Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1917-05-23

mani comingy and many other theor.
les were put forward, but soon man
was seen coming on horseback as hard
as his horse could gallop, with head
uncovered, and when he was opposite
us he shouted; "LEE HAS SUR
RENDERED TO GRANITE" A death
ly calm reigned for about half min
ute, then such cheering, yelling, etc.
as you ever heard broke forth over
the army. Hats, caps, coats, KNAPP
sacks, guns, haversacks and govern
ment property of all sorts made a
general aerial flight, blackening the
the sky like swarm of bees. The
boys danced, jumped, kicked up, yell
ed and did everything imaginable un-
til they were exhausted and hoarse.
We marched on a little ways, then
stopped and the whole division was
massed with the officers in the center.
Colonel Moore then called them to
order and said they would now listen
to an order from General Sherman,
and he wanted us all the keep very
quiet until he had finished. Major
General Couch then read the follow
ing ORDER:
Dept. of the Mississippi,
in the Field,
Smithfield, N. Car,
April 18th, 1865.
Special Field Order No. as.
The general commanding this
department publishes for the
benefit of the army that he has
received official announcement
that Gen. Lee surrendered his
entire forces to Lieut.. General
Grant at App0mattox Court
House on the 9tK inst.
Glory to God in the highestl
A little more time, a little more
toll and this cruel war Of four
years duration will be at an end.
By order of
Maj. Gen. w. T. Sherman.
The cheering and gymnastic exer-
cises that broke forth was astound-
ing and the save performances were
gone through with again. The bands
struck up 1.-THE Star Spangled Ban
ner," yankee Doodle" "Home, Sweet
Home" etc. Then all the drums and
flies Of the division got together and
made so much noise you could hear
nothing else. All were merry, cheer
full and happy, being confident that
the war was nearly over. We then
crossed to the south/sid of the river
left the main road, and went south of
Smithfield. Here saw the first large
rocks | had seen in North Carolina,
they being red sandstone. Some
granite was also visible. The country
was now more rolling, and the soil
heavier and richer. We marched
hard and steadily and got into camp
after dark, being very tired. March
I'd twenty miles today. The boys fir
ed many buildings today along the
roadway, all outbuildings in which
rosin was stored or had been stored.
The rosin made dense clouds of black
smoke. Saw one dwelling house burn.
Thursday, April 10, 1865.
Reveille sounded at four a. m. We
we're up and ready and had to wait
an hour before we started. Our
regiment was at the head of the coll
Ifn today, with the exception of the
10Th Kentucky, which went ahead as
pioneers to fix the road, etc. Our
'egiment had to furnish safeguards
oday to prevent the troops from burn
ng houses and robbing the families. |
The country was still more rough and |
he soil heavy and clayey. There |
vas also more oak and hickory and |
,ther hardwood timber. 1t rained
ONE today. We stopped an hour
or dinner. Marched steadily; cross
ID the railroad at three y. m. and |
anne in sight of Raleigh at $3.50 p.
A., and just before shutdown we went |
nto camp a mile or more southeast
f town, having come about twenty
ne miles, Had to wait for the head
uarters' train to come in, and then
ad to go over and get some rations
'efore we could get supper, so it /
vas about nine o'clock before we
ot done eating. The rebel general,
ohnston, whom we are after, has left
his city with his army and gone
yest. / suppose we shall have to
base him until he gives up, but it
ardly seems as though he would be
as to stand battle when
We can bring the whole u. S. army
gainst him. The 14th army corps
rrived here yesterday morning, and
ook possession of the city. Saw
re in town last night.