Aot - 1865

[larry_cockerham]

February 18, 1865

Sherman’s force entered Columbia, South Carolina. This was just a rest stop on his way north in search of Grant and the final thrust against the Army of Tennessee. Many South Carolinians who had moved their worldly goods north from Savannah for 'safe keeping' were about to suffer the impact of a professional soldier. Sherman was just that, no more no less. His goal was to force the South into submission. He was well on his way. The only obstacle was a small force of battle-hardened men from thirteen southern states who still were following their bloody toes trying to stop him in his tracks. There was one more contest to go, up in eastern North Carolina.

[larry_cockerham]

February 19, 1865 Cheatham’s Corps in Newberry, South Carolina

Traveling by regiment for the most part, the three corps of the Army of Tennessee slowly made their way across South Carolina, taking care not to get too close to Sherman's two advancing divisions. Young Whit Parker, still suffering from his wounds, doubtless continued to remain as close to a wagon as possible. It was his lifeline to Virginia and the rest of what would be a long and productive life.

[larry_cockerham]

February 20, 1865

Sherman departed Columbia, SC in route to Fayetteville, NC with the right wing going through Cheraw, SC and the left wing through Lancaster and Sneedsboro, SC. Cheraw was a storage facility for arms, powder and for personal property of displaced Charleston residents, hoping to save their furniture and gold from the invading army. It didn’t work.

The remains of the once proud and still viable Army of Tennessee were trying to reach Charlotte and some Confederate transportation, a thing about to become extinct. Their last train ride, two armies now on different roads, would lead to Raleigh, just a short walk from Smithfield to Bentonville and their destiny.

[larry_cockerham]

No. 282.--Reports of General Robert E. Lee
C. S. Army, Commanding Armies of the Confederate States, of operations February 19-March 21.

HEADQUARTERS,
Petersburg, February 19, 1865.

SIR: The accounts received to-day from South and North Carolina are unfavorable. General Beauregard reports from Winnsborough that four corps of the enemy are advancing on that place, tearing up the Charlotte railroad, and that they will probably reach Charlotte by the 24th, and before he can concentrate his troops there. He states General Sherman will doubtless move thence on Greensborough, Danville, and Petersburg, or unite with General Schofield at Raleigh or Weldon.

General Bragg reports that General Schofield is now preparing to advance from New Berne to Goldsborough, and that a strong expedition is moving against the Weldon railroad at Rocky Mount. He says that little or no assistance can be received from the State of North Carolina; that exemptions and reorganizations under late laws have disbanded the State forces, and that they will not be ready for the field for some time. I do not see how Sherman can make the march anticipated by General Beauregard; but he seems to have everything his own way, which is calculated to cause apprehension.

General Beauregard does not say what he proposes or what he can do. I do not know where his troops are, or on what lines they are moving. His dispatches only give movements of the enemy. He has a difficult task to perform under present circumstances, and one of his best officers (General Hardee) is incapacitated by sickness. I have also heard that his own health is indifferent, though he has never so stated. Should his strength give way there is no one on duty in the department that could replace him, nor have I anyone to send there.

General J. E. Johnston is the only officer whom I know who has the confidence of the army and people, and if he was ordered to report to me I would place him there on duty. It is necessary to bring out all our strength, and, I fear, to unite our armies, as separately they do not seem able to make head against the enemy. Everything should be destroyed that cannot be removed out of the reach of Generals Sherman and Schofield.

Provisions must be accumulated in Virginia, and every man in all the States must be brought out. I fear it may be necessary to abandon all our cities, and preparation should be made for this contingency.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

R. E. LEE,
General.

[larry_cockerham]

From the History of the 33rd Mississippi:

On 21 February 1865 Loring's Division was ordered to move north of the Saluda River to near Newberry, South Carolina. The command situation in this Confederate Army of Tennessee was in disarray during all of this time.

Gen. J. B. Hood had resigned and Gen. P. G. T. Beauregard had no central command authority and was not able to pull together the scattered Confederate forces which stretched from Texas to North Carolina and was unable to put together a coherent defense against Gen. Sherman.

[larry_cockerham]

Robert E. Lee ordered Gen. Joseph Johnston to assume command of the Army of Tennessee and all troops in the Departments of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

The same day Feb 22, Union Force under Maj. Gustavus Schnitzer commanding the 2nd Iowa Cavalry returned to Eastport, Mississippi from the capture of Russellville, Alabama and reported that Brig. Gen. Roddey left Mt. Hope, Alabama, on February 20, 1865, to join Maj. Gen. N.B. Forrest
at Tuscaloosa, Alabama. – as per Gene Cantrell of Sherman, TX in
his 1996 History of the 5th Alabama CSA.

Also this day:

Union forces occupy Wilmington, N. C.
Skirmish near Camden, S.C.
Skirmish near Wateree River, S.C.

[larry_cockerham]

I don't have a clue what of significance happened on February 23, 1865, but I'm sure many men were thankful that the war was one day closer to drawing to a close. On this February 23, as this is being posted, it's 48 degrees here in Nashville and is very uncomfortable and has been for several days as the cold winds blow much discomfort through otherwise moderate temperatures. Rain and cold contribute to the social and financial prominence of many of our medical professionals in this day and time. Such was not the case in 1865. The Grim Reaper lurked about, watching the strength of the men of the AOT being tested one last time.

February 24, 1865

Skirmish at Camden, S.C.

[larry_cockerham]

Charlotte, N.C. February 25, 1865 --1:15 p.m.

General R.E. Lee,
Richmond, Va.:

General Roddey reports from near Moulton, Ala., that enemy at Huntsville is reported collecting supplied for an early move on Selma via Tuscaloosa. Timbers are being delivered at Decatur for railroad bridge. Fourth Army Corps, Wood's, is encamped about Huntsville. Force there and at Stevenson estimated at 10,000 to 18,000 infantry.

G.T. BEAUREGARD.

Today, in 2008, Moulton sits aside the highway from Cullman to Florence, Alabama and has a better than average Western Sizzler steakhouse and a few cattle grazing in the rocky fields. Probably looks much the same, although no better for the wear, than it did in 1865. A peaceful place, disturbed by a divided highway.

[larry_cockerham]

General Johnston, on assuming the command of our forces in the South, issued the following order:

"Charlotte, North Carolina,
"February 25, 1865. "General Orders, No. 1.

"In obedience to the orders of the General-in-Chief, the under signed has assumed the command of the Army of Tennessee and all the troops in the Departments of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. He takes this position with strong hope, because he will have, in council and on the field, the aid of the high talents and skill of the distinguished General whom he succeeds. He exhorts all absent soldiers of the Army of Tennessee to rejoin their regiments and again confront the enemy they have so often encountered in Northern Georgia, and always with honor. He assures his comrades of that army who are still with their colors that the confidence in their discipline and valor which he has publicly expressed is undiminished.

"J. E. Johnston."

[larry_cockerham]

Union forces occupy Camden, S.C.
Skirmish at West's Cross-Roads, S.C.

From the Southwest--General Forrest--Thomas's movements.

General N. B. Forrest has been placed in command of all the cavalry in the District of Mississippi, East Louisiana and West Tennessee. His first general order promises the re-organization of the cavalry with the restoration of discipline. He threatens extermination to all Confederate stragglers, robbers and deserters.

Much if not most of the spirit had been taken from the men of the AOT by the Tennessee Campaign. Though still game, many saw the light at the end of the tunnel and wandered home. Forrest was left with an insurmountable task, that of defending Alabama against Wilson's well equipped fresh cavalry force. The end was near. Merciful peace was about to appear.