Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: February 5, 1865

In the evening we move about four miles across an almost impassable swamp and go into camp. The seventy thousand are now making a terrible stride in South Carolina, moving through the swamps, the favorite haunts of the slave hunter and his blood hounds. But the tables are turning; other hounds will soon yelp down here—Sherman's fierce hounds of war,—they will go sweeping on their path for freedom and law, making John C. Calhoun restless in his tomb.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 294

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: February 6, 1865

We move early this morning; our Division is moving by itself upon a lone road, General Corse having orders to move across the country and form a junction with the corps now moving from Pocataligo. The roads are desperate; we only succeed in getting about eight miles to-day.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 294

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: February 7, 1865

We cross Black Water swamps and go into camp at Hickory Hill, making a distance of ten miles.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 294

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: February 8, 1865

We cross Whippie Swamp about noon to-day and go into camp for the night.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 294

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: February 9, 1865

The roads still continue desperate, and in consequence we move slowly. In the evening we cross the little Saltkatchie swamp.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 294

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: February 10, 1865

We move early this morning, but very slow; these swamps prove to be terrible obstacles to Sherman's seventy thousand. We soon come to the great Saltkatchie swamp at Beaufort's Bridge: we find the swamp all flooded, about one mile wide, and the bridge in the middle. Weak commanders would have faltered; things indeed look frightful, but General Corse gave the command forward. The Seventh led, and into the great Swamp the Fourth Division passed, and through it they waded, the water, winter cold, ranging from waist to neck deep. It did seem that some of the men would perish; that they would be left in that great swamp; but all passed safely through, and gaining a footing on the opposite side, drove the enemy far away, who were all the while disputing our passage. The ammunition train is now ordered to move across (the ammunition being raised out of water's reach); about midway they swamp, and the soldiers of Corse's Division are compelled to go back into the swamp and carry the ammunition boxes out to land.

Remaining here until the trains are crossed, we move forward and join the corps at Midway, on the South Carolina Railroad. Then began the movement on Orangeburg. We notice that Black Jack is at the head of the Fifteenth Corps, having arrived from his campaign on the northern line and assumed command at Pocataligo. We also find that the mounted portion of the Seventh are now (as the boys say) members of his staff. We cross the South Fork of the Edisto River at Halmond's bridge and move to Poplar Springs to support the Seventeenth Army Corps, moving straight to Orangeburg, which is taken by a dash of the Seventeenth.

From Poplar Springs we cross the North Edisto River at Skilling's bridge, and on the fifteenth we

find the enemy in strong position at Little Congaree bridge, but the gallant Logan, with his thundering Fifteenth, soon ousts them, when we move across and go into camp in front of Columbia. During the night our camp is shelled from a battery on the east side of the Congaree, above Grundy, causing considerable stir in the Fifteenth Corps' camp.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 294-6

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: February 16, 1865

This morning we move our camp and shift around more to the left. Brisk skirmishing is now going on along the river, with some cannonading. In the evening we again move our position more to the left. The capitol of South Carolina is now in full view. The Saluda river being pontooned, we cross this evening, which throws us between two rivers, the Saluda and the Broad, which two form a junction at Columbia and make the Congaree.

During the night, under cover of Stone's Brigade, of the Fifteenth Corps, which was crossed in the afternoon, a pontoon bridge was laid across the Broad River, three miles above Columbia. On the morning of the seventeenth, Colonel Stone, of the Twenty-fifth Iowa, commanding Third Brigade, First Division, Fifteenth Corps, moves towards the city. At eleven o'clock the Mayor comes out and makes a formal surrender of the city to Col. Stone. In anticipation of General Howard, with the army of the Tennessee, entering the city, General Sherman's orders are to spare all dwellings, colleges, asylums, and harmless private property.

General Logan, who stood at the end of the pontoon bridge when the last pontoon was laid, says to Howard, with his black eyes flashing: "I will now move into this hell of treason. But say the word and I will sweep this city from the earth." It is now past noon. Generals Sherman and Howard have rode into the city. The Fifteenth Corps is now moving across Broad river. The Seventh is ordered to stay back and guard the train.

It is now night; the wind is raging furiously; the heavens are all aglow; Columbia is enveloped in flames; her beautiful architecture is crumbling; her gorgeous mansions are falling; the work and labor of a century is being destroyed.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 296-7

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: February 18, 1865—4 a.m.

The Seventh cross Broad River and go into camp near the doomed city. We can now see the great conflagration. Oh! how terrible those sweeping elements, causing innocent ones to cry as they behold their childhood's place of play crumbling into ashes. But such is war! Terrible in its legitimate vengeance, powerful in its tread, it hearkens not to the cries for mercy. The question is now asked, "Who will be held responsible for the burning of the capitol of South Carolina." The impartial historian will tell the world that Wade Hampton burned his own city of Columbia by filling the streets with lint, cotton and tinders, and setting fire to it, which was spread by the raging wind. But it matters not with the seventy thousand who will be charged with the burning of South Carolina's capitol, for this great army who had swept a continent thus far, smiled and felt glad in their hearts when they beheld this city laid low in ashes, where rebellion was born, and where pampered and devilish treason first lifted its mad head and made its threats against the Union and freedom.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 297-8

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: February 23-26, 1865

Heavy rains fall, swelling the rivers and making the roads almost impassable. Passing through Camden, we arrive at Cheraw on the 2d of March. Colonel Perrin is now in command of the mounted portion of the regiment, and Major Johnson the non-mounted portion. We remain in camp here one day and two nights. From this point an expedition of cavalry and mounted infantry was sent down to Florence, which was joined by Colonel Perrin and the mounted portiou of the Seventh, but it encountered both cavalry and infantry, and returned having only broken up in part the branch road from Florence to Cheraw.

Leaving Cheraw, and after crossing the Pedee river we are again put in motion, moving towards Fayetteville, North Carolina.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 298

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: March 11, 1865

We arrive at Fayetteville, and while approaching, the advance was for awhile engaged in skirmishing with Wade Hampton's cavalry, that covered the rear of Hardee's retreating army.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 298

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: March 12, 1865

The army tug Davenson reaches Fayetteville from Wilmington to-day. We remain here until the 14th, when we again move.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 298

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: March 14, 1865

We proceed to the Cape Fear river one mile below town where we remain until noon waiting for the 17th Army Corps to cross, after which General Corse leads his division upon the long pontoon bridge. After crossing we move on and go into camp two miles from the river.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 298-9

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: March 15, 1865

The 4th Division take the advance this morning. The advance encounter Hampton's cavalry, but by a little skirmishing they are soon scattered. We move only ten miles to-day, going into camp for the night one mile from South river, where the rebels are said to be in force.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 299

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: March 16, 1865

By advancing this morning we discover that the rebels have all made their exit from South river. General Corse again takes the advance. The South river bottoms are overflowed. The bridge across the main channel having been damaged is now repaired, but the troops are compelled to wade the bottoms which are about knee deep. Our advance encounters rebels all day—Butler's and Wade Hampton's cavalry. We go into camp at 3 o'clock P. M. It is now raining. Everything looks frightful in these swamps where the men of war are tramping. Mud and water everywhere.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 299

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: March 17, 1865

The 4th Division still moves in the advance. We take the main Goldsboro road this morning. The roads are desperate, the troops are compelled to corduroy the roads almost entirely with rails. We march about seven miles and go into camp at Clinton cross roads. Being now in close [proximity] to Johnson's rebel army we are ordered to throw up fortifications and remain here the remainder of the day and night to wait for the left wing to move up.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 299

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: March 18, 1865

9 o'clock A. M. we move.

The roads still desperate—corduroying almost every step. A great many refugees are now following the army, seeking to be freed from the Davis tyranny; they are enduring much suffering. We go into camp tonight about sun down. We are now about twenty-six miles from Goldsboro, North Carolina.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 299-300

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: March 19, 1865

To-day we reach Falling Creek, where the mounted portion of the Seventh is thrown forward to the river bridge, where they encounter the enemy in a brisk shirmish, which for dash and vim elicits the compliments of "Black Jack." Advancing, General Slocum discovered that Johnson with his army was strongly posted in the vicinity of Bentonville.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 300

Diary of 1st Lieutenant Daniel L. Ambrose: March 21, 1865

This morning the armies are menacing each other face to face, each remaining behind their works. The design of Sherman is to hold him there until Schofield and Terry can advance from Kingston, North Carolina. Skirmishing has been going on all day. In the evening the Seventh is ordered forward on the skirmish line, and moving forward under the command of Major Johnson, into a creek bottom, we provoked a fierce fire from the enemy stationed on the opposite side. In this encounter Privates Jacob Groch and Gotleib Burkhardt, of Company H, were wounded. Other noble men were also wounded, but we have been unable to obtain their names.

It is now raining and night has let her curtains fall. We are ordered to dig rifle-pits and remain on the line all night. It is a dark night, a cold March rain is falling upon the tired soldiers. The chilling winds make mournful music through the branches of the tall pines. The rebels are entrenched close to our lines and until three o'clock in the morning there is a continual firing. The Seventh pumped the death dealing elements from their sixteen-shooters with such a vim that it made the enemy think that the whole army was on the line of battle. Three o'clock in the morning the firing ceased, and at the first gray dawn of morning light the enemy is discovered to be gone and on the retreat. Thus ends our battle near Bentonville, North Carolina, which proves to be our last encounter with the rebel army in the war for the Union.

After the battles around and in the vicinity of Bentonville, we move towards Goldsboro, where we arrive March 20th. As we move into Goldsboro we are reviewed by General Sherman, thus ending our campaign in the Carolinas,—a campaign that will furnish history with many startling events—events that will tell of privations endured, and of a fortitude developed in Sherman's seventy thousand that had never been developed before by the world in all its martial history.

This evening some of the soldiers who were wounded at Allatoona, join the regiment, having been at Goldsboro waiting our arrival for some days. We are glad to see our genial friend and boon companion, the gallant Captain Hackney, lately commissioned for his bravery at Allatoona. We notice that he has a beautiful mark on his beautiful face, the compliment of a rebel's whizzing minie. But as Grace Greenwood says, this will be his patent of nobility. While here three companies lately recruited for the Seventh join the regiment from Illinois, which are lettered and officered as follows: Company B, Captain Hugh J. Cosgrove, First Lieutenant George H. Martin, Second Lieutenant M. D. F. Wilder; Company D, Captain William A. Hubbard, First Lieutenant John H. Gay, Second Lieutenant William M. Athey; Company G, Captain S. W. Hoyt, First Lieutenant Andrew J. Moore, Second Lieutenant W. J. Hamlin.

To make room for these new companies orders are issued to consolidate old Company B with Company A, Captain Sweeny commanding; old Company D with Company C, Captain Roberts commanding; old Company G, with Company I, Captain Norton commanding.

SOURCE: abstracted from Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 300-2

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: February 11, 1865

Cloudy and cold; froze hard last night.

Yesterday a bill was introduced into both houses of Congress authorizing the enlistment of 200,000 slaves, with consent of their owners, which will probably be amended. Mr. Miles, as a test vote, moved the rejection of the bill; and the vote not to reject it was more than two to one, an indication that it will pass.

The failure of the peace conference seems to have been made the occasion of inspiring renewed zeal and enthusiasm for the war in the United States, as well as here. So the carnival of blood will be a "success."

The enemy claim an advantage in the late battle on the south side of the James River.

Sherman's movements are still shrouded in mystery, and our generals seem to be waiting for a development of his intentions. Meantime he is getting nearer to Charleston, and cutting railroad communications between that city and the interior. The city is doomed, unless Hardee or Beauregard, or both, successfully take the initiative.

Here the price of slaves, men, is about $5000 Confederate States notes, or $100 in specie. A great depreciation. Before the war, they commanded ten times that price.

It is rumored that hundreds of the enemy's transports have come into the James River. If it be Thomas's army reinforcing Grant, Richmond is in immediate peril! Information of our numbers, condition, etc. has been, doubtless, communicated to the enemy and our slumbering government could not be awakened!

Wigfall, of Texas, Graham, of North Carolina, Orr and Miles, of South Carolina, oppose the employment of negro troops, and Gen. Wickham, of this department, openly proclaims such a measure as the end of the Confederacy! We are upon stirring times! Senator Wigfall demands a new cabinet, etc.

Two P.M. The sun has come out; warmer. But it does not disperse the prevailing gloom. It is feared Richmond must be abandoned, and our forces concentrated farther South, where supplies may be more easily had, and where it will be a greater labor and expense for the enemy to subsist his armies.

Assistant Secretary of War, Judge Campbell, is still furloughing, detailing, and discharging men from the army; and yet he thinks the country is pretty nearly exhausted of its fighting population! His successor is not yet appointed; the sooner the better, perhaps.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 416-7

Diary of Malvina S. Waring, February 6, 1865

Columbia, S. C.—This wild talk about the Federal Army and what it's going to do is all nonsense. Coming here! Sherman! Why not say he's going to Paramaribo? One is about as likely as the other, notwithstanding that papa shakes his head so solemnly over it, and mamma looks so grave. He is always shaking his head over something, it seems to me, and she forever looking grave. I do hope I shall be able to get around being old, somehow. Old people's weather is all bad weather; their horoscope all background; their expectation all disappointment; their probabilities all failures. No doubt I am foolish—mamma says I am—but there's a certain satisfaction in being young and foolish rather than old and wise.

SOURCE: South Carolina State Committee United Daughters of the Confederacy, South Carolina Women in the Confederacy, Vol. 1, “A Confederate Girl's Diary,” p. 272