his way out but his revolver would not work. He was shot after being run down.

One hundred and thirteen negroes were sent North from Fayetteville. These make so many less to work for the South. All are allowed to follow the army who will.

March 14, 1865.

We did not march today. The men drew clothing, put their arms and accoutrements in order and received a fresh supply of ammunition.

March 15, 1865.

We marched in a northerly direction on the Raleigh road toward Raleigh. We marched ten miles and encamped two miles from Taylors Hole Creek. Roads were fair and foraging poor.

AVERYSBORO

March 16, 1865.

We started from Camp at eight A. M. marching in the rear of the Division train for about four miles when the Brigade was ordered to move forward to the head of the column and form into line of battle with the rest of the Division who had been attacked by the enemy. Kilpatrick's cavalry was on the skirmish line dismounted.

Soon after the Division got into position the enemy charged on the cavalry and drove them in. On they came but when they came to our line of battle they ran against a snag which they thought best not to try to dislodge. Our men poured such deadly volleys into the ranks of the advancing foe that they were compelled to fall back to their intrenchments to where they were followed on our part of the line by the Brigade. The cavalry moved to our right and the artillery took a position and soon silenced the enemy's guns. The 5th Conn. Regt. were sent forward by Colonel Selfridge to dislodge the enemy if possible. They were too strongly fortified and their attempts were ineffectual. A skirmish line was formed and all was made ready for an attack in the morning as dark had put an end to the fight that evening.

The loss in the Brigade was one officer killed and one wounded, both members of the 5th Conn. Regt. Three enlisted men were killed and nineteen wounded in the Brigade. The 123rd Regt. N. Y. Vols lost five men wounded. The Division captured three cannon and two hundred and seventeen prisoners,sixty-eight were wounded. One hundred and eight dead rebels were buried. One hundred and fifty-four Enfield rifle muskets were captured by the Brigade, all of which I destroyed by breaking as we did not have means for transportation. Large quantities of ammunition were captured, all of English manufacture.

We fought over three hours and fought hard and with determination and yet it is only called a skirmish while it ought to be called, "The Battle of Averysboro." Not often is ground more hotly contested for than was this.

The ground where the Brigade remained all night was swampy and very little rest could be obtained.

March 17, 1865.

As soon as it was light enough to see, the line began to advance. They found that the enemy had evacuated their works. The roads were so bad that the mules were removed and the men would pull the wagons through the bad places. We were from seven o'clock A. M. until ten-thirty P. M. going one and one-half miles.

March 18, 1865.

We marched at six o'clock A. M. The roads were bad all day. At ten o'clock A. M. we crossed Black Creek which the men had to ford through water four feet deep. We made ten miles and encamped at eleven P. M. Foraging was poor.

BENTONVILLE

March 19, 1865.

We marched at seven A. M. on the Smithfield road which was well corduroyed and we had no trouble with the train. The Brigade had marched about seven miles in the rear of, and guarding the Division train when cannonading was heard in front and we were ordered forward on a double-quick to protect the left flank from an expected attack on the wagon train. We pressed forward in this way about two miles. The Brigade was placed in position on the extreme left of the army. As soon as the Brigade had taken position, one-half of the 141st Regt. N. Y. Vols. were sent forward as skirmishers by Colonel Selfridge, and he ordered the rest of the Brigade to throw up breastworks. We had been in position but a short time when word was sent to Colonel Selfridge that the enemy were breaking the line of the Fourteenth Corps and he was ordered to move quickly to the right and support it. He at once moved by the right flank on a double-quick and took position in the rear of the Fourteenth Corps across the main road down which the enemy were advancing. The Third Brigade of our Division (General Robertson commanding) formed immediately in front of our Brigade about forty-five rods in advance. The enemy were held in check.

About seven P. M. the Third Brigade moved to another part of the line and our Brigade moved forward to the front line connecting on the right with the Fourteenth Corps. The Brigade expected a desperate fight the next morning and went to work to prepare for it, building breastworks all night. There was a sharp fight but our Brigade did not suffer any as it was in reserve during the afternoon. The enemy broke the first line before we moved to the right to support it, but it soon rallied, and with colors flying charged on a double-quick, retook and held the line, although the enemy's artillery fire, supported by their infantry, were concentrated on them. I was where I could witness this move.

During the night a wagon load of fresh ammunition was given to the men.

March 20, 1865.

When the morning dawned we were ready for battle but the enemy did not make an attack. Skirmishers were sent out and found that the enemy had fallen back to another line of works about a mile and one-half distant. Prisoners taken reported that there were in our front about fifty thousand men under the command of General J. E. Johnston.

We did not move from our works today. Details were made and the dead buried. General Sherman's loss was as reported, eleven officers and one hundred eighty men killed; sixty-three officers and eleven hundred and five men wounded; four officers and two hundred and eighty men taken prisoners.

The enemy's loss in killed were two hundred and sixty-seven. Their loss in wounded must have been much larger than ours. We took in prisoners one thousand two hundred and eighty-seven. This also might be called a battle.

There was no fighting today but skirmishing was kept up. We strengthened our work so as to be ready for the enemy, should they make an attack. It rained hard as is usual after a fight.

March 21, 1865.

The Brigade moved from their works forward to the skirmish line where it was to establish a new line. After skirmishing a while they were ordered back to their old position where they remained all day.

March 22, 1865.

At seven A. M. the skirmishers were advanced and found that the enemy had gone. At nine A. M. the Brigade moved from their works taking an easterly direction toward Cox's Bridge on the Neuse River. We marched fourteen miles and encamped about six miles from Cox's Bridge at nine o'clock P. M. The headquarters wagons and pack animals of the Brigade were sent in advance of the troops.

March 23, 1865.

We marched at eight A. M. crossed Falling Creek near where we were encamped, went on to the Neuse River, crossed Cox's Bridge and encamped within seven miles of Goldsboro, having marched fifteen miles. The roads were good.

March 24, 1865.

We marched at six o'clock A. M., passed through the city of Goldsboro at nine A. M. and were reviewed by General Slocum. We marched three miles beyond and north of the city and encamped near the Weldon and Wilmington Railroad in a pine forest. Camped at eleven A. M.

March 25, 1865.

We moved only two miles and went into Camp again.

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Headquarters, 1st Brig.,1st Div., 20th A. C.

Goldsboro, N. C., March 26, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

We have communication with our homes again. We have received mail today and full rations have been issued to the men. Another campaign is over and we are in Camp again, I do not know for how long. I am very busy and can write but a few lines. I will enclose my jottings of the campaign.

I am well and will write soon again.

With love,

R.Cruikshank.

Headquarters, 1st Brig.,1st Div., 20th A. C.

Goldsboro, N. C., March 30, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

I have been very busy since we came here. Ground for camps had to be looked over so as to get good locations. Some of the regiments have moved twice since we came here. The Brigade has orders to build good quarters as the campaign is over. I do not think we will remain in this place many days, nor do I think the war is to last much longer. When an army like General Sherman's can march through the South with so little opposition it shows that they are not very strong. He can go wherever he chooses and live on the country. This is the reason I think we will not stay here long. It costs less to keep up the army when we are moving. Foragers have all been called in and the extra animals have been turned in to the Quartermaster so when we start out again the foragers will have to pick up another lot of animals.

The army have been mustered for pay and we shall be looking for the Paymaster soon. We get our supplies from the coast. We are one hundred miles from Beauford and sixty miles from Newbern on the same road and forty-three miles from Raleigh. It is in the hands of the enemy yet. I stood the campaign well and am feeling well now. Yet I feel that I want rest. Both at Averysboro and Bentonville I acted as aid to Colonel Selfridge. He wanted me with him. At Averysboro I tired out one horse in carrying orders for him and had to leave it with my orderly, take his horse and go on alone with the order. I have never failed to deliver an order satisfactorily. I did not dismount in either of the last battles but rode my horse in the hottest of the fight, I could get over the ground so much faster when I had work to do. When an order is to be given, the sooner it is delivered the better. Goldsboro is a very pretty city, as it is called here, but we would call it a village in the North. It is of about four thousand inhabitants.

I am pleased to hear that all are well at home and that Ella is improving so nicely. Time is going very fast to me and if God preserves my life I shall be at home in five months. I hope I shall see the War closed before that time. When it comes it will be a day of rejoicing for,

Your affectionate husband,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters, 1st Brig.,1st Div., 20th A. C.

Goldsboro, N. C., April 5, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

We are getting rested although we have plenty of work to do since we came here. Our hours for work have been regular and we have had our night's rest which we do not get on the march. I do not have any night work to do when in Camp. I have my guard to look after which is thirty men and a sergeant. Their duty is guard duty altogether. I have a clerk in the office to do the writing and yet I am kept busy all of the time. Besides my own duty I act as aide-de-camp the most of the time. I prefer to do this duty as it pleases the Colonel to have me with him. I get more favors from him and can see more of the country. When the Colonel goes out riding or to make a call he invites me to accompany him, which is a change from staying in camp all of the time. He has been very kind to me. I saved him from getting into trouble on the third of last month and he has not forgotten it. I will write you about it.

It was at Chesterfield. You will see by referring to the date mentioned that the 141st Regt. N. Y. Vols. advanced across Thompson Creek and took possession of the opposite bank. The pioneers began to repair the bridge and it was supposed by the Colonel that a detail from another Brigade would be sent forward to corduroy the swamp as we had done the fighting and would not be asked to do this work. So the Colonel and all of his staff except myself rode out to see the country. I was left alone at headquarters with my orderly. At twelve o'clock an order came from General Jackson, commanding the Division, to Colonel Selfridge to have his Brigade corduroy the road across the swamp and have his Brigade in readiness to move at three o'clock. What was to be done? I did not know where the Colonel had gone and it would not do to report his absence to the Division Commander, so I acknowledged the receipt of the order in his name, per R. Cruikshank, Provost- Marshal. I then ordered my orderly to have my horse and his saddled and for him to accompany me. I then rode to each Regimental Commander who had not crossed the creek and gave them Colonel Selfridge's compliments and ordered each to make a detail of one hundred men, with officer, to build corduroy across the swamp and be ready to move at three o'clock. There was some scolding that they had to do the fighting and repair roads too. At three o'clock the Colonel had not come. I had everything at Headquarters packed up and loaded and the teams ready to start. I knew as well as the Colonel the position of each regiment in the line of march. The order came to move out the Brigade. The Colonel had not come. I ordered the bugler to sound the assembly and then the advance. I got the Brigade in line and was moving off when I saw the Colonel and staff coming as fast as their horses could carry them. He rode to the head of the Brigade and asked me what I had done. I told him how, when I had received the order, I had receipted for it, given the order to the Regimental Commanders with his compliments, and when the order came to move out had done so and that no one knew but what the order came from him. He said the first he knew of the move he was coming in when he heard the Brigade bugle sound the assembly and advance and knew it was his bugler. He was pleased at what I had done, said I had saved him from trouble and that as long as he had command of the Brigade I should be a member of his staff, so I shall expect to stay at these headquarters until my time is out.Last Sabbath the Chaplain of the 123rd Regt., Rev. Mr. White, had service in the open air. The day was lovely and nearly the whole regiment turned out to hear him. I go over to visit the Regiment often when in Camp. The men in Company H are feeling very well and rejoice that this summer will close their service. We are all in hopes that the War will be brought to a close before that time. We all want to see the end.

It is Spring here now. The peach and apple trees are in blossom. The air (out from Camp) is delicious. Wild flowers are in bloom. People here do not cultivate flowers as at the North. The season is about two and one- half months earlier than at home.

I have written a long letter and will close,

With love to you and Ella,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters, 1st Brig.,1st Div., 20th A. C.

Goldsboro, N. C., April 9, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

We are under marching orders again. We have just got our Camp and quarters in nice order when we have to leave them. We do not regret leaving them for we know the more we march through the enemy's country the sooner the War will come to a close. What we eat of from them will not go to supply the Southern army. It is hard on the women and children but I do not see how that can be helped.

It is not known yet which way we are to go. I do not think a long campaign is anticipated as we have not provided for one. Everything is in fighting order and the men are anxious to start out again. They prefer living on the country to hardtack and salt pork.

I will write as often as I can.

Affectionately,

R. Cruikshank.

*********************

During the night orders came to Colonel Selfridge to have his Brigade in readiness to march at daylight. As soon as the day began to dawn we started from Camp taking the same road for seven miles that we came in on when we entered Goldsboro, then we took a road to the right leading to Smithfield. The advance had not marched far on this road when they ran into the enemy's skirmishers. The 123rd Regt. N. Y. Vols. were deployed as skirmishers and drove the enemy five miles through open fields, woods and swamps until they came to Moccasin Creek, which was deep and wide, and the enemy had torn up the bridge and used the plank in building breastworks on the opposite bank of the stream. They had cut a dam above, which had overflowed the banks of the creek. The men waded into the water waist deep until they came to the bank of the stream and drove the enemy from the other side. Then they made a rush for the causeway, ran across the stringers of the bridge under a terrible fire of musketry, waded through water waist deep on the other side, charged the enemy driving both infantry and artillery from the field. The enemy left behind them two men killed and six wounded. Our loss in the 123 Regt. was one man killed and four wounded. The 123rd advanced about a mile farther and halted. The bridge was repaired, the flow of water moved off, and the remainder of the Brigade and teams came up and went into camp at four o'clock P. M. The wet men found plenty of rails from which they built huge fires and dried their clothing, cooked coffee, and lay down for the night.

April 11, 1865.

The Brigade marched at eleven A. M., moving forward rapidly all day on the Smithfield road. We went into Camp near Smithfield having met with no opposition. The roads were good and the plantations the best I have seen in the Carolinas. They are well cultivated and have good houses and out-buildings. There was plenty of corn and fodder found for the teams, and cornmeal, hams and bacon for the men.

April 12, 1865.

The Brigade fell into line to march at eight o'clock A. M. All were ready to move when an officer from Division Headquarters came riding toward Colonel Selfridge and staff as we supposed with orders to move out. All at once cheering broke out as it seemed from the whole army. The officer raised his hat as he approached Colonel Selfridge and said, "General Jackson sends his compliments with the intelligence that General Lee has surrendered to General Grant." This news accounted for the cheering. Lieutenant H. M. Bosworth and myself were dispatched at once by Colonel Selfridge to carry the information to the Regimental Commanders of the Brigade. We didn't let the turf grow under our horses feet in carrying this communication. As soon as the men heard the news they broke ranks at once and gave cheer after cheer and threw anything and everything they had or could get hold of into the air. Young colored boys and some older ones were thrown from a blanket into the air and caught in it again when they came down, and then into the air they would go again still higher than before. In about half an hour orders came to move on. With light hearts the men moved off calling to each other, "We must have old Johnston now." We marched through Smithfield, crossed Neuse River and went into Camp about three o'clock P. M. We had not been in Camp but a short time when the Brigade was ordered a mile to the front to support General Kilpatrick who was skirmishing with the enemy. In about an hour we were ordered back. The bands throughout the army played National airs during the evening. There was rejoicing everywhere. The men indulged in very little sleep. We all sat up late and talked over the prospect of the War coming to a close.

April 13, 1865.

We marched at seven o'clock this morning toward Raleigh. Here it was expected Johnston would make a stand but when we came in sight of the city we saw the Stars and Stripes waving over the capitol, then we knew the Union army had taken possession of it. The Brigade went into Camp on the south side of the city near the lunatic asylum, on a poor, barren piece of soil.

April 14, 1865.

All was quiet at the front today and we did not move. Johnston's men are leaving the army and going home. They say his army is discouraged and will not fight any more, that there is no hope for them.

April 15, 1865.

The Brigade had orders to be in readiness to move at daylight. It rained hard. Camp was broken, and everything packed and the men stood in the rain about half of the forenoon when they went into Camp again. We did not move.

************************

Headquarters 1st Brig, 1st Div., 20th A. C.

April 15, 1865.

Dear Wife,-

You will see we have been on the move again. You will also see in my enclosed days' jottings that we have had another skirmish with the enemy, which I hope is the last, as it is reported that Johnston is ready to surrender his army to General Sherman. I suppose you heard before we did of Lee's surrender. There must have been great rejoicing at the North when the news reached there. There was in the army. The 123rd Regt. did their part in cheering over the news. Only two days before they had a hard time skirmishing in the swamp at Moccasin Creek, where they did splendidly and got a great deal of praise from all the officers in the Corps. They say to me that I belong to a Regiment that I may be proud of. I have been relieved as Provost-Marshal and detailed at the same time (the eleventh of this month) as Aide-de-Camp to Colonel Selfridge. The order is as follows:

"Headquarters 1st Brig, 1st Div., 20th Army Corps,

"Near Smithfield, N. C., April 11, 1865.

"Special Orders

"No. 33.

"1st Lieutenant Robert Cruikshank, acting Provost- Marshal at these headquarters, is relieved from such duty and will report to the Colonel commanding the Brigade for duty as Aide-de-Camp.

By order of

(signed) Colonel James L. Selfridge Comdg. Brigade

(signed) D. W. Palmer A. A. Genl.

To: Lieut. R. Cruikshank

123rd Regt. N. Y. S. Vols.

I am fortunate again in getting this position. I do not have a company to look after nor am I responsible for any Government property as when I was Provost-Marshal. It is called the best office in the staff although others are higher in rank, but not in ease and comfort. The Colonel is expecting every day to receive notice of his promotion to Brigadier-General. I hope he will get it as he is deserving of promotion.

I have visited the city. It is small, about ten thousand inhabitants. The Colonel found people here who he knew. They are teachers in a blind, deaf and dumb asylum. We have called on them and are to dine with them before we leave. I went out with the band last night to serenade the blind. The grounds at the asylum are beautiful. The insane asylum is not over a quarter of a mile from where the Brigade is in Camp. We can hear the inmates screeching all of the time, night and day. I would rather be a soldier than to be connected with, or be a nurse in an insane asylum.

I hope when I write again to write more good news.

Love to all,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters 1st Brig, 1st Div., 20th A. C.

Raleigh, N. C., April 17, 1865.

Dear Wife,-

I have not received any mail since leaving Goldsboro. We have not moved since I last wrote. It was reported yesterday that Johnston was to surrender at eight o'clock this morning but the day has gone and I have heard no report from the front. The Camp is as quiet as a graveyard. The report has just reached us that President Lincoln has been assassinated. The heart of every soldier is filled with sorrow. The men threaten that if they have to follow Johnston's army they will show no pity. I know it will be hard to hold them in check. Every town will have to suffer as towns had to on former campaigns where the soldiers have found slave pens where they have been sold at auction, where there would be whipping posts and stocks. Plantations and towns where these were found were soon reduced to ashes. I feel so badly I cannot write, to think that this War has nearly come to a close so that Mr. Lincoln could see the end and yet not be permitted to rejoice with us. It is sad.

It is my opinion that Johnston will surrender, that he will understand the result if he does not and we have to march after him through the country.

My last letter was a letter of joy and this a letter of sorrow. What will my next be?

Love to you and Ella,

R. Cruikshank.

P. S. April 18th. Before sealing this letter will say there is no news from Johnston.

R. C.

Headquarters 1st Brig, 1st Div., 20th A. C.

Raleigh, N. C., April 23, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

I am quite out of patience that I have received no mail from home today and thought at first I would not write again until I did, but have repented and will write a short letter. I have no news to write for all is quiet now. I do not hear anything from the front or about peace negotiations, but we are in hopes to hear soon. I hope it will not fall through now. I shall be disappointed if it does. We are in comfortable quarters but it is very dull. I feel discontented and uneasy. I ought not to be, as I have everything my own way here. I have never regretted that I came into the service.

I am not in a writing mood and will close with love to all and a kiss to Ella.

R. Cruikshank

April 24, 1865.

I add a few lines before the mail goes out. We move on the enemy tomorrow morning at daylight. I do not know the cause of this movement, all I know is that General Grant is here in the city and we are to move. I have been with the Colonel this morning to General Sherman's Headquarters and saw General Grant there. I am confident that we shall have no fighting. It would be madness for Johnston to bring on a battle. We can annihilate his army. The men say if they have to fight again it will be the last battle for the Johnston army. They are desperate over the assassination of Mr. Lincoln. They know the Army of the Potomac have finished their work, and now if they take this army, the War will be over.

R. C.

Headquarters 1st Brig, 1st Div., 20th A. C.

Raleigh, N. C., April 28, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

I wrote you the 24th inst. that we were to move onto the enemy the next morning, the 25th. Orders were given at seven o'clock A. M. to fall in, taking the road to Holly Spring, a distance of twelve miles. When we arrived there were some of the enemy in front of us but there was no skirmishing.

On April 26th it was reported on good authority that Johnston had surrendered his whole army to General Sherman on that date. All of the men talked of home.

April 27, 1865. the Brigade did not move but remained quiet in camp all day.

April 28th the Brigade moved back to the city of Raleigh where they arrived at two o'clock P. M. and went into Camp, our fighting being over. I am well.

Love to all,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters 1st Brig, 1st Div., 20th A. C.

Raleigh, N. C., April 29, 1865.

Dear Wife,-

I write a few lines today as we have received orders to march at seven o'clock tomorrow morning on our homeward trip. I presume I will not have another opportunity to write until we get to Petersburg, Va. We will pass through Petersburg and Richmond where we will receive mail and dispatch our letters. Then we will march on to Washington, D. C. where there will be a grand review of the whole army. The orders are now being promulgated to each regimental commander and then to the men.

I shall dispatch you the events of our march whenever we reach a place where we can send out mail. Good-bye until then. With love to you and Ella,

Ever your affectionate husband,

R. Cruikshank.

************************

April 30, 1865.

At daylight the Brigade broke Camp and we started on our homeward march. I have never known of a lovelier morning. Everything appeared to be rejoicing. I felt that God was smiling on us, that what we had accomplished was pleasing in His sight.

The roads were good, the men marched with elastic step, and at eleven o'clock A. M. we halted for dinner at the Neuse River. After dinner we crossed the river at Forest Hills, marched two miles and went into Camp for the night. When we were about to halt the men began to call out to march five miles farther, they were so anxious to get home. Many of them had families whom they had not seen for almost three years.

May '65

To Washington

May 1st, 1865.

The men were up at an early hour this morning but we did not break Camp until eight o'clock A. M. An easy step was taken and the roads were good. We marched sixteen miles and camped for the night at Tar River at six o'clock P. M. The men could march the above distance without any fatigue as they did not run out of the line of march to forage and there was no enemy in front to skirmish with or who burned bridges and obstructed roads.

May 2, 1865.

We commenced the march again at seven o'clock A. M., crossed Tar River, on through Sand Fork, passing on near Oxford, N. C., and went into camp before dark, marching about twenty miles. The men wanted to march farther when ordered into Camp.

May 3, 1865.

At five o'clock this morning the army was on the move. at eight o'clock the Brigade was marching through Williamsburg, then on toward the Clarksville and Gaston Railroad at Townsendville, passed into Virginia, crossed the Roanoke River at Taylor's Ferry on a pontoon bridge six hundred and eighty feet long. The Brigade went into Camp a short distance from the river, having marched sixteen miles.

May 4, 1865.

We marched at eight o'clock this morning. At twelve M. we halted half an hour for dinner. In the afternoon we crossed the Mahern River and went into Camp one mile beyond about sundown. We made twenty-two miles today.

May 5, 1865.

We were on the march about sunrise. We struck the Boynton plank road running to Petersburg just before noon. We marched about twelve miles farther and went into Camp at the Nattaway River about six o'clock P. M., marching today twenty-three miles.

May 6, 1865.

We marched at seven o'clock A. M. crossed the Nattaway River, then struck the railroad leading to Petersburg at Blacks and Whites station, then marched to the next station on the road which is Wellsville where we camped for the night, making sixteen miles.

May 7, 1865.

The Brigade was on the road again at seven o'clock A. M., crossed the Appomattox River the middle of the afternoon, passed the coal mines and went into Camp at Clover Hill about five o'clock P. M., having marched twenty-one miles.

May 8, 1865.

We marched at sunrise, made twenty miles and went into camp at Falling Creek at six P. M.

May 9, 1865.

The Brigade made only six miles today and went into Camp near Manchester in the forenoon. It was in an open field and the weather was very hot. As soon as the Brigade had gone into Camp the Colonel said he was going to Richmond for dinner and I was to go with him. We took our orderlies with us, rode through Manchester, crossed the James River and were soon riding through the streets of Richmond. After crossing the bridge we turned to the right onto one of the best streets and found a hotel where we stopped for dinner. After dinner I ordered my horse and taking my orderly with me I rode over the city, the Colonel remaining in the hotel. I rode by Libby Prison and Castle Thunder, then to the other side of the city to see the Capitol, then back, passing General Lee's residence. I did not have time to dismount and look these places over but I wanted to say that I had seen them and I might not have another opportunity to visit them. Soon after returning to the hotel the Colonel was ready to return to Camp where we arrived at dark.

May 10, 1865.

It was understood that we were not to move today, so after breakfast the Colonel told me to have our horses saddled and our orderlies get ready to ride into the city, that we would spend the day in sightseeing. Lieutenant H. M. Bosworth wanted to go with us and wished me to ask the Colonel if he could accompany us. when asked, the Colonel granted the request. When we arrived at the city Lieutenant Bosworth and I left the Colonel at the hotel and started out to look for some crepe of which to make badges of mourning for President Lincoln, in compliance with a general order that all officers should wear a badge of mourning on the arm for thirty days. It was hard to find in the city, as all had been bought up. We called at every drygoods store in the city but could find none. Then we thought of a millinery shop and found some which we bought at a very high price. Then we returned to the hotel for dinner. After dinner we started out with the Colonel. He told me to take the lead as I had been riding through the city, that we would visit Libby Prison and Castle Thunder first. We rode to Libby Prison, I in advance. I dismounted, passed the guard and went into the office and asked for pass to visit the prison and Castle Thunder. I was told that the Commander of the prison had orders not to give any more passes,that they could do no business on account of visitors. I then asked him if we could not get passes, telling him that I was a Brigade staff officer and the others were a Colonel commanding a brigade and another of his staff, from General Sherman's army, and that we had counted on seeing the prisons. Colonel Selfridge then came in and I introduced him and Lieutenant Bosworth and told them of the disappointment of not seeing the prisons. The Colonel turned to the officer and said it really was a disappointment, that we expect to see them when we got to Richmond, that he thought it not a greatful act, after marching and fighting as we had done, to put them in the hand of our Government. The officer then said he could not give us a pass but would go with us himself and show us through the buildings.

We then went through Libby Prison and saw where so many of our poor soldiers were confined, starved, sickened and died. it looked like a large storeroom. We were then shown into the cellar where the dungeons were. They were built of heavy plank, across one side of the cellar, each one being about three feet square on the ground. The cellar was dark and all the air that the prisoner could have was the damp cellar air. There was a hole in the door large enough to pass in a dish of food. There was about three inches of water running over the cellar bottom all of the time, so when the men were put in these dungeons they had to stand in this cold water. They could not lie down while confined there. I was told that some were kept there for days and have been found lying dead in the water. They would become so weak they could not stand. It was awful to think of. We were shown in this cellar where the soldiers removed the stone from the wall and tunnelled under the street to a tobacco shed on the opposite side and a few made their escape. We passed from this building across the street and a short distance to Castle Thunder which looks like another large warehouse, a dark and dreary building. In this building we saw all kinds of shackles that had been worn by our soldiers while confined there. I here thanked God that I have escaped all the sufferings. With my not very good health and weakened constitution I never could have lived through these hardships, nor would my health have allowed me to endure the hardships of a private soldier.

**********************

Headquarters 1st Brig., 1st Div., 20th A. C.

Manchester, Va., May 10, 1865.

Dear Wife,-

I wrote you at Raleigh that I would write you at Petersburg, Va., but we did not stop there so did not have the opportunity to send you the jottings of our march. I will do so in the morning. You will see by the enclosed that I have made a tour through Richmond. We have not had a hard march so far from Raleigh, N. C. The young ladies on our route would come out and sing Confederate songs and make fun of us as we passed. We think, and told them that the laugh was on them now.

We camped near Petersburg one night and had our Headquarters tents in the front yard of a fine residence. The people were very angry because they were placed there and did all they could to annoy us. There were several young ladies at the house that would come out on the porch and sing Confederate songs. We asked them to sing some of our National songs but they would not. Four of us thought we would go up to the house and call on them, but when we got near the porch they ran into the house and locked the door. We took possession of the porch and they did not make their appearance again. They would not sell us a thing for our table so you see how bitter they were toward us. This feeling is general throughout the South, although I was given a good dinner by a Rebel Lieutenant. I spent two hours at his home and was well treated. The soldiers are not as bitter as those who stayed at home. The soldiers respect each other.

The day before leaving Raleigh General Grant gave a reception to the Commanding Officers and their staffs of Corps, Division and Brigades. I was pleased to have the opportunity of shaking hands with so great a man and to lunch with him. He is the greatest man the world has ever known.

We leave here tomorrow morning. I will drop this into the office at Richmond as we pass through. I do not expect any letters until we get to Washington, D. C., as I think all army mail will be sent there.

I am feeling well and am made happy by the thought that you are not worrying about me. It is a relief to me to feel so and I know it is to you.

Remember me to friends. With love to you and Ella,

Ever your affectionate husband,

R. Cruikshank.

***************************

May 11, 1865.

The Brigade were at work early this morning getting ready for the march and review at Richmond, as orders had been received that we were to be reviewed as we passed through that city by Generals Sherman and Halleck. There was some difficulty between these generals. I do not know what it was but do know that General Sherman refused to obey General Halleck's order.

We passed through Manchester the middle of the forenoon, crossed the James River, passed by Libby Prison and Castle Thunder, then filed to the left and marched to a broad street near the centre of the city where we passed the reviewing stand, then marching outside of the fortifications of the city, which are about four miles out. Here we camped for the night. It was to this point that General Grant's cavalry penetrated a year ago.

May 12, 1865.

The Brigade marched with the train and did not start from Camp until nine o'clock A. M. We crossed Chickahominy Creek and Swamp, marched through the village of Ashland, crossed a small portion of Peninsula, moved to and across the South Anna River and went into Camp half a mile beyond, having marched thirteen miles.

May 13, 1865.

We were on the march at five o'clock this morning, marched sixteen miles and went into Camp at three P. M. The roads were good.

May 14, 1865.

We moved at daylight and marched towards Spottsylvania Court House. The roads were good and we made twenty miles and went into camp at two o'clock P. M. within ten miles of the above named place.

May 15, 1865.

We broke camp this morning at daylight, marched to Spottsylvania and halted near the village about nine o'clock. As the Brigade were to make a halt of an hour or more I took the opportunity to ride over the battlefield. Between the lines near the left centre of the Union forces there was a small house standing in which a woman remained all through the battle. She was in the cellar. The house was riddled with bullet holes. Near this place I was shown the stump of a white oak tree over two feet in diameter that had been cut down entirely by musket balls. I afterward saw the trunk of the tree in the village. A man had it locked up in a building and charged a fee for seeing it.

I rode on to the centre which was an open field to the right of the Wilderness Road. Strewn all over this field lay unburied the skeletons of the men who had fallen in the charge, a year ago the 10th of this month. They lay in their uniforms with their Second Corps badge on their caps, some places there would be six piled together.

In the woods farther to the right there were more than in the field. In the edge of the wood a soldier lay under a small tree, his white handkerchief torn in shreds tied to a limb about four feet above him. Evidently he had been wounded and was not able to move from the field and had tied his handkerchief to the tree to attract attention. None came and he had to die alone. We know not how long he was exposed to the elements suffering from hunger and thirst before death came to relieve him of his suffering. This is only one case in thousands who have died in the same way.

At ten-thirty the bugle notes sounded the advance and we were soon on the march again. Taking the road to Chancellorsville we passed over the ground that the enemy occupied in front of our Regiment at that battle, the place where Stonewall Jackson fell near the plank road two years ago the third of this month.

We halted about two o'clock P. M. near where the Chancellorsville House stood. I now had an opportunity to look over the battlefield where I was first initiated into the art of war. As I walked over this battlefield I thought of my comrades who had fallen there. I could pick out the very spot where they fell. I visited the spot where Colonel Norton fell, the place where we lay on the soft ground all night before the last terrible day. I saw a great mistake in the formation of our lines. Whoever did it is in part responsible for our defeat that day. I went back over the same ground that I did that day in our retreat, thinking of the shower of shot, shell and bullets that I and the handful of men who were with me passed through in going up that hill to the Chancellorsville House, and I thanked God that He had kept His protecting arm above and around me through all the dangers I had passed through in the last two years of army life, with the prospect to soon be restored to my family again.

The assembly sound of the bugle called us together and we started again and marched to level ground at the United States Ford where we camped for the night.

May 16, 1865.

We marched this morning at five o'clock, crossing the Rappahannock River at United States Ford. We did not feel as anxious to get across as we did a little over two years ago when the army under General Hooker was closed in mass on this same ground waiting for those in advance to move out of the way, expecting that the enemy might charge down upon us at any time. We passed in our march Eastwood Church and halted for the night at Cedar Creek, marching sixteen miles.

May 17, 1865.

We moved from Camp at nine A. M., marched through Bristersburg and Weaversville and camped for the night at Slatey River, having marched thirteen miles. We went into camp about five o'clock P. M. The roads were very good.

May 18, 1865.

We moved at seven o'clock this morning, marched through Brintonville and crossed Broad River and Bull Run, on to Fairfax Station, then we marched to Berk Station where we went into camp for the night. The 123rd Regt. are familiar with the ground they have passed over today. It rained nearly all day yet we made about twenty miles.

May 19, 1865.

We resumed our march at seven o'clock A. M. and arrived at Fairfax Seminary about four o'clock P. M. We camped for the night near Fort Worth. From our campground we could see the Capitol at Washington. It was a welcome sight. We marched about seventeen miles today.

May 20, 1865.

We did not move today. I visited the City of Alexandria. It is an ancient looking place. I see nothing to build it up.

May 21, 1865.

We did not move today, the men keeping quiet and resting. They are tired after their march from Raleigh, N. C.

May 22, 1865.

The men spent the day in getting their clothes in good condition, cleaning their arms and accoutrements so as to appear as well as they could at the grand review which is to take place day after tomorrow, the 24th.

May 23, 1865.

There was nothing going on today. The men spent the day in writing home, talking of the past and their prospects for the future. They had been associated together for three years and they knew the character of each other. They knew the weakness and strength of character, courage, power of endurance, cruelty or kindness of heart of every man with whom they had been associated. It had been a time to try men.

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Headquarters 1st Brig. 1st Div., 20th Army Corps.

Near Washington, D. C., May 23, 1865.

Dear Wife,-

I rejoice in the thought that in a few weeks I will be at home again. It will take some days to disband and pay off such a large army, but our work is finished. I feel that the time will hang heavy on us as we have nothing to do. Discipline will be kept up the best it can, but the men are restless.

The camp guard duty is the same as when in active service. It is all the work the men have to do. I am busy getting ready for the grand review which comes off tomorrow. It will be our last.

In your letter of the 31st of last month you speak of General Sherman, saying that there was quite a feeling against him at the North. I think it is a shame after all he has done in putting down the rebellion, that some in the North should find fault with him. There is not a man in the service of his country who has done more to bring these rebellious states back into the Union than General Sherman. I know it and I admire the man. I do not think he was wrong.

He had a conference with Johnston and sent to Washington the terms that Johnston proposed to surrender under, leaving all to the decision of the War Department. When the terms were not accepted he moved out from Raleigh, advancing toward Johnston's front and would have gone through the whole Confederacy had not Johnston surrendered. It was General Sherman's plan to march to the Sea and through the Carolinas and in this way crush the rebellion.

We can see what he accomplished. If it had not been for General Sherman's operations General Grant would never have taken Richmond so easily and the War would not have been over for some time to come. The trouble all came through General Halleck. He does not want General Sherman to get the credit that is due him. In time the country will see that General Sherman is in the right.

There are a great number of Northern people in Washington to witness the review. I have not seen any of the Salem people here. There are only a few of Washington County people in the city. Wm. J. Crawford is here.

We do not expect to get our pay until we arrive at Albany. If I get short I shall go to the Paymaster in the city and draw a month's pay.

With love to you and Ella,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters 1st Brig. 1st Div., 20th Army Corps.

Near Washington, D. C., May 26, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

The Grand Review is over. You will see a report in full in the papers. I witnessed the whole of it. our Brigade was in advance and as soon as we had passed the reviewing stand in front of the White House Lieutenant Bosworth and I asked and received permission of General Selfridge (he has been promoted to Brigadier-General) to turn out of the procession so as to see it.

In front of the White House on the opposite side of the street there were seats for people who had passes to them. We wanted to get there, it being the best place to see the review, so we left our horses and went to the guard and asked to pass in, but he would not let us. Then we went around a block to the guard on the other side. I told him we were staff officers in Sherman's army and wanted to see the review and would like to pass in and get seats. He asked if we had passes. I told him we had not and asked if we could not get in without. He said those were his orders, but he turned his back to us so as not to see us and we passed in and got seats.

The White House was beautifully decorated with flags. In front of the platform I could see the President and Cabinet. The whole city was decorated. As we marched through the Avenue directly in front of us hanging across the front of the Capitol was a banner on which were inscribed these words, "There is one debt that our Nation can never pay the debt that we owe our soldiers." The whole city was crowded with visitors all rejoicing over the close of the War.

We encamped about four miles from Washington city just off the Bladensburg road. We came here and encamped the 25th, yesterday. Streets have been laid out and the men are in comfortable quarters. The men were almost used up after the review, having marched thirty miles that day. It was very hot in the streets.

Remember me to friends. Ever with love to you and Ella,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters 1st Brig. 1st Div., 20th Army Corps.

Near Washington, D. C., May 30, 1865.

Dear Wife,-

I do not receive any letters from you. I presume you think we may be on our way home. It will be some days before we get started as there is several days' work to do in making out muster and payrolls for the final settlement with all of us. We must wait our turn. In my opinion we will not get away from here in less than ten days I shall remain on the staff until the Regiment is mustered out of the United States service and we leave here. I want to hear from home just as often as I did while I was in the South, so keep on writing for all letters will follow me if I should not get them here.

Time hangs heavier now than when we were in active service. Every letter I receive helps to kill time, as we call it. I ride out every day and see new things but my mind is now on going home and these things have no attraction. I shall take my private horse with me. The other I have turned over to the Government. I being a staff officer, the transportation will cost me nothing to Albany, N. Y.

Ever with love,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters 1st Brig. 1st Div., 20th Army Corps.

Near Washington, D. C., June 3, 1865.

Dear Mary,-

I ride out to see the 123rd Regiment every day as I want to see how they are getting on with their reports. The officers are at work making them out as fast as they can. They work on them all day and into the night. it will take three or four more days to complete them.

Colonel Rogers has been promoted to Brigadier-General and will leave the service in that rank. He received it in honor for his services. He has been a good officer. He went into the service as a Captain.

We are very comfortable here. We buy all of our provision in the city and have it brought here. We can have the best of board as we have a good cook.

The Inspector-General has his wife here. She came from New Haven, Conn.

I close with love,

R. Cruikshank.

Headquarters 1st Brig. 1st Div., 20th Army Corps.

Near Washington, D. C., June 8, 1865.

Dear Wife,-

Our work for the Government is done. We were mustered out of the United States Service today. We have orders to start for home tomorrow morning. I shall stay in my own quarters here until all are ready to start, then I shall report to General Rogers. General Selfridge wishes me to stay with him as long as I can, as we perhaps shall never see each other again. Our Regiment is the first in the Brigade to be mustered out.

If we make any stops on our way I shall write you. it is expected we will go right through to Albany without making any long stops, except delays in changing cars, etc. I hope to see you in a few days.

Ever with love to you and Ella,

R. Cruikshank.

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The Regiment boarded the cars at six o'clock A. M. I said good-bye to the General and his staff and joined my regiment at the cars. Lieutenant Bosworth did the same.

We reached Baltimore at one o'clock P. M. Here we had dinner. We left Baltimore at five o'clock and reached Havre de Grace at dark. We had to go without supper except what we could buy on the road. We were about two hours getting across the river. We were on the road all night, reaching Philadelphia, Pa. after daylight.

June 10, 1865.

We left the cars and marched to the Cooper Shop Volunteer Refreshment Saloon where we got an excellent breakfast after taking a good bath. You will remember how kind the people here were to us when we were on our way home when I was on my sick leave from Harpers Ferry Hospital.

After breakfast the Regiment took there boat to Camden, N. J. where they arrived about seven o'clock A. M. I was a little behind the regiment when marching through the city of Philadelphia and when I got to the wharf the boat was about ten feet from the shore, so I had to take the horse cars to another ferry. I arrived at Camden about the same time the Regiment did.

We left Camden at seven o'clock A. M. on the New Jersey Central R. R. arriving at Jersey City about noon. We crossed the river to New York landing near Castle Garden. Here we were offered bean soup dipped from washtubs. Very few men would take it. This dinner was quite a contrast to our breakfast at Philadelphia. I presume New York thought this fare good enough for soldiers.

At four-thirty o'clock P. M. we were marched to the dock and went on board the steamer "John Taylor," which was to take us to Albany. I secured a berth as soon as I went onto the steamer so I could get some rest. At five o'clock P. M. the steamer left the dock and we were all night going up the river to Albany, where we arrived at sunrise.

Sabbath morning, June 11, 1865.

We left the steamer as soon as landing and were marched to Fenton Barracks on the Albany and West Troy road, about half way between the cities. The other officers and I engaged board at the Half Way House (Spruny's).

The Regiment went into the service with nine hundred and fifty strong and returned to Albany with five hundred and twenty-five. Nearly one hundred of these were new recruits.

The Regiment remained at Albany until the fourteenth of June when all were honorably discharged and started for home.

R. Cruikshank.

I will give here a recapitulation of the battles and skirmishes that the Regiment was in and in which I took part:

Chancellorsville, Va. May 1st, 2nd & 3rd, 1863

Gettysburg, Pa. July 1st, 2nd & 3rd, 1863.

Reseca, Ga. May 14th & 15th, 1864.

Cassville, Ga. May 19th, 1864.

Dallas or New Hope Church May 25th, "

Culps Farm, Ga. June 22nd, "

Peach Tree Creek, Ga. July 20th, "

Atlanta, Ga. July 28th, "

Averysboro, N. C. March 16th, "

Bentonville, N. C. March 19th, "

Above I have given the names, places and dates of the battles. Below I will give the skirmishes:

Falling Waters, Md. July 11th, 1863

There was continuous skirmishing and fighting from Resaca, May 13th, until we entered Atlanta, Sept. 2, 1864.

Lost Mountain, Ga. June 15th, 1864

Pine Hill, Ga. June 16th, 1864

Kenesaw Mountain, Ga. June 17th, 1864

Chattahoochie River, Ga. July 6th, 1864

Atlanta, Ga. Sept. 2nd, 1864

Monteiths Swamp (near Savannah), Ga.

Dec. 9th, 1864

Drewens Bridges (Edisto River), S. C.

Feb. 10th, 1865

Chesterfield, S. C. March 2nd, 1865

Moccasin Creek, N. C. April 10th, 1865