The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-05-26
Our Military Correspondence.

1st day Of May NEXT .t., ..t q.
Our Military Correspondence.
Foster HosPIrAL, NEwDERN, n. O.,
'.s ~ April 2s, 1865. !
FRIEND CONVERSE I'm my last. written
in New York City. promised that my next |
should be written from tho Regiment. l !
rcgtot that am unable to fulfill that prom |
ise, but constitution impaired by long
Ill health leaves me but little fit
for field service. My stay with my com.
mand amounted to only u visit of sixteen
days, when, by order OF the surgeon, came
hero. i joined my regimeut on the 9th
inst, at Goldsboro, aud on the next day
Shorman's Army commenced another move
upon the enemy--its last forward move
meut. That army, which for ono year bad
been steadily marching onward from victo-
ry to victory, from Chattanooga upon the
Tennessee River, through the hills OF North.
western Georgia, confronting and driving
from intrenchment to intrEncbment the
powerful army of Johnston and Hood until
tho kny OF tho Coniederacy fell into their
possession aud thence, by steady and un.
interrupted marches, through it's very CEN
tre to the coast, capturing with small loss
the important seaport town OF Savannah |;
bors starting on another gigantic campaign
across tho chivalrous Stalo of South Caro-
lima, which, four years ago, inaugurated this
terribly wicked and accursed Rebellon,an
would so gladly bavo desolatod, the North
with fire and sword, and promised such
speedy death to any ruthless and daring
invader OF her sacred soil Alas for her
boasted courage and prowess, the invncible
army Of sherman str0iis all over her land !,
marking its track by the ashes of every.
thing combustlble, and nowhere a foo to
confront its infantry columns. South Caro-
lima, tho terrible scourge which you would
have inflicted upon the North, is your own
Fire and sword have laid waste and deso
lated your land. Take the lesson which
has boen taught you by the "mudsills" Of
the North, and never again let your puny
arm be raised for the overthrow of the Re-
public never again by your act spread
through eur nation such misery aud woo as
you have caused by this unjust and fratri-
cdal war. From South Carolina Sher-
mans legons march cd onward to Goldsboro.
whero,they were Joiued by Schofold's forces,
once part of Shermans Army, and this
brings me to the cbronicliDg of few of
(tbank heaven) tho closing scenes of this
| fearful war.
On the lO,h of April. the army was put
in motion. Tho l4th Corps moved direct
ly upon Smithfeld, which lies on the direct
road from Goldsboro to Raleigh being
twonty-sr miles from tho former and twen-
ty.fiye from the latter place. On the llth,
tho I'd Brigade of tho Sd Division lod tho
corps. The 10th Indiana we're upon the
skrmish limo, and, although constant
skirmish was kept up, tho advance was
| ateaHv md rnriH acpnciallu m u "A
nearod Smilbiield. The Rebel cavalry at.
tempted to make respectable stand here,
but fed in disorder from the first vol'ey,
followed closely by tho 18th and the bal
ance OF tho brigade, upon the double quick.
cheering and shouting Justify. As We en-
tered the town upon the ono side. they left
it Ipon the other, taking good care to burn
the bridge over tho Neuse River as they
left. The next morning official notice ol
the surrender of Gen. Lee and his entire
army WAS read to each regiment. You may
believe there wore some loud and hearty
cheers given. may say the army marched
with a lighter heart, if not a lighter trend
{ that day. The next day. Ohe lS,h.) th,
I l4th Corps lod the way into Raleigh, Gov
n Vance and the Mayor of that city making
f formal surrender of the place on tho pre-
/ vious evening. at Stalling's Station. Gov
q Vance, entoriDg our lines at Stallings Sta
tion, was novel scene, and created some
excitement. Tho train was heard approach
a ing from tho direction of Raleigh, and eve
n ~ one was curious to know what it meant
a A large crowd greeted it's arrival, anxiou
X TO get glimpse Of tho freight. ..-M
# The l4th Corps loft Raleigh tho mex
!. morning, for Heliy Springs, and the Cap
/ Fear River, south -west from Raleigh. abou
i. twenty Ave miles. 1t was while lying her
At that we received the sad news of the dealt
" Of Abraham Lincoln by the hand Of an q,
sassin. The terrible news was received i
SOLEMN silence. So sudden and so nj
looked for an evont struck every hear
dumb with amazement and horror. Their
" was no language to express the hidden fee
I'd ings Of the heart of the army. The unbrt
X ken aud solemn silence which regned ev,
20 ry where, told moro than tongue can O.
,r press. have never been ono Of those wi
ID thought the Presidont the only man
America capable of encountering all Il
Of difficulties Of the last four years, nor have
ID been ono of those who thought him Il
III best man for his position which could
IN found. i have thought there wero othe
of better fitted to doal with this accursed al
o. hell-born Rebellion han the torgiving ar
OF lenient Abraham Lincoln, yet he has di
O. played to the gaze of Tho civilized world.
by his administration of public affairs. tho
OF Christian graces and virtues which mu
ch forever hide from view. and bury in obliviC
he all his faults. While the American Repu
bo iio stauds, yea, while time lasts, the name
OF Abraham Lincoln will be revored and no
Is ored ~ one of the most upright, honest al
a courageous of the Presidents of tho Repu
vii lie. His death has rdded tho last, dee