Showing posts with label August V Kautz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label August V Kautz. Show all posts

Monday, August 2, 2021

Major Charles Wright Wills: May 5, 1865

 Near Nottaway River, May 5, 1865.

Crossed the Meherrin river (a Copperas creek affair) this morning and pass through Laurenceburg, a 100-year old town, just as large as the top of a very small hill would hold. Such oceans of negroes; never saw half as many before in the same distance in Virginia. Sheridan was through this country ten days ago, but hearing that Johnston had surrendered he turned back. Kautz and Wilson were also raiding last summer, but there are no signs that war is known to the people by experience. We see Lee's and Johnston's men all along the road, taking a look at Sherman's army. All the soldiers and citizens we see seem to submit to the Government, and the war feeling is dead among them, but there is no love for us or ours, and they regard us only as subjugators. That is as warm a sentiment as I ask from them. I believe every family has lost a member by the war. I saw a member of Pickett's Rebel division this evening. He said that when his division surrendered to Grant, they stacked but 45 muskets. It was nearly 10,000 strong on the 24th of March, 1865.

This boy put in one of the 45 muskets. They all give Sheridan's cavalry the credit for doing the best fighting they ever knew “Yanks" to do.

They all speak highly of our 6th (Wright's) corps. The good conduct of our men continues even to the astonishment of the men themselves. I have heard of but one indiscretion, and that was only the carrying off of the table cutlery after dining with a citizen. We are traveling too fast, but our corps commanders are racing to see who will make Petersburg first. Heard of Booth being killed to-day. Also got a Herald of the 24th with Sherman and Johnston's peace propositions. We are very much shocked at Sherman's course. I have not heard an officer or soldier who had read them, sustain our general. It is hard on us and we regret his action as much as any calamity of the war, excepting the Washington horror. There isn't an element of man worship in this army, but we all had such confidence in Sherman, and thought it almost impossible for him to make a mistake. The army is very sore over the affair. We can't bear to have anybody say a word against Sherman, but he did act very strangely in this thing.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 377-8

Major Charles Wright Wills: May 6, 1865

Left bank of Stony Creek, Va., 20 miles from Pittsburg,
May 6, 1865.

About 20 good miles to-day. No sign of war yet. Have not had a very good road to-day. Crossed the Nottaway river this morning. Small affair. During Kautz and Wilson's disastrous raid last summer they threw their last piece of artillery into the Nottaway from the bridge on which we crossed. One of the officers says he noticed bullet marks on trees that indicated a pretty sharp skirmish having taken place where we stopped for dinner. We are fairly on classic ground. I hear that the 17th A. C. lost a number of men yesterday by a bridge falling.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 378

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: June 29, 1864

By daylight, all our force save three Regts. and brigade for rear guard had moved out towards Ream's Station. Heavy firing in rear. Soon heard that rebs had got between horses and men and captured nearly all. Reached Ream's Station about noon. Rebels in heavy force, cavalry and infantry. Longstreet's Corps being along the railroad to Weldon. Kautz went on in morning to take position. Sent back word that the command could not get through. Wilson said we must. Soon organized to charge through. Then this was given up. 5th N. Y. partly dismounted and part in reserve. Same with 2nd Ohio. Then mounted as reserve. Wilson got ready to leave by the road we came — burned the wagons and moved on. Soon rebs came on dismounted in our rear. Very heavy force. Moved off regularly towards the battery, which opened with grape and canister. Moved up to Kautz' division through the woods. Col. absent — don't know why. Kautz said the orders were to get out the best way possible. Columns moved near together. Moved to the southwest to near Stony Creek Station and crossed the R. R. Advance charged the rebs. Kautz had considerable fighting at first. Soon after crossing the R. R. rebs came upon our rear and we had a run of several miles — 5th Penn. and Detachments of several regts. — Col. West in command. No advance or rear guard. Had I been a line officer, I should have organized a force rear guard. Did propose the thing to Capt. Easton, but he couldn't see it. Held up and walked determined if there were any more firing to fall out and call upon 2nd Ohio and wait. Tom Wood, brave and true boy, fell out with several others and formed rear guard when almost within our lines. Rebs in ambush fired upon them and killed Tom. Poor fellow. How sorry I am for his young wife. Camped soon after passing our picket.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 122-3

Friday, April 13, 2018

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: June 26, 1864

Kautz left the Staunton just before daylight. Passed through Christianville, getting a good supply of corn and oats. Crossed the south fork of the Meherrin river and camped. All quiet.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 122

Monday, April 9, 2018

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: Tuesday, June 21, 1864

Wrote home and to George's people in Tenn. Saw Gen. Kautz. He came over to pay us a visit. It seemed good to shake his hand and talk with him once more. Hope that we can be transferred to his command. He encouraged us. Preparations for a big move tomorrow by the cavalry. May success attend us. Kautz thinks that Richmond is a certain capture. Very hot day. Maj. N. goes to hospital, best man in our Regt., brave, upright, modest, dignified and sound in principles and morals. Would the same could be said of more of our officers.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 120-1

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: June 22, 1864

Up last night till midnight issuing oats, etc., and drawing clothing. Regt. up at 1 A. M. and moved at 2. Moved through byroads around to the Jerusalem Plank road across to Reams' Station on the Weldon and Petersburg R. R. having crossed the Norfolk R. R. Burned the station and water tanks and a quantity of wood. Moved off to Dinwiddie C. H. and then across the country to the Petersburg and Lynchburg R. R. Destroyed several miles of track, tearing up much and burning fence rails on the rest. Don't think this did much good. Kautz captured two trains of cars loaded with furniture, etc., from Petersburg. Went into camp at 11 and remained till 1:30 A. M. (This began the famous and rather disastrous "Wilson's Raid.")

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 121

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Luman Harris Tenney: June 23, 1864

Moved on the R. R. destroying as we went till noon, when we got dinner. 12 miles from Burkesville a rebel force under W. H. Lee as reported of about 2000 cavalry got between Kautz and Wilson. Fight commenced immediately and lasted till dark — our brigade in rear. Drove the rebs at dark in a charge — our regt. on picket and in support of a battery. Got a good night's rest. Pickets firing all the time.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 121