Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

April nineteenth. Marched twelve miles, camping three miles east of Thomaston. I destroyed three large cotton factories.

April twentieth. Marched at three A. M., taking the direct road to Macon. Near Spring hill, twenty-one miles from Macon, my advance (the Seventeenth Indiana mounted infantry) struck a rebel force, estimated at about four hundred.

This force was driven by a series of brilliant charges from about a dozen well-built rail barricades; a number of prisoners and about one hundred stand of arms were captured.

At Tobasopkey creek the rebels, about three hundred strong, were posted at the east end of the bridge, which they had fired, and had also torn up a portion of the planking.

Their sharpshooters were lying behind rail barricades, and about a dozen occupied a store mill about one hundred yards below the bridge. The advance went on to the bridge at a gallop, but were stopped by the planking having been taken off; they quickly dismounted and crossed on the burning stringers in the most gallant manner, routed the enemy and saved the bridge, which is an important one, being over one hundred yards long.

About three miles from Tobasopkey creek the advance was met by Brigadier-General Robertson, of the rebel army, with a flag of truce, having a despatch from General Cobb, stating that an armistice had been agreed on between General Sherman and the rebel General Johnston. This document was delivered by General Robertson to Captain Lewis, of my staff, and his receipt taken therefor. Captain Lewis handed me the despatch, when I directed him to inform General Robertson that I had sent it by special messenger to General Wilson, and that I required him, General Robertson, to return to Macon immediately and await the reply.

General Robertson declined receiving the message from Captain Lewis, and demanded that it should be in writing.

General Robertson's course led me to believe that he was merely endeavoring to delay my column. He had already succeeded in doing so for nearly an hour, and I feared that I would be unable to save the bridge over Rocky creek. I therefore wrote him as follows:

headquarters Second division cavalry, corps, M. D. M., in the field near Macon, Georgia, April 20, 1865.

General — I have received the despatch from General Cobb, and have sent it by special messenger to Major-General Wilson, a few miles in my rear. As there may be some delay in receiving an answer, it is necessary for you to return immediately to Macon, to which place General Wilson's reply will be forwarded.

I have directed the officer commanding my advance to move forward five minutes after this is handed you.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

Robert H. G. Minty, Colonel Commanding Division.

I directed Colonel White to give the flag of truce five minutes start and then to push forward, and if General Robertson and his party did not keep out of his way to take them prisoners.

After the expiration of the given time, Colonel White pushed rapidly forward, succeeded in saving the bridge, which the rebels were about to burn, and continuing his pursuit, entered Macon with them.

The city and defences were immediately surrendered by Major-General Cobb. Our captures were five Generals and three hundred and forty-five other officers, eighteen hundred and forty-three enlisted men, and sixty pieces of artillery.

I beg to refer you to the reports of Lieutenant-Colonel Pritchard, Fourth Michigan cavalry, and Lieutenant C. White, Seventeenth Indiana mounted infantry, which are enclosed herewith. Both of these officers are deserving of promotion for the gallant and soldier-like manner in which they have performed their duties.

Captain Hudson, Fourth Michigan cavalry, Major Weiler, Lieutenant McDowell, and Lieutenant Doyle, of the Seventeenth Indiana mounted infantry, are also deserving of promotion for their gallantry.

Here with I also hand you the report of Captain Robinson, Chicago Board of Trade battery, one of the most industrious and untiring officers in the service.

Below I give you a summary of the distances marched since leaving Montgomery, Alabama:

April fourteenth, marched fourteen miles; April fifteenth, marched twenty-two miles; April sixteenth, marched thirty-nine miles; April seventeenth, marched sixty-three miles ; April nineteenth, marched twelve miles ; April twentieth, marched forty-five miles. Total, six days, one hundred and ninety-five miles.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

On the morning of the twentieth, the regiment being the advance regiment of the division (Second), the four companies with sabres were sent forward as advance guard of the division under Major Weiler. I had the remaining companies as the regiment in the proper order of march in rear of the headquarters. From our camp of the preceding night, from whence we started in the morning, it was forty-five miles to Macon. After marching about twenty-four miles, and when near Spring Hill, the advance guard first met a small force of the enemy and drove them off, capturing a few. I then moved forward with the other companies and assumed