Charlotte, N. C.—We
barely escaped with the skin of our teeth! The flight from Richmond was even
more hasty and exciting than the exodus from Columbia, only I am not equal to
writing about it. Congressman F—— accompanied us and other friends. I fear it
is all up with the Confederacy, and with me also. I am ill; I have fever—typhoid.
SOURCE: South
Carolina State Committee United Daughters of the Confederacy, South
Carolina Women in the Confederacy, Vol. 1, “A Confederate
Girl's Diary,” p. 284
Arrive at Columbia,
S. C., at dawn. The night passed disagreeably. Although our destiny is prison,
men are impatient at delays, growl at "such engineering" though the
best we have had, a negro at that. I ate my last bread yesterday morning; hoped
for rations here; none came. We picked up corn scattered in the cars which
served some purpose. We are mingling freely with our officers, sitting beside
the track some ways from the city. This is the capitol of South Carolina;
population 8,000. A paper I saw today says of the armies in Georgia that
Johnston had retreated from Dalton towards Rome, Hooker and Thomas pressing
him. Details are given of skirmishes and glaring headlines of great disasters
to Yankees; but in important movements they concede failure, then attempt to distort
facts. Lincoln has issued a proclamation for thanksgiving. It looks as well for
us as we ought to expect; we have had to contend against disadvantages; a hard
struggle is before. Some gentlemen engaged in conversation with us. They
evinced a spirit narrowed to mere State pride all for slavery. The bane of
State right had been so profusely imbibed, that they had forgotten what Edmund
Randolph termed the "rock of our salvation" which gave "safety, respectability
and happiness to the American people," namely, "The Union of the
States," and plunged into that which brings destruction. Particularly was
this addressed to the South; nevertheless we are cursed for loving the Union.
They ask us to give it up, to give up principles for which we would preserve the
Union.
Gen. Seymour had his
buttons cut off by Rebels while asleep. He has no hat, it having been lost in
battle; he seems very disconsolate. General Shaler sits beside him with one arm
about his waist trying to console him.
Rebel officers have
been here and offer $5 to $15 Confederate for $1 in greenbacks. They have a
curious faith in success. At noon we left the junction for the South.
Kingsville is a junction of two roads, one for Charleston, the other north to
Wilmington. Four or five miles below we cross the Santee River, or one of its
branches, and an extensive swamp on a tressie, seemingly two miles long. Here I
saw several live alligators. We reached Branchville at dark and switched to the
west. Country is level, woody and in poor cultivation. On much of the cotton
lands trees are standing dead. Fields look like vast swamps. Land is worked in
this way wholly by slaves with little knowledge how to improve land, with
neither facilities or encouragement to do so, and when exhausted, it is left.
We could see the [slaves] toiling in "the cotton and the cane."
SOURCE: John Worrell
Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville
and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, p. 53-4
Mr. Duncan brings us
the weightiest news. The Confederacy is going to the dogs—or, did he say the devil?
That young lieutenant was right. We may have to fly from Richmond as we did
from Columbia. It is a profound secret as yet; but he warns us to be ready to
leave on quick notice. Are we to be driven to the wall? I can't believe it! But
somehow—somehow—my heart is as barren of hope tonight as the great Sahara of
water.
SOURCE: South
Carolina State Committee United Daughters of the Confederacy, South
Carolina Women in the Confederacy, Vol. 1, “A Confederate
Girl's Diary,” p. 283
Cloudy; rained yesterday and last night.
We have no important news from South Carolina, except the falling back toward Columbia of our troops; I suppose before superior numbers. Branchville is evacuated.
The roads will not admit of much movement in the field for some days. But pretty heavy cannonading is heard down the river.
Congress did nothing yesterday; it is supposed, however, that the bill recruiting negro troops will pass—I fear when it is too late.
Meantime the President is as busy as a bee making appointments and promotions, and many meritorious men are offended, supposing themselves to be overslaughed or neglected.
The published letter taking leave of Mr. Secretary Seddon rasps Congress severely, and is full of professions of esteem, etc. for the retiring Secretary. The members of Congress reply with acrimony.
The quartermaster at Charlotte, N. C., dispatches the Secretary of War that he has there some millions in specie, government funds, besides specie of the banks for safe keeping. He also desires the removal of the "Foreign Legion" there, paroled prisoners taken from the enemy and enlisting in our service. They are committing robberies, etc.
I saw Gen. Lee at the department again this morning. He seems vigorous, his face quite red, and very cheerful. He was in gray uniform, with a blue cloth cape over his shoulders.
Exchange of prisoners has been resumed, and many of our men are returning from captivity. Gen. Grant has the matter under his control.
Gen. Pillow has been appointed commander of prisons in place of Gen. Winder, deceased.
Only 4 pounds bacon were issued as meat ration to detailed men this month.
I learn that some 2000 of our men, confined at Point Lookout, Md., as prisoners of war, during the last two months, offered to take the oath of allegiance, which was refused, because it would reduce the number to exchange.
By the last flag of truce boat a negro slave returned.
His master took the oath, the slave refused. He says "Massa had no principles."
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 423-4
Frosty morning, after a rain last night.
We have no authentic war news this morning, from any quarter. Congress is at work in both Houses on the Negro bill. It will pass, of course, without some unforeseen obstacle is interposed.
A letter from Gen. Lee to Gen. Wise is published, thanking the latter's brigade for resolutions recently adopted, declaring that they would consent to gradual emancipation for the sake of independence and peace. This is a strong indication (confirmatory) that Gen. Lee is an emancipationist. From all the signs slavery is doomed! But if 200,000 negro recruits can be made to fight, and can be enlisted, Gen. Lee may maintain the war very easily and successfully; and the powers at Washington may soon become disposed to abate the hard terms of peace now exacted.
How our fancies paint the scenes of peace now which were never appreciated before! Sitting by our cheerless fires, we summon up countless blessings that we could enjoy, if this war were only over. We plan and imagine many things that would be bliss to us in comparison with the privations we suffer. Oh, what fine eating and comfortable clothes we shall have when we enjoy another season of repose! We will hunt, we will "go fishing," we will cultivate nice gardens, etc. Oh for peace once more! Will this generation, with their eyes open, and their memories fresh, ever, ever go to war again?
There is a dark rumor that Columbia, S. C., has been taken possession of by the enemy; but I hardly believe it, for Gen. Beauregard would fight for it.
Gen. Beauregard telegraphs from Columbia, S. C., yesterday, that Gen. Pillow proposes to gather troops west of that point, and Gen. B. approves it. The President hesitates, and refers to Gen. Cooper, etc.
Eleven o'clock A.M. Raining again; wind east.
Mr. Hunter looks rather cadaverous to-day; he does not call on the new Secretary often. Gen. B. is a formidable rival for the succession—if there should be such a thing.
To-day my son Thomas drew his rations. I have also had another load of coal from Lieut. Parker, C. S. N., out of his contract, at $30, a saving of nearly $100! that will take us through the winter and spring. We also bought another bushel of black beans at $65.
Alas! we have news now of the capture of Columbia, S. C., capital of the State. A dark day, truly! And only this morning—not three short hours ago—the President hesitated to second Beauregard's desire that Gen. Pillow—although not a "red tapist"—should rouse the people to the rescue; but Gen. Cooper must be consulted to throw obstacles in the way! This will be a terrible blow; and its consequences may be calamitous beyond calculation. Poor South Carolina! her day of agony has come!
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 424-5
Rained last night; but this is as lovely a morning as ever dawned on earth. A gentle southern breeze, a cloudless sky, and a glorious morning sun, whose genial warmth dispels the moisture of the late showers in smoky vapors.
But how dark and dismal the aspect of our military affairs! Columbia fallen and Charleston (of course) evacuated. My wife wept, my daughter prayed, upon hearing the news. South Carolina was superior to all the States in the estimation of my wife, and she regarded it as the last stronghold. Now she despairs, and seems reckless of whatever else may happen in Sherman's career of conquest.
A dispatch to Gen. Bragg states that Thomas's army (the ubiquitous) is landing at Newbern, N. C.! This is to cut Lee's communications and strike at Raleigh perhaps.
The people are stunned and sullen; sometimes execrating the President for retaining a cabinet in which the country has no confidence, etc.
One hundred for one is asked for gold.
The President was at work very early this morning making appointments in the army. But that does no good to the cause, I fear. A sufficient number of men must be placed in the ranks, or there will be no military success.
The Senate has passed a bill abolishing the "Bureau of Conscription," and it is now before the House. That is one step in the right direction. Hon. J. Goode yesterday made a speech in favor of its abolition, in which he said 150,000 men had been "handled" by the bureau during the last twelve months, and only 13,000 had been sent to the army! But it did not pass—no vote was taken; it is to be hoped it will pass to-day.
It is rumored that the "money-printing machine" was lost at Columbia, including a large amount of "treasure"—if Confederate Treasury notes be worthy that appellation.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 425-6
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
(Waiting at the
depot). Going as usual to the department this morning, I found orders had been
issued for our immediate removal to Richmond. Barely had I time to run home,
dash a few more articles into my trunk, say good-bye, and join the others here.
We girls are all together—Elise, Ernestine, Sadie, Bet, and myself. We have
been seated in the train for hours and hours. Oh! this long waiting; it is
weary work! A reign of terror prevails in the city, and the scene about me will
ever live in memory. Government employees are hastening to and fro, military
stores are being packed, troops in motion, aids-de-camp flying hither and
thither, and anxious fugitives crowding about the train, begging for
transportation. All kinds of rumors are afloat, every newcomer bringing a new
version. The latest is that Hardee has refused to evacuate Charleston, and will
not combine forces with Hampton in order to save the capital. I am strangely
laden; I feel weighted down. Six gold watches are secreted about my person, and
more miscellaneous articles of jewelry than would fill a small jewelry shop—pins,
rings, bracelets, etc. One of my trunks is packed with valuables and another
with provisions. Shelling has begun from the Lexington heights, and under such
conditions this waiting at the depot has a degree of nervousness mixed with
impatience. We catch, now and again, peculiar whizzing sounds—shells, they say.
Sherman has come; he is knocking at the gate. Oh, God! turn him back! Fight on
our side, and turn Sherman back!
Charlotte, N. C.—We
stopped in Winnsboro awhile, but at last came on here. That was a sad, sad
parting! Shall I ever look into their dear faces again—my father and mother,
and poor little Johnnie, wrested by the exigencies of war from his mother's
knee? People who have never been through a war don't know anything about war.
May I never pass through another. Why will men fight? Especially brothers? Why
cannot they adjust their differences and redress their wrongs without the
shedding of woman's tears and the spilling of each other's blood?
But I dare not
write, nor even think much on this strain. My old friend J. B. L. is along. He
is very kind. Think of his lifting our heavy trunks into the baggage car with
his own hands! Otherwise they would be sitting on the railroad platform in
Columbia yet. Say what you please, it is, after all, the men whom we women have
to depend on in this world. J. B. L's. friend, whom he asked permission to
present to us, is a graduate of the Medical College of New York, a young
Hippocrates of profoundly scientific attainments. Nor is that all—he is
possessed of all that ease of manner and well-bred poise for which the F. F.
V.'s are noted.
SOURCE: South
Carolina State Committee United Daughters of the Confederacy, South
Carolina Women in the Confederacy, Vol. 1, “A Confederate
Girl's Diary,” p. 275-6
The adulation we
receive in this city is enough to turn our heads completely. But for this
dreadful suspense I believe it would. The most appalling rumors reach us, but
nothing more. Dr. S saw one of Wheeler's cavalrymen, who left Columbia on
Friday morning, at which time Hampton had notified the Mayor that the Reserves
could no longer hold the city. The South Carolina depot was already
in ruins, and the Congaree bridge burned, while thousands of the inhabitants
were flying from the enemy. On Friday night, at Winnsboro, this same soldier
reports having seen a tremendous illumination in the sky, which all who saw
believed to be Columbia in flames. My God! How terrible, if true! What has been
the fate of my parents, and Johnnie! Despite this horrible uncertainty, we have
been to church, and are trying to keep calm and hopeful. But why was I ever
persuaded to leave my home and dear ones in this time of danger!
SOURCE: South
Carolina State Committee United Daughters of the Confederacy, South
Carolina Women in the Confederacy, Vol. 1, “A Confederate
Girl's Diary,” p. 276
Greensboro, N. C. — We
positively hated to leave Charlotte, so many friends did we make there.
Howbeit, a Treasury signer, like a good soldier, must obey orders. At this place,
we are not half so pleasantly situated, being all crowded together in one small
room. But we are in no mood to cavil; our soldiers fare worse. We begin to
realize, as we never before have done, their hardships, and the thankfulness
which ought to fill the heart of each one whose head is roof-covered. Daily
blessings are not mere matters of course. We are too apt to think so until
times like these come our way. General John S. Preston has just been in to see
us. He is a grand looking man—not only that, he has the look of being somebody
in particular, which he is. He could tell us nothing on the subject nearest our
hearts—the fate of Columbia. But he fears the worst.
SOURCE: South
Carolina State Committee United Daughters of the Confederacy, South
Carolina Women in the Confederacy, Vol. 1, “A Confederate
Girl's Diary,” p. 276-7
Still in Greensboro,
and I do not see how we have managed to live through these homeless and anxious
days so agreeably to ourselves. It is the gentlemen who keep us cheered up and
allow us no chance to fret. There is no doubt, however, that Columbia is in
ashes. People who have never been through a war know nothing about what war is.
It is a crushing machine, whose mainspring is anxiety, whose turnscrew is
apprehension. Are my brothers all dead? Are my father and mother still living?
These questions put me to the rack when I allow myself to ask them.
SOURCE: South
Carolina State Committee United Daughters of the Confederacy, South
Carolina Women in the Confederacy, Vol. 1, “A Confederate
Girl's Diary,” p. 277
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
[St. Louis, March 24,
1866]
I am sorry to hear
that the President is likely to break with the party. It should not be, but
Congress should defer much to him, as an executive feels how much more
difficult to execute plans than a Congress dealing with abstract ideas. I still
hope that mutual concessions will result in a practical solution.
I have no doubt
myself, and Howard, Logan, Woods, and all who were in Columbia that night
concur with me. The fire which burned up the city, began about dawn, after I
had been in six hours, and I know that great exertions were made to stop it,
but there had been all day and continued till late at night, a perfect tempest
of wind, and I saw hundreds of bales of cotton on fire flying hundreds of
yards. It is barely possible some malicious soldier started the fire, but I
rather think this devilish spirit grew as the fire progressed. I know that the
general judgment of the country is that no matter how it began it was all
right, still I know that the cotton was the cause of the rapid spread of the
fire, and this resulted from the fact that the bales had been ripped open with
knives, so that long before the fire began the houses and trees were white with
it, and it was plain a spark would spread like gunpowder. It was not specially
my business, for Howard was in actual command of the troops in Columbia, but
being present in person the world holds me responsible. I should like you to
introduce the petition, and to say that I have no doubt as to the parties
responsible for all the consequences.
It was not until the
day after the conflagration that I destroyed the Arsenal and other public
factories which were in the suburbs and had escaped the fire that burned the
town.
Dear Brother: I know
the railroad depot and three large bridges were burned before a soldier of ours
had entered Columbia, and I know that six hours before the real conflagration
began I saw half-a-dozen piles of cotton on fire in the streets one large pile
near the market house where the great conflagration began, which fire our
soldiers were putting out as I rode by it. . . . Wade Hampton defended Columbia
as long as he dared, and then ran away, leaving the city full of cotton blowing
about like flakes of snow. So that trees and frame houses and garden fences
were literally white. Of course a mayor could expect no terms. Being helpless,
he took what he could get. I told him, of course, I had no intention to burn or
destroy anything except what my previous orders defined. I saw Wade Hampton's
cotton order printed in a Columbia paper, but kept no copy, as it was
notorious; for he openly declared that Yankee footsteps should not pollute his
threshold, and he commanded everything like corn fodder, etc., to be burnt,
lest we should get it. . . .
They boasted that we
would find a Moscow and its consequences.
The treatment of our
officers, prisoners at Columbia, was enough to have warranted its utter
annihilation, and after the fire began it required all our efforts to prevent its
extending to the suburbs, including the Old Hampton house, now owned by
Preston, brother-inlaw of Wade Hampton, which was saved by John Logan.
HEADQUARTERS
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
IN
THE FIELD NEAR COLUMBIA, S.C., Feb. 16, 1865.
Special
Field Orders,}
No.
EXTRACT.
The
next series of movements will be at Fayetteville, N.C., and thence to
Wilmington or Goldsboro, according to events. Great care must be taken to
collect forage and food, and at the same time in covering the wagon trains from
cavalry dashes.
General
Howard will cross the Saluda and Broad rivers as near their mouths as possible,
occupy Columbia, destroy the public buildings, railroad property, manufacturing
and machine shops, but will spare libraries, and asylums, and private
dwellings. He will then move to Winnsboro, destroying en route utterly that
section of the railroad.
By
order of Major-General
W.
T. SHERMAN.
L. M. DAYTON, Assistant Adjutant-General.
This order was made
the day before we entered Columbia, about the time the rebels were cannonading
our camps on the west side of the Congaree, and burning their three splendid
bridges (Saluda and Broad unite at Columbia and make the Congaree). During the
16th Howard crossed the Saluda at the factory above Columbia, and that night
crossed Stone's brigade to the east side of the Broad River, and under its
cover laid the pontoon bridge, completing it about noon of the 17th. Stone's
brigade went into Columbia about 11 A.M., the mayor having come out three miles
and notified him that Beauregard and Hampton had evacuated. They evacuated
because they knew that Slocum and Kilpatrick were moving straight for
Winnsboro, 26 miles in their rear, and I wanted them to stay in Columbia
another day. Their hasty evacuation was not to spare Columbia, but to save
being caught in the forks of the Congaree and Catawba, which would have
resulted, had they given time for Slocum to reach Winnsboro. Mayor Goodwin
complained to me of the cotton-burning order of Wade Hampton, and especially
that Hampton and Beauregard would not consent to his request that the liquor
(which had run the blockade and been transferred from the coast to Columbia for
safety) was not removed or destroyed. This liquor, which our men got in
bucketfuls, was an aggravation, and occasioned much of the disorder at night
after the fires had got headway. We all know how the soldiers and junior
officers hated South Carolina, and I can hardly say what excesses would have
resulted had the general officers allowed them free scope.
W. T. SHERMAN.
COLUMBIA, S. C. May 26.—The course of Mr. Brooks is very generally approved here. Contributions are making to get up a testimonial to him.
SOURCE: Richmond Daily Whig, Richmond Virginia, Tuesday Morning, May 27, 1856, p. 3
CUMBERLAND,
MARYLAND, February 23, 1865.
MY DEAREST:— .
. . As to the visit to Washington, the capture of General
Crook may change my chance of getting permission to go there.
The expense is of no importance, if it is prudent in
view of the state of your health. I think I can get
permission to go, but it is more questionable than it was. You
should start so as to reach here by the 28th (or first of March).
Stop, if you are not met by me or Dr. Joe, at the St. Nicholas, Cumberland.
Telegraph me once when you start, and again when you are on the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad. Captain McKinley, Major Kennedy, and many
other of your friends are at the St. Nicholas, if I happen not to be
there.
General Crook
is of course in Libby by this time. If he can be exchanged soon, it
will not, I think, injure him. His reputation is of the solid sort.
He is spoken of by officers and men always in the right
spirit.
General Kelley had
command of the town and of all the troops on picket. I do
not hear him censured in regard to it. He should have had cavalry here, but I
suppose it is not his fault that there was none.
The truth is that
all but "a feeble few" are taken to the coast from Savannah to
Richmond, leaving these posts to take their chances. I think it is wise policy,
but at the same time we are exposed to surprise and capture at any
time.
You need not be surprised
to hear that the enemy are across the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at
any time. I have great faith in my troops, my vigilance, and my luck,
but I shall be much mistaken if the Rebels don't overwhelm a number of our
posts during the next six weeks or two months. Nothing but their extreme
weakness will prevent it.
How gloriously
things are moving! Columbia, Charleston, Sumter! Lee must act speedily. I should
think he would gather up all the scattered forces and attack either Grant
or Sherman before Sherman gets within supporting distance of Grant.
But it is all guess. The next two months will be more and more
interesting with the hopes, at least, in our favor largely. If Lee
evacuates Richmond and moves towards Lynchburg or Danville or North
(?) it merely prolongs the struggle. The evacuation of Richmond is a
confession of defeat.
General Stephenson
temporarily commands the Department. Well enough. If Lee leaves Richmond I
shall then feel like resigning the moment things don't suit me. The
war will be sub stantially over and I can honorably quit.— Love to
all. Affectionately ever
R.
P. S. — The Rebels
inquired for me, but were informed that I quartered with my troops. If it could
be without stain I would rather like now to be captured. It would be a good
experience.
MRS. HAYES.
Shriver Mansion. — Sherman took Columbia Friday, the 18th.
Rebels evacuated Charleston Tuesday, 15th. Today at noon national salute
here and everywhere because “the old flag floats again over Sumter.”
_______________
* Misdated as Tuesday,
January 22, 1865. January 22, 1865 fell on Sunday while February 22, 1865 fell
on Wednesday. See previous diary entries of February 14, 1865 & February 21,
1865 for further details of other misdated diary entries.
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
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.
