Aot - 1865

[larry_cockerham]

February 24, 1865

February 24, 1865

Skirmish at Camden, S.C.


February 25, 1865
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. Respectfully forwarded to the War Dept. for its information. General Forrest and his command deserve well of the country for the gallantry, energy and activity displayed during this severe campaign in Middle Tennessee.

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]

An old warhorse returns to the saddle

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."

February 25, 1865. -- Union forces occupy Camden, S.C.
Skirmish at West's Cross-Roads, S.C.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Forrest: The final mission

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.

 

[larry_cockerham]

A winter stroll through Palmetto country

February 26, 1865

Cheatham's Corps in Pomaria, South Carolina. Palmer's Brigade which included the 63rd Virginia and young Whitfield Monroe Parker were 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]

February draws to a close

February 28, 1865

N.B. Forrest received his commission as a Lieutenant General. Never a man walked this earth who worked harder for a star. 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. The last attempt to keep the Confederate breadbasket in local hands was about to happen.

Feb 28, 1865

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

 

[larry_cockerham]

Winter's over; the war about to resume

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

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.

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.

 

[larry_cockerham]

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 Smithfield 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.

 

[larry_cockerham]

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 an 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]

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

I am on my way to Hardee via Fayetteville. Lee's Corps 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]

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]

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.

 

[TerryB]

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.

Ed Buford, 3rd Tenn Inf, was exchanged from Rock Island at City Point about March 6. One of his bios says he fell off a moving train in NC, I guess in March or April, and thus his return home was delayed until July 7. I'm distantly related to Ed and his son, Capt. Eddie Buford, Nashville's WWI air "ace." Ed's obit says he was paroled in May, but his records pretty much end with his exchange.

 

[larry_cockerham]

I assume your 13th TN Cav is CSA? not to be confused with my ancestor's 13th TN Cav US?

 

[TerryB]

The 13th Tenn CSA is the official tag for Dibrell's old regiment, which he always referred to as the 8th Tenn.

 

[Nathanb1]

Ed Buford, 3rd Tenn Inf, was exchanged from Rock Island at City Point about March 6. One of his bios says he fell off a moving train in NC, I guess in March or April, and thus his return home was delayed until July 7. I'm distantly related to Ed and his son, Capt. Eddie Buford, Nashville's WWI air "ace." Ed's obit says he was paroled in May, but his records pretty much end with his exchange.

Did Ed look anything like this guy?

 

[TerryB]

Did Ed look anything like this guy?

He may have before he "fell off." I sometimes wonder if Ed really jumped, but I'll never know. BTW, that's such a good movie that I'm gonna have to try to find a copy in DVD.

 

[larry_cockerham]

March 8, 1865

On March 8-10, 1865 the 63rd Virginia and others met the Federals in another rear guard action at Wilcox's Bridge near Kinston, North Carolina. This would cost the still dwindling Army of Tennessee 1500 more casualties.

 

[larry_cockerham]

March 9, 1865

Confederate Army began leaving Charlotte for Raleigh via rail. At Charlotte the Army of Tennessee boarded the North Carolina Railroad for Concord, Salisbury, Lexington, Greensboro, Graham, Hillsborough, and Raleigh.

From the History of the 33rd Mississippi:

At Chester they "took to the cars" northward to Charlotte, North Carolina, and on through Salisbury, Greensborough, Raleigh and Smithfield to reach Goldsboro. They arrived on 9 March 1865 and were marched to Kinston, North Carolina, that same day. These movements were in response to Gen. W. T. Sherman's march northward from Savanna, Georgia, into South Carolina, and his campaign to link up with other Federal forces. The problem for Gen. Johnston was that he did not know exactly where Gen. Sherman was heading. Gen. Sherman had divided his forces into two columns. This caused Gen. Johnston to keep his forces divided also.

 

[TerryB]

The war ended for my ancestor Lt. Col. Marcellus Pointer at Williston, SC, on Feb 9th, 1865. He was wounded in a cavalry charge near there and put out of action. I just recently got some docs from the archives that confirm his promotion to full colonel on April 1st. Had the war not ended when it did, he would have commanded the 12th Ala Cav.

 

[larry_cockerham]

The war ended for my ancestor Lt. Col. Marcellus Pointer at Williston, SC, on Feb 9th, 1865. He was wounded in a cavalry charge near there and put out of action. I just recently got some docs from the archives that confirm his promotion to full colonel on April 1st. Had the war not ended when it did, he would have commanded the 12th Ala Cav.

I'm betting he somehow was happy the war was over, nonetheless.