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

[663] day of May, and the United States flag raised over the State House, and fort at St. Mark's.

The number paroled and already reported is seven thousand two hundred, and will doubtless reach eight thousand when the returns are completed. The amount of property received from rebel authorities was:

Ordinance Stores.--Artillery, 40 pieces ; stands small arms, 2,500; cavalry sabres, 450; bayonets, 1,618; cartridge boxes, 1,200; waist belts, 710; pounds of lead, 63,000; nitre, pounds, 2,000; sets accouterments, 2,000 ; artillery ammunition, 10,000 rounds, mostly fixed; small ammunition, 121,900 rounds ; musket balls 700 pounds; pikes and lances, 325; besides large amounts of various other ordinance stores.

Quartermaster's Stores.--Horses, 70; mules, 80; wagons, 40; ambulances, 4; also tools of various kinds, with a large amount of stationary, clothing, and camp and garrison equipage.

Commissary Stores.--Bacon, 170,000 pounds; salt, 300 barrels; sugar, 150 barrels; syrup, 100 barrels; corn, 7,000 bushels; cattle, 1,200 head; also small amounts of flour, ground peas, &c.

There was a large amount of hospital stores turned over to the medical officer, Dr. Chapman, who was designated to receive them. Many of the horses and mules were exchanged for corn and forage, and others were loaned to citizens, subject to the orders of the Federal authorities. A memorandum of all the cotton in and about Tallahassee, Thomsonville, and Albany was taken, with names of claimants, where, when, and by whom stored; also the marks on the bales. So soon as a schedule can be made, it will be forwarded for the information of the War Department.

People apparently honest in other respects, seem to think it entirely legitimate to steal cotton. As I had been ordered to leave the country, I adopted this system of making a descriptive schedule of the cotton in the country, as the only means in my power for protecting the interests of the Government.

In my intercourse with the citizens and surrendered soldiers of this Florida command, I found only the most entire spirit of submission to my authority, and in the majority of instances an apparent cheerful acquiescence in the present order of things. The citizens expressed, and apparently felt entire confidence in the magnanimity of the Government and its officers, and seemed to feel that our success had at last relieved them from the oppression they had so long suffered at the hands of the rebel authorities.

Unless the present growing crops of this country are cultivated to maturity the people there, both black and white, will suffer for food.

I had no collision with any of the authorities except the Ecclesiastical. The pastor of the Episcopal Church, in his public services, omitted the customary prayer for the President of the United States. I thought it my duty to Christianize him if possible, and succeeded in convincing him of the error of his way by a communication, a copy of which I have the honor to enclose. He prayed for the President that afternoon.

I will forward you a copy of the cotton schedule as soon as received from the officers directed to make them.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Major — I have the honor to report the following trophies captured on the march from Chickasaw to this point:

First. The Palmetto flag carried by Buford's (rebel) brigade, captured by Seventh Kentucky in a gallant charge against double its numbers near Montgomery, Alabama, April twelve, 1865.

Second. Colors (blue silk with inscriptions) of Clanton's Alabama brigade, captured by Second Indiana, near Montgomery, Alabama, April twelve, 1865.

Third. United States garrison flag (inscribed, “Montgomery true Blue” ) captured by a detachment of the Seventh Kentucky, in a skirmish near Montgomery, Alabama, April thirteenth, 1865.

Fourth. Two United States flags (regimental colors) captured by enemy (Tyler's brigade), near Etowah creek, Georgia, recaptured by Seventh Kentucky, at Fort Tyler, Georgia, April sixteenth, 1865.

Fifth. Flag of Dixie Rangers, captured by detachment of Fourth Indiana cavalry, in skirmish near Burnsville, Georgia, April nineteenth, 1865.

Sixth. The garrison flag of Fort Tyler, Georgia, captured in the assault upon Fort Tyler, at West Point, Georgia, by detachments from First Wisconsin, Second Indiana, and Seventh Kentucky, April sixteenth, 1865. The First Wisconsin was first inside the fort, and lost twice as many men as both the other detachments; I therefore respectfully request, as an evidence of appreciation of the conduct of the regiment, and as a personal favor to myself, that the flag be returned to the regiment commander with permission to send it to the Governor of Wisconsin, to be placed in the State Capitol, among the trophies forwarded by other regiments. No other trophy has ever been asked by the regiment, and no regiment from the State has captured a greater number.

Other trophies, as arms, horses, etc., etc., captured by the brigade, have (in accordance with established usage in the cavalry) been appropriated by the captors.

I am, Major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Respectfully forwarded, one flag not enumerated in this communication is also sent. It is the flag of the twenty-seventh Pennsylvania infantry, recaptured from the enemy near West Point. If consistent with the good of the service I would most respectfully recommend that the request of Colonel La Grange, “to have the garrison flag of Fort Tyler returned to him in order that he may send it to his State,” be granted.

Major — I have the honor to report that on the twenty-second of March, my command of sixty-five officers, and one thousand seven hundred and thirty-four enlisted men, mounted and equipped for line of battle, started from Chickasaw, Alabama, on the late campaign. By hard work in procuring horses from other commanders, and by taking the mules from my train, I had succeeded in increasing my effective force two hundred and sixteen men, in three days previous. The first day's march was a distance of sixteen miles, passing through Buzzard Roost, and camping near Barton's Station.

March twenty-third. Had charge of the division train, and toiled with it from daylight to dark, using almost all of the brigade to carry it along. Made four miles.

March twenty-fourth. Marched through Frankfort to the right of Russelville, camping two miles south, distance thirty miles.

March twenty-fifth. Starting at 4:30 A. M., marched to Haley's on the Buttahatchee, a distance of twenty-nine miles. After this hard day's march, during which we crossed Big Bear creek, and other troublesome streams, went into camp without forage.

March twenty-sixth. Marched to Kansas. twenty-five miles, passing through Eldridge, and crossing New river. Found plenty of forage and quite a number of loyal people.

March twenty-seventh. Marched to Sander's ferry on the Mulberry Branch Black Warrior, a distance of twenty-eight miles, passing through Jasper.

This was one of the hardest day's marches in the campaign. The roads were in terrible condition, and I was compelled to cut new roads, corduroy old ones, build bridges over swamps, and use my command to carry wagons and ambulances along.

March twenty-eighth. Crossed the river and camped seven miles beyond. Ford very dangerous and uncertain. Quite a number of men dismounted, several horses and mules drowned, and some few arms lost.

March twenty-ninth. Crossed Locust Fork of the Black Warrior river, marching towards Elyton, and camping seven miles from there. Ford over river deep, but not dangerous. On the thirtieth, at four o'clock P. M., left Elyton under the following order, sending two staff officers by different routes to order the Fourth Kentucky mounted infantry, which was twenty miles in the rear with the train, to strike directly south, and join us if possible, before we reached Tuscaloosa. Two companies of this regiment, one of the Sixth Kentucky cavalry, and forty pioneers, in the aggregate two hundred men, were with the train, thus reducing my effective force to about fifteen hundred men.

headquarters First division C. C. M. D. M., Elyton, Alabama, March 30th, 1865.

General: The following order has just been received by me from Corps Headquarters:

headquarters First division C. C. M. D. M., Elyton, Alabama, March 30th, 1865--2 o'clock, P. M.

General: Detach one brigade of your division with orders to proceed rapidly by the most direct route to Tuscaloosa, to destroy the bridge, factories, mills, University (military school), and whatever else may be of benefit to the rebel cause. As soon as this work is accomplished, instruct the commanding officer to join the corps by the Centerville road. Caution him to look out for Lyon, who was expected at Tuscaloosa yesterday with a small force, marching toward Montevallo.

In case the bridge at Centerville is destroyed, let him cross the Cahawba, wherever he can do so best.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. H. Wilson, Brevet-Major-General. Brigadier-General E. M. Mccook, Commanding First Cavalry Division.

You will march with your brigade in compliance with the foregoing order, and report in person to General Wilson, for further instructions.

E. M. McCook, Brigadier-General Volunteers. General John T. Croxton, Commanding First Brigade, First Division.

Reporting to the Battalion Major-General Commanding in person for instructions, he directed me, in case I found it practicable, after executing my mission at Tuscaloosa, to destroy the railroad between Selma and Demopolis. From Judge Mudd, at Elyton, I learned that he had left Tuscaloosa on the twenty-eighth; that Lyon's brigade was expected there; that there were no troops there except cadets and militia, and none between that point and Elyton.

Encamped on the night of the thirtieth eight miles south of Elyton, finding the roads wretched.

March thirty-first, Moved at daylight, sending a detachment to the right, through Jonesboro, to destroy the stores there, and three companies of the Eighth Iowa, in charge of Captain Sutherland, my Assistant Adjutant-General, to the