The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-31
CORRESPONDENCE.
- CAMP or TIE god U. S. C.T.l
NonrH EAsr RivER, March 10, 1865.


giving n somewhat detailed account OF what
transpired from the time OF the surrender OF the
latter Fort until cessation OF the flag oftruce,
for the paroling Of our prisoners at North East
Station, N. c.
At the time Of the bombardment ofAnderson,
Gen. Paine's Division (colored) with Abbott's
Brigade, held the line from Cape Fear river to
the Atlantic coast; the white troops being on
the right, the colored troops on the left OF the
line. The rebel line was Ave hundred In front
with their right resting on the river, the right
flank being protected by sugar loaf battery
and by Fort Anderson on the opposite side OF
the river. As the evacuation OF Anderson per-
mitted the advance Of our gunboats up the riv-
err, the rebels evacuated their line Of works Sat-
urday night, Feb. 10. Sunday morning before
sunrise, we had orders to march Immediately.
In short time, we were In pursuit. moving
rapidly until we came to their destroyed works,
where we formed line Of battle, halted and
threw out n reconnoitering party, which hav-
ing ascertained that there was no enemy in our
immediate front, returned. when the order was
given to march by the left fank in pursuit.
We marched about seven miles without meeting
any opposition, when our skirmishers overlook
the rebel guard Of the rctreating column.
Meeting with considerable opposition and being
several miles In advance OF the gunboats, which
were protecting our Left flank, We formed line
Of battle and threw up temporary works. Here
we remained all night. In the morning the reb.
els having evacuated their lines, We pushed. on
in pursuit. Wehad not advanced over 0 miles
when skirmishing again commenced In good
earnest; driving the enemy half mile we
forced him to seek shelter behind temporary
works he had thrown up during the night. He
hal selected position remarkable for natural
strength for defensive operations. Our skirm.
Use lines advanced to take the work. hut ascer.
tanning that there was an impenetrable swamp
on either flank, and eight pieces Of artillery in
front, 1t was thought the sacrifice OF lite would
be too great for the object to be gained, conse-
auently we fell back In good order and en-.
trenched. We lost In killed and wounded dur
ing the skirmishing, ono officer killed, three
wounded, ten privates killed and forty wound
ed. The next day nm effort was made by Gen.
Ames' division, which had arrived during the
night to flank their work, but was unsuccessful
owing to the impossible nature OF the swamps.
During the day the object OF holding US In
cheek clearly developed itself. An immense
thick smoke, black enough and large enough to
have the appearance of being the concentration
of, ut least. one summers thunder showers,
was seen to arise in the direction Of Wilmington
which continued through the day and night
Wednesday morning to our great JOY and com.
plctc satisfaction, we found the Johnics had
"skedaddled.'
Abbott's brigade leading the advance. We
were now about five miles from Wilmington.
The probability of marching through this city
on Washington's birth day, was sufficient slim
illus for us To make good time. and the tedious
ness of marching through the sands OF North
Carolina, was pleasant recreation. As we up
preached this great entrspot of Southern for.
eign trade, we could zee that the city had sur
rendered. for white flags were streaming from
the public buildings. AS We marched through
the streets, the scene was thrilling and one long
to he remembered by all who believe in equal
rights and privileges. The side walks were pack
ed with those who had very suddenly been trans.
formed from beasts to active and in many in
stances, intelligent beings, manifesting the most
intense Joy in all conceivable ways. At one
place our attention was particularly attracted
by group ola dozen Of these suddenly meta.
morphosed beings, who came rushing down the
streets. tossing their hats in the mir and ex-
claiming, 'The chain is broke, the chain Is
broke"
In front yard, a woman apparently, seventy
years Of age, was giving expression to her joy.
the same as Miriam did after the passage Ut
the Isralites through the Red sea. Her joy seemed
to know no bounds 1t had communicated IL.
self to her heels NJ well as her head, and ii was
sometimes litficnlt to tell which hal the assem-
dency heels or head At the same time she Was
dancing this Zip Coon chorus. she was shout
ing "Glory to God. Halelujah II has come in
my day. One old man walked up to me, say
ing, "Massa. thank Col, the meinim's come
the melinim's come" Pies cakes, candies, to.
bacco, cold water was distributed freely to our
soldiers, by those eolored enthusiasts. AS We
saw these demonstrations Of JOY, by those who
previous to this time had been recognized rs
hrutes by the law of the land, We thought,
"Truy what hath God wrought J" what more
BETTING way of commemorative the birth day
OF Washington, than BY proclaiming liberty to
the captive and letting the oppressed go free
We waited just long enough to find out that
the rebs. had burned every thing Of n public
character, cotton, rosin, machine shops. YES
sells, warehouses, had all met the same fate.
We then recommended our pursuit and soon
overlook the rear guard enemy, when skirm- |
ishing again commenced and continued until
We arrive at North East river, a distance OF
ten miles. Here the reSs had burned the rail road
bridge and thrown pontoon bridge over which |
they passed. and took up y position on the
uorth bank Of tho river. We advanced our
skirmi shers up to the south bank, threw up ri
hs pits aud maintained our position. During |
tho night the enemy had fallen back leaving the
bridge in our possession. They sent flag Of
truce asking permission to send In ten thousand
paroled prisoners. Amer the necessary prelim.
inaries had trapspiied Sunday the first lot
came by cars. They came from Goldsooro; Ms
1t was about ninety miles, but our train come
in twenty. -four hours. Six days were occupied
in receiving them.
Words arc inadequate to describe the condi- |
ton those poor fellows were In. Some idea may |
be formed of their condition when tell You
that ont of nine thousand paroled prisoners,
two thousand were sent to the hospital at Will |
mington. their disease being debility from in-
sufficient diet. or the remaining seven thou.
stnd, ouc-sixth Of the whole will have to be I'D
mitted to the hospital as soon rs they arrive
North. As whole the prisoners we're so much |
changed that they were not recognized by their
nearest friends. Having been ordered To join
my regiment in the army Of the James received
sportation on the steamer California, load
ed with paroled prisoners. During our short
passage to Annapolis, Nd, over City were TAX
en- sick, and had to be carried ~ hospitals inn
medately after arrival. Did not ascertain the
the number In hospitals, but learned TINT
twenty or thirty are dying daily. i
There is nothing new In the department OF
the James. There will soon be movement,
and when Il occurs will inform your readers,
Yours respectfully, AsrRAGuLAs.
TRur MEy IN CHARLESTON There could
NOT M ten righteous men found in SOdom