Major Charles Wright Wills: February 26, 1865

Fullersville, S. C., Sunday, February 26, 1865.

Sixty hours of rain terminated at daylight this morning, but it has not hurt the sandy roads a particle. We made 11 miles in four and one quarter hours, and are now waiting for a bridge to be completed over this creek, “Lynch's.” We think now we are on the road to Wilmington. The map shows a good deal of railroad to be destroyed on the way, but I think we will get through by the 15th of March. Expect “you uns” are getting anxious about “we uns” again. This is, I think, a much longer thing than the Savannah campaign. Our 4th division took 103 prisoners here last night and our ad took 200 more to-day. They are State Line Troops and muchly demoralized. It is a fact about that murdering yesterday. Sherman is out in a big retaliation order to-day. Wilmington is reported ours. Thunder and lightning last evening. Hear that the rain has raised the creek until it is three-quarters of a mile wide, and we won't get across to-morrow. I think I'll put down our principal campaigns:

1st.	Dec., 1862, The Tallahatchie River Campaign	120 miles.
2nd.	April, 1863, The Panola, Miss., 9 day's march	180 miles.
3rd.	July, 1863, Jackson, Miss., Campaign	100 miles.
4th.	Oct. & Nov., '63, Memphis to Chattanooga, and in
5th.	Dec. to Maryville, Tenn., and back to Scottsboro, Ala.	800 miles.
6th.	Jan., '64, Wills Valley Campaign.	100 miles.
7th.	Feb. & March, '64, Dalton, Ga., Campaign	300 miles.
8th.	May until Sept., Atlanta Campaign.	400 miles.
9th.	Oct., 1864, Atlanta to Gadsden, Ala., and return	300 miles.
10th.	Nov. & Dec., Atlanta to Savannah.	300 miles.
	Jan., Feb. & March, '65, The Carolina Campaign.	400 miles.
Total		3,000 miles.

A captain and seven men who went foraging yesterday are still missing, supposed to be captured or killed. And 20 men of the 97th Indiana who went out this morning are reported all killed by a 46th Ohio man, who was wounded and left for dead by the Rebels. He says the 97th boys paid for themselves in dead Rebels before they were overpowered. Our corps has now 500 prisoners, three times as many as we have lost.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 353-4

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 27, 1865

Tillersville, February 27, 1865.

We have half a mile of bridging to build before we can get across this Lynch's creek, the rains have swollen it so much. Our 6th Iowa foragers we thought captured are all right. They got across this creek before the freshet and it cut them off. The 97th Indiana men are gone up. All of the 20 killed or captured but 3; 11 dead Rebels were found on their little battle field, so the report comes from General Corse, I understand. The Rebels are losing, I should think, about 3 or 4 men to our one, but they are showing more manhood than those who opposed our march in Georgia. It isn't the “militia,” for the 360 prisoners our corps have taken within four days surrendered without firing a shot. They were S. C. chivalry, proper. The men who are most active on their side, I think, belong to Butler's or Hampton's command from the Potomac. They are cavalry and don't amount to anything as far as infantry is concerned, but only think they venture a little closer than Wheeler does. (You are expected to emit a sarcastic ha! ha!! and remark: “They don't know Sherman's army as well as Wheeler does.”) They say we can't cross here until the water falls, and as there is an excellent prospect for more rain, we are thinking of building cabins in which to pass the rainy season.

All our wounded are doing excellently. The surgeons say that the wounded do much better being transported in ambulances than in stationary hospitals. They escape the foul air is the main reason.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 354

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 28, 1865

February 28, 1865.

High water still keeps us here. We will probably get off to-morrow. It is thought we will cross the Great Peedee at Cheraw; there is so much swamp lower down that might trouble us.

A thousand rumors afloat to-day. The citizens have it that Grant has whipped Lee since the Hatcher Run affair. It rained some last night and is now—8 p. m. —sprinkling again. If it rains hard to-night we will have to give up crossing here and go higher up. The 17th is across. The left wing is reported near Charlotte, N. C., but don't know that it is so. We have heard that Davis' commissioners have returned to Washington.

We are having a time sure. They say now that we will not get across to-morrow. I heard some outrageous jokes to-day about a Golden Christ which was stolen by some of our thieves in Columbia, and in an inspection on the 26th it was found in a department headquarter's wagon. They are too wicked to tell. This army has done some awful stealing. Inspectors pounce down on the trains every day or two now and search them. Everything imaginable is found in the wagons. The stuff is given to citizens or destroyed. Our last winter campaign ends to-day. Only five and one-half months more to serve.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 355

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 11, 1865

Seven miles west of Orangeburg, S. C.,

February 11, 1865.

Made 18 miles to-day. Crossed South Edisto river in rear of the corps. The river here is about 40 yards wide, with a swift current, water very clear. First 10 miles to-day was through pretty good country, the last eight miles mostly pine forest with more rolling ground than I have seen since we left the Oconee river in Georgia. Received my commission as major to-day, also two letters from you dated November 3d and January 4th. I ask pardon for thinking that you did not write regularly. The fault must be in the mails. All kinds of rumors afloat to-night of peace, war, and I don't know what all. We came near being burned up last night, the fire crept along through the pine leaves and burned my vest, partly, and ruined my jacket, and almost spoiled my overcoat, all of which were under my head. Also burned the colonel's pillow. The flames bursting up woke us, and I expect our first motion would have amused a very solemn man.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 343-4

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 12, 1865

Shilling's Bridge, left bank North Edisto River,

February 12, 1865.

Started at 7 a. m., moved one-half mile and laid still two hours waiting for Hazen and Smith to straighten out ahead of us.

I thought I'd tell you how we had been bored today, fooling along the road from 7 a. m. until 3 o'clock in the night, making five miles, but it disgusts me to think of it. Crossing the river is what delayed us. The Rebels held Hazen there four or five hours and shot a few men for him, but he run the 48th Illinois through some swamps on their flank, crossed and got some prisoners. They are from Hood's army and just got here yesterday. This North Edisto is about like the other branch. The 17th Corps crossed below our right, and the 20th on our left. Can't hear anything of the 14th or Kilpatrick. It is freezing now and has been very cold all day, yet to get clear water for dinner hundreds of the men waded out to the middle of the pond (muddy on the border) over their knees in water. They think nothing of it. It was the 2d Brigade 2d Division that waded the swamp and the river to flank the Rebels from the crossing. A large number of foragers waded with them just for devilment. It was from middle to arm-pit deep and I suppose they waded at least a mile. They got 54 prisoners, and the rest threw down guns, knapsacks and everything that impeded their flight. The flanking party did not lose a man. The men of this army surprise me every day with their endurance, spirit and recklessness.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 344-5

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 13, 1865

Twenty-four miles southeast of Columbia, S. C.,

February 13, 1865.

Made 18 miles to-day. Rear guard for the corps in the morning, but the 2d and 3d Divisions took a right hand road and in the p. m. the 4th Division also went to the right. We followed a cow path to camp. Passed through two large turpentine camps. The boys fired most all the trees and nearly burned us up. The smoke made the road very disagreeable. There is not much destruction of property since Logan's last order. Hear of no skirmishing. The chivalry give us very little trouble, never stop but at rivers. Foragers get a good many animals. Provisions plenty. Hear nothing of the left wing, or Kilpatrick.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 345

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 14, 1865

 EXPLANATORY Note. Until this time the 15th Army Corps had never had a Corps Badge, though the other corps commanders had long tried to induce General Logan to adopt one. Yielding at last to their solicitations he issued the following order:

• Major-General John A. Logan: General Orders No. 10, February 14, 1865

The adoption of the cartridge box as the distinguishing badge of the 15th Corps is said to have originated in this way: Before the battle of Missionary Ridge a soldier in the 11th Army Corps asked an Irish soldier of the 15th Corps what the badge of his corps was.

“And phwat is that badge thing?” he asked.

Being told and having no badge to show in reply, he answered, slapping his cartridge box: “It's that, wid 40 rounds!”

_______________

Nearing Columbia, S. C., February 14, 1865.

Good road to-day. Fine rolling country. Sand with pine wood and scrub oak. Saw the wagoners use their locks to-day for the first time since we crossed the Oconee, in Georgia. Logan's escort got after some Johnnie foragers to-day and captured four wagons and 50 or 60 horses and mules. The Rebels are shooting from the other side of the river and there was a lot in front of us when we stopped here. Lee is said to be in front with 40,000 men. It seems to be the opinion that we will have a fight. Can probably tell better to-morrow night. Rain all p. m., and still quite cold. Wear overcoats all the time.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 346-8

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 15, 1865

Three miles from Columbia, February 15th.

A rather lively day. We started the Johnnies right by our camp. Our brigade in advance of the corps and army. The 40th Illinois was deployed as skirmishers, and drove them four miles rapidly, losing only five men. Our regiment then relieved them. They opened artillery on us and fought stubbornly. It was the Kentucky brigade of Wheeler's “Critter Co." We drove them from a splendid position and heavy line of works with the assistance of three companies of our 3d brigade, 4th Iowa and —th Ohio. They killed F. M. Cary, of my company and took my orderly Sergt. T. S. Brown's right arm off. Wounded three other men in the regiment, Henry H. Orendorff, Joe Parkinson and Stewart, of company F. It is said we go for the city to-morrow.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 348-9

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 16, 1865

February 16, 1865, 7 a. m.

The Johnnies shelled our bivouac all night, but hurt no one, but induced us to extinguish our fires, and killed one of the 48th Illinois. We could hear their cars whistling all night. They had large fires near town. We can see the steeples of the city plainly this morning. Many think the Rebels have left. If not I look for a hard battle to-day. There is no firing this morning yet, and our skirmish line is advancing. I can see it a mile ahead of us. Can see the State House now, and a large portion of the city. We can shell it from here.

Nine a. m.—The enemy opened the three guns on us again that he used last night, but the skirmish line deployed along the river silenced them.

Ten a. m.—The sun has shown himself, dispelled the fog, and we find we have an excellent view of the city. From our position it looks much like Peoria from the left bank of the river. The Congaree here is larger than the Illinois. Our batteries have got in position well down on the river bank, and some of them are bursting shell over the city. Our division moves down to take a closer view ir a few minutes. The skirmishers are shooting quite lively across the river. You know our muskets carry up well at 800 yards. 'Tis a beautiful morning and view.

Twelve m.—The 2d Division leading, we pushed for the Rebel works at 9. Johnnies had mostly retired across the river. Our pontoon train running by a Rebel battery made some fun. They were furiously shelled and stood quite a heavy fire of musketry. Casualties, one mule killed, and the seat torn out of a small darkey's pants. We now lay on the river side opposite the town. A number of our guns are practicing on the State House and other prominent buildings, and the Rebels are not answering a shot, though we can see a number of cavalry riding through the town. Hazen is laying the pontoons above the junction of the Saluda and Broad rivers where we will cross. Yesterday when the 40th Illinois charged the Rebels out of one of their numerous barricades a “Forty” boy and a Johnnie had a real scuffling fight. Forty downed the Rebel and choked him until he surrendered. Some 26th boys captured a Rebel colonel after we crossed the Congaree creek. He quite drunk and rode up to the boys who were straggling ahead of the skirmish line, and asked them what they were waiting for, and why they did not come along.

8 p. m.—Crossed the Saluda, since dark, and stay here for the night on the bank of Broad river.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 349-50

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 17, 1865

Columbia, S. C., February 17th.

The 3d brigade of our division marched all night and worked all night before they could get a cable across the river to string the pontoons, and the bridge was not completed until 10 a. m. There was lively skirmishing all the time. Our division crossed first. The 3d brigade captured 30 Rebels near the crossing. The Mayor came out and surrendered the town to Colonel Stone, commanding our 3d brigade. The division marched through Main street to the Capitol. We were never so well received by citizens before, and the negroes seemed crazy with joy. We halted in the street a few minutes, and the boys loaded themselves with what they wanted. Whiskey and wine flowed like water, and the whole division is now drunk. This gobbling of things so, disgusts me much. I think the city should be burned, but would like to see it done decently.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 350

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 18, 1865

February 18, 1865.

Two-thirds of the city burned last night. The colonel and I got up last night and rode through the streets until 3. At 4 this morning the 40th Illinois cleared the streets with bayonets and order again reigned. Our regiment is on Provost duty, and I have just been through the streets (8:30 p. m.) and it is as quiet as Sunday night in Canton.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 350-1

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 19, 1865

February 19, 1865.

Another block of the city burned to-day. Our regiment was out and stopped the fire from spreading further. Have seen the men work better on other occasions. In destroying some captured ammunition to-day the 63d Illinois, by an explosion, lost three killed and 20 wounded. We captured about 20 cannon here. I noticed one complete battery of fine Blakely guns.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 351

Major Charles Wright Wills: February 20, 1865

Sixteen miles northeast of Columbia,

February 20, 1865.

The Provost Guards were the last to leave town. Fifty families of Columbians accompany us; have no idea how many negroes. Hard day's march.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 351

Captain Charles Wright Wills: February 1, 1865

Hickory Hill, S. C., February 1, 1865.

Fifteen miles to-day and had an excellent supper of South Carolina ham, honey and sweet potatoes. Found a good deal of road blockaded to-day, but the pioneers removed the obstructions so rapidly that the train did not have to halt once. The Rebels disputed our advance a little, killed a cavalryman and wounded another for us, but did not stop the column a moment. Sherman rode at the rear of our regiment all day and was quite sociable with some of the men. Don't think any of the officers noticed him. Miserable pine land country, but some quite large plantations.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 339

Captain Charles Wright Wills: February 2, 1865

February 2, 1865.

The advance started at daylight, but we are the rear guard of the corps and will not get off before 4 p. m. We have no idea of our destination, but are now traveling the Augusta road.

The country is very level, but every mile or so there is a little swale or depression of but a few feet, and before a hundred wagons pass over it thorough corduroying is necessary. The foragers had sharp fighting for what they got to-day. We had two captured, Billy Haller and a 40th boy. Our boys captured several and killed three. Only made six miles.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 340

Captain Charles Wright Wills: February 3, 1865

Baren's Mills, S. C., February 3, 1865.

Fifteen miles to-day. The 17th is having some pretty lively firing on our right. At a house I stopped at to-day a "cit" told me were 95 miles from Charleston, 65 from Augusta, and 33 from Branchville. That is as near as I can tell you where we are. We expect to reach Buford's bridge on the Salkehatchie, to-morrow. The Rebels have fortified there, I hear. Our brigade has the advance, and fun to-morrow, if there is any. It has rained since 12 last night.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 340

Captain Charles Wright Wills: February 4, 1865

Buford's Bridge, north side Salkehatchie River,

February 4, 1865. 

Most unaccountably, to me, the Rebels evacuated an impregnable position (if there is such a thing), and our brigade was saved thereby from making some more history, for which I am grateful. A straight pike or causeway three quarters of a mile long and in which there are 24 bridges, was our only chance of crossing. They had strong embrasured works, but left an hour before our advance reached their fortifications. We got a lot of good horses and more good forage than I ever before saw brought in. I am sure that we have either a nice ham or shoulder for every two men in the regiment, and I think, more. A Company B boy got a good strong horse which he let me have. People here say that the Rebels have all gone to Branchville. Colonel Catterson told Sherman (he was in our camp some time to-night) that a negro reported that the Rebels had all gone to Branchville. "Pap" replied, “They can go to Branchville and be d-d.” We infer from that, that we don't go there. He also said to Catterson, who was superintending the bridge building, “Build them strong, Catterson, build them strong; the whole army may have to pass over them, and the ‘Army of the Cumberland’ is a very heavy army, sir.” Besides the little slur on the 14th and 20th, that gave us an idea of the whereabouts of the left wing.

I just now heard what made the Rebels evacuate this. Mowers' Division of the 17th formed line and marched across this stream and swamp eight miles below at River Bridge. They waded through three miles of water and then took the Rebel works with a loss to us of only 12 killed and 72 wounded. I think that beats anything I ever heard of in the show line. There was a town of 20 or 25 houses here, but we have used it up in building bridges.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 340-1

Captain Charles Wright Wills: February 5, 1865

Twelve miles south of Johnston's Summit, Augusta and 

Branchville Railroad, February 5, 1865. 

They call the stations on this road "turnouts.” Negroes are swarming into our camps. I never heard a negro use the word "buckra” until last night. One of the 97th Indiana was killed this morning while foraging close to camp. Our men killed two and captured four Johnnies, all dressed in our clothing. Only moved four miles to-day, and will probably lay here a few days as Sherman told Wood we were four days ahead of time, he having counted it would take that long to effect a crossing at Buford's bridge. 

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 341

Captain Charles Wright Wills: February 6, 1865

Little Salkehatchie River,

February 6, 1865, 2 p. m.

Yesterday was quite warm, but my overcoat is useful again to-day. General Kilpatrick caught up with us last night, also General Williams with five brigades of the 20th A. C. So instead of waiting several days Sherman said he'd chance them for the railroad with what troops there are up. We took the road this morning. Stopped here for the 3d Division to clear the swamp of some Johnnies, which I think they have about effected.

Five p. m.—Miserable swamp, but the 3d Division only lost two men in crossing. There must have been a division of Wheeler's here by the signs.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 342

Captain Charles Wright Wills: February 7, 1865

Bamber's Station, A. & C. R. R.

February 7, 1865. 

Our regiment led the corps to-day. The 17th Corps strikes the railroad at Midway, three miles to our right, and the 20th to the left five miles. We are 14 miles northwest of Branchville. The enemy are on the opposite bank of the Edisto, two miles from us. There is a great "peace" excitement among the citizens here. This day's work cuts off all railroad communication between Georgia and the eastern part of the Confederacy. I saw another new thing (to me) in the destruction of railroads. After the iron has been heated by the burning ties, by a simple contrivance, four men twist each rail twice around. They put a clamp on each end of the rail, and put a lever in the clamp perpendicularly, and two men at each end of the lever, will put the neatest twist imaginable in the heated part of the rail. I never saw so much destruction of property before. Orders are as strict as ever, but our men understand they are in South Carolina and are making good their old threats. Very few houses escape burning, as almost everybody has run away from before us, you may imagine there is not much left in our track. Where a family remains at home they save their house, but lose their stock, and eatables. Wheeler's Cavalry is about all we have yet found in our front and they keep afar off. The citizens fear them fully as much as they do us. A lady said to-day that she would as lief have us come as Wheeler's men; she could see no difference. Wheeler's men say, "Go in, South Carolina!" and the Yankees say the same thing. We got 50 bales of cotton here, which I suppose will be burned. Struck the railroad at 9:30 a. m. 

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 342-3