14th. Spent the day reading the papers and writing letters. Wrote to Mr. Porter and Bails’ people. The whole north seems jubilant over the glorious successes, and becomingly ascribes the praise to God. All seem disposed to be lenient to the enemy, too, all but Davis. Salute fired. Four years today since the flag came [...]

April 14th. Orders to clean up and prepare for a parade in town to celebrate the surrender of General Lee, and the capture of Richmond. The parade to take place in the afternoon. All troops in this vicinity to take a part in the big parade. Our company, C, color company, made a fine appearance [...]

Thursday Night.—Fearful rumours are reaching us from sources which it is hard to doubt, that it is all too true, and that General Lee surrendered on Sunday last, the 9th of April. The news came to the enemy by telegram during the day, and to us at night by the hoarse and pitiless voice of [...]

Four miles from Raleigh, April 13, 1865, 4 p.m. The fourth anniversary of the fall of Fort Sumter. How are you, chivalry? Made a nice little march of 16 miles and could go on to town as well as not before dark if it was necessary. Our left wing occupied Raleigh this morning with Kilpatrick [...]

Thursday, 13th–It rained nearly all day and I never saw it rain harder than it did this forenoon. We left our bivouac at 5 a. m. and marched eighteen miles. The roads are good now. The left wing of our army marched into Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, the rebels having evacuated the place [...]

13th. Contrary to the general expectation, marched. A little rain. Went into camp near Nottoway Station. Put up picket poles and laid out camp in order. Letter of the 6th from home. Folks are all resigned and cheerful. I am so glad.

April 13th. Our happiness continues. Ten minutes walk from camp, towards town, is a pump where we are obliged to go for water. Good water. A great meeting place for the people and the soldiers. News of the day is talked over. It is known as the news pump. Newspapers are not very plenty. They [...]

Wednesday Night.—We have heard nothing new to-day confirming the report of the surrender, which is perhaps the reason my spirit feels a little more light. We must hope, though our prospects should be as dark as the sky of this stormy night. Our wounded are doing well—those who remain in our hospital and the convalescents [...]

April 12, 1865, 10 a.m. We hear this a.m. that Lee has surrendered to Grant the army of northern Virginia. It created a great deal of enthusiasm among us. It is hard to make our men believe anything, but Logan told us half an hour ago as he passed it is true as gospel. We [...]

April 12th.–Warm and cloudy. Gen. Weitzel publishes an order to-day, requiring all ministers who have prayed for the President of the Confederate States to pray hereafter for the President of the United States. He will not allow them to omit the prayer. In answer to my application for permission to take my family to the [...]

Wednesday, 12th–We started at 8 a. m. and marched five miles, all the way through one continuous swamp. News came to us this forenoon that General Lee had surrendered his entire army to General Grant. It was glorious news. We forgot all about our hard marching, and the whole brigade commenced singing songs—”John Brown’s body [...]

12th. Marched at usual hour in rear of Division train. Bad roads and very tedious marching. Col. Nettleton met us near the Junction. Had a good visit with him. Line from home. How anxious I am to see dear mother and sisters. I love them more dearly than ever. Camped at B. New colors arrived. [...]

April 12th. Not much duty done since the last date. Talking and rejoicing over the events of the past few days. Orders to resume drilling. It creates opposition and much kicking. What’s the use. The war is over although peace has not been declared. Our term ends with the close of the war. Three years, [...]

Tuesday Night.—No light on our sorrow—still gloomy, dark, and uncertain. I went to-day to the hospital, as was my duty. My dear friend S. T. cheers me, by being utterly incredulous about the reported surrender. As usual, she is cheerfully devoting her powers of mind and body to her hospital. For four years she has [...]

Beulah, N. C., April 11, 1865, 12 m. Our division is alone on this road I find, and the extreme right of the army. Our brigade ahead to-day. Dibbrell’s division of Wheeler’s men is ahead of us. We pushed them so closely that we saved all the bridges to this place. They destroyed the bridge [...]

April 11th.–Cloudy and misty. It is reported that Gen. Johnston has surrendered his army in North Carolina, following the example of Gen. Lee. But no salutes have been fired in honor of the event. The President (Davis) is supposed to be flying toward the Mississippi River, but this is merely conjectural. Undoubtedly the war is [...]

Tuesday, 11th–Weather quite pleasant. We started at 6 a. m. and marched twelve miles. Our march was very slow, the road being through one continuous swamp. We had to lay corduroy the whole way. Our division, the First, was in front of the corps, and there was some skirmishing in our front.

11th. Marched out in advance of the Corps–Custer commanding. Grant passed us. Boys cheered him lustily. Went into camp 9 miles from Burke’s Station. Little rain.

April 11th, 1865.—McCook’s men got us after all. About twelve o’clock today they came in sight, a long line of blue. I don’t see how I could ever have thought the blue uniform was pretty, and yet, when we were at Fortress Monroe, and I was a small girl, I admired the officers so much, [...]

On picket, Raleigh road, three miles from Nahanta Station, on Weldon and Goldsboro railroad, April 10, 1865. Our division moved north to-day along the Weldon railroad to Nahanta, where we crossed and took a main Raleigh road. Our 1st brigade had the advance and had light skirmishing all day. Wheeler’s cavalry is opposing us. Our [...]

April 10th.–Raining. I was startled in bed by the sound of cannon from the new southside fort again. I suppose another hundred guns were fired; and I learn this morning that the Federals declare, and most people believe, that Lee has really surrendered his army–if not indeed all the armies. My Diary is surely drawing [...]

Monday, 10th–Had an all-day rain. The entire army moved forward today, some starting at 8 a. m. We packed our knapsacks early this morning, but did not start until 10 o’clock. While we were waiting, some of the Twenty-fourth Iowa Regiment which had arrived at Goldsboro came over to our “ranches” for a visit. We [...]

10th. Camped last night side by side with Lee’s army. A great jubilee among the boys. Soon after sunrise moved out. Sheridan passed us. Cheered him as he passed. Camped at Prospect Station.

April 10th. The firing of heavy field guns at midnight aroused everybody. Great rejoicing when we learned that General Lee has surrendered to our Grant. Crowds of people began to come to town very early to hear the latest news. It was hard for some to believe it. We hope the four years of struggling [...]