down the James river towards the Dutch Gap, and commenced firing on
fort Bradley, which was kept up all night. On the 24th inst., at 2
P.M., the clerk came to me and stated that there was an order to go
out to the picket line, but neither of the Orderlies whose duty it
was, wished to go, and seeing their dissatisfaction, I volunteered and
went out to the advance picket line. 8 A.M. found the whole line drawn
up in their entrenchments, under cannonading at long range, with the
reinforcement in the rear in line of battle. The shelling was terrific
all day; I went into the basement of the house used for general
quarters at 2 P.M., where I formerly stayed. There was five of us in
the basement, and a stray shell from the rebel gunboat came through
the window and burst, passing over me and tearing out everything in
the basement, but to the surprise of all, none of us were killed or
wounded. This was a wonderful deliverance from God. The provost guard
in front of general quarters, having knowledge of my being in the
house at the time of the explosion, all exclaimed, "Hill is killed." A
very intimate friend of mine, Mr. Jordan Jones, said "Boys, Hill is in
the basement, and who will go in with me to bring out his remains." A
little boy by the name of Thomas Watson was with me, and when I heard
the shell coming I took him in my arms. After the explosion I shook
him to see if he were yet alive, when Tommy commenced kicking. I said,
"Boys, follow me;" and the next moment I made my appearance on the back
stoop facing the breastworks, just as they were coming in to see if we
were dead. As I came out the boys all cheered. I felt much stunned, and
found my hearing dull.
There was a duel fought at long range on the 28th, at which time a
shell sent from the rebel ram came through my quarters tearing out
everything in the room, but my life was spared through the mercy of
God. On the 7th of Feb'y my heart gladdened, for I received a furlough
of twenty days to return home to see my beloved family and many
precious friends. I started the same day on board the transport Weldon
for City Point. I went from there to Fortress Monroe, from Fortress
Monroe to Annapolis, and from there to Washington city by cars, where
I arrived on Friday the 10th inst. at 9 A.M. I remained there until 6
P.M. and then left in the cars for home; reaching Philadelphia at 12
o'clock: I put up with Mr. Samuel Williams until Saturday morning the
11th inst. At 3 P.M. I hit Philadelphia in a boat at Walnut street
wharf for Camden, and there took the cars for Woodbury, N.J., where I
arrived and had the pleasure of embracing my beloved family. Truly the
meeting was one long to be remembered, I remained at home four days,
and then visited Trenton, N.J., where I had many kind friends. On
Monday I returned home again and remained with my family and friends;
everything was delightful, and truly a great change from camp life,
where I had spent one year and one month in the service. On the 24th
instant at 8 o'clock I bid my beloved wife and two children adieu; one
of my children was three years and six months old, and the other six
months. When the last moment came never in my life did I experience
such emotions, and no one but a husband and father can imagine what
they were, as I looked upon my family as I supposed for the last time
in life. Never shall I forget that last farewell. The wagon that bore
me away began to move and my eyes were fastened on my home until it
was lost in the distance. I landed in Philadelphia at 10 o'clock, and
there bid my father-in-law good bye, with the intention of going to
Baltimore, but when I arrived in the city I was detained by my friends.
Mr. Brown, in South street, made a reception for me at 8 P.M. I went
there at the specified time, and found a great many of my devoted
friends to pay, as they supposed, the last tribute to one they loved,
and a defender of the country. I remained in the city until Tuesday
the 25th, and at one P.M. I left the residence of Mrs. Young for Broad
and Prime sts., where I took the cars for Baltimore, and arrived there
at 5 P.M. I was escorted to the soldiers' refreshment saloon, where
I partook of the hospitality of kind friends, after which I inquired
of the friends if any of them could take me to the residence of Rev'd
W.D. Schureman. One of the ladies kindly took me there, and I found he
had gone to a fair then going on in his church. I went there and found
him and his lady; they received me as a brother and introduced me to a
great many of his congregation. I spent the evening pleasantly, but in
the midst of the great throng I thought of my home and dear family that
I had left behind. After the fair closed I went home with Mr. Schureman
and his wife, and stayed all night. I spent the next morning with
Mr. Schureman in his library talking over old times until 9 o'clock,
when we went to the Provost Marshal's and got my transportation for
Fortress Monroe, where I arrived on Thursday the 27th, after a lonesome
ride with a burdened heart. I arrived in camp at the expiration of my
furlough.
At 10 A.M. on the 29th inst. we moved from the breastworks on the
left of Fort Harrison to the hill in the centre, where we built a
tower overlooking the rebel works into Richmond. We remained there
four weeks, and on the 27th of March we moved again. Part of the 29th
rested in Fort Harrison and the 2d Brigade in the white house, known
as General Birney's headquarters. All was quiet here until the 1st of
April, when all was in readiness, and the order was given to strike
tents and move on to Richmond. During Sunday night the brigade was out
in line of battle, and at three o'clock in the morning the rebels blew
up three gun boats and commenced vacating their works in our front. At
5 A.M. the troops commenced to advance on the rebel works--the 29th
taking the advance, the 9th U.S.C. troops next. Soon refugees from the
rebels came in by hundreds. Col. W.B. Wooster passed them about, and
made them go before the regiment and dig up the torpedoes that were
left in the ground to prevent the progress of the Union army. They
were very numerous, but to the surprise of officers and men, none of
the army were injured by them. On our march to Richmond we captured
500 pieces of artillery, some of the largest kind, 6,000 stand of
small arms, and the prisoners I was not able to number. The road was
strewed with all kinds of obstacles, and men were lying all along the
distance of seven miles. The main body of the army went up the New
Market road. The 29th skirmished all the way, and arrived in the city
at 7 A.M., and were the first infantry that entered the city; they went
at double quick most of the way. When Col. Wooster came to Main st. he
pointed his sword at the capitol, and said "Double quick, march," and
the company charged through the main street to the capitol and halted
in the square until the rest of the regiment came up. Very soon after
the arrival of the white troops the colored troops were moved on the
out-skirts of the city, and as fast as the white troops came in the
colored troops were ordered out, until we occupied the advance. The
white troops remained in the city as guards. We remained on the outpost.
The 3d instant President Lincoln visited the city. No triumphal march
of a conqueror could have equalled in moral sublimity the humble
manner in which he entered Richmond. I was standing on the bank of
the James river viewing the scene of desolation when a boat, pulled
by twelve sailors, came up the stream. It contained President Lincoln
and his son, Admiral Porter, Captain ----, of the Army, Captain ----,
of the Navy, Lieut. W.W. ----, of the Signal Corps. In some way the
colored people on the bank of the river ascertained that the tall
man wearing the black hat was President Lincoln. There was a sudden
shout and clapping of hands. I was very much amused at the plight of
one officer who had in charge fifty colored men to put to work on
the ruined buildings; he found himself alone, for they left work and
crowded to see the President. As he approached I said to a woman,
"Madam, there is the man that made you free." She exclaimed, "Is that
President Lincoln?" My reply was in the affirmative. She gazed at him
with clasped hands and said, "Glory to God. Give Him the praise for his
goodness," and she shouted till her voice failed her.
When the President landed there was no carriage near, neither did he
wait for one, but leading his son, they walked over a mile to Gen'l
Weitzel's headquarters at Jeff. Davis' mansion, a colored man acting
as guide. Six soldiers dressed in blue, with their carbines, were the
advanced guards. Next to them came President Lincoln and son, and
Admiral Porter, flanked by the other officer right and left. Then came
a correspondent, and in the rear were six sailors with carbines. Then
followed thousands of people, colored and white. What a spectacle! I
never witnessed such rejoicing in all my life. As the President passed
along the street the colored people waved their handkerchiefs, hats and
bonnets, and expressed their gratitude by shouting repeatedly, "Thank
God for his goodness; we have seen his salvation." The white soldiers
caught the sound and swelled the numbers, cheering as they marched
along. All could see the President, he was so tall. One woman standing
in a doorway as he passed along shouted, "Thank you, dear Jesus, for
this sight of the great conqueror." Another one standing by her side
clasped her hands and shouted, "Bless the Lamb--Bless the Lamb."
Another one threw her bonnet in the air, screaming with all her might,
"Thank you, Master Lincoln." A white woman came to a window but turned
away, as if it were a disgusting sight. A few white women looking out
of an elegant mansion waved their handkerchiefs. President Lincoln
walked in silence, acknowledging the salute of officers and soldiers,
and of the citizens, colored and white. It was a man of the people
among the people. It was a great deliverer among the delivered. No
wonder tears came to his eyes when he looked on the poor colored people
who were once slaves, and heard the blessings uttered from thankful
hearts and thanksgiving to God and Jesus. They were earnest and
heartfelt expressions of gratitude to Almighty God, and thousands of
colored men in Richmond would have laid down their lives for President
Lincoln. After visiting Jeff. Davis' mansion he proceeded to the rebel
capitol and from the steps delivered a short speech, and spoke to the
colored people as follows:
"In reference to you, colored people, let me say God has made you
free. Although you have been deprived of your God-given rights by your
so-called masters, you are now as free as I am, and if those that claim
to be your superiors do not know that you are free, take the sword and
bayonet and teach them that you are--for God created all men free,
giving to each the same rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness."
The gratitude and admiration amounting almost to worship, with which
the colored people of Richmond received the President must have deeply
touched his heart. He came among the poor unheralded, without pomp
or pride, and walked through the streets, as if he were a private
citizen more than a great conqueror. He came not with bitterness in
his heart, but with the olive leaf of kindness, a friend to elevate
sorrow and suffering, and to rebuild what had been destroyed. The 6th
inst. General Weitzel's headquarters were moved to a large mansion
on the north corner of Franklin and 4th streets. Here the hearts of
the detached men were made glad with the expectation of remaining
sometime, but our hopes were soon blasted when the General told me that
on Tuesday the 11th, we should move to Petersburg. On Tuesday morning
the 25th corps moved by regiments to the regret of all, both white
and colored. As we moved down Main street to Broad, I could hear what
the rebels said as they stood on the corners in the drenching rain.
They expressed their feelings freely, saying "We never were protected
until the colored troops came here. They treat us better than our
own troops did." We moved in the drenching rain and marched on the
Petersburg turnpike within two miles of Petersburg. Nothing of interest
occurred up to the 16th of April, when we received the terrible news
that President Lincoln was dead. He was stricken down by the hand of
the assassin on Friday evening, April 14th, 1865, while in company
with his family at Ford's Theatre, in Washington, D.C. The fatal shot
was fired by John Wilkes Booth. This was four years after the opening
shot was fired upon Fort Sumter, and on the very day when the same old
union flag that was then taken down again floated over the Fort. This
good and God-fearing President died on the morning of the 15th of April
at half-past seven o'clock, and he bore to heaven the fetters of four
millions of slaves, and I think I can hear him say to the Father of all
good spirits, "These are they that came up through great tribulation."
He was meek, like the Lord and Savior, and forgave his enemies to the
last. I fancy I can almost hear him say in his dying moments, "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do." No class of people feel
his death as the colored people do, for we have lost the best friend
we had on earth, our great deliverer. He has done all a President
could do for the poor colored race, and in speaking of him let me, in
conclusion, adopt the language of the poet:
"Sleep brave warrior, sleep:
Thy toils and fears are o'er;
Around the living stream of bliss,
May we meet where parting is no more."
About the 25th instant we left camp near Petersburg for Camp Lincoln
near City Point, when we lead a sort of idle camp life until the 6th of
June, when the 25th corps, 1st division, 2d brigade, received orders to
march to the City Point wharf, and there we halted and laid down until
the morning of the 7th inst. and at 9 o'clock embarked on board the De
Molay, bound for Norfolk. General Russell and staff came on board and
bid our officers good bye. Col. W.B. Wooster also came and saw us off.
We left many kind and weeping friends standing on the wharf bidding us
God speed, and wishing us a safe return. As these friends stood on the
wharf they waved their handkerchiefs and cheered us until their voices
were lost in the distance, and we were gliding swiftly down the James.
We reached Fortress Monroe at 5 P.M., and then proceeded to Norfolk.
We spent the day quite pleasantly. Col. Sadrick and the officers
generally were in the best of spirits. The only lady on board was the
wife of Captain Smith. The 9th U.S. regiment was the regiment selected
by the commanding Colonel to accompany the 1st division, 2d brigade,
25th corps, but they greatly violated their trust in the harbor at
Norfolk, and endeavored to commit a mutiny. Some of the leaders of this
mutiny were arrested, and among than were Sergeant Daniel Elsley, and
six others. The men generally were unruly, and repeatedly threatened
my life, saying that I favored the officers taking them to Texas. The
general life of the men was swearing, gambling and dancing. We arrived
at Norfolk at 8 P.M. and anchored for the night. With a burdened heart
I laid down in the hinder part of the ship, while the starry decked
heavens formed my covering. While I lay thinking of my beloved family
and many kind friends I fell asleep, and had pleasant dreams of home
and loved ones there, which were very soon disturbed by a row among the
men in the forward hatch, who had been put under guard because they
refused to obey orders.
The morning of the 8th the sun rose beautifully. Everything was quiet
on board and the day past off pleasantly. The 9th found us still in
harbor, and the men again endeavored to be unruly. The cause of their
uneasiness and all the disturbance was this: they thought the officers
were going to take them to Cuba and sell them, and the reason they
continually threatened me was because they thought I knew all about it.
But I held my passion and allowed them to think as they pleased. I give
great praise to Col. Gennett of the 9th U.S. regiment for the manner
in which he endeavored to find out the leaders of the mutiny. I kept a
strict lookout and put my trust in God.
On the 10th instant I visited Norfolk, and found the colored people
generally doing well. I met with Rev. J.M. Brown, of the A.M. E.
Church, one of my old friends. He treated me very kindly, and we spent
a pleasant time together. He introduced me to some of the brethren of
the church. On the 11th, by general order, I went to Fortress Monroe
and got the mail and remained there all night at a boarding house.
The morning of the 12th inst. I returned to Norfolk and went on board
the transport De Molay in the evening, and found all glad to see me,
both officers and men. Sabbath I visited the churches in Norfolk,
and was much pleased to hear Elder J.M. Brown in the morning. I
was also greatly pleased to see the Sabbath School, numbering 800;
they sang beautifully. At 4 P.M. I preached on board the transport
to the officers and men of the 9th U.S. regiment; my text was "For
the wages of sin is death," and good attention was given by all. I
had an appointment to preach to Rev. J.M. Brown's people, but I gave
the appointment to Rev. Dr. Garnet of Washington. The officers and
Chaplain of the 9th Colored regiment went to hear him; he spoke most
delightfully from the passage "Run and speak to that young man." On
Monday, the 13th inst., I visited Portsmouth and found the colored
people there doing well and engaged in many ways to procure a living. I
found some of the 29th boys in the hospital. On Tuesday I again went to
Portsmouth and spent a part of the day, and then went over to Norfolk
and back to Fortress Monroe, where I met many of my old officers of the
29th, and as usual, all were glad to see me. The 29th was then on the
transport Blackstone, then laying in the harbor opposite the fort. When
I passed in the mail steamer the men gave me three cheers. At 7 P.M. I
returned to Norfolk and went on board the De Molay. On Wednesday, the
14th inst., we weighed anchor and soon the De Molay was stemming the
tide; we went to Fortress Monroe and joined the rest of the transports
of the fleet, five in number. We remained there two hours for me to
get the mail, and 2 P.M. found us bound for Texas, where we expected
to arrive in fifteen days. We passed Cape Hatteras light house at 5
P.M., and the ocean was calm and beautiful. We passed Cape Henry light
house at 4 P.M. Thursday morning, the 15th inst., found us out of sight
of land, and we were much amused at seeing the sun come up out of the
great waters. We had a pleasant sail, the sea was calm and beautiful
and the officers amused themselves by fishing, and caught some six feet
in length.
Friday morning, the 16th, all well on board, we were greatly impressed
with the wonderful power of God, as it was manifested on every hand. We
were sailing due east with a fresh breeze. The only thing that had been
visible for two day was a small schooner off to the right. The 17th
inst. was quite hot on board the transport as the sea was calm. In the
evening we had a shower. Saturday, the 18th, we were still out at sea
and out of sight of land. The day passed off nicely; the sea continued
calm, and as yet I had not been sea-sick, which was quite remarkable
for me. The night of the 18th was cool and clear, and we discovered a
light off to the right. After taps I soon lay me down on the deck.
Sabbath morning, the 19th inst., was beautiful and clear with a good
breeze, and the sailors put out all sail, and to the joy of both
officers and men, we were able to see the land of Newfoundland coast.
We passed Gibraltar light house at the inlet, at 9 o'clock on the
morning of the 19th inst. Amidst the pleasant scenery of the voyage,
my thoughts ofttimes turned to my beloved family and friends at home,
separated from me by the great waters rolling between. The 20th inst.,
it was still clear and calm, and found us sailing off the coast of
Florida Reefs.
We passed the 29th regiment, which was on board the transport
Blackstone that had been disabled and was laying at anchor, but when we
came alongside, they got up steam and followed us, and on the morning
of the 21st, she was close in sight. We saw a great many small sail
boats. The 22d found us off the coast of Alabama, and in the evening
we were out of sight of land. Notwithstanding we had been at sea only
seven days, we began to be anxious to get on land, which we expected
to gain in two days more. On the 23d the men began to get restless,
and complained bitterly when the water gave out and we had to drink
condensed water. Those being accustomed to sea-sickness were generally
well up to this date; there were only 10 sick out of 750 men and 25
officers.
The officers generally amused themselves by fishing, and they caught
some of the largest kind. The 25th found us still on the De Molay,
out of sight of land. The officers spent quite a time on board the
De Molay, the night of the 25th. Thinking it to be the last night
they gave vent to their feelings, and kept up until 3 A.M. They would
not sleep, and would not let any one on board sleep. The chaplain of
the 9th U.S. endeavored to get them to stop, but they went on more
vigorous, seeming to be gratified that they found some one they could
annoy. They went on until they finally fell asleep. The morning of the
26th found us in Mobile Bay in sight of Fort Warren. There were a great
many transports laying in the harbor.
We were glad to see land. Fort Gaines lay at our right and Fort Morgan
at our left. After we passed these forts we turned and anchored at
10 A.M. The scenery around the Fortress was beautiful. The gun boats
lay in the stream in great numbers. We hoped to gain camp here at
Mobile, but at 12 M. our hopes were blasted by an order from Colonel
Sadrick to go to New Orleans. We hoped to gain that place in two days
sail. We passed the light-house on the right and the scenery was most
delightful; we frequently saw groups of small trees growing by the edge
of the water. We glided down the stream and soon found ourselves wrapt
in the shades of night, which was beautiful to behold, and like nature
we were soon wrapt in the arms of sleep, and all cares of the world
were over.
The morning of the 27th found us generally well and in good spirits. We
were out of sight of land. The day was beautiful. Nothing of interest
occurred, but the usual sport of fishing by the officers. At 6 P.M.
we hove in sight of land and entered the channel leading up to New
Orleans. At 8 P.M. we anchored for the night. The morning of the 28th
was beautiful and clear. We passed a great many small vessels and at
9 A.M. came in sight of Fort Jackson and Fort Phillips. When a signal
was fired from the fort we had to come to until we were boarded by an
officer from the fort, who informed Col. Sadrick that the 2d division
could not go to New Orleans, neither could any of the officers or men
be permitted to go without a general order from General Grant. This was
quite a shock, as the officers and men had greatly anticipated spending
some time in New Orleans. The officers permitted us to go up to the
fort, but not to disembark without orders. There we were compelled
to lay on board until the Colonel could telegraph to Washington to
General Grant. We had run out of coal, wood and oil, and the transport
Blackstone was disabled, on which was the 29th colored regiment, and
could not go any farther.
Fort Jackson is a large construction, mounting seventy guns of the
largest calibre. The ravine round the fort is two miles long and very
strongly fortified. At this fort were a great many alligators, and we
went on shore and amused ourselves by catching them until prevented by
the guard around the fort. Fort Phillips lies opposite Fort Jackson
on the right of the Mississippi, and is the place where the rebels
committed the great outrage on the colored soldiers. It is a large
fort mounting sixty large guns and the small ones I did not number,
but there were a great many of them. The 10th U.S. heavy artillery was
guarding these forts and looked well. I could not help thinking of the
cruelty that had been done to the poor colored soldiers here at this
spot; although a month had passed it was fresh to me.