Raynors HCA 2015-11
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A great war-date Union staff officer's diary kept by Lt. William Henry Mickle as Acting Asst. Adjutant General, Artillery Brigade of the 20th Corps, Army of Georgia during Sherman's march through the Carolinas in 1865. As a staff officer, Mickle was witness to many stirring and significant events associated with Sherman's final campaign that helped end the war and which culminated with the surrender of Joe Johnston and his army to Sherman in April 1865. Housed in a calf skin bound ledger book, measuring approx. 4" x 6 1/2", identified, in period pencil on inside front page, "Lieut. Wm. H. Mickle, A. A. Q. M. Artillery 11th A. C., Brideport, Ala., Jany. 4, 1864." There are a scattering of notes from 1864 including some battle field messages, but the main body of the diary consists of approx. 50pp. of military movement, battle and staff officer related content. The diary begins January 19 and runs through June 3, 1865. Many of the high ranking officers he hobnobbed with were Generals Sherman, Slocum, Williams, Ward and Howard and his interactions with them and his incites into the Union army's movements during that time give us many unrecorded incidences which will be a boon of information for the researcher, and reads, in small part: "…[Chiver's House near Savannah, Jan. 19, 1865]…left Savannah about 12…arrived here about 3 p. m…pretty rough beginning…at dark started for Genl. Ward's Hd. Qr at Hardeesville…was kindly received by the Genl. & staff…[Jan. 20]…Genl. Williams & staff enjoyed the night without anything to eat or drink…Genl. Williams & staff arrived…after having been down to the river & found a terrible freshet. The Hd. Qrs. train being nearly inundated. The major was terribly ducked…[Jan. 21]…went with Genl. Williams & staff to Purrysville, boarded the Pontiac visited there for awhile, saw the armament etc. Genl. W_s, Col. Perkins, Capt. Weigle and Kent the reporter of Tribune…[Jan. 23]…called on Batty. I…started in company…of Genl. William's staff for Purrysville & thence by boat Genl. Lee for Savannah. At R. R. crossing she struck her wheel on piles & disabled it, she floated down about 2 miles when the wind blew her ashore…[Jan. 28]…moved at * a. m. to Bradham's crossroads when we found the 1st & 2d Brigs. of 1st Div. with Batty. C, started on the Sisters Ferry road. The water was so deep & rising that we returned…Battery M went with Col. Hawley's Brig. camped near Hd. Qrs…[Jan. 29]…moved on the Robertsville road…Wheeler's Cav. made a slight resistance. [Battery] M fired 3 solid shot for a signal to Genl. Slocum…sent scouts to Sister ferry…[Jan. 30]…went out in front of the pickets to Lawton's plantation & found corn & meal…two Reb scouts came down to the house, soon went back…[Jan. 31]…went down to the river with Col. Perkins…Genl. [Nathaniel J.] Jackson went with us to Sisters ferry. Saw Genl. Slocum &…returned in a yawl boat of the Pontiac…Feb. 2]…went out with a scout, ran a narrow escape from capture & drove the Rebs capturing their breakfast. Had quite a skirmish before Lawtonville…[Jan. 3]…to Duck Branch P. O. & found Genl. Sherman's Hd. Qrs…[Feb. 4]…went back to Sisters ferry with dispatches from Genls. Sherman & Williams to Genl. Slocum…met 2nd Div near Robersville & Genl. Kilpatrick between R_e & Lawtonville went from Pontiac to Sisters ferry in cutter manned by her mariners…[Feb. 6]…moved across Beaufort Bridge, passed the 15th Corps to their left…[Feb. 7]…struck the R. R. about 2 1/2 pm had a gay chase after…the Johnies camp on R. R…[Feb. 8]…was at Genl. Ward's Hd. Qrs while Col. Dustin presented a set of captured holsters to the Genl. who in turn made a splendid patriotic speech…[Feb. 9]…to Blackville…began there to destroy the R. R. Kilpatrick destroyed a mile or two…the Mich Engineers twisted the rails thoroughly…[Feb. 10]…destroyed the R. R. Genl. Geary came up & joined us…[Feb. 12]…started for Duncan's Bridge on a foraging expedition went about 15 miles & struck Wheeler's Cav. they captured 2 horses & equipment from us & Charlie is missing. Got 6 horses & 2 mules. Drove the Rebs on a charge …skirmish at Jeffcoat's bridge…[Feb. 13]…crossed the North Edisto & Jeffcoat's Bridge, moved about 6 miles toward Columbia…[Feb. 14]…started after stock, moved to the left of column, found very poor people & a barren country, the escort had a narrow escape, the Rebs got into their rear & the escort charged through them…Capt. Gardiner was chased about 4 miles, but by taking to the woods & swamps made his escape. Capt. Reynolds of Genl. Robinson's staff was gobbled…[Feb. 16]…moved toward Columbia, found no enemy…15th & 17th Corps were in front of town, saw some Reb sharpshooters. Genl. Sherman ordered the 14th & 20th Corps to move further north & cross the Broad river, gad a fine view of the Capital of South Ca…[Feb. 17]…went to Broad river where they were laying another pontoon. Before it was completed news came that Columbia had been formally surrendered to a Col. comdg. a Brig of Ward's Div, 15th Corps. About 1 p. m. the pontoon bridge was finished & Genls Sherman & Howard…crossed and moved into town. I had the pleasure of accompanying them with Maj. Osborn. The citizens received us with little demonstration…a few seemed glad & the escaped prisoners were wild with delight. The negroes were vociferous in their idea of freedom & shouted for Sherman & his army. We rode through different streets & found much cotton strewn in the centre of the Sts. preparatory to being burned which had been ordered by Beauregard prior to [his] evacuating. The new capitol was partly built and the green palmetto (iron) just in its rear was a fine production…there was about 200 invalid Rebel soldiers & some of our left…saw the open field in which our officers had been here'd like cattle . Many of our troops were intoxicated by spirits captured in the place or given them by the citizens, by nightfall hundreds were drunken, we anticipated trouble by fires as that is the prevailing tendency of Sherman's men…[Feb. 18]…Maj. Reynolds and several of the staff went to Columbia, found most of it burned, was set on fire by Rebels & our drunken soldiers & the wind blowing fiercely, nearly the entire place was consumed. Genls Sherman & Howard were compelled to leave their quarters & did all they could to stop the pandemonium. Much distress followed as the citizens were driven into the streets by the flames. Some of our men were burned to death. Sad affair indeed notwithstanding it was the Capital of the leading spirit of Secesh…[Feb. 21]…moved to Winnsboro & found a fire raging which had been set by one of the inhabitants, worked very hard for two hours to put it out, finally succeeded for which the people seemed grateful…foraging was in its glory…[Feb. 22]…moved…to Rocky Mt…country rolling & broken, much stock & supplies were captured…at night the pontoon was laid. In the evening Slocum came up & had a mad fit. Genl. Sherman came up & made Hd. Qrs with the 20th A. C. Major got a fine horse…[Feb. 26]…moved to Hanging Rock P. O…this is where Genl. Sumpter defeated the British…poor S. Ca. how you have degenerated!…Genl. Sherman's Hd. Qrs are across the road…[Feb. 27]…saw some slaves as white as any caucasian. Could not believe they were of African blood…Wilmington is reported evacuated. Enemy are concentrating at Charlotte, N. C…[Mar. 2]…moved to Chesterfield with 1st Div, had a running fight through the town, enemy burned one bridge & destroyed…another. WE opened two pieces of artillery on them& developed a section of the enemy commanding the bridge on the Cheraw road, drove their battery away and during the night they abandoned their position. Genl. Sherman had Hd. Qrs in Chesterfield…[Mar. 3]…went over the creek to se the effects of our shots, evidences of somebody having been hurt, good firing. Capt. Sloan is ordered to accompany Genl. Jackson on expedition with his battery…[Mar. 4]…President Lincoln is to be reinaugurated…14th Corps crossed our column & went to the river to lay a pontoon. My orderly (Charlie) captured a Reb Lieut. & 5 men. Several prisoners captured in a beautiful pine grove…[Mar. 5]… major & I went to Cheraw called at Genl. Sherman's Hd. Qrs. ascertained about ordnance stores. Town has been thoroughly gutted, about 30 tons of powder, 24 pieces of Arty., rolling stock, ammunition, small arms & various paraphernalia was captured…had a formal introduction to Genl. Sherman by Genl. Howard, 17th Corps & part of the 15th crossed big Pedee…[Mar. 7]…marched 14 miles toward Fayetteville…saw about 2000 Bbls of rosin burring, a stream ran like a brooke, animals stepped into it & some tried to drink it, got burned…[Mar. 11]…3d Div. in advance, had much corduroying…orders came for two Divs to move rapidly…accompanied by two batteries G & M were taken, I & C left with the train under Genl. Geary…we crossed over on the plank road & ousted on till within about a mile of [Fayetteville]…[Mar. 12]…into Fayetteville. Went into town had a fine ride, called at Genl. Slocum's Hd. Qrs…went to the arsenal found many stores out of repairs a few good, some fixed ammunition…Genl. Early & many prisoners were captured in the Shenandoah Valley…[Mar. 13]…passed in review in front of Genl. Sherman, Slocum, Barry, Williams and other…[Mar. 14]…3d Brid. 3d Div. went out on reconnaissance about 8 miles found the enemy in considerable force supported by cavalry with a battery of 4 guns…[Mar. 16, battle of Averasboro]…found Kilpatrick skirmishing with the enemy between the Cape Fear & Black rivers. Went into position with the battery and did some fine shooting, killed 5 horses & injured many of the enemy…the 1st & 3d Div's…made a splendid charge taking the first line of works killing & wounding many of the Rebs & capturing about 150 prisoners, 3 pieces of arty…we advanced our lines & drove them from a 2d line into the 3d. One Div of 14th Corps went in on our left. Our loss during the day was severe-enemy's equally so…during the night the enemy retired in great haste…[Mar. 17]… 3d Div. was sent on reconnaissance as far as Averasboro on the Raleigh road…found dead & wounded left along the road, some broken ambulances, [found wounded] in a tent and about 30 in houses at A_. They were left without anything to eat. We gave them what we could spare & paroled them…[Mar. 19, battle of Bentonville]…heard cannonading by the 14th Corps, about noon got orders to hasten to the assistance of the 14th Corps as they were hard pressed. Arrived there about 3 p. m. in time to save the Corps…the left of the Corps was turned & they lost 3 pieces of Arty. The 1st & 3d Div. were thrown quickly into line & with the assistance of the batteries repulsed repeated assaults…the arty did fearful effect & demoralized the enemy greatly, 3d Brig. 1st Div. suffered severely…Genl. Caldwell took the colors of the 26th Tenn, 2d Div. 14th Corps was serenely pressed but gallantly held its position. The battle raged till dark. We were surpassed to find so eager a force in our front…[Mar. 20]…the right wing sent a Div & 2 Brigades of Genl. Geary's Div came up. Genl. Howard moved down and joined our right. Skirmishing was slight…the enemy made a demonstration…[Mar. 21]…Genl. Ward advanced skirmishers, Genl. Mower of 17th Corps [?] flank of the enemy & found himself near Bentonville in their rear. They concentrated quite a force upon him causing him to retire…at night the enemy abandoned their works leaving daed & wounded in our hands, burning the bridge behind them…[Mar. 23]…moved to the Neuse river, found Genl. Ferry's command there part colored troops…moved…toward Goldsboro…Reb Cav. annoyed our left flank a little. About 9 p. m. orders came from Genl. Slocum to send all trains and pack animals in advance of the troops starting them at 2 a. m. to Goldsboro…passing through town before Genl. Sherman & many other star gentlemen. The orders was not well received subordinates question its discretion. Much grumbling ensued…[Mar. 24]… started early & moved through Goldsboro in a sort of review style…saw General Ruger & staff…[gap here till April 10th]…moved from Goldsboro. The entire army marched…towards Smithfield. Genl. Slocum & staff moved with 14th Corps…[Apr. 11]…skirmished all the way…Rebs burned the bridge. We could not save it, was pitched all over & burned in a moment. Smithfield is a finely located & country villa and formerly enticed population, but war has effected it like most…Southern towns-evacuated…[Apr. 12]…official communication from Genl. Grant…that Lee had surrendered his entire army on the 9th at Appomattox C. H. Genl. Sherman…congratulatory order…giving "Glory to God, our country & all honor to our brave comrades in arms", 14th & 20th Corps are crossing the Neuse after Johnston…toward Raleigh, found Hampton in our front, considerable skirmishing occurred artillery firing, advanced about 12 miles…Genl. Sherman was with our column. Just after dark a train of ours came down from Raleigh with two ex-Governors & party of Gov. Vance's staff to see Genl. Sherman relative to his course he intended to pursue with the state authorities. Excitement ran high for a few moments. All the boys learned the cause…[Apr. 13]…we moved with the 14th Corps & entered the city of Raleigh about 9 1/2 a. m. Kilpatrick recd the surrender of the Capital he also hung one of Wheeler's Cav. for firing on the head of the column after the place had surrendered & committing outrages on the citizens. Ex-Gov. Swaim was at the Capitol & part of Gov. Vance's staff. Gov. Vance has gone away the night before as he heard that the train of cars with his deputy to Sherman had been captured & sent to the rear by us. Genl. Sherman sent for him to return & take charge of the State…the people were happily disappointed & praised the conduct of our troops…I visited the state house it was fine. The town is a lovely place & the inhabitants mostly rich…[Apr. 15]… rumors were ripe that Johnston had proposed to surrender if he could have the same terms that Lee had……[Apr. 16]…remained at Raleigh while Sherman & Johnston were conferring relative to the surrender of the Reb army…[Apr. 17]…Sherman went out to see Johnston, returned in the evening not having completed his mission…[Apr. 18]…Sherman with Johnston again returned late…had made certain arrangements that were satisfactory to them but required the sanction of the President of U. S. A…[Apr. 19]…from this date till 24th we remained in status quo waiting for the result of the actions of the War Dept. On the 20th the Corps was reviewed colored Div. marching the better…on the 22d the 20th Corps was also reviewed-all by Genl. Sherman. The 20th always does well on review. On the 24th Genl. Grant arrived & reviewed the 17th Corps…War Dept did not sanction the stipulations of Sherman & Johnston so other terms were demanded & our troops ordered to be in readiness to march against him at once if he failed to comply. But Johnston desired to meet Sherman again & the request was granted. They met on the 26th & a formal surrender of his entire army was agreed to…[Apr. 27]…the impression now is that Sherman will move the armies of Tenn. & Ga. up through the country to Richmond thence to Washington & disband them…[May 1]…Hd. Qrs left Raliegh &…crossed the Neuse river…marched 23 88/100 scenery was delightful…farms were worked more on our Northern style…May 3]…crossed the Roanoke on pontoon and made Hd. Qrs at Col. Goode…[May 5]…moved on toward Blacks & White arrived there at 10 1/2 a. m. Genl. Slocum telegraphed Washington & informed them of our arrival…got some papers learned of the death of Booth shot at Port Royal on Rappahannock…[May 6]…moved toward Bevel's Ridge found the bridges all destroyed on the Appomattox…moved up to Goode's bridge where the 14th Corps was crossing on a pontoon. We crossed & went about 7 miles on the Amelia C. H. road to Richmond…distance traveled 26 91/100 miles…[May 7]…arrived at Manchester opposite Richmond at 10 a. m. found supplies awaiting us…[May 8]…most of the staff went over to the fought for city…saw Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, Capitol (the equestrian statue of Washington was splendid) other places of austrocity. Saw Lt. Rockwell 134th N. Y. S. V…[May 9]…Genl. Sherman arrived with Army of Tenn. countermanded the order for his armies to be reviewed by Genl. Halleck…[May 11]…started enroute for W_…Genl. Sherman moved with our column and was received by Genl. Devan's Div. of 24th A. C. drawn up on Manchester with great enthusiamism. He passed through Richmond in silence…not even complimenting Genl. Halleck. We moved as far as Hanover C. H….[May 12]…Genl. Sherman didn't move…advised that the troops remain in camp for a day till the mud dried up. Genl. Slocum moved about 27 miles to Childsburg…our horses were stampeded & ran from 10 to 12 miles before we got them again…I rode about 50 miles today…[May 14]…moved early on the road to Spotsylvania C. H…lunched at the hotel & went out to see the battle ground, found many unburied bodies both of ours & the enemy, concluded that Grant fought the hardest battle of the war to this point. Recd a commission as Capt. 134th N. Y. V…[May 15]…passed over part of the Spotsylvania battle ground with the general, hurried on to Chancellorsville & made a thorough inspection of the field, concluded with many others that our troops could hold the position occupied by the 11th A. C…[May 16]…moved toward Catlett's Station…I called on Mr. Catlett found everything nearly as we left them in 63…stayed overnight at Mrs. Marstell's Most of her soldier boys were at home. What a strange commingling of Northern & Southern boys…[gap here till May 31]…left washington D. C. & went to Baltimore by freight…[June 2]…we stopped at the International Hotel, N. Y. City…[June 3]…man arrived with horses…". Expected wear, with several loose page, else VG.
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