On the 20th, prior
to leaving Morrisville, Colonel Rowett, who was wounded at Allatoona, returns
to the regiment. Never was a colonel's return to his regiment more welcome than
was Colonel Rowett, and as we approach him and take him by the hand we remember
Allatoona—remember how he fought there—remember how he fell! how he bled! how
he cheered his men on to victory. He now assumes command of his old 3d Brigade,
4th Division, 15th A. C. We remain quietly in camp on Crab Creek until the
29th, when Sherman's army break up their camp around Raleigh and take up the
line of march for Washington City. The Seventh being now mounted with the
exception of three new companies, we lead the advance of the 15th Corps. We
arrive at Petersburg on the 6th of May. Things around here tell very plainly
that war's mad machine has been at work here, leaving marks that will be seen a
century hence. We remain at Petersburg until the 9th, when we move towards
Richmond. We go into camp for the night near Fort Darling on the James river.
SOURCE: abstracted
from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, p. 307-8
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