Aot - 1865 - Page 10

larry_cockerham · #91 02-21-2008, 11:58 PM

February 26, 1865 Cheatham’s Corps in Pomaria, South Carolina

Palmer's Brigade which included the 63rd Virginia and young Whitfield Monroe Parker was a part of Cheatham's Corps at this day in history. A young recovering lad of 21 years had seen much territory bearing little resemblance to his native Virginia and the Holston Valley of Washington County. One last struggle remained against the old foe, William Tecumseh Sherman and his men. Whit's hope was to survive.

From Edward Ball in Slaves in the Family, Random House, NY 2001:

“a band of soldiers in blue uniforms arrived on the lawn at Limerick.
The federal troops told the slaves they were free….”

Skirmish at Lynch's Creek, S.C.
Skirmish near Stroud's Mill, S.C.

February, 27, 1865

Skirmish near Mount Elon, S.C.
Skirmish at Cloud's House, S.C.

larry_cockerham · #92 02-22-2008, 12:02 AM

February 28, 1865

N.B. Forrest received his commission as a Lieutenant General. That same day General Beauregard ordered Brig. Gen. P.D. Roddey to report to Lieut. Gen. Richard Taylor for orders, but keep Beauregard advised of enemy movements.

Skirmish near Cheraw, S.C.
Skirmish near Rocky Mount, S.C.

larry_cockerham · #93 02-27-2008, 01:32 AM

March 1, 1865

Headquarters Mar 1, 1865 General Robert E. Lee wrote:

General Johnston reports that Hardee’s infantry, without artillery or wagons, has reached Cheraw. No information of progress of Stewart or Cheatham. The enemy has been stationary for a few days. Our Calvary on their right think he is moving upon Florence or Cheraw; that on his left suppose he is advancing on Cheraw or Charlotte

– R.E. Lee

larry_cockerham · #94 02-27-2008, 01:34 AM

On this day Forrest moved his headquarters to West Point, Mississippi and began reorganizing his command. He placed his remaining Texas troops under the command of Gen. William Henry Jackson and the Mississippi regiments under Gen. James R. Chalmers. The Kentucky brigades (formerly under Gen. Abraham Bufford) were assigned to Gen. Dan W. Adams in the district of Alabama. Forrest kept his Escort and the 2nd Missouri under Col. Robert McCulloch. At best, his command numbered around 10,000 men at this time.

Back East:

Mar. 1, 1865

Skirmish at Wilson's Store, S.C.
Maj. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U.S. Army, assumes command of the District of Beaufort.

larry_cockerham · #95 02-27-2008, 01:35 AM

March 2, 1865 Cheatham’s Corps in Unionville, South Carolina

From Jeff Weaver’s regimental history of the 58th North Carolina:

The Army of Tennessee was shifted on March 2, 1865 by train to Smith- field Station, now Selma, North Carolina, where General Joseph E. Johnston had been reinstated in command. Johnston was trying to consolidate his shrinking army.

The men of the 58th North Carolina and of Palmer's Brigade were by now nearly naked -- each soldier only a single blanket -- or less. Rations were very scarce. The Army of Tennessee passed the severe winter of 1864-65 in active field service. Despite severe exposure of the men and officers, there were no complaints. The men knew complaints would do no good and if they did complain, they did it with their feet and deserted.

In Whitfield Monroe Parker’s pension application he claimed that he served until the end of the war. That would mean he was still with this command. His injury probably meant that he needed assistance and could not tolerate long marches. The war for Whit Parker was not over.

ole · #96 02-27-2008, 02:02 AM

Ain't nobody knows more about this piece of the CW action than Larry. And, so far as I know, there is no book. So. Read it now. Here. One of these days, there will be a book But you've already read it.
.
ole

larry_cockerham · #97 03-01-2008, 09:18 AM

March 3, 1865

J.L.M. Curry, Lt. Col., commanding, Fifth Alabama Cavalry, reported to Brig. Gen. Roddey, that the Union Fourth Corps is moving to the east toward Stevenson and Chattanooga. He also reports and embargo has been placed on the citizens of Huntsville and none are allowed to come out or cross the river until further notice.

Wilson is beginning to spread his tremendous cavalry to place a death grip on Confederate Alabama. Forrest can do little but watch.

larry_cockerham · #98 03-01-2008, 09:21 AM

March 4, 1865 Salisbury, NC
(written to Robert E. Lee)

I am on my way to Hardee via Fayetteville. Lee’s Corps [Lt. Gen. S.D. Lee] will start today by rail by the same route and Stewart and Cheatham from Chester tomorrow. General Beaugregard will bring them on.

– J.E. Johnston, Gen.

larry_cockerham · #99 03-01-2008, 09:23 AM

March 5, 1865 Charlotte

Three brigades of Stewart’s Corps left Chesterville today. The rest of his and Cheatham’s will arrive here today in time to follow remnant of Stevenson’s Corps from here – G.T. Beauregard, Gen.

From the History of the 33rd Mississippi:

They then marched to Chester, S.C., reaching it on 5 March.

larry_cockerham · #**100** 03-01-2008, 09:26 AM

March 6, 1865 Cheatham’s Corps in Chester, South Carolina

Note: Chester was on the route of the Charlotte, Columbia & Augusta Railroad which was used to transport much of the Army of Tennessee from Augusta to Charlotte. Towns on the rail were Graniteville, Batesville, Lexington, Columbia, Winnsboro, Youngsville, Chester, Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Charlotte.

An exhausted and battered army, the AOT, finally had a chance to ride. A bumpy one, leading in many cases to their deaths at Bentonville, but a ride, nonetheless.