The Washington herald., 1914-05-27

Fifty years ago today the rederai
army, under Gen Grant having made
a flank march from the North Anna
River began crossing the Pamunkey
River at and near Hanover Town. sew
enteen miles from Richmond
The army had now reached point
about fifty miles in an air line from the
crossings of the Rapidan River where
II had begun its march in the enemys
country on May l. Owing to detours,
however. the troops had covered about
seventy-ive miles Of road, while the
maneuvers for position at the Wilder
ness, Spottsyivania, and the North Anna
had in the case of some commands near
ly doubled that mileage.
Except for five days of rain at spott-
sylvania, the weather had been hot. The
roads were dusty and In many places
sandy, making marching extremely hard
to the heavily Laasn soldiers On cross-
ing the Rapidan scarcely man In the
l2O, 900 who had set out under Grant car
ried less than thirty pounds in equip
ment, while the load Of some had reached
forty pounds.
As a result. the soldiers had begun
throwing away their belongings, begin
ming with their overcoats. following them
with their blankets. and adding other
personal effects as the miles increased
In the first days march so many over
coats were thrown away that II was
necessary to detail teamsters to gather
them up. One officer reported seeing
seven wagon loads thus CLEANED from
the roadsides.
The route Of the army from the Rapi-
dan to the James was clearly marked
by discarded property, and between
Spottsylvania and Pamunkey also by the
carcasses of hundreds Of animals
Army Leaves Its Marx.
On the march from the North Anna
to the Pamunkey, reported the surgeon
general of the army. "a large number
of horses had become so much exhausted
as to die on the road. along which thew
were scattered at tolerably regular IN
tervals OF from 50 to 100 yards. and the
infantry following had the full benefit
Of the results of their putrefaction.
This march OF thirty miles was made
rapidly over dusty roads and on q hot
and sultry day. and the number OF men
who fell out Of the ranks was very
large. All the ambulances were filled to
overhowing. and a few men were un-
avoidably left behind"
The great army, in passing. left its
mark on many farms and homesteads.
Fields of new grain, corn and Grass
were consumed or trodden down. Pigs
and poultry were confiscated by the SOL
diers. Smokehouses and storerooms were
looted and in some places even the fur
niture and personal Affects OF house
holders were destroyed.
The nervous strain Of battle and march
ing and the excitement Of the campaign
seemed to make the men reckless of
the rights of others. An example Of
destruction. was afforded on the march
from the North Anna to the Pamunkey
at a clergyman's house, which the SOL
diers completely sacked Pictures were
torn from the walls and thrown into the
road. A library Of valuable books was
scattered and destroyed The furniture
was used to make campfires and a grand
piano was smashed and left in the front
yard.
The officers sought to repress such Wild
acts, and often did so. Wherever the
army halted guards were placed over
occupied houses. Women were protect
ed. and in some cases want was slle-
waited by the bestowal of food.
Grant on the March.
Throughout the advance from the Rap
idan Gen. Grant had shared the life OF