Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-05-19
For the Journal
FROM THE VERMONT CAVALRY.
PErERspuna. Nav ath. ls65.

Il
moved out on the Boydton plank road, which
extends from Petersburg seventy-three miles
IN southwesterly direction to the town from
which it takes its name. There was consid-
cradle speculation as to where we were going.
We had not heard from Sherman and John
ston, but all supposed that the latter would
capitulate Immediately on hearing of Lees
surrender. Therefore, why we were pushing
towards North Carolana was nexplicable.
Soon alter the column started, Gen. Sheri-
dan rode by on his famous "steed as black as
the steeds of night" The men cheered him,
and he acknowledged the compliment by taxi
ing OF his hat and bowling Referring 70 that
hat,-a low-crowned black felt, which he al
ways wore when on active duty-an officer
said to me "Phil. has got on his fighting
hat this morning / guess there must be
some trouble in North Carolina"
After we had been two days out from Pc
tersburg staff officer coming to join his com
mand brought with him a newspaper which
contained an account Of Gen. Sherman's most
extraordinary blunder. All we're greatly as
tonished but such feeling of grief and in.
dignaton had settled upon the hearts of these
veterans since the murder of the President,
that they were glad of another opportunity to
]
reckless foes OF right and freedom. The
weather was warm, and the column moved
constantly N a smotbering cloud OF dust
stirred up by the horses feet from the worn
out plank road.
AT the end of the third days march, after
having crossed quite number of creeks and
the Nottoway and Meherrin rivers-the latter
OF which we forded where the water came
tuh IN h.. LIB IL.
rived at boydton. This is quite pretty lit
tie village, Astounding in shade trees and
pleasant yards, and contains the Randolph
and Macon College, large brick building in
he west edge of the town. In this edifice
Gen. Custar established his headquarters.
Years ago, before the plaat OF Treason de-
manded mere blood for its development than
could be drawn by the bludgeon and the dri-
ver's lash, the chivslrous sons of the South
came here to receive that culture from the
storehouses of knowledge which gave them
such unlimited power over their poor, ignorant
countrymen. Now, grass and weeds are
growing in the classic walks, and in all the
vuiceless halls there is none to utter again
the poisonous declarations against liberty
and union. to which these walks have often
eonoed. Mghtier than the power Of wealth,
the pride of birth, and the best culture that
schools can afford is the cause of universal
liberty. The proud, wealthy and accomplish
ed young men, once the pride and hope Of
this blasted land, have gone aown in the ship
in which they reckessly embarked and the
meek eyes OF the slaves are turned toward
/ heaven in thankfulness for their deliver
ance from bondage.
/ On the fourth day of the march we pressed
I d. H.. A
! til we reached the Stanton River just above
| its confluence with the Don. This is quite a
broad, deep, muddy and rapidly running
stream. We crossed it on novel sort Of
| bridge composed of batteaux placed end to
end across the stream and chained together
! | was informed that these boats are very plen-
| ty on the Roanoke, the people using them to
great extent for transporting merchandise on
| he river.
The fifth day we crossed the Banister ri
yer, and the Danville railroad at scottsbury,
where we learn that the glorious old 9th corps
had gone on to Danvilie. While hating TO
rest in the middle Of the day a short distance
from Halifax Court House, loud cheering was
heard at the head of the column, and soon
Gen. Custer came riding back with his staff
announcing that news OF Johnston'a surrender
had been received, and that the troops would
| return at once. This announcement was not
received with surprise, but nevertheless it
was greeted with abundant nantes tations Of
| JOY. For the first time in four long years
the men turned about their horses and felt
that there was no war, and that they were
marching home.
In five days more we we're back at Peters
burg, having travelled on the average twen-
! ty'iour miles each day since we started out.
The raid was as unwarlike as anything mill
tary can be. There were no pickets thrown
out, and there was not gun fred while we
were gone except at game. The marches
were regular, and when we went to bed at
night we had no fear Of being startled from
our slumbers by the crack of carbines or the
hum of unwecome shells.
! The country, until we got south of the
| Meherrin, was rs unuterestiDg and dreary as
| an 90 worn out, war stricken country can
be. As we approached the tributary waters
| Of the Roanoke, there was great improve
ment in the general aspect Of our surround
| ings. Instead Of the dilapdated houses, the
exhausted fields, and the gloomy pines of
| Dinwiddie, we saw many fine large mansions
surrounded by large plantations and embow-
cred in splendid groves of oak. locust, willow,
gum-tree, end the tulip magnolia. But around
them all were the inevitable huts and dens OF
slaves.
All along our route the country is very
heavily timbered, and well watered. 1t is
rolling and broken along the streams, but we
saw no hills. Most of the way it is much
the worse for wear. Yankees had never been
in the vicinity of Boydton before, and we're
great curiosity to the negroes, who came flock
ing out from all the plantations, and waited
by the roadside to see us pass. They gave
many amusing manifestations of Joy and res
pect for their hberators. The aged would
bare their heads, extend their arms and as
sumo reverentia attitudes, and the young
would shout, and dance, and sing with joy
too great for expression. They were very
ignorant, and few of them dared refuse to
obey any of the orders which our boys anus
ed themselves by giving, At one place we
( passed an old negro and his two boys who
were dancing and singing, and who were so
exhausted by the effort that they could hard
/ ly speak. Some one at the head of the col
umn had probably set them going, and
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