USA > Ohio > The history of Fuller's Ohio brigade, 1861-1865; its great march, with roster, portraits, battle maps and biographies > Part 27
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On February 19th, 1865, two regiments of this brigade, the Eighteenthi Missouri and the Sixty-fourth Illinois, crossed the Edisto River on the night of the ninth inst., the other two remained on the south bank rntil the pontoon bridge was completed. The Twenty-seventh Ohio and the Thirty-ninth Ohio waded the swamp and suffered both from the bitter cold weather and the long time in which they were delayed in the water.
J. W. FULLER, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Report of General John W. Fuller.
NEAR GOLDSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA, MARCH 25, 1865.
I have the honor to report that during the action of the 21st inst .. (Bentonville). my Brigade formed on the right of the line, five companies of the Eighteenthi Missouri were ordered to cover the road upon which we
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GENERAL FULLER'S REPORT.
had marclied. The remaining companies formed the right. The Twenty- seventh Ohio in the center and the Thirty-ninth Ohio on the left of my line, comprised an aggregate of about six hundred men, besides the regi- ment serving as skirmishers. The Sixty-fourth Ilinois covered the front and right flank of the brigade. In advancing we encountered a swamp, im- passible for horses. W'e crossed but were compelled to move more slowly. As we emerged into an open field, one of General Mower's staff brought an order to double-quick. This was immediately repeated and the whole line passed over the field at this step.
About this time the enemy used some artillery against us and as we reached the opposite woods, the Major-General ordered a halt. This order was repeated by my staff, also by one of General Mower's staff officers along a portion of the line and also by my bugler, but the men who had caught sight of an abandoned casson were cheering so as to render it im- possible to hear the orders and they continued to rush forward until we reached the enemy's intrenched line. from which he ran at full speed. flere the Major-General rode up to the front of my brigade and ordered the line to advance, whereupon we passed over the enemy's intrenchments and occupied the crest of the hill beyond. Sharp firing was heard from our skirmishers in front. and also from my left. They reported cavalry moving to our right and soon after reported infantry moving in the same direction. I faced the Eighteenth Missouri to the right to better cover that flank. I moved the Thirty-ninth Ohio a few yards to the left but was again forced to the front. The enemy attacked. I directed the right of the line to swing back so as to present a strong front to the right flank. We rested at the works which had been thrown up by the enemy near the base of the ridge. Our right oblique fire was so sharp as to halt the enemy's line and cause him to retire. Our skirmishers re-occupied the hill and drove the enemy over the crest. Our line was advanced within two hundred yards of (right up to and around) General Joe Johston's headquarters, inducing the rebel commander and his staff to make a rapid move to the rear. We passed to the open field and intrenched in the rear of the Third Brigade.
Loss : Killed, 5; wounded, 40; missing. 19; total, 64.
JOHN W. FULLER, Brigadier-General, Commanding. -
Report of Major Daniel Weber, U. S. A., Concerning Operations February 2nd to 4th and March 21st.
March 25th, 1865.
I have the honor to report that on February 2nd, while the regiment was following the Twenty-seventh Ohio on the road to River's Bridge, I received an order to move in line through the swamp with the right of the regiment near the road within about fifty yards of the front line and there to halt. This order was executed with some difficulty in consequence of the almost impassible condition of the swamp, the water in places being more than knee deep and full of fallen timber and undergrowth. The regiment with the Twenty-seventh Ohio remained in position until ten
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FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE.
o'clock at night when it was relieved by the Sixty-fourth Illinois Infantry and moved to camp about one mile to the rear, where it remained until about three o'clock in the afternoon, February 4th. when this regiment in obedience to orders. moved with the Twenty-seventh Ohio forward toward the bridge, following the Eighteenth Missouri. After moving about half a mile, we filed to the left on a road through the swamp nearly to the Salke- hatchie River, where the command had to again wade the swamp for some distance. Crossing the river on logs, under fire, we formed line under fire of the enemy's skirmishers on the left bank of the river and on the left of the Third Brigade, the Sixty-fourth Illinois forming on our left. Company K was deployed as skirmishers in front of the regiment. After remaining in this position a short time the line advanced through a swamp until it passed through the timber and arrived on open ground, where it was halted. After being re-adjusted. it again advanced under a fire from the enemy's skirmishers across an open field and through a narrow belt of timber, where it was halted and a rail barricade was crecied. Remaining there a short time, the line changed direction. facing north, forming on the right of the Sixty-fourth Illinois. During the night the regiment intrenched itself in this position. I must say that all officers and men conducted them- selves in a manner alike creditable to themselves and their commands. The casualties are as follows : eight enlisted men wounded.
At Bentonville, on the 21st of March, 1865, the regiment moved with the First Division, taking a road in a north-easterly direction. We moved about two miles, formed line on the right of the Third Brigade, facing nearly west, moved forward in line through a swamp and dense thicket to elevated ground, where the enemy had been posted behind a barricade of rails and logs, from which he had been driven by the skirmish line. After reaching this point, the line moved at a double-quick in order to secure some pieces of artillery posted about three hundred vards to the front. which the enemy had been using, but he succeeded in getting them off. The line halted after reaching the hill and was readjusted (the men were anxious to go forward). Soon the enemy was seen to advance in line, but after a sharp fight was driven back in a few minutes. The regiments, then, after the right of the line had been ordered back, remained in position, with three companies of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry, with their regimental flag (color bearer J. S. Stocky) under command of Captain Charles H. Smith, until a second order came from General Fuller. brought by Captain Simpson of the Twenty-seventh, to move by the flank to the rear and left about half a mile, where it took position on a hill and intrenched. The casualties are as follows : three killed, seventeen wounded and four missing. Number of officers engaged, eighteen and of men, three hundred.
DANIEL WEBER,
Major of the Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, commanding.
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COLONEL MONTGOMERY'S REPORT.
Report of Colonel Milton Montgomery, of the Twenty-Fifth Wisconsin Infantry, Concerning Operations on January 29th, February 3rd and 9th.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, SEVENTEENTHI ARMY CORPS. RIVER'S BRIDGE, SOUTH CAROLINA, FEBRUARY 20TH, 1865.
I have the honor to report that on the 29th ultimo, I assumed command of this Brigade. January 30th, in compliance with orders, we marched at seven o'clock in the morning. The Brigade being in the rear, marched six miles, On the 31 st. we lav in camp. On February 1st, we marched in the center of the Division. The enemy fell back and destroyed the bridges across Whippy Swamp. The Division moved across the stream on logs or planks and camped at Harrison's plantation. On the 2nd, we marched and halted near William's plantation. At eleven o'clock in the morning. we moved forward toward River's Bridge, met the outpost of the enemy and drove them in and followed them with rapidity. The skirmishers of the Twenty- fifth Wisconsin moved by a road to the left. When about half way to the fort, they were shelled, killing the First Sergeant of Company I and the Chief Bugler of the regiment. The Thirty-fifth New Jersey was formed in the rear on the left of the road, the Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio on the right. In the morning, the Forty-third crossed the road to the right of the skirmish line. Colonel Wager Swayne was wounded by a shell and his right leg was amputated above the knee. The losses were as fol- lows: In the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin, three killed and four wounded; in the Forty-third Ohio, two wounded.
In February 3rd, the Sixty-third Ohio and the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin sent a detail of axmen to cut a road through the swamp and the Thirty- fifth New Jersey was detailed to carry boards to lay on the road. About two o'clock in the afternoon, a crossing had been effected. The Forty- third Ohio, Major Horace Park, commanding. moved forward. Two companies with fixed bayonets, one on either side of the road were sent forward. Finally the whole regiment moved forward up the road, under fire of the battery in front. Three companies of the Sixty-third Ohio were also sent by company, in the same manner, when an order was received to move the rest of the Sixty-third Ohio and the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin through the swamp by a new road. This was done. They then formed on the left of the First Brigade who had preceded the Second Brigade. An advance was then ordered, changing direction continually to the right, until word was received that the enemy had evacuated and the works were ours. Our loss this day was, in the Forty-third Ohio, six killed, eight wounded ; in the Sixty-third Ohio, three killed, six wounded. The total loss in two days was nine killed and twenty-three wounded. The officers and men acted bravely, moving forward with great coolness and courage under a heavy fire of musket shot and shell. On the 9th, we moved from Bennaker's Bridge, and were shelled by the enemy, wounding Lieutenant
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J. R. Casson. We forded the swamp with the water waist deep and then camped. A pontoon was laid at five o'clock in the afternoon. After cross- ing the pontoon, we waded through a swamp, then moved forward until notice was received that the enemy had evacuated. We went into camp at eleven o'clock at night.
M. MONTGOMERY, Colonel Commanding the Second Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE FIRST DIVISION SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS, NEAR GOLDSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA, APRIL 1ST, 1865.
Captain Cadle, Jr., Assistant Adjutant-General, Seventeenth Army Corps :
In compliance with circular from Department Headquarters I have the honor to transmit herewith inclosed, report of property captured. destroyed, and so forth.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
JOSEPH A. MOWER, Major-General U. S. Volunteers.
Report of Ordinance and Ordinance Stores Captured by the First Division,
Seventeenth Army Corps, During the Recent Campaign.
Pieces of artillery 25
Gun carriages, caissons, battery wagons and forges. 39
Artillery, ammunition, rounds 2,000
Small arms 3,628
Cannon and rifle powder, tons. 23
Cartridges 16,000
SUBSISTENCE STORES
Bacon, beef, corn meal, flour, sugar, pounds. 263,500
QUARTERMASTER'S STORES
Horses and mules
180
FORAGE
Corn and fodder, miscellaneous report, pounds. 252,000
Railroad destroyed, miles
16
Bales of cotton 600
Average number of miles marched per day 12
Bridging built, feet 150,000
Corduroying, miles 18
Rivers crossed 14
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CHANGES IN COMMANDERS.
RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE ARMY. CHANGES OF COMMANDS. SURRENDER OF GENERAL JOHNSTON. END OF THE. WAR OF THE REBELLION.
About April 1st, the forces commanded by General Sherman were divided into three separate parts and a few changes in commanders were made. The Right Wing: Army of the Tennessee, Major-General O. O. Howard, commanding: Fifteenth Army Corps, Major-General John A. Logan, commanding. with four Divisions and detachments: Seventeenth Army Corps, Major-General F. P. Blair, commanding, three Divisions and detachments.
The Center: Army of the Ohio, Major-General J. M. Schofield, commanding : Tenth Army Corps, Major-General A. H. Terry, command- ing. three divisions and detachments: Twenty-third Army Corps, Major- General J. D. Cox, commanding, three divisions and detachments.
Left Wing: Army of Georgia, Major-General H. W. Slocum, com- manding : Fourteenth Army Corps, Brevet-Major-General J. C. Davis, commanding, three divisions and detachments: Twentieth Army Corps. Major-General J. A. Mower, commanding, three divisions and detachments.
Subsequently, General Howard was summoned to Washington to take charge of the bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and abandoned lands, and General Logan was given command of the Army of the Tennessee until it was disbanded.
Confidential orders from General Sherman to his commanders pointed out the next grand objective point to place his army, was north of the Roanoke River, with a base of supplies at Norfolk, Virginia, and in full communication with the Army of the Potomac, about Petersburg.
At this time, the First Division of the Seventeenth Corps, Brigadier- General M. F. Force, commanding, consisted of three brigades. First Brigade : Brigadier-General John W. Fuller, commanding the Eighteenth Missouri Infantry, the Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry, Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and the Sixty-fourth Illinois Infantry. Second Brigade: Briga- dier-General John W. Sprague, commanding, the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry, the Thirty-fifth New Jersey Infantry, the Forty-third Ohio Infantry, and the Sixty-third Ohio Infantry. Third Brigade: Lieutenant- Colonel J. S. Wright, commanding the Tenth Illinois Infantry, the Twenty- fifth Indiana Infantry, and the Thirty-second Wisconsin Infantry. The Union army remained at Goldsborough only long enough to be furnished with new clothing and load their wagons and then passed on toward Raleigh.
The following resolutions were received by the army :
APRIL 6TH, 1865.
WHEREAS: The official announcement of the fall of Charleston, the "cradle of secession" has been received, therefore, be it resolved by the
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Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Louisiana, in general assembly convened, that we tender our most hearty thanks to the gallant officers and men of the army of the illustrious Sherman, who have under God, been the instruments of accomplishment of so glorious an achievement.
SIMEON BELDEN, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
J. MADISON WELLS, Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate.
On April 10th the First Division vacated its low, wet and crowded camp, northeast of Goldsborough and amidst heavy rains, marched north- westerly, a distance of twelve miles. The roads were bad and much of tlie time was spent in corduroying them, in order that the artillery and wagon trains could move. The troops at the same time, had to pass through fields and byways. The same conditions of weather and march continued the next day.
On the 12th, the Division marched eight miles, and while in motion, an officer appeared on horseback, riding at great speed, from the front, shout- ing the glad tidings of the surrender by General Lee of his whole army to General U. S. Grant. The troops were halted and General Sherman's special field order, confirming the news, was read to them. Then there was heard along the lines, vociferous cheering and other manifestations of delight.
On the 13th, the advance of our army entered Raleigh, the First Division arriving there on the following day, after a march of seventeen miles. The heads of columns were headed toward Ashborough with a contemplated movement on Greensborough, for the purpose of cutting off the enemy's only line of retreat by Salisbury and Charlotte.
On the 14th, the First Division marched out from its camp and while the regiments stood strung out on the road, in a drenching rain, waiting for orders, news came that at Durham Station, the enemy was found suing for peace instead of war. A flag of truce had come into our lines front General Johnston, asking for a "suspension of hostilities until the civil authorities could enter into the needful arrangements to terminate the existing war." General Sherman answered "that he was fully empowered to arrange any time for the suspension of further hostilities and explained to Johnston that President Lincoln's proclamation of amnesty on December 8th, 1863, still in force, enabled every Confederate soldier and officer below the rank of Colonel to obtain an absolute pardon, by simply laying down his arms and taking the common oath of allegiance, and that General Grant, in accepting the surrender of General Lee's Army, had extended the same principle to all the officers, General Lee included. Such a pardon,
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ADVANCE AGAINST JOHNSTON'S ARMY.
le understood, would restore to them all their rights of citizenship, but he had no authority to make final terms, involving civil, or political questions. These must be submitted to the authorities at Washington."
On the 17th. General Sherman announced by a field order which was read to the army, the sad news of the assassination of President Lincoln. It brought great sorrow to the soldiers for Lincoln was particularly endeared to them. They stood in groups and talked seriously of the murder. The marked friendliness exhibited by the citizens of Raleigh, and the Union sentiments that prevailed, prevented the city from being destroyed -an event which had been greatly feared. In fact no act of violence was committed nor harm of any kind done, throughout the commonwealth of North Carolina. The First Division remained in camp until the 24th when all of the Seventeenth corps was reviewed by Generale Grant Sherman, Meade, Howard and other officers. General Fuller and the other Division and Brigade Commanders took their places with the reviewing officers as their own commands passed, and each officer mounted was attended by a brilliant staff. Review of troops during actual warfare in the field is impressive, the marching columns, the blare of bugle, the roll of drums, the dip of the colors, the waving flags, the salutations of the officers is inspiring, yet are attended with great fatigue to the soldier.
On the 26th, General Johnston signed the terms submitted to him for surrender which included his own and the entire army of the south and southwest. General Grant approved the terms. The Union soldiers were unable to restrain their joy and the old North State rung with their loud huzzas for the war was at an end and the Union was preserved.
Their great work was accomplished. Their success was due to hard work and discipline. They had done all that men could do and it was their right to join in the universal joy that filled the hearts of the people of the land. Just one year previous to this time, Sherman's army had gathered from other fields and near the Tennessee River at Chattanooga were organized and consolidated, for this the greatest campaign of all wars, and now the army which had been commanded successively by Albert Sid- ney Johnston, Beauregard, Bragg, Joseph E. Johnston and Hood, re-en- forced by Longstreet's divisions and which was considered one of the best drilled and most formidable armies on either side set on foot during the war, surrendered to Sherman's army and disappeared as an organized force.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS. RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, APRIL 19TH, 1865.
Special Order Number 77:
A General Court Martial is hereby appointed to convene at these head- quarters on the twentieth day of April, 1865, at ten o'clock in the morning,
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FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE
or as soon thereafter as practicable, for the trial of such prisoners as may be brought before it.
DETAIL FOR THE COURT
Lieutenant-Colonel David Gillespie. Tenth Illinois Infantry Vol.
Captain James Freeman. Thirty-second Wisconsin Infantry Vol.
Captain C. H. Smith. Twenty-seventh Ohio Infantry Vol.
Captain E. B. Fairchild.
Captain A. R. Robinson Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry Vol.
Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry Vol. Captain Albert L. Howe. . Forty-third Ohio Infantry Vol.
Captain Samuel H. Pennington
Thirty-fifth New York Inf. Vol.
Captain William Hughes.
First Lieutenant James McCoy. Tenth Illinois Infantry Vol.
Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Inf. Vol.
Captain John M. Shaw, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers, Judge-Advocate of this Division, will act as Judge-Advocate of the Court. No other officers than those named can be assembled without manifest injury to the service.
By order of, Brigadier-General, M. F. FORCE, SAMUEL K. ADAMS, CAPTAIN A. A. A. G.
The number of prisoners surrendered and parolled at Greensborough, North Carolina, was Thirty-six Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventeen ; and the number surrendered in Georgia and Florida was Fifty-two Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty-three. The aggregate surrendered under Johnston, was Eighty-nine Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy .* The same day of the final surrender the First Division returned to their camp near Raleigh from their position near Johnston's army.
General Schofield, Terry and Killpatrick were left with their com- mands on duty in the department of North Carolina and the right and left wings were ordered to march under their respective commanding generals, . north to Richmond, Virginia, there to await General Sherman who took steamer from Wilmington and visited Port Royal, Charlestown and Fortress Monroe.
*See Sherman.
1
CHAPTER XXXI
THIE MARCH ACROSS VIRGINIA. GRAND REVIEW AT WASHINGTON. THE MUSTER OUT OF THE THIRTY-FIFTH NEW JERSEY, THE
THIRTY-SECOND AND TWENTY-FIFTH WISCONSIN.
On April 29th. the Twenty-seventh, the Thirty-ninth, the Forty-third and the Sixty-third Ohio, the Sixty-fourth Illinois, the Eighteenth Mis- souri, the Thirty-fifth New Jersey, and the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin, the Tenth Illinois, the Twenty-fifth Indiana, and the Thirty-second Wisconsin, constituting the First Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, marched out of their camps at Raleigh, North Carolina, with Washington as their destina- tion. At one o'clock the next morning, they arrived at the Neuse River and camped there, wet to the skin from the rain.
On May 1st, a march of sixteen miles was made. Many Confederate officers were at home who with women, children and negroes, crowded to the windows and doors of the houses to see Sherman's Army pass by. After passing through Forrestville a camp was made at Tar River.
On May 2nd, a march of twenty miles was made along the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad. On May 3rd, a distance of twenty-two miles was covered. On May 4th, another camp was made five miles away. On May 5th, a march of forty-five miles was made. The troops commenced their march at one o'clock in the morning, crossed the Roanoke River on pon- toon bridges, crossed Meherrin River at noon, and camped at four o'clock in the afternoon, near Chestnut Cross Roads, having traversed a distance of forty-five miles, in fifteen and one half hours.
On May 6th, they marched twenty-five miles and camped near Din- widdie Court House. On May 7th, marched fourteen miles, crossed the Appomattox River, passed the earthworks built on the Boynton plank Road by the Army of the Potomac, and camped west of Petersburgh.
On May 8th, marched through the principal streets of Petersburgh. passed the defences built by General Butler's forces when they seized the Weldon Railroad, and camped near Swift Creek on the rebel General Earley's former camp ground. On May 19th, they made a march of eighteen miles on the Petersburgh and Richmond pike road, passed through Fort Stevens and near Fort Darling, and camped in sight of Richmond and Manchester near the James River.
May 12th, they crossed the James River at the cotton factories. marched through the principal streets of Richmond, passing near Castle Thunder and Libbey Prison, also going around the State House, in view of the equestrian statue of Washington. Camp was made near the Chickahom- iny River.
On . May 13th they marched ten miles, camping at Hanover Court House, a building erected in 1735, in which Patrick Henry made his cele- brated address against the British Crown. On May 14th, they crossed
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From War Time Picture in Frank Leslie's.
GRAND REVIEW OF SHERMAN'S ARMY. Washington, D. C., May 24th, 1865.
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MARCH TO RICHMOND AND WASHINGTON.
the Pamunkey River. On May 15th, they marched eighteen miles, crossed the Mataponey and Ta Rivers and camped on the north side of the Ny River.
On May 16th they marched twenty-three miles, through Fredericks- burgh, crossed the Rappahannock River on pontoons and camped near Falmouth on ground formerly occupied by the Army of the Potomac. On May 17th. they marched a distance of eighteen miles, during which time the heat was excessive. Camp was made at Stafford Springs. On May 18th. the weather continued hot, a march of eighteen miles was made, the men waded across the Occoquan River, and crossed over part of Second Bull Run battle field.
On the 19th, a distance of sixteen miles was covered and a camp made three miles from Alexandria. Virginia. The same Court Martial of which the writer was a member, at Beaufort, South Carolina, convened at differ- ent places, on the route and again at Alexandria. The total distance marched from Raleigh, North Carolina was three hundred miles.
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