HDQRS. EIGHTY-SECOND REGT. ILLINOIS VOL. INFANTRY, Near Washington, D. C., May 29, 1865. GENERAL: Of the operations of this command since the army left Goldsborough, N. C., up to date, I have the honor to submit the following report: Having had orders two days previous to prepare for a campaign, we started on the morning of the 10th of April from our camp-ground on the Weldon railroad; marched through Goldsborough, N. Č., toward Raleigh, N. C. Toward evening of the same day our advance encountered some rebel cavalry, a nearly impassable swamp being between our and the rebel line. Their resistance was for a short time obstinate, but after the infantry had got into position and our skirmish line was ordered to advance the enemy retreated; we crossed the swamp and encamped for the night fifteen miles from Goldsborough. On the 11th of April, at daybreak, the regiment struck camp and after continued marches arrived at Raleigh, N. C., on the 13th of April. Two days before our arrival in Raleigh it was officially communicated to us that the rebel General Lee had surrendered to Lieutenant-General Graut. The news was received with the greatest manifestation of joy by the troops and all were eager for an opportunity to meet Johnston's army and sure of success. At Raleigh we pitched camp, and on the 16th of April were officially informed that General Sherman was negotiating with General Johnston and that hostilities had been suspended. The news was received with cheers by the troops and everybody was anticipating an early peace and return to their homes when, on the next day, the terrible news of the assassination of our beloved President created a feeling of hatred and revenge in the heart of every soldier. On the 24th of April we received orders to march to Jones' CrossRoads. The next morning at daybreak we started accordingly, expecting that hostilities would be resumed the same day. We went into camp near the cross-roads; remained there three days, then marched back to Raleigh, and there were informed that Johnston had surrendered. We remained in camp until the 30th of April, when we started for home by way of Richmond and Washington. After very hard and fatiguing marches we arrived before Richmond on the 9th of May, having marched 162 miles in ten days. On the 11th of May we resumed our march for Washington, passing through the city of Richmond. On the 15th of May we passed over the battle fields of Spotsylvania Court-House and Chancellorsville, Va. On the 16th we crossed the Rappahannock at United States Ford, and on the 19th we arrived at Alexandria, Va., where we went into camp. On the 24th we participated in the grand review of General Sherman's army before the President and Lieutenant-General Grant, and then marched to our present camp, where we are now making preparatious to be mustered out of service. I have the honor to sign, general, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, EDW. S. SALOMON, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment. Brig. Gen. JAMES S. ROBINSON, Commanding Third Brigade. 43 R R-VOL XLVII, PT I No. 149. Reports of Lieut. Col. John B. Le Sage, One hundred and first Illinois Infantry, of operations January 17-March 25 and April 10-May 24. HEADQUARTERS 101ST REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, Near Goldsborough, N. C., March 28, 1865. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the regiment under my command during the campaign that has just ended so gloriously: The regiment marched from Savannah, Ga., on the 17th of January, crossed the river, and on the 19th encamped near Purysburg, S. C., where it remained until the 28th, when it marched in the direction of Robertsville, S. C., where it arrived on the next day, and there encamped. On the 2d of February it moved from Robertsville in the direction of Lawtonville and marched on the 3d, 4th, and 5th to Buford's Bridge. On the 4th the regiment was on duty guarding a road during the pas sage of the division. On the 6th and 7th it was again on the march, reaching Graham's Turnout, on the Charleston and Augusta Railroad, on the evening of the 7th. On the 8th, 9th, and 10th it was engaged in tearing up railroad at various points between Graham's Turnout and Ninety-six Mile Turnout; on the 11th marched and crossed the South Fork of the Edisto River, and on the 12th reached the North Fork, which it crossed next day, and on the 14th, 15th, and 16th marched near Lexington Court-House, within a few miles of Columbia, S. C. On the 18th crossed the Saluda River, where the regiment and the Sixty-first Ohio Veteran Volunteers were ordered to guard the taking up of the pontoon bridge, which was done safely, and then we rejoined the column and on the next day marched to Broad River, which we crossed on the 20th, and on the 21st marched through Winnsborough, and on the 22d reached the Catawba River at Rocky Mount, which we crossed on the 23d, and on the 24th marched about seven miles. On the 25th did not march. February 26, 27, 28, and March 1 and 2 marched to Chesterfield Court-House, but was not engaged in the skirmish which took place. March 3, forded the creek and took possession of the rebel works on the Cheraw road, and on the 4th marched to within three miles of Sneedsborough, where we remained next day, and on the 6th marched to Cheraw and crossed the Great Pedee River, and on the 7th marched to the Wilmington and Charlotte Railroad. On the 8th marched to Downing's Creek, where the brigade built a bridge and crossed next day, and on the 10th Rockfish Creek, and on the 11th arrived near Fayetteville. On the 14th left Fayetteville and crossed the Cape Fear River and moved about five miles on the Raleigh road. On the 15th marched within ten miles of Averasborough on the Raleigh road, and on the 16th was engaged with the enemy at Smith's farm, losing 1 severely and 2 slightly wounded. On the 17th and 18th marched on the Goldsborough road, and on the 19th, while marching along near Bentonville, the regiment was stationed on the Smithfield road to guard it while the division was passing, where it remained until relieved by the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, when it promptly marched forward toward where the booming of the cannon announced the presence of the enemy. Rejoining the brigade the regiment was placed in the reserve line, where it remained during the battle, sustaining no loss. During the day, however, a foraging party, consisting of Capt. William R. Seymour, of Company H, and eleven men, were captured by the rebel cavalry. On the 20th and 21st remained in the same position, and on the 22d, 23d, and 24th marched to Goldsborough, where it went into camp on the 25th. During the campaign the regiment has captured, as nearly as I can estimate, some 20 head of horses and 20 head of mules, burned 100 bales of cotton and 10 cotton-gins, and tore up about a mile and a half of railroad, and has lived almost entirely off the country. It is impossible to ascertain anything in regard to the amount of forage, as no records have been kept and as the officer who commanded the foraging party was captured. In conclusion, I beg leave to return my thanks to the officers and men of the regiment for their uniform good conduct, soldiery bearing, and cheerful obedience to orders, wherever they have been placed. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN B. LE SAGE, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. Capt. A. E. LEE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS 101ST ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS, Near Washington City, May 27, 1865. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the regiment under my command during operations from Goldsborough, N. C., to this point: The regiment marched from Goldsborough on the 10th of April and encamped about fourteen miles from Goldsborough, and on the 11th marched about thirteen miles and encamped at Smithfield. 12th, crossed Neuse River and encamped near Swift Creek. On the 13th marched and encamped at Raleigh, N. C., where we were encamped until the 25th, when we marched about twelve miles and encamped near Jones' Cross-Roads, where we remained in camp until the 28th, when we marched back to Raleigh and occupied our old camp, where we remained until the 30th, when we broke up camp and marched about fifteen miles en route for Richmond, Va. May 1, marched fifteen miles and encamped near Tar River. May 2, marched about twenty-two miles and camped beyond Oxford. May 3, marched about eighteen miles and crossed the Roanoke River, and camped on the north bank. May 4, marched twenty-two miles and camped on the north bank of the Meherrin River. May 5, marched to the south bank of the Nottoway River. May 6, marched fifteen miles to Wellville Station, on the South Side Railroad. May 7, crossed Appomattox River and encamped near Clover Hill. May 8, marched fifteen miles to Falling Creek. May 9, marched to within four miles of Richmond. May 10, remained in camp. May 11, marched through Manchester and Richmond and encamped four miles of Richmond. May 12, marched through Ashland and encamped on the north bank of the South Anna; marched twenty miles. May 13, marched fifteen miles and encamped on the south bank of the North Anna River. May 14, crossed the North Anna and encamped near Spotsylvania Court-House. May 15, marched and encamped on the south bank of the Rappahannock River. May 16, 17, and 18 marched in the direction of Alexandria, passing through Brentsville, about noon on the 18th crossed Bull Run and encamped in a mile of Fairfax Court-House. May 19, marched to within three miles of Alexandria, where we remained in camp until the 24th, when we passed through Washington City and arrived at our present camp. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN B. LE SAGE, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding. Capt. A. E. LEE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 150. Report of Bvt. Brig. Gen. Horace Boughton, One hundred and forty-third New York Infantry, of operations April 10-May 29. HEADQUARTERS 143D NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS, May 29, 1865. In compliance with orders from headquarters Third Brigade, First Division, Twentieth Army Corps, I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of this command from the time of leaving Goldsborough, N. C., to the present date: Left Goldsborough, N. C., on the morning of the 10th day of April, 1865, and marched with the brigade to Raleigh, N. C., where we arrived on the 13th of April; left Raleigh on the 25th of April and marched with the brigade to Jones' Cross-Roads; returned to Raleigh on the 27th [28th), and on the 29th [30th] of the same month took up the line of march to Alexandria, Va., where we arrived on the 19th of May. On the 23d [24th] day of May we left Alexandria and marched through Washington, passing in review, and encamped at this place. The casualties in this regiment since leaving Goldsborough, N. C., have been seven men captured while foraging near Raleigh, N. C., on the 14th day of April, 1865, two of whom have returned to the regiment and the remaining five have been sent to Parole Camp at Annapolis, Md. The whole number of rations drawn during the time, that is from April 10, 1865, to the present date, is forty-five days'; the balance has been foraged from the country. Respectfully submitted. HORACE BOUGHTON, Colonel 143d New York Volunteer Infantry, and Brevet Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Comdg. Regiment. Capt. A. E. LEE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Brigade. No. 151. Report of Maj. James S. Crall, Eighty-second Ohio Infantry, of operations January 17-March 24. HDQRS. EIGHTY-SECOND OHIO VETERAN VOLUNTEERS, Near Goldsborough, N. C., March 27, 1865. CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders from brigade headquarters I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command during the recent campaign: During the campaign just ended the Eighty-second Regiment has destroyed 2 miles of railroad, captured 113 mules, 92 horses, and 7 head of cattle. I have also destroyed 646 bales of cotton and 13 cotton-gins and 11 cotton-presses. I have captured 25,150 pounds of meat, 7,760 pounds of flour, 4,952 pounds of corn meal, 50 bushels of sweet potatoes, 16 gallons of molasses. I also captured and destroyed 60 Enfield rifles. The regimental foraging parties have captured in all 25 prisoners. In the engagement of the 16th instant it lost in wounded 8, and on the 19th its loss in killed was 1, in wounded 11, and in missing its loss was 13, 6 of whom have since returned. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Capt. ALFRED E. LEE, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Brigade. No. 152. Report of Bvt. Brig. Gen. Stephen J. McGroarty, Eighty-second Ohio Infantry, of operations April 10-May 29. HDQRS. EIGHTY-SECOND OHIO VETERAN VOL. INFANTRY, Near Washington, D. C., May 29, 1865. SIR: In compliance with orders from brigade headquarters I have the honor to transmit report of operations of my command since leaving Goldsborough, N. C.: On the 10th day of April, 1865, the Eighty-second Regiment, composing a part of the Third Brigade, under command of Maj. James S. Crall, left Goldsborough in pursuit of Lieutenant-General Johnston; marched a distance of fifteen miles and encamped. On the 11th, after marching fifteen miles, the regiment arrived near Smithfield. On the 12th crossed the Neuse River. On the 13th, the regiment arrived at Raleigh, N. C., where it remained in camp until the 22d [25th]. On that day the command marched in a northwest direction a distance of eleven miles, where it remained in camp two days, then returned to Raleigh, encamped one day, then started en route for Richmond, Va. On the 30th the regiment reached and crossed Neuse River, and on the 2d of May crossed Tar River. On the 3d passed through Williamsborough and crossed the State line into Virginia; crossed the Roanoke River. May 6th, arrived at Blacks and Whites Station. On the 7th crossed Appomattox River; arrived in the vicinity of Richmond on the 9th; remained in camp one day, when I arrived at and took command of the regiment. On the 11th crossed James River and passed through Richmond, Va., in review. On the 12th we passed Ashland Station and crossed the Chickahominy and South Anna Rivers. The 13th crossed Little River. The 14th crossed North Anna River and arrived near Spotsylvania Court-House; passed through the latter place on the 15th, and camped near the Rappahannock River, crossing the river next day. On the 18th crossed Bull Run and passed Fairfax Station. May 19, arrived in camp near Alexandria, Va.; remained in camp until the morning of the 24th, when the regiment marched to and passed through Washington, D. C., in review, and then marched to its present place of encampment. Capt. A. E. LEE, S. J. MCGROARTY, Brevet Brigadier-General, Commanding. Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brig., First Div., 20th Army Corps. |