Behind the Guns: The History of Battery I, 2nd Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery

7. The End of the War: Aftermath

7 THE END OF THE W"AR: AFTERMATH None of the three men who compiled this history of Battery I were present with the Battery when it marched out of Sa-vannah into the Carolinas. The Battery participated in the entire campaign, and was in the -vicinity of Raleigh, North Carolina, when Johnston surrendered to Sherman. The chapter which ends their work and which co-vers the period January 1, 1864-June 14, 1864, is almost entirely composed of long quotations -not always acknowledged-from such participants as Generals Slocum and Sherman, and from regimental histories. Rather than weary the reader with a long series of quotations, it seems best to publish the itinerary of the Battery as it appears on the monthly returns, adding Lieutenant Judson Rich's "Report of operations January 2o-March 23, 1865" (0. R., Series I, Vol. 47, Part 1, pp. 577-78) and closing with the last few pages written by our "Bra-ve Bugler Putney." January, 1865 1 20 In camp near Savannah, Ga. Moved a short distance to better camping ground & remained until 20th. Then moved out on Louisville Road 9 miles, went into camp, and remained until 25th. 135 BEHIND THE GUNS 25 26 27 28 31 February 1, 1865 5 7 8 9-12 13 14 & 15 16 136 18 19 20 21 22 23 Then marched toward Sister's Ferry, made 15 miles, roads bad. Marched through Springfield, Ga. distance unknown ; roads worse. Marched about 6 miles & camped- roads "worst." Marched about 5 miles & came to camp on the bank of Savannah River near Sister's ferry. Still in camp on the 31st. In camp near Sister's Ferry, Ga., Laying in camp until Feb. 5th. Then moved across Savannah River and camped near Brown's Ferry until 7th. Then moved near river and relieved Reserve Arty in position, moved on the 8th. About 8 miles & camped near Brighton, S.C. Marching in northerly direction, crossed the S.c. R.R. near Williston. Marched and camped near Jordan's Mills. Marching. Passed through Lexington and camped near Columbia, S.C. Passed Eschula River & camped on Broad River, guns in position. In camp. Crossed the River. Marched about 4 miles. Camped for night. Guns in position. Marched & camped near Little River. Crossed River. Marched & crossed R.R. near Youngstown. Marched & camped near Catawba River. Heavy rains at night. Crossed River & camped about 3 miles from River, Roads very bad &heavy rains continue. Still in camp on THE END OF THE WAR : AFTERMATH 28 Rain still continue 28th marched at 11 o'clock A.M. Made about 4 miles and camped for night. March, 1865. 1 2,3 &4 5&6 7 8,9,10& 11 12 14 15, 16, 17 &18 19 23 25 31 Marching (one day's march from Rock Mount Ferry) S.C. Marched-Camped night of the 4th on the Great Pedee River. In camp. Marched at 2 P.M. crossing the River. Marching In camp near Fayetteville, N.C. Marched at 7 A.M. passing through town crossing Cape Fear River. Marched about 2 miles on the Raleigh Road and camped for the day. In camp. Marching on Goldsboro Road. Marched. Found the enemy in force. Went into position and fired 217 rounds. Lay on the line until the 22nd. Enemy gone from our front. Marched. Arrived at Goldsboro, N.C. went into camp. Received an order relieving the battery from duty with the 2nd Div. 14th A.C. By order of Charles Houghtaling, Maj. & Chief of Arty., 14th A.C. Still in camp near Goldsboro, N.C. Report of Lieut. Judson Rich, Battery I, Second Illinois Light Artillery , of operations January 20-March 23. Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken in the recent campaign from Savannah, Ga., to Goldsborough , N.C., by Battery I, Second Illinois Light Artillery: January 20,1865, at 8 A.M., I moved from Camp near Savannah, Ga., marching on the Louisville, Ga., road, attached 137 BEHIND THE GUNS to the Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps; roads bad and weather rainy; made about nine miles; went into camp; lay until 25th, at 7 A.M.; marching each day until 28th; at night went into camp on the bank of Savannah River near Sister's Ferry, Ga.; in camp until February 5, 1865, then moved acrOss the river on pontoon bridge to the South Carolina side; went into camp. 6th, in camp all...