Bentonville,
N. C., March 22, 1865.
The enemy
left about 2 a. m. Our brigade was ordered to follow them to Mill creek, about
three miles, which we did almost on the double quick, the 26th Illinois in
advance pushing their rear guard. The brigade went to Mill creek, but our
skirmishers went a mile further, to Hannah's creek. The 26th had seven wounded.
I saw in one place a dead Rebel and one of our men burned horribly. The woods
have all been burned over here. In another place a dead Rebel and one of our
men with his foot cut half off, one of his toes cut off, several more cuts on
his body, and a bullet hole in his temple. Some of the boys saw one of our men
with leg cut off in five places. Some surgeon had probably been practicing on
the last two men.
They were
14th Corps men, Sherman again says the campaign is over, that he only came out
here to show Johnston that he is ready to fight all the time. We start back for
Goldsboro (24 miles), to-morrow. Hurrah for mail and clean clothes. Colonel and
I occupy the outside of a house to-night, in the inside of which is a
Chinese-eyed girl with a Creole mouth. She is as intelligent as a door post.
You don't know how anxious I am to hear from you. I have had a reply to but one
letter that I have written since last November (15th). Our little supper is now
ready. Don't see how we will get along without Frank.
SOURCE:
Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 366-7
