Part 14

The 6th corps had by this time reached the vicinity of Hatcher's Run, and it was decided to right-about-face and march for Petersburg by the Boydton Plank Road. The troops had but commenced moving towards Petersburg, when a hearty cheer was given by the rear regiments. The cause was soon ascertained to be the arrival of Lieut. General Grant and staff, and as soon as the soldiers saw the Lieutenant-General, they shouted, "Boys, here's General Grant, three cheers for him," and all along the line as he rode on his black horse, Jeff. Davis, the men cheered him with the wildest enthusiasm; he rode with head uncovered, and bowed his thanks for the soldiers' hearty greeting. On seeing Generals Wright, Seymour, Wheaton and other 6th corps officers, he shook hands with great heartiness, and after spending a short time in conversation, he proceeded towards Petersburg, the corps following rapidly. On reaching the place, preparations were at once commenced to attack the works immediately surrounding Petersburg. For this purpose Gen. Seymour of the 3d division was sent forward to the right of the line; Gen. Getty to the centre, and Gen. Wheaton to the left. Artillery was put into position, and soon the battle raged with even greater fury than in the morning. The rebels seemed determined to defend their forts to the last, but nothing could withstand the tried valor of General Wright's troops. The long lines were gradually closed on the forts and garrisons, and they were compelled to give way before the hard fighting of the 6th corps. Until after nightfall the contest continued, and the fate of Petersburg was decided. Major C. K. Prentiss, of the 6th Maryland, was the first to enter the rebel works, but was unfortunately shot through the chest a short time afterward. A rebel lieutenant was picked up wounded, who gave his name as Lieut. Prentiss, of the 2d Maryland regiment; he was a younger brother of the major, whom he had not seen since the rebellion broke out; they were both placed in the hospital together, and their wounds dressed. The meeting between the brothers was very affecting, causing many to shed tears. Our losses in killed and wounded, considering the hard fighting, were very light, as the rebels aimed too high for their fire to be destructive. Night found us in the possession of Petersburg, with an immense quantity of stores and ammunition that the enemy had left in their haste. Lee with the remnant of his army, had fled in the direction of Danville, a demoralized disheartened force. The loss in the 14th did not exceed one hundred in killed and wounded. The troops fought well, but none better than the 14th New Jersey. Led by a brave officer, Lieut.-Colonel Janeway, they with the rest caused many a rebel to bite the dust, and with about one hundred and fifty men left, participated in the attack.

The charge of Major-Gen. Wright's veterans under cover of the darkness and mist, preceding the break of day, will forever live in history as one of the grandest and most sublime actions of the war. With irresistible force they broke through the rebel line, in which months of labor had been expended, and then turning the rebel guns on other hostile forts, they swept along the rebel line for a distance of five miles, capturing men, guns and colors. When it is remembered how much depended on them, and what would have been the consequence if they failed, the country will treasure as household words the names of Wright, Getty, Seymour, Wheaton, and other generals who led the oft-tried but never defeated men of the 6th corps to victory, on the morning of Sunday, April 2d.

Under cover of the darkness on Sunday night, Lee withdrew the remnant of his army and fell back across the Appomattox. The bridge across the river was partially burned by them, but the flames were soon extinguished by our troops, who commenced entering Petersburg shortly after sunrise on Monday morning, and were objects of great curiosity to the negroes of the city. They capered around our men in a most ludicrous manner, and at every fresh arrival yelled out, "Dar comes de clebber yankees." The stores were all closed, and the city seemed to have left off doing business. Our enterprising news boys entered the city along with the soldiers, and almost before the rear guard of the rebels had crossed the river, the New York Herald, of March 31st, was sold in the streets of Petersburg.

The final movement in pursuit of the balance of Lee's army commenced at daylight. It was General Grant's intention to use them up entirely in case the charge of the 6th corps should prove a success, and accordingly the 2d, 5th, 6th and 24th corps, together with the cavalry under General Sheridan, were put in motion to find the rebels. The camps around Petersburg were left, and the whole of the grand army of the Potomac was fairly en route by eight o'clock, with all their teams, ambulances, pack mules, droves of cattle, and all other necessities for campaigning. After long weary waiting around Petersburg for nearly nine months, the change was agreeable, and the recent victories added considerably to the good spirits of the men. The country passed through was in a fine state of cultivation, and the bright green of early vegetation looked very cheerful when contrasted with the brown sandy waste we had looked on for so long a time. The 6th corps moved in the following order: Getty's division ahead, Wheaton in the centre, and Seymour with the 3d division in the rear.

During the day the troops marched forty miles; night found the advance at Mount Pleasant Church. Hundreds of rebels had been picked up on the march. The roads were very muddy from the recent rains, and on no other occasion could the men have marched as far, but all knew the necessity of capturing Lee's army, and all were willing to do their best. During a temporary halt in the afternoon, Gen. Meade passed the 6th corps on his way to the front. He was recognized by the men and greeted with loud and enthusiastic cheers; for a short time the scene was one that could be better imagined than described, so great was the enthusiasm inspired by the presence of the Commander of the army of the Potomac. Caps were waved and cheers given in a manner which is only heard and seen where thousands of soldiers are greeting a commander who has won their confidence and esteem. General Meade returned the greeting of the 6th corps by repeated bows, although compelled to bestow considerable attention on the management of the spirited horse he was riding. On reaching the spot where Gen. Wright was standing, he reined in his horse, and said to him, laughingly, "The 6th corps men are in such good spirits that they seem determined to break my neck;" to which the General replied, that "He imagined they were proud of their success," when Gen. Meade, with much feeling said, "Yes, we all know, _and the country shall know_, that the 6th corps did the business; to them we owe our success in breaking the rebel line, and we feel very grateful to them for it."

On the 6th at daylight, the 2d, 5th and 6th corps were at Burksville Station, and Lee was near Amelia Court House. The enemy again made a stand, when they were attacked by General Sheridan with his cavalry, and the 1st and 3d divisions of the 6th corps. A desperate battle was again fought, which resulted in the capture of six rebel generals, Ewell, Pegram, Barton, DeBoise, Corse and Fitz Hugh Lee, several thousand prisoners, fourteen pieces of artillery, and thousands of small arms. Lee's army was now closely pressed, and nothing could save him from capture. The troops moving down the road on a parallel with the enemy, they were again attacked at Sailor's Creek. The 3d division in advance was moved up the road held by the enemy, which was carried by the division. By this time Wheaton's division was put into position as rapidly as possible on the left of the line. While these operations were going on, similar ones were occurring at other points. By bold and strategic movements Grant had almost surrounded Lee, and his surrender was speedily looked for. The men were exhausted and needed rest, but there was none until Lee's army had been captured. The lines of the 1st and 3d divisions were again advanced, and swept down the road for a distance of two miles. Arriving at a deep and difficult creek, the enemy were found in line on the opposite side; they were immediately attacked and driven back from Sailor's Creek. In this engagement our loss was heavy, especially in the 1st division, as the men were compelled to cross under heavy fire. The 14th was now rapidly diminished in numbers, with only about 100 men left; but those that were left were as full of fight as ever. The rebel General A. P. Hill was killed in front of Petersburg while urging on his men; his loss was felt by them, as he was one of their leading corps commanders. Ewell was in our hands, and of the four leading generals of the rebel army, Lee and Longstreet only were left.

The pursuit was kept up the entire week following the capture of Richmond and Petersburg, in which the troops marched over two hundred miles. It was soon found that the enemy had fled from Sailor's Creek to the north side of the Appomattox; but so close was the pursuit that our forces secured the bridge, and immediately crossed the 6th corps at Farmersville. Feeling that Gen. Lee's chance of escape was utterly hopeless, and his men dropping out at every mile, the following dispatch was sent to him by General Grant;

TO ROBERT LEE, COM'G ARMY OF C. S. OF AMERICA:

GENERAL:

The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the army of Northern Virginia. In this struggle I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army known as the army of Northern Virginia.

U. S. GRANT, Lieut. General.

To this General Lee replied:

I received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore will treat with you on terms of surrender.

R. E. LEE, General.

While this correspondence was carried on, the troops were not idle, and Sunday morning found both armies again in line at Appomattox Court House. Writing and fighting at the same time, General Grant showed that he was more than a match for Lee; just as he would have stopped any attempt on Lee's part to escape through his lines, so he stopped his attempt to escape from him. In the afternoon an arrangement was made for an interview with the rebel General. General Grant offered to parole all of Lee's army, and give the officers their side arms and private property. Lee at once accepted this proposition and the fighting ceased, and the war was practically ended; so in a few days, and by means of a few short letters, the dreadful contest which had disturbed the country for four years, was brought to a close, and the whole rebel army was in our hands.

The troops were fighting at Appomattox Court House, and knew nothing of the correspondence of Grant and Lee, when orders came for a suspension of hostilities for two hours. At two o'clock in the afternoon General Meade rode along the lines, and with hat in hand, exclaimed, "Boys, Lee has surrendered." At first it was not credited, but coming from the mouth of General Meade, it could not be doubted, and one continuous shout was given. The men were in ecstasies, and could scarcely restrain themselves; tremendous cheers were given and caps were thrown in the air. Men hugged and squeezed each other, and all felt that the war was over.

The stipulations for the surrender were carried into effect, and the rebel army was no longer an organized body of men. Twenty-five thousand men were all that were left, and ten thousand of them were unarmed. They were permitted to return to their homes, which they gladly did, and the army of Northern Virginia ceased to exist. It could scarcely be believed that Lee had surrendered, and while the men were marching and fighting, Grant and Lee were in correspondence with each other. Sunday, the 9th of April, will ever be remembered, especially by the soldiers of the Potomac army. In the short space of fifteen days, Lee had been driven from his position in front of Petersburg and compelled to retreat; Richmond in our possession, and he finally compelled to surrender to General Grant.

The 5th corps and one division of cavalry were ordered to remain at Appomattox Court House, until the paroling of the surrendered army was completed and to take charge of the public property. The remainder of the army immediately returned to Petersburg, but were ordered to halt at Burksville and enter camp; the men were greatly in need of rest and rations. Once more tents were placed on a line as before. Nothing was talked of but the recent victories, and the people North were rejoicing; guns were fired throughout the country in honor of our success. Too much praise cannot be given to the privates and officers of the Potomac army, and to our noble leader, Grant.

With but one hundred men for duty, the 14th entered camp at Burksville, with bronzed features and soiled garments, covered with Virginia mud; they looked for a speedy return to their homes. All that was possible for them to do they had done, and New Jersey cannot but be proud of such a noble band of heroic men. Commencing on the river from which the Potomac army derived its name, until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, all have a proud record for having done their full share in restoring our Union as it was.

Johnson had not yet surrendered, and as each day passed reports were circulated among the men, that the Potomac army was to march in his rear. Scarcely had the men commenced to rejoice at their success, when there came a blow that was more terrible than any defeat. In camp at Burkesville the men little knew what calamity was to befall the nation. A dispatch was sent from Washington that our beloved President had been assassinated. Our noble leader who for the last four years had guided our nation in the midst of war was foully stricken down by the assassin's hand. Rejoicing was turned into mourning, and the men when fully aware that Lincoln was no more, were clamorous to move on Gen. Johnson, and with vows of vengeance, determined if possible to avenge his death. Gloom now prevailed among the men, as he was beloved by friend and foe. But a few days before he was at the front, and by his presence cheered the men on to victory; now he lay in the cold embrace of death. The Southern leaders, now fleeing from their homes, were the instigators of this horrible crime. All business was suspended in the army on the day of his burial. Jeff. Davis had fled, and at Danville stopped long enough to make a speech. He told his followers that their cause was not yet lost; that the rebel capital had been evacuated for the purpose of concentrating their armies; he did not then know that Lee had surrendered his army to Grant. Remaining a few hours at Danville he proceeded South, and was finally captured in the disguise of a female--a fitting end for such a leader.

The men were now anxious to move towards Washington and be mustered out, as the Potomac army had done its duty; but Johnson had still a large army, and was in consultation with Gen. Sherman in regard to a surrender, but no terms could be agreed upon, and it was determined to crush him. Accordingly, the 6th corps and Sheridan's cavalry were ordered to move on his rear. On Sunday night, April 23d, the corps was ordered to be ready to move at daylight, which way the men knew not, but it was supposed for Washington; but the men soon found out that they had a hard march before them to Danville, one hundred and twenty miles distant. In four days the march was made; the sun was very warm, and the men suffered very much. General Wright, wishing to win more glory, was anxious to fall on Johnson's rear. He marched the men very fast, until he was bitterly cursed by them, and with blistered feet and weary limbs the men plodded on in dust and sun, and were loud in their complaints against Wright for marching so fast. When in pursuit of Lee, the men deemed it necessary and did not murmur, but marching thirty miles a day, for four successive days was more than human nature could bear, when it was unnecessary. Water was very scarce; often ten and twelve miles were passed without meeting a stream or well of any kind. Danville was reached by the 1st division at noon on the fourth day, and was quietly taken possession of by Gen. Hamlin's brigade. The Union army had never marched that way, and the Yanks were an object of curiosity to the negroes. There was considerable of rolling stock in the place which had not been moved, and was captured. The troops marched through the place and encamped on the outskirts of the town. One day was given the men to rest, and orders issued to move again. The corps was but forty miles from Johnson, and in two days would have been thundering on his rear. Gen. Wright was very anxious that the corps should win new laurels, but the men were not, as they had won enough, for if anything was done, the praise was given the officers and not the men, when they did the work.

The troops were in camp but a few hours, when a dispatch was received by General Wright with the news of Johnson's surrender; the men were formed in line and the dispatch read to them. All knew that their marching and fighting was done, and cheers were given for Sherman and his noble army; each battery was ordered to fire a salute of thirty-two guns, and the bands ordered to play national airs. The war was now over and right glad were the men of it. Home was now talked of, but the men were too weary to rejoice much. The campaign, from winter quarters to the surrender of Lee and the march to Danville, had been a hard one. Thirty miles a day when the war was over was more than the men of the 6th corps wished for, and Gen. Wright lost much of the respect due him, as he was in command, and such marching was needless.

Danville is a town of some importance, forty miles from Goldsboro, the scene of Johnson's surrender. Had he not surrendered as soon as he did, he would have heard the thunder of the artillery and musketry of the 6th corps in his rear in less than forty-eight hours; but the men were not anxious to move further south, and remained quietly in camp. At this place the rebels had a large house where the Union prisoners were kept. The graveyard where they were buried was visited by the men; the most of them had died of starvation and cruel treatment. About seven thousand were crowded in a small lot; it will ever remain a curse to the South, showing the cruel treatment our men received at their hands.

The troops remained in camp at Danville until the 16th of May, when orders came to move; leaving camp at four in the morning, marching through Danville, and placed on baggage cars, riding one hundred and sixty miles all day and all night, to Richmond. The day was warm and dusty, and the ride very tedious, as the men were in open cars; crossed Staunton River on a bridge built by our forces since the occupation of Danville, passing the old camp at Burksville, reaching Richmond on the morning of the 17th, and entering camp near Manchester, remained there eight days. The other corps were at Washington with Sherman's army, and were paid off and mustered out as rapidly as possible. The 6th corps, always first in action, was the last to go home; their work was now done, and all were anxious to return to their homes. Camp life passed very pleasantly, and passes were given the men to visit Richmond. Rebel officers and soldiers were numerous, and were loitering around with feelings of hatred towards the Union soldiers; they were whipped but not subdued, and to-day the same feeling exists in the South as it did four years ago.

The remainder of the troops were now at Washington, and Gen. Wright did all he could to get transportation for his corps; but the authorities at Washington were not willing, and the men ware compelled to march. When Washington was threatened by Early, the 6th corps was transported there in a hurry; but now the war was over, and with hundreds of transports lying at City Point, the men were not allowed to ride. The distance was one hundred and twenty miles, the sun warm and the roads muddy from recent rains. The 24th army corps of the army of the James was still at Richmond doing guard duty, with headquarters at the former residence of Jeff. Davis.

On Monday, March 24, the corps was ordered to move for Washington, marching out at three o'clock, passing in review at Manchester and at Richmond, crossing the James on pontoons. After marching through the principal streets, the troops took the road to Washington, marching that day twenty miles, the roads in some places almost impassable, several teams sticking in the mud; passed the works thrown up by McClellan in the Peninsula campaign, crossing the Chickahominy River and Stony Creek, and halting for the night at Hanover Court House. We moved out the next day on the same road the army was on one year ago; then after the enemy, trying to take Richmond, now with the war over, bound for home. The day was very warm, and the men fell out by hundreds; many were sunstruck, several dying. At night the column halted at Chesterfield Station, having marched twenty miles since morning.

On the 29th the rain fell in torrents, wetting the men to the skin; the roads were in a horrible condition, the mud knee-deep. The weather had suddenly changed and it was very cold; the men were as wet as they could be. At 9 o'clock the troops moved out; the marching was very slow as the men ware nearly worn out, having done nothing but march since last winter quarters. But ten miles were made that day, the men entering camp at dark. Shelter tents were hastily put up, but the damp ground was a hard place to lie for tired and weary man, but the men did not care, as the war was over and they were homeward bound. The corps was now stuck in the mud and could not move; this was the last march, and a hard one it was. The men lay in camp until the roads were nearly dried, which did not take long, as the sandy roads of Virginia did not long remain muddy with the hot sun to dry them; two days were spent in camp. Six days were given Gen. Wright to march from Richmond to Washington, but it could not be done. The rations were giving out, the men having nothing but hard-tack and coffee.