What Federal units were first to enter Richmond ~2-3~ April 1865?

[Battalion]

.....................??????

[M E Wolf]

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/1 [S# 95]
JANUARY 1-APRIL 3, 1865.--The Richmond (Virginia) Campaign.
No. 4.--Itineraries of the Army of the Potomac, Sheridan's Cavalry Command, and the Army of the James.(*)
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
[excerpt]
TWENTY-FOURTH ARMY CORPS.
[January.]--The Twenty-fourth Army Corps still occupies the same position since last return. The Second Division is still absent on an expedition under Bvt. Maj. Gen. A. H. Terry to Wilmington, N. C.
[excerpt]
April 7.--At daylight, when about making a charge on the enemy's works, found that he had withdrawn his force and retired toward Farmville, to which place we followed close on his rear.
April 8.--Still following the retreating column, and, after marching thirty-two miles, bivouacked about three miles from Appomattox Station.
April 9.--At daylight the corps moved out and engaged the enemy at Appomattox Court-House. The Independent Division, which were on the left of the line, were about making a charge when an order arrived that there was a cessation of hostilities, and which resulted in the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. The corps was left from this date to the 17th to settle the business of paroling Lee's army and taking charge of all public property and sending it to Burkeville.
April 12.--The Independent Division was sent to Lynchburg, where it destroyed or carried away a vast amount of public property.
April 15.--It returned to Appomattox Court-House.
April 17.--The corps took up line of march for Burkeville.
April 19.--Arrived at that place in the evening and remained until the 20th.
April 20.--The corps received orders to march to Richmond, via Amelia Court-House.
April 25.--Arrived in Richmond, where they are still encamped. Total distance marched about 225 miles.
April 2 [3].--The Third Division, under command of Brigadier-General Devens, entered Richmond, without opposition, at about 8 a.m., and occupied the city.
[May.]--This corps has been encamped near Richmond during the past month.
[June.]--The corps has not moved from its present camp during the month.
First Division.
[excerpt]
April 9.--Engaged the enemy at Appomattox Court-House until the cessation of hostilities, which resulted in the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. Loss, 116. Remained at Appomattox Court-House until April 17.
April 17.--Marched to Prospect Station.
April 18.--Encamped at Bush River.
April 19 to 21.--Encamped at Burkeville.
April 21.--Marched and encamped at Dry Creek.
April 22.--Encamped at Amelia Court-House.
April 24.--Encamped near Manchester.
April 25.--Marched through Richmond, Va., encamping on the Brook road on the north side.
Total distance marched, about 225 miles.
Total loss, 833 officers and men wounded, missing, and killed.
Total captured, 1,355 prisoners, 13 pieces of artillery, 5 battle-flags.
---------------------
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/3 [S# 97]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM MARCH 16, 1865, TO JUNE 30, 1865.(*)--#27
The following are documents referred to in cipher dispatch of Mr. Dana:
RICHMOND, April 7.
General JOSEPH G. ANDERSON and others,
Committee, &c. :
GENTLEMEN: I have had, since the evacuation of Richmond, two conversations with President United States. My object was to secure for the citizens of Richmond and the inhabitants of the State of Virginia who had come under the military authority of the United States as much gentleness and forbearance as could be possibly extended. The conversation had relation to the establishment of a government for Virginia, the requirement of oaths of allegiance from the citizens, and the terms of settlement with the United States, by the concurrence and sanction of General Weitzel. He assented to the application not to require oaths of allegiance from the citizens. He stated that he would send to General Weitzel his decision upon the question of a government of Virginia. This letter was received on Thursday and read by me. It authorized General Weitzel to grant a safe conduct to the legislature of Virginia to meet at Richmond to deliberate and to return to their homes at the end of their session. I am informed by General Weitzel that he will issue whatever orders that may be necessary, and will furnish all the facilities of transportation, &c., to the members of the legislature to meet in this city, and that the governor, lieutenant-governor, and public men
of the State will he included in the orders. The object of the invitation is for the government of Virginia to determine whether they will administer the laws in connection with the authorities of the United States and under the Constitution of the United States. I understand from President United States if the condition be fulfilled that no attempt will be made to establish or sustain any other authority. My conversation with President United States upon the terms of a settlement was answered in writing; that is, he left with me a written memorandum of the substance of his answers. He states as indispensable condition of's settlement the restoration of the authority of the United States over the whole of the State, and the cessation of hostilities by the disbanding of the army; that there shall be no receding on the [part] of the Executive from his position on the slavery question. The latter proposition was explained to mean that the executive action on the subject of slavery, so far as it had been declared in messages, proclamations, and other official acts must pass for what they are worth; that he would not recede from his position, but that this would not debar action by other authorities of the Government. I suppose that if the proclamation of the President United States be valid as law that it has already operated and vested rights.
I believe that full confidence may be placed in General Weitzel's fulfillment of his promise to afford facilities to the legislature, and that its members may return after they have concluded their business without interruption. President United States, in his memorandum, referred to what would be his action under the confiscation acts. He stated that when the property had not been condemned and sold that he would make a universal release of the forfeiture that had been incurred in any State that would now promptly recognize the authority of the United States and withdraw its troops, but that if the war he persisted in that the confiscated property must be regarded as a resource by which the expenses of the war might be supported. His memorandum contains no articles upon the penalties imposed upon persons, but in his oral communications he intimated that there was scarcely any one who might not have a discharge upon the asking. I understood from the statement--the words did not exactly imply it--that an universal amnesty would be granted if peace were now concluded. In my intercourse I strongly urged the propriety of an armistice. This was done after the preparation of his memorandum. He agreed to consider the subject, but no answer has been received. I suppose that [if] he assents that the matter will be decided and executed between Generals Grant and Lee.
Very respectfully, yours,
J. A. CAMPBELL.
-----
At a conference of citizens and such members of the legislature as are in the city of Richmond, held on the 8th day of April, 1865, Judge Campbell, by request, communicated to the gentlemen present certain propositions made by President United States, and retired, whereupon it was resolved that Joseph R. Anderson, Henry W. Thomas, David J. Burr, and Nat. Tyler be requested, with the consent of the military authorities, to convey said propositions through Lee to the State and Confederate authorities, and that Judge Campbell be respectfully requested to act as a member of said committee; that General Weitzel 1,be informed of the appointment of the committee and respectfully requested to afford them such facilities as will enable them to perform the duty required of them.
JOSEPH R. ANDERSON,
Chairman.
-----
RICHMOND, April 8, 1865.
Hon. E. M. STANTON, Washington:
The following report has been made by General Weitzel respecting the issue of rations to the destitute.
C. A. DANA.
Richmond, Va., April 8, 1865.
Hon. C. A. DANA,
Assistant Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:
SIR: In reply to the dispatch of Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, referred to me by you, I have the honor to state that I am directedby Maj. Gen. E. O. C. Ord, commanding Department of Virginia, approved by Lieut. Gen. U.S. Grant, to sell all the tobacco I could find here and feed all those who are in distress. A great many persons, both black and white, are on the point of starvation here, and their cases need prompt action. I therefore most respectfully beg of the honorable Secretary of War through you further instructions on this point. I have relieved the most pressing wants by the issue of the few abandoned rebel stores and some damaged stores of our own. This matter needs prompt action. Brigadier-General Shepley, my chief of staff, was directed by me to call on you in person and give you all the points in this matter. He has it in his immediate charge and I will direct him to give you any further information and details that you may desire.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WEITZEL,
Major-General, Commanding.
The following is the order of General Ord above mentioned.(*)
-----

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/3 [S# 97]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM MARCH 16, 1865, TO JUNE 30, 1865.(*)--#30
RICHMOND, April 13, 1865.
Major-General WEITZEL:
Having understood that you would like to know something of our work in this city, I have the honor to report briefly, as follows:
1. We entered Richmond with the advance guard, our delegates having left the stations behind the works with the expectation that there would be an engagement, and that they might be of service in helping minister to the wounded.
2. Our present rooms, corner of Tenth and Capitol streets, were opened Monday afternoon, April 3.
3. We have distributed supplies, and visited hospitals, prisoners, troops, and needy citizens every day. When transportation could be had we have distributed rations to the hungry, requiring from all a voucher for their integrity.
The Young Men's Christian Association of this city, the leading pastors of the same, Mr. Mumford and Colonel Clapp, have aided us in many instances to furnish aid in a delicate way to very many suffering families. A tolerably accurate report gives us the following result for four days' distribution: ( 1 ) 1,941 rations distributed at the door; (2) 3,394 rations distributed at the door; (3) 845 (food ran out) rations distributed at the door; (4) 2,514 rations issued at the door.
In this account no regard is had to the amount distributed in hospitals. Religious reading has been distributed in large quantities, 20,000 copies of the leading newspapers, at least, having been circulated by us since Richmond was taken.
I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,
E. F. WILLIAMS,
Agent, U. S. Christian Commission, Army of the James.
-----
O.R.--SERIES III--VOLUME V [S# 126]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, REPORTS, AND RETURNS OF THE UNION AUTHORITIES FROM MAY 1, 1865, TO THE END.(*)--#20
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington City, November 22, 1865.
Mr. PRESIDENT:
The military appropriations by the last Congress amounted to the sum of $516,240,131.70. The military estimates for the next fiscal year, after careful revision, amount to $33,814,461.83. The national military force on May 1, 1865, numbered 1,000,516 men.(*) It is proposed to reduce the military establishment to 50,000 troops, and over 800,000 have already been mustered out of service. W hat has occasioned this reduction of force and expenditure in the War Department it is the purpose of this report to explain.
[excerpt]
The month of March, 1865, opened the great campaign against Richmond and the army that had so long defended the rebel capital.
Instructions were given by the lieutenant-general on the 24th of March for a general movement of the national forces around Richmond. It commenced on the morning of the 29th of March. Ten days' marching and fighting finished the campaign. Richmond, Petersburg, the Army of Virginia and its commander were captured. Jefferson Davis and his so-called Confederate Government were fugitives or prisoners of war. Davis fled from Richmond on the afternoon of Sunday, the 2d day of April. The national forces occupied Petersburg and entered Richmond Monday morning. Lee's army was pursued until it reached Appomattox Court-House, where on Sunday, the 9th day of April, it laid down its arms on the terms prescribed by General Grant.
[ excerpt]
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
-----------------------------------------------------------
FOX’S REGIMENTAL LOSSES
Chapter X.—12th New Hampshire Infantry.
Carr's Brigade--Humphreys's Division--3rd Corps.
(l) Col. JOSEPH H. POTTER; BRIG. GEN.
(2) Col. THOMAS E. BARKER.
[excerpt]
When the Twelfth took the field in 1864, it was in Wistar's Brigade, Weitzel's (2d) Division, Eighteenth Corps. At Cold Harbor it lost 23 killed, 126 wounded, and 15 missing, out of less than 300 men engaged in the assault. In December, 1864, it was placed in Donohoe's Brigade, Devens's Division, Twenty-fourth Corps. This brigade was the first infantry command that entered Richmond. The adjutant-general of New Hampshire states in his official report that "no regiment left the state with men of finer personal appearance, or of more gentlemanly bearing."
----------------------------------------
Hope this helps, sir.

M. E. Wolf

[M E Wolf]

Name HUMPHREYS, Andrew Atkinson
Born November 2 1810, Philadelphia PA
Died December 27 1883, District of Columbia
Pre-War Profession Graduated West Point 1831, Seminole war, left the army for 2 years to be an engineer, rejoined as an engineer.
War Service August 1861 Maj. and aide to McClellan, April 1862 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, topographical engineer in Peninsula campaign, commanded 3rd Divn/V Corps at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, commanded 2nd Divn/III Corps at Gettysburg, July 1863 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, chief of staff to Meade, commanded II Corps after Hancock left field service at Petersburg, Appomattox.
Brevet Promotions Brig. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865, Maj. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865.
Post War Career Army service as commander of the Corps of Engineers, author, retired 1879.
Notes A quietly competent soldier.
Further reading
Humphreys, Henry Hollingsworth Andrew Atkinson Humphreys; a biography Philadelphia, The John C. Winston company, 1924
---------------

Name WEITZEL, Godfrey
Born November 1 1835, Cincinnati OH
Died March 19 1884, Philadelphia PA
Pre-War Profession West Point 1855, construction of New Orleans fortifications, West Point instructor.
War Service 1861 served in Fort Pickens, chief engineer to Butler's expedition against New Orleans, acting mayor of New Orleans, August 1862 appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, 1863 commanded 1st Divn/XIX Corps at Port Hudson, chief engineer of Army of the James at Petersburg, commanded XVIII then XXV Corps, November 1864 promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, Fort Fisher, commanded all troops north of the Appomattox River during final operations of the War. Brevet Promotions Maj. Gen. U.S.V. August 28 1864, Brig. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865, Maj. Gen. U.S.A. March 13 1865.
Post War Career Army service in the engineers, constructed ship canal at the Falls of the Ohio, the great lock at Sault Sainte Marie and the lighthouse on Stannard's Rock in Lake Superior.
Notes
-----------------------------
Dyer's Compendium, Pt. 3 (Regimental Histories)
NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS
12th REGIMENT INFANTRY.
Organized at Concord and mustered in September 10, 1862. Left State for Washington, D.C., September 27, 1862. Attached to Casey's Division, Military District of Washington, to December, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 3rd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1863. Marston's Command, Point Lookout, Md., District of St. Mary's, to April, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 2d Division, 18th Army Corps, Dept. of Virgin!a and North Carolina, to December, 1864. 2nd Brigade. 3rd Division, 24th Army Corps, Dept. of Virginia, to June, 1865.
SERVICE.--Duty in the Defences of Washington till October, 1862. Moved to Point of Rocks, Md., October 18; thence to Pleasant Valley October 19. Movement to Warrenton, Va., October 24-November 16, and to Falmouth November 18-24. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. Burnside's 2nd Campaign ("Mud March") January 20-24, 1863. Duty at Falmouth till April. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Battle of Chancellorsville May 1-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3. Ordered to Point Lookout, Md., July 26, and duty there guarding prisoners till April 7, 1864. Moved to Yorktown April 7, thence to Williamsburg. Butler's operations on south side of the James River and against Petersburg and Richmond May 4-28. Swift Creek (or Arrowfield Church) May 9-10. Operations against Fort Darling May 12-16. Battle of Drewry's Bluff May 14-16. Bermuda Hundred May 16-27. Moved to White House, thence to Cold Harbor, May 27-31. Battles about Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 15-19. Siege of Petersburg and Richmond June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864 (Reserve). Duty on the Bermuda Front August 26 to December, and in trenches before Richmond till April, 1865. Occupation of Richmond April 3. Guard and Provost duty at Manchester till June. Mustered out June 21, 1865. Regiment lost during service 11 Officers and 170 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 138 Enlisted men by disease. Total 320.


continued

[M E Wolf]

Dyer's Compendium, Pt. 3 (Regimental Histories)
NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEERS
13th REGIMENT INFANTRY.
Organized at Concord and mustered in September 20, 1862. Left State for Washington, D. C, October 5. Attached to Casey's Division, Military District of Washington, to December, 1862. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to January, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Army Corps, to April, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 7th Army Corps, Dept. of Virginia, to July, 1863. 3rd Brigade, Getty's Division, United States forces, Norfolk and Portsmouth, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to April, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 18th Army Corps, Army of the James, to July, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 18th Army Corps, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 24th Army Corps, Dept. of Virginia, to June, 1865.
SERVICE.--Duty near Fort Albany, Defences of Washington, till December 4, 1862. March to Falmouth, Va., December 5-9. Battle of Fredericksburg December 12-15. Burnside's Second Campaign "Mud March" January 20-24, 1863. Moved to Newport News, Va., February 9, thence to Suffolk March 13. Siege of Suffolk April 12-May 4. Providence Church Road, Nansemond River, May 3. Reconnoissance across the Nansemond May 4. Moved to Portsmouth May 13, thence to Yorktown. Dix's Peninsula Campaign June 24-July 7. Expedition from White House to South Anna River July 1-7. Moved to Portsmouth July 8-14; thence to Julian Creek July 30, and duty there till March 19, 1864. Moved to Yorktown March 19. Butler's operations on south side of James River and against Petersburg and Richmond May 4-28. Port Walthal Junction, Chester Station, May 6-7. Swift Creek (or Arrowfield Church) May 9-10. Operations against Fort Darling May 12-16. Battle of Drewry's Bluff May 14-16. Bermuda Hundred May 17-27. Moved to White House, thence to Cold Harbor, May 27-31. Battles about Cold Harbor June 1-12. Before Petersburg June 15-19. Siege of Petersburg and Richmond June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. In trenches before Petersburg till August 27, 1864. Mine Explosion Petersburg July 30 (Reserve). Duty on the Berumda Front till September 26. Battle of Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, September 28-30. Fort Harrison September 29. Assigned to duty as garrison at Fort Harrison. Battle of Fair Oaks October 27-28. Duty in works before Richmond till April, 1865. Occupation of Richmond April 3. (First Regiment whose Colors were brought into the city.) Provost duty at Manchester till June. Mustered out June 22, 1865. Veterans and Recruits transferred to 2nd New Hampshire.
Regiment lost during service 5 Officers and 84 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 92 Enlisted men by disease. Total 181.
------------------------------------------
M. E. Wolf

[Remember1864]

For some reason, I am under the impression that "some" of the first Federals to cross the James and enter Richmond, Va were USCT cavalry. When they reached the capitol square proper, (enclosed at the time by a wrought iron fence), they flung open the gate and their horses trod where no horse had trod before. When I get home from work I'll investigate this event for documentation. Btw, I'm am unaware of any Union troops arriving in Richmond prior to April 3rd, 1865.

John Marler
Franklin, TN

[prroh]

For some reason, I am under the impression that "some" of the first Federals to cross the James and enter Richmond, Va were USCT cavalry. When they reached the capitol square proper, (enclosed at the time by a wrought iron fence), they flung open the gate and their horses trod where no horse had trod before. When I get home from work I'll investigate this event for documentation. Btw, I'm am unaware of any Union troops arriving in Richmond prior to April 3rd, 1865.

John Marler
Franklin, TN

Didn't the USCT troops basically spend their entire time on April 2 - 4th fighting the many fires set by retreating rebels.

I never saw any mention of these troops being fired upon by rebel "bitter enders". The occupation of Richmond was remarkably peaceful. Still, I think Lincoln took a foolish chance, moving about like that.

[Remember1864]

I'm not convinced that we're gonna be able to find an answer to this one fellas. I'm finding sources that contradict each other. Also, in line with who the first troops into Richmond might be, I'm also seeing a lot of info regarding the first Union flag to be raised. As I previously mentioned, I thought it was USCT Cav that got into city limits first. As of this writing, I can find nothing to support this other than it existing in "my brain".

However, in Richard M. Reid's book, "Freedom for Themselves", he writes that the 36th USCT is the first INFANTRY unit to enter the city.

An article in the Litchfield County Times from 18 September 2008 by Kathryn Boughton mentions the 29th USCT as having held this honor.

A random website called Civil War Connections states the first Union troops into Richmond were United States Colored Troops.

I even tried calling the Richmond NPS site just now but they are closed due to the heavy snowfall on the eastern seaboard.

As a side note, various men/units claim to have flown the first Union banner over the Confederate Capitol. An article in the Richmond Whig dated 27 May 1865 attributes the event to one Private John F. Locke, 39th Mass Vols / V Corps. BUT, Locke wasn't entering the city on that early morning. (And neither was the V Corps.) However, he was imprisoned at Libby, released himself once the Rebs left, went to the mayors office, picked up one of the many Union flags stored there as souvenirs, and then raised it from the cupola at Libby Prison. (It's believed the flag in question belonged to an Illinois unit.)

With M.E. Wolf's lengthy O.R. quote, we see the 13th New Hampshire Infantry is given credit for flying the first Northern flag there. They entered the city at about 8-815am. But, another account places the credit with one Major Atherton Stevens Jr. of the 4th Mass Cavalry with flying a "guidon" much earlier than the New Hampshire effort. (And yes, a "guidon" would certainly be different than a regimental or national banner.

Finally, prroh talks about the duties of the USCTs on 2-3 April as fighting the numerous fires in Richmond. I've read that somewhere but I'm thinking that white soldiers were fire-fighting as well. But, NONE of these guys were doing this on April 2nd as the city was still in Southern hands at that point. Petersburg falls on April 3rd...Richmond falls aprox 4 hours later.

John Marler
Franklin, Tn

[ole]

The claims are certain to conflict. A big dollop of "We were first" has to be included in the recipe. This factor is also apparent in "Who shot John Reynolds?" It's reverse is also true: "Who shot Jackson?"

Remember is likely correct, but I would hope that interested parties will continue to dig up recorded possibilities.

Ole

[M E Wolf]

Dear Remember1864;

Here is the regimental history of the 36 USCT:
Dyer's Compendium, Pt. 3 (Regimental Histories)
UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS.

36th REGIMENT INFANTRY.
Organized February 8, 1864, from 2nd North Carolina Colored Infantry. Attached to U.S. Forces, Norfolk and Portsmouth, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to April, 1864. District of St. Marys, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina to June, 1864. Unattached, Army of the James, to August, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 18th Corps, to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 25th Corps, December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 25th Corps, and Dept. of Texas, to October, 1866.
SERVICE.--Duty at Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va., till April, 1864. At Point Lookout, Md., District of St. Marys, guarding prisoners till July, 1864. Expedition from Point Lookout to Westmoreland County April 12-14. Expedition from Point Lookout to Rappahannock River May 11-14, and to Pope's Creek June 11-21. Moved from Point Lookout to Bermuda Hundred, Va., July 1-3. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond, Va.,July 3, 1864, to April 2, 1865. Battle of Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, September 29-30. Battle of Fair Oaks October 27-28. Dutch Gap November 17. Indiantown, Sandy Creek, N. C., December 18 (Detachment). Duty north of James River before Richmond till March 27, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 27-April 9. Occupation of Richmond April 3. Duty in Dept. of Virginia till May. Moved to Texas May 24-June 6. Duty along the Rio Grande, Texas, and at various points in Texas till October, 1866. Mustered out October 28, 1866.
---------------------------------------------------------------
4th Mass Cavalry:
Dyer's Compendium, Pt. 3 (Regimental Histories)
MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
4th REGIMENT CAVALRY.
Organized at Readville December 26, 1863, to February 8, 1864. 1st Battalion formerly Independent Battalion, Massachusetts Cavalry, was assigned as Companies "I," "K," "L" and "M" February 12, 1864. Attached to Light Brigade, District of Florida, 10th Corps, Dept. of the South, to April, 1864. Unattached, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, 10th, 18th and 24th Army Corps, and 25th Army Corps, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, to August, 1865. Dept. of Virginia to November, 1865.
SERVICE.--Expedition from Jacksonville, Fla., to Lake City, Fla., February 7-22, 1864. Battle of Olustee, Fla., February 20. McGrath's Creek, Cedar Run, March 1. Cedar Run April 2. Ordered to Bermuda Hundred, Va., arriving there May 8. Operations against Fort Darling April 12-16. Bermuda Hundred May 20-30. Jordan's Crossing and Petersburg June 9. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June 16, 1864, to April 2, 1865. At Headquarters, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, June 21 to August 15, 1864. At Headquarters, 10th Army Corps, till December, 1864. Demonstration on north side of the James August 13-20. Strawberry Plains August 14-18. Flusser's Mills August 18-19. (Co. "M" detached at Harrison's Landing on outpost duty August 23, 1864, to March, 1865.) Before Petersburg August 24 to September 28. Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, September 28-30. Harrison's Landing October 13 (Co. "M"). Fair Oaks October 27-28. Expedition into Charles City and Henrico Counties November 1-5. Duty before Richmond till March, 1865. At Headquarters, Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina, December, 1864, to April, 1865 (Cos. "I," "L" and "M"). At Headquarters, 24th Army Corps, December, 1864, to April, 1865 (Co. "K"). Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9, 1865. Fall of Petersburg April 2. High Bridge, Farmville, April 6-7. Appomattox Court House April 9, Surrender of Lee and his army. Duty at Richmond till November --.

2nd Battalion.--(Cos. "A," "B," "C" and "D.") Sailed from Boston for Hilton Head, S. C, on Steamer "Western Metropolis" March 20, 1864, arriving April 1. Picket and outpost duty at Hilton Head till June. Expedition to Ashepoo River May 22-26 (2 Cos.). 2 Companies moved to Jacksonville, Fla., June 6-8, and duty there till January, 1865, participating in skirmish at Front Creek July 15, 1864. Raid from Jacksonville upon Baldwin July 23-28. Skirmish at South Fork, Black Creek, July 24. St. Mary's Trestle July 26. Raid on Florida Railroad August 15-19. Gainesville August 17. Magnolia October 24. Gum Swamp October 24. 2 Companies on duty at Hilton Head, S.C., June to November, 1864. Expedition to John's Island, S.C., July 2-10. Operations against Battery Pringle July 4-9. Expedition to Boyd's Neck November 29-30. Battle of Honey Hill November 30. Expedition to Deveaux's Neck December !-6. March to Charleston January 15-February 23, 1865. Potter's Expedition to Camden, S. C, April 5-25. Statesburg April 15. Occupation of Camden April 17. Boykin's Mills April 18. Denkin's Mills April 19. Beech Creek, near Statesburg, April 19. Duty in the Dept. of the South till mustered out,

3rd Battalion.--(Cos. "E," "F," "G" and "H.") Sailed from Boston for Hilton Head, S.C., on Steamer "Western Metropolis" April 23, 1864, arriving April 27. Moved to Newport News, Va., May 1-3; thence to City Point May 23, and duty there scouting, picketing and on the fortifications till June 16. Duty at Bermuda Hundred till August 23. Companies "E" and "H" at Headquarters of 18th Army Corps June 16-December 4, and at Headquarters of 25th Army Corps December, 1864, to April, 1865. Company "F" at Headquarters of 24th Army Corps December, 1864, to April, 1865. Company "G" detached at Yorktown and Williamsburg, Va., August 23, 1864, to April, 1865. Occupation of Richmond April 3, 1865 (Cos. "E" and "H"). Company "F" on Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. High Bridge, Farmville, April 6-7. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. Regiment mustered out November 14, 1865. Discharged at Boston November 26, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 28 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 128 Enlisted men by disease. Total 162.
-------------------------
29th USCT
Dyer's Compendium, Pt. 3 (Regimental Histories)
UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS.
29th REGIMENT INFANTRY.
Organized at Quincy, Ill., April 24, 1864. Ordered to Annapolis, Md., May 27, 1864, thence to Alexandria, Va. Attached to Defences of Washington, D.C., 22nd Corps, to June, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 9th Corps, Army of the Potomac, to September, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 9th Corps, to December, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 25th Corps, and Dept. of Texas, to November, 1865.
SERVICE.--Duty at Alexandria, Va., till June 15, 1864. Moved to White House, Va., thence to Petersburg, Va. Siege operations against Petersburg and Richmond June 19, 1864, to April 3, 1865. Mine Explosion, Petersburg, July 30, 1864. Weldon Railroad August 18-21. Poplar Grove Church September 29-30, and October 1. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, October 27-28. On the Bermuda Hundred front and before Richmond till April, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Duty in the Dept. of Virginia till May. Moved to Texas May and June, and duty on the Rio Grande till November. Mustered out November 6, 1865.
Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 43 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 188 Enlisted men by disease. Total 234.

[Horace Porter]

For some reason, I am under the impression that "some" of the first Federals to cross the James and enter Richmond, Va were USCT cavalry. When they reached the capitol square proper, (enclosed at the time by a wrought iron fence), they flung open the gate and their horses trod where no horse had trod before. When I get home from work I'll investigate this event for documentation. Btw, I'm am unaware of any Union troops arriving in Richmond prior to April 3rd, 1865.

John Marler
Franklin, TN

Plenty of Union soldiers arrived at Richmond before April 3, 1865.

Ever hear of Libby Prison?

[Remember1864]

Plenty of Union soldiers arrived at Richmond before April 3, 1865.

Ever hear of Libby Prison?

Uh....yeah. I make mention of Libby in my posting of 12:29pm this afternoon. Besides, this thread is relative to the "fall of Richmond" on 3 April, 1865. Technically speaking, "yes", Federal soldiers were in Richmond prior to that date. Moreover, they were in Richmond, "prior" to the war.

John Marler
Franklin, TN

[prroh]

let me get the timeline straight. The grand assault broke the Confederate line on April 2nd and the Richmond/petersburg defenses were evacuated that evening and the Federal troops entered the city on the 3rd. Thinking about this is like who fired the first shot or who was the last to be shot. Lots of unknowns and lots of candidates for each. I am sure that there were lots of probes and patrolling going on while Richmond was being evacuated. Are we talking about the city limits or the capitol area?

Also, keeping accurate uniform time was kinda iffy in those days. If we have narrowed the field down to within an hour or so it is probably the best we are going to get with certainty.

[Horace Porter]

Uh....yeah. I make mention of Libby in my posting of 12:29pm this afternoon. Besides, this thread is relative to the "fall of Richmond" on 3 April, 1865. Technically speaking, "yes", Federal soldiers were in Richmond prior to that date. Moreover, they were in Richmond, "prior" to the war.

John Marler
Franklin, TN

There were Federal soldiers in Richmond prior to the war?

Odd. The use of the term "Federal soldiers," I thought came into use during the war, and folks still use it.

Now, were there US soldiers in Richmond prior to the war? Most assuredly. And so I like your reminder that Federal soldiers were in fact US soldiers, and perhaps we should honor them the way we honor other US soldiers ... and show are awareness that the fellows in gray were firing on United States Army personnel.

[M E Wolf]

Found this as interesting:

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/3 [S# 97]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM MARCH 16, 1865, TO JUNE 30, 1865.(*)--#20
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIFTH ARMY CORPS,
April 2, 1865.
Lieutenant-General GRANT:
Your dispatch received. I know now positively that there were some of Pickett's division still in my front last night. Those men and Gregg's and Benning's brigades, of Field's division, left today and were the troops that went to Petersburg to-day. They were replaced on the line near the Williamsburg road by Richmond militia. This leaves 6,385 soldiers and the militia in my front. I can move, by leaving my lines in charge of the pickets and dead-beats, about 8,000 men. I would rather that their line be a little more diminished of soldiers before I make the attempt, but I am ready to assault whenever you order it, or whenever, under your instructions, I think there is the least chance of winning. You know they have a very strong line in my front, as far as engineering goes. I congratulate you on the success of to-day.
G. WEITZEL.
----------------------------------
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/3 [S# 97]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM MARCH 16, 1865, TO JUNE 30, 1865.(*)--#21
CITY POINT, VA., April 3, 1865—8.30 a.m.
Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
This morning General Grant reports Petersburg evacuated, and he is confident Richmond also is. He is pushing forward to cut off, if possible, the retreating army. I start to him in a few minutes.
A. LINCOLN.
--------
WAR DEPARTMENT,
April 3, 1865—10.30 a.m.
The PRESIDENT:
I congratulate you and the nation on the glorious news in your telegram just received. Allow me respectfully to ask you to consider whether you ought to expose the nation to the consequence of any disaster to yourself in the pursuit of a treacherous and dangerous enemy like the rebel army. If it was a question concerning yourself only I should not presume to say a word. Commanding generals are in the line of their duty in running such risks; but is the political head of a nation in the same condition?
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
-----
CITY POINT, VA., April 3, 1865—5 p.m.
Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
Yours received. Thanks for your caution, but I have already been to Petersburg. Staid with General Grant an hour and a half and returned here. It is certain now that Richmond is in our hands, and I think I will go there to-morrow. I will take care of myself. A. LINCOLN.
-----
CITY POINT, VA., April 3, 1865—11 a.m.
Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
General Weitzel telegraphs as follows:
We took Richmond at 8.15 this morning. I captured many guns. The enemy left in great haste. The city is on fire in two places. Am making every effort to put it out. The people received us with enthusiastic expressions of joy.
General Grant started early this morning with army toward the Danville road to cut off Lee's retreating army if possible. President Lincoln has gone to the front.
T. S. BOWERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
-----
PETERSBURG, April 3, 1865.
Col. T. S. BOWERS, City Point, Va.:
Say to the President that all officer and escort will attend him, but as to myself I start toward the Danville road with the army. I want to cut off as much of Lee's army as possible.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
----------
CITY POINT, VA., April 3, 1865—5.15 p.m.
Lieutenant-General GRANT:
I have been unable to get a dispatch to you since 9 this morning. I regretted to learn from the President, who has just returned, that you did not receive Weitzel's dispatch announcing that he took possession of Richmond at 8.15 this morning. I have not heard from him since. Am sending prisoners as fast as they come in to Point Lookout.
T. S. BOWERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
-----
SUTHERLAND'S STATION, SOUTH SIDE RAILROAD,
April 3, 1865.
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,
Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:
GENERAL: The movements of which I spoke to you when you were here commenced on the 28th, and, notwithstanding two days of rain which followed, rendering roads almost impassable even for cavalry, terminated in the fall of both Richmond and Petersburg this morning.
[end of excerpt]
Yours, truly.
U.S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
----------
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVI/3 [S# 97]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, AND PENNSYLVANIA, FROM MARCH 16, 1865, TO JUNE 30, 1865.(*)--#23
HDQRS. FIRST DlV., NINTH ARMY CORPS,
April 1, 1865.
I. Col. Sam. Harriman will at once encamp his brigade inside the old line of rebel works, but outside the town, between the Jerusalem and Boydton plank roads, and guard all the approaches to the town between and including those roads.
II. Colonel Bintliff will at once encamp his brigade inside the old line of rebel works. His line of defense will connect with, Colonel Harriman's right and extend to the Appomattox, guarding all the approaches to the city on his front, especially the South Side Railroad, and be prepared to guard that road as it advances westward.
III. Colonel Ely will remain in command of the city. He will withdraw his available force from the outer line and put them in camp inside the troops of the other brigades in such a manner that it can be rapidly concentrated to the support of either. In all matters pertaining to the government of the city Colonel Ely will report direct to Major-General Warren. One regiment of his command will picket and guard the bridges on the Appomattox and the approaches thereto.
* * * * * * * * * *
By command of Bvt. Maj. Gen. O. B. Willcox:
WM. V. RICHARDS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
-----

[Remember1864]

prroh...without looking up documentation, (I haven't the time at present as I'm supposed to be in the shower getting ready for work), here's what my memory says. All following dates are relative to the year 1865.

Battle of Five Forks ends "around" 7pm, 1 April. Somewhere near 9pm, (the same night), Grant gives the order for an all out assault along the entire line. Said assault begins early morning, (before sun-up), on 2 April.
IX Corps troops, (their position pretty close to P'burg), get slowed down near Confederate Fort Mahone. (aka, Fort ****ation) XI Corps men move out from the area of Union Fort Fisher and breach the CS line near modern day Pamplin Park. As Union troops converge on Pburg their advance is slowed by Southern resistance. Particularly around Confederate Fort Gregg. Thousands of Yankees assault this "Alamo" of the South. The fort is defended by only about 300 or so Johnnys. But, their efforts to stem the tide of bluecoats works in Lee's favor.
It allows Marse Robert to evacuate the city and get his army moving west. Confederates begin evacuating Petersburg just before midnight on 2 April. At about 3am on 3 April, elements of the IX Corps, (Michigan boys), are ordered forward into the CS line and Pburg.
About 4:30am, one of the Michigan units is flying the Union flag from the Petersburg Courthouse in Petersburg proper. It's about 4 hours later, (8am-ish), that Union troops hit Richmond.

As a side note, Grant himself does NOT enter Richmond on that day or even later that month. In fact, U.S. Grant doesn't arrive in Richmond until many years after the war; and then...only as a tourist.

[gary]

So, it wasn't Sherman's bummers after all, was it?

[prroh]

prroh...without looking up documentation, (I haven't the time at present as I'm supposed to be in the shower getting ready for work), here's what my memory says. All following dates are relative to the year 1865.

Thanks so much. I was getting confused with the timeline as I thought troops had entered Richmond earlier.

[M E Wolf]

In support of Remember1864:
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIV/1 [S# 61]
GENERAL REPORT.
Report of Lieut. Gen. U.S. Grant, U.S. Army, commanding Armies of the United States, of operations March, 1864-May, 1865.
[excerpt]
I therefore determined not to delay the movement ordered. On the night of the 27th, Major-General Ord, with two divisions of the Twenty-fourth Corps, Major-General Gibbon commanding, and one division of the Twenty-fifth Corps, Brigadier-General Birney commanding, and Mackenzie's cavalry, took up his line of march in pursuance of the foregoing instructions, and reached the position assigned him near Hatcher's Run on the morning of the 29th. On the 28th, the following instructions were given to General Sheridan:
CITY POINT, VA., March 28, 1865.
Maj. Gen. P. H. SHERIDAN:
GENERAL: The Fifth Army Corps will move by the Vaughn road at 3 a.m. to-morrow morning. The Second moves at about 9 a.m., having but about 3 miles to march to reach the point designated for it to take on the right of the Fifth Corps, after the latter reaching Dinwiddie Court-House. Move your cavalry at as early an hour as you can, and without being confined to any particular road or reads. You may go out by the nearest roads in rear of the Fifth Corps, pass by its left, and, passing near to or through Dinwiddie, reach the right and rear of the enemy as soon as you can. It is not the intention to attack the enemy in his intrenched position, but to force him out, if possible. Should he come out and attack us, or get himself where he can be attacked, move in with your entire force in your own way, and with the full reliance that the army will engage or follow, as circumstances will dictate. I shall be on the field, and will probably be able to communicate with you. Should I not do so, and you find that the enemy keeps within his main intrenched line, you may cut loose and push for the Danville road. If you find it practicable, I would like you to cross the South Side road, between Petersburg and Burkeville, and destroy it to some extent. I would not advise much detention, however, until you reach the Danville road, which I would like you to strike as near to the Appomattox as possible. Make your destruction on that road as complete as possible. You can then pass on to the South Side road, west of Burkeville, and destroy that in like manner.
After having accomplished the destruction of the two railroads, which are now the only avenues of supply to Lee's army, you may return to this army, selecting your road further south, or you may go on into North Carolina and join General Sherman. Should you select the latter course, get the information to me as early as possible, so that I may send orders to meet you at Goldsborough.
U.S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
--
On the morning of the 29th, the movement commenced. At night the cavalry was at Dinwiddie Court-House, and the left of our infantry line extended to the Quaker road, near its intersection with the Boydton plank road. The position of the troops, from left to right, was as follows: Sheridan, Warren, Humphreys, Ord, Wright, Parke. Everything looked favorable to the defeat of the enemy and the capture of Petersburg and Richmond, if the proper effort was made. I therefore addressed the following communication to General Sheridan, having previously informed him verbally not to cut loose for the raid contemplated in his orders until he received notice from me to do so:
GRAVELLY CREEK, March 29, 1865.
Maj. Gen. P. H. SHERIDAN:
GENERAL: Our line is now unbroken from the Appomattox to Dinwiddie. We are all ready, however, to give up all, from the Jerusalem plank road to Hatcher's Run, whenever the forces can be used advantageously. After getting into line south of Hatcher's we pushed forward to find the enemy's position. General Griffin was attacked near where the Quaker road intersects the Boydton road, but repulsed it easily, capturing about 100 men. Humphreys reached Dabney's Mills, and was pushing on when last heard from.
I now feel like ending the matter, if it is possible to do so, before going back. I do not want you, therefore, to cut loose and go after the enemy's roads at present. In the morning push around the enemy, if you can, and get on to his right rear. The movements of the enemy's cavalry may, of course, modify your action. We will act all together as one army here until it is seen what can be done with the enemy. The signal officer at Cobb's Hill reported, at 11.30 a.m., that a cavalry column had passed that point from Richmond toward Petersburg, taking forty minutes to pass.
U.S. GRANT,
Lieutenant-General.
From the night of the 29th to the morning of the 31st, the rain fell in such torrents as to make it impossible to move a wheeled vehicle, except as corduroy roads were laid in front of them. During the 30th, Sheridan advanced from Dinwiddie Court-House toward Five Forks, where he found the enemy in force. General Warren advanced and extended his line across the Boydton plank road to near the White Oak road, with a view of getting across the latter; but finding the enemy strong in his front and extending beyond his left, was directed to hold on where he was and fortify. General Humphreys drove the enemy from his front into his main line on the Hatcher, near Burgess' Mills. Generals Ord, Wright, and Parke made examinations in their fronts to determine the feasibility of an assault on the enemy's lines. The two latter reported favorably. The enemy confronting us, as he did, at every point from Richmond to our extreme left, I conceived his lines must be weakly held, and could be penetrated if my estimate of his forces was correct. I determined, therefore, to extend our line no ****her, but to re-enforce General Sheridan with a corps of infantry, and thus enable him to cut loose and turn the enemy's right flank, and with the other corps assault the enemy's lines. The result of the offensive effort of the enemy the week before, when he assaulted Fort Stedman, particularly favored this. The enemy's intrenched picket-line captured by us at that time threw the lines occupied by the belligerents so close together at some points that it was but a moment's run from one to the other. Preparations were at once made to relieve General Humphreys' corps to report to General Sheridan, but the condition of the roads prevented immediate movement. On the morning of the 31st General Warren reported favorably to getting possession of the White Oak road, and was directed to do so. To accomplish this, he moved with one division, instead of his whole corps, which was attacked by the enemy in superior force and driven back on the Second Division before it had time to form, and it, in turn, forced back upon the Third Division, when the enemy was checked. A division of the Second Corps was immediately sent to his support, the enemy driven back with heavy loss, and possession of the White Oak road gained. Sheridan advanced, and with a portion of his cavalry got possession of the Five Forks, but the enemy, after the affair with the Fifth Corps, re-enforced the rebel cavalry defending that point with infantry, and forced him back toward Dinwiddie Court-House. Here General Sheridan displayed great generalship. Instead of retreating with his whole command on the main army, to tell the story of superior forces encountered, he deployed his cavalry on foot, leaving only mounted men enough to take charge of the horses. This compelled the enemy to deploy over a vast extent of wooded and broken country, and made his progress slow. At this juncture he dispatched to me what had taken place, and that he was dropping back slowly on Dinwiddie Court-House. General Mackenzie's cavalry and one division of the Fifth Corps were immediately ordered to his assistance. Soon after, receiving a report from General Meade that Humphreys could hold our position on the Boydton road, and that the other two divisions of the Fifth Corps could go to Sheridan, they were so ordered at once. Thus the operations of the day necessitated the sending of Warren, because of his accessibility, instead of Humphreys, as was intended, and precipitated intended movements.

On the morning of the 1st of April, General Sheridan, re-enforced by General Warren, drove the enemy back on Five Forks, where, late in the evening, he assaulted and carried his strongly fortified position, capturing all his artillery and between 5,000 and 6,000 prisoners. About the close of this battle Bvt. Maj. Gen. Charles Griffin relieved Major-General Warren in command of the Fifth Corps. The report of this reached me after nightfall. Some apprehensions filled my mind lest the enemy might desert his lines during the night, and by falling upon General Sheridan before assistance could reach him, drive him from his position and open the way for retreat. To guard against this, General Miles' division of Humphreys' corps was sent to re-enforce him, and a bombardment was commenced and kept up until 4 o'clock in the morning (April 2), when an assault was ordered on the enemy's lines. General Wright penetrated the lines with his whole corps, sweeping everything before him and to his left toward Hatcher's Run, capturing many guns and several thousand prisoners. He was closely followed by two divisions of General Ord's command, until he met the other division of General Ord's that had succeeded in forcing the enemy's lines near Hatcher's Run. Generals Wright and Ord immediately swung to the right, and closed all of the enemy on that side of them in Petersburg, while General Humphreys pushed forward with two divisions and joined General Wright on the left. General Parke succeeded in carrying the enemy's main line, capturing guns and prisoners, but was unable to carry his inner line. General Sheridan, being advised of the condition of affairs, returned General Miles to his proper command. On reaching the enemy's lines immediately surrounding Petersburg, a portion of General Gibbon's corps, by a most gallant charge, captured two strong inclosed works, the most salient and commanding south of Petersburg, thus materially shortening the line of investment necessary for taking in the city. The enemy south of Hatcher's Run retreated westward to Sutherland's Station, where they were overtaken by Miles' division. A severe engagement ensued and lasted until both his right and left flanks were threatened by the approach of General Sheridan, who was moving from Ford's Station toward Petersburg, and a division sent by General Meade from the front of Petersburg, when he broke in the utmost confusion, leaving in our hands his guns and many prisoners. This force retreated by the main road along the Appomattox River. During the night of the 2d, the enemy evacuated Petersburg and Richmond, and retreated toward Danville. On the morning of the 3d, pursuit was commenced. General Sheridan pushed for the Danville road, keeping near the Appomattox, followed by General Meade with the Second and Sixth Corps, while General Ord moved for Burkeville along the South Side road; the Ninth Corps stretched along that road behind him. On the 4th, General Sheridan struck the Danville road near Jetersville, where he learned that Lee was at Amelia Court-House. He immediately intrenched himself and awaited the arrival of General Meade, who reached there the next day. General Ord reached Burkeville on the evening of the 5th.
[end of excerpt]

[Remember1864]

Horace Porter brings up a good point. I wished I had an answer for the question, "When did the term 'Federal' begin to be applied to U.S. soldiers?" Is this war-time jargon? Did this use of the term exist prior to the American Civil War? Anyone?


John Marler
Franklin, TN

[ole]

I think it probably comes from the need to diffentiate between the two forces and is mostly post-war. There were far less flattering terms used in the rank and file.

There were U.S. troops stationed in antebellum Richmond. There were Federals imprisoned in Richmond during the war. I new what you meant. The question was a nit-picky snipe.

Ole

[M E Wolf]

Dear Remember1864;

This is what I have found that may be of interest;
http://www.answers.com/topic/union-army-2
[excerpt]
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army.[1] It consisted of the small United States Army (the regular army), augmented by massive numbers of units supplied by the Northern states, composed of volunteers as well as conscripts. The Union Army fought and eventually defeated the smaller Confederate States Army during the war which lasted from 1861 to 1865. Of the 2.5 million men who served in the Union Army, approximately 9.5% were African American. A smaller percent were Native Americans. About 360,000 died from all causes; some 280,000 were wounded.
[end of excerpt]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
However, I find Beauregard referring to troops as entering "Federal" service and... Confederate is a form of 'federal' government:
Reference:
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 1 [S# 1] CHAPTER I.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ORDERS RELATING SPECIALLY TO THE OPERATIONS IN CHARLESTON HARBOR FROM OCTOBER 31, 1860, TO APRIL 14, 1861.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.,(*)--#1
HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY,
Charleston, S. C., March 8, 1861.
Hon. L. P. WALKER, Secretary of War, Montgomery, Ala.:
SIR: The Department letter of the 2d instant has been received, but could not be answered sooner. Governor Pickens, who obligingly affords me all the assistance in his power, as well as all his officers, suggests that the State of South Carolina should continue to defray all the present current expenses incurred within its limits, so as not to complicate the present moneyed difficulties of the Confederate States Government. This would probably be a very proper arrangement.

With regard to the supposed temporary dissatisfaction of the State troops, alluded to by you, upon consultation with the governor, he advises that the brigade of State Regulars should remain as at present organized, until required to enter the Federal service, but in the mean time to be under my orders. Its commanding general and staff have readily assented to this arrangement, and by the order of the governor (already communicated to the War Department), it must have been seen that all the troops (State, Regulars, and Volunteers) in or about Charleston have already been put under my orders, and I can perceive among them no spirit of opposition or dissatisfaction. On the contrary,they appear to be animated with the most kindly feelings towards me, and seem highly pleased at the order assigning me to their command.
[excerpt]
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
-----
and yet--the term Federal is used from representatives of the government of South Carolina to President Buchanan here:

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 1 [S# 1] CHAPTER I.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ORDERS RELATING SPECIALLY TO THE OPERATIONS IN CHARLESTON HARBOR FROM OCTOBER 31, 1860, TO APRIL 14, 1861.
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#2
WASHINGTON, December 9, 1860.
His Excellency JAMES BUCHANAN,
President of the United States:
In compliance with our statement to you yesterday, we now express to you our strong convictions that neither the constituted authorities, nor any body of the people of the State of South Carolina, will either attack or molest the United States forts in the harbor of Charleston previously to the action of the convention, and we hope and believe not until an offer has been made, through an accredited representative, to negotiate for an amicable arrangement of all matters between the State and Federal Government, provided that no re-enforcements shall be sent into those forts, and their relative military status shall remain as at present.
JOHN McQUEEN.
WM. PORCHER MILES.
M. L. BONHAM.
W. W. BOYCE.
LAWRENCE M. KEITT.
[excerpt]
Thus the authorities of South Carolina, without waiting or asking for any explanation, and doubtless believing, as you have expressed it, that the officer had acted not only without but against my orders, on the very next day after the night when the movement was made, seized by a military force two of the three Federal forts in the harbor of Charleston, and have covered them under their own flag instead of that of the United States. At this gloomy period of our history startling events succeed each other rapidly. On the very day, the 27th instant, that possession of these two forts was taken the palmetto flag was raised over the Federal custom-house and post-office in Charleston; and on the same day every officer of the customs, collector, naval officer, surveyor, and appraisers, resigned their offices. And this, although it was well known from the language of my message that, as an executive officer, I felt myself bound to collect the revenue at the port of Charleston under the existing laws.

In the harbor of Charleston we now find three forts confronting each other, over all of which the Federal flag floated only four days ago; but now over two of them this flag has been supplanted, and the palmetto flag has been substituted in its stead. It is under all these circumstances that I am urged immediately to withdraw the troops from the harbor of Charleston, and am informed that without this, negotiation is impossible.

This I cannot do; this I will not do. Such an idea was never thought of by me in any possible contingency. No allusion had ever been made to it in any communication between myself and any human being. But the inference is that I am bound to withdraw the troops from the only fort remaining in the possession of the United States in the harbor of Charleston, because the officer there in command of all the forts thought proper, without instructions, to change his position from one of them to another. I cannot admit the justice of any such inference. And at this point of writing I have received information by telegraph from Captain Humphreys, in command of the arsenal at Charleston, that it "has to-day (Sunday, the 30th) been taken by force of arms" Comment is needless. It is estimated that the property of the United States in this arsenal was worth half a million of dollars.

After this information I have only to add that, whilst it is my duty to defend Fort Sumter as a portion of public property of the United States against hostile attacks, from whatever quarter they may come, by such means as I may possess for this purpose, I do not perceive how such a defense can be construed into a menace against the city of Charleston.(*)
With great personal regard, I remain, yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.
--------------------------------------------------------------
From this exchange with President Buchanan; it can be clearly demonstrated that "Federal" as a term was connected to the "U.S. Government and or Federal/Union/National military. This being at the opening series that would lead up to the American Civil War.
-----------------------------------------------------
The State of Florida correspondence uses "Federal" in their term of their Constitution; reference:

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME 1 [S# 1] CHAPTER IV.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ORDERS RELATING SPECIALLY TO THE OPERATIONS
IN FLORIDA FROM JANUARY 6 TO AUGUST 31, 1861.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.
WASHINGTON, January 5, 1861.
JOSEPH FINEGAN, Esq., or Col. GEO. W. CALL [Tallahassee, Fla.]:
MY DEAR SIR: The immediately important thing to be done is the occupation of the forts and arsenal in Florida. [excerpt]
What is advisable is the earliest possible organization of a Southern Confederacy and of a Southern Army. The North is rapidly consolidating against us upon the plan of force. A strong Government, as eight States will make, promptly organized, and a strong Army, with Jeff. Davis for General-in-Chief, will bring them to a reasonable sense of the gravity of the crisis. Have a Southern Government as soon as possible, adopting the present Federal Constitution for the time, and a Southern Army. I repeat this because it is the important policy.
Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee are rapidly coming up to the work.
God speed you.
I shall give the enemy a shot next week before retiring. I say enemy! Yes, I am theirs, and they are mine. I am willing to be their masters, but not their brothers.
Yours, in haste,
D. L. YULEE.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Now that said. My understanding of when the US Government became Federal; was after the Second Continental Congress in 1775 declared themselves as independent states and using the therm "United States of America," becoming a "National" in 1781 Government; then radified the Articles of "Confederation" ... did the "Federal" Government title/identity peeks in and the US Constitution went into its full bloom in 1789.

I am of the impression that "Federal" and "National" were used commonly from the 1700's through the American Civil War and onward.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[5fish]

.....................??????

I could have missed it but does not the story go,,,,,


General Weitzel enter the city at 8am on April 3rd, behind a vanguard of 40 cavalry men(most like Color troops) with the 25th Corps U.S. Color troops and the 24th Corps.

I could be wrong...

A thought..