Near Alexandria, Va., May 19, 1865.
Rained all night. Reveille at 2 p. m., and started off before daylight. Men waded two or three creeks to their middles. March miserably conducted. Passed the church that Washington attended, built in 1783. It has nearly all, except roof and walls, been carried away by relic maniacs. Our division marched through Mt. Vernon by the vault and residence.
Thus closes this diary of one of the most memorable year's campaigns in the history of modern times.
We remained in camp between Alexandria and Arlington until the 23d, when we crossed the Potomac river, of which we had heard so much, and the next day (the 24th), participated in the Grand Review of the Grandest Army that ever was created.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 382-3
