April 1st.–Clear and pleasant. Walked to the department. We have vague and incoherent accounts from excited couriers of fighting, without result, in Dinwiddie County, near the South Side Railroad. It is rumored that a battle will probably occur in that vicinity to-day. I have leave of absence, to improve my health; and propose accompanying my [...]

1st. Saturday. At daylight, without supper or breakfast, advanced. Rebels in front fell back. 5th corps up. Advanced dismounted 5 miles to the rebel breastworks. Built temporary breastworks. Held them under fire till 4 P. M. when the 5th corps came up and charged. Advanced through the pines till in sight of works and guns [...]

April 1st. Weather improving, for which we are thankful. Good reports come from General Grant’s army, pushing General Lee. General Sheridan left the valley with his cavalry corps. Infantry left at Winchester. Great excitement over reports that come to headquarters. Many visitors from town witness our dress parade. Boys are doing their best to make [...]

Alas, these letters are all that is left of the two noble sons and brothers, for George (right) was killed at the battle of “Seven Pines” while Walter (left) died from exposure after that terrible battle he so vividly describes in one of his letters.1, 2 “Requiescat in pace” to all who fell in those [...]

April 1st, 1865.—More distressing news of our dear boys at the front. In Virginia and in the army now slowly falling back before Sherman, starvation is staring them in the face. Johnston’s men are fighting almost inch by inch; every foot of the way is contested. In Virginia, “Lee’s Invincibles,” are falling from the ranks, [...]

April 1st 1865 Genl Sherman reached North Carolina having marched his Army from Savannah through the heart of South Carolina and sweeping a road about forty miles wide pretty Clean taking Columbia (the Capital) and other important places. Charleston surrendered when Sherman Struck its communications a hundred miles distant. He had no fighting to do [...]