The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-02
LETTER FROM LIEUT.. JORDAN.
RALEIGH, N. c., April 18th 1865.

Col. DANFoRTH, Dear SIR during our
stay at Goidsboro the troops were well cloth
ed, fed and rested. Camp and garrison
equippage, and ordnance and ordnance stores
put US in good condition and we had good
time in camp. Good news in abundance as
sisted materially.
On Sunday 9th ult., the detachment from
the Goth and 18th corps which have been
back in Tennessee and Georgia, came up
With it, for Co. q, were four recruits, viz -
G. A. Jordan, W. Parks, l.. n. Paten and
w. Vancens. Five old soldiers, viz: Corp.
W. j. Long, R. B. Barnes, S. G. Chaney, P.
Olsen and w. Twining. They are all quite
well now.
Col McManus was in charge of the detach-
men and came in with the boys. He is
we'll.
COL Smith and Adj't Snyder have not
come up yet though we have heard that they
with Gen. Harrison old brigade commander)
would be up in a few days.
At $50 a. NJ, April 10th the army broke
camp, and moved out. The morning was
foggy-I was quite unwell-had to ride in
the ambulance, and paid little attention to
what was going ON. The 18th and 18th corps
took their position On the right The 18th
and Goth corps ON the left. The Goth corps
went miles on the Coxe's bridge road, then
turned to the right on the Smithfeld road -
Marched only Y miles, was prevented from
going further by the bridge breaking down
at Mockasin Greek.
The next morning pulled out at $50. The
I'd division in advance of our corps. they
ere--anxious to get into Smithfeld. The
day was quite warm. Gen. Ward was or
dered to keep up with the I'd division, which
was the cause of large number being over
heated. Some fell never to raise again.
Early in the afternoon the advance went in
to the town The rebel cavalry burnt the
bridge across the Neuse at this point-then
cleared out.
Pontoons were laid, and part of the l4th
corps crossed in the evening. That dag the
troops marched but II miles, but it was gen
orally said to have been the hardest days
march they ever did. Early the next morn
ing the column was put in motion-crossed
the Neuse and the Rapid Creek. While in
town the news came that Gen. Lee had sur
rendered his army to Gen. Grant. This was
good news and was enthusiastically received.
Only two more steps, LIST Capture of john
ston, I'd Peace.
Again we crossed the Rapid Creek where
we went into camp. In two hours the Sd di.
vision was called out to support Fitzpatrick,
who had came upon the rebel wagon train
and cut it in two, but the trosps had barely
started when word came that Fitzpatrick had
captured 73 wagons, 63 of which were Or
dnance.
1t is reported that Gov. Vance came out
under flag of truce and surrendered the CITY,
then stayed over night with our JEFF. c. Da
Wis.
At $3.50 the next morning the (13th) we
moved out. There was q little skirmishing
or bushwhacking, and few foragers were
taken. No further distractions to CUR march
into the city. The cavalry and the 18th
corps went in early in the day. The Goth
did not get in until after noon land then were
posted along the rebel works mile south of
city. have not been over yet, but am told
that it covers large piece of ground The
buildings are well scattered, principally dwell
lings and places of public resort; ell of which
are got up ia the best style. Their gardens
are very beautiful. The state house is q
large fine building. The insane, and deaf and
dumb asylums are very fine and commodi
Gus buildings. The city is nicely adorned
with shade trees, though strange to say there
are no pavements. The surrounding country
Is rolling. and generally productive, Be-
tween here and Goldsboro is some of the fin.