The Civil War always brings the tales of brother fighting against brother for a cause that has had it's share of controversy for 135 years. I had no idea that, someday I would find out that this was true in my family.
James Wilson was born in Spartanburg prior to the 1800's and had five children. The first born was Abisha, born 1810 in Spartanburg, SC, later migrating to Alabama with his family.
Three of Abisha's children were William Jasper born 1838, Alvin Newton born 1840 and Josiah born in 1842. The three sons joined the Alabama 28th Infantry Regiment, survived the war and became successful farmers in North Alabama.
Family legend has it that Josiah became sick, or was wounded and came home to recuperate. After awhile, the 28th ordered him back to duty and he refused. He then slipped away to Camp Davies, MS where he joined the 1st Cavalry January 14, 1864 and was mustered out October 20, 1865. He joined General Sherman's forces and marched to Savannah and into NC before the war was over. Companies from the 1st Cavalry participated in Streight's Raid into Northern Alabama, serving as scouts for Streight's forces.
His brothers in the 28th were in Atlanta at the same time as the 1st Cavalry, but there are no accounts of the two units engaging in combat.
There is an entry in the family bible that states:"was of Scotch descent and whose ancestry dates back to the early settling of the Carolinas in 1670 under William Sayle who landed within, what is now the city of Charleston".
I have often wondered about his homecoming after the war, since he did fight for a Union regiment. There seem to be no tales of any controversy after the war.
I have a copy of Josiah's diary furnished to me by his grandson and I would like to share it. The diary is described as being about 5"X7", made of thin black leather with an overflap closure. Glued to the front of the diary is a German calendar listing saints' days for dates."Calendar auf das Jahr 1863"and the picture follows:
The diary
begins with the description:
"Memorandum of the March from Rome, Ga to Savannah, Ga."
The first entry is Friday November 11, 1864:
Up at 3 O.C. AM. Moved at 4 O.C. Marched to Kinston. Moved out
8 miles down the railroad and went into camp for the night. Marched
21 miles today.
Note: The railroad was probably the Georgia RR, not shown on the
attached map. The next several days are entries describing the
number of miles marched, usually from 16 to 20 miles or more per
day. the first mention of any combat was:
Tuesday Nov 15, 1864
Up at 2 O.C.. Moved at 4. Passed through Atlanta. Moved on found
some rebs. Marched 18 miles today.
The next two days report moving through Jackson, camping on the
Ocmulgee River.
Friday Nov 18, 1864
Up at 6 O.C. got breakfast and moved to the river and crossed
in flats. Moved out half mile and into camp for the night.
Saturday Nov 19, 1864
Moved out at daylight a raining mourning passed through Mountesilm
and charged 3 miles after rebels. Captured one-went into camp
20 miles from Macon and the same from Milledgville Ga.25 miles
today. Note:Mountesilm probably refers to Monticello. Today there
is a historical marker in the area marking the route of Sherman's
march.
Sunday November 20 reported marching to Fort Hill and making
camp in the rain.
Monday Nov 21, 1864
Up at 4 O.C. moved out at day break. Came to the railroad moved
to Gordon. Charge the rebels drove them back and wen into camp.
Note: Possible Ga. Central RR.
Tuesday, Nov 22 1864
Up at daylight Cold and blustry Moved up the railroad to Erwin
and went into camp at sundown Cold and windy.
Wednesday Nov 23 1864
Move on in advance of the 17 A.C.(17th Army Corps) Some rebels
in front come to Ocana River at 3 O.C. PM. scirmish with the rebels
2 hours. Our batery came up and sheld them We taken one end of
the bridge which is 2 miles long. We moved back and went into
camp. the Second Batallion down at the other ferry.
Note: Probably referring to the Oconee River, Ga Central RR bridge
and Ball's Ferry.
Thursday Nov 24 1864
Up at daylight. Sadeled up and rode through the snow up to hunt
for a road leading up the river to a ferry. All swamp and no road
moved back and went into camp at the same place where we lay last
night. The Second batallion lost 20 men out of 60 last evening.
Sadeled up and moved back on the RR 6 miles and went into camp
for the night with the 17 A.C. Note: this entry was the first
mention of "sadeling up" as a cavalry unit.
Friday Nov 25 1864
Moved out at sunrise moved 1 mile of the river and fought for
one hour and fell back to our horses. May Tramel and Capt Hinds
go to river with a flag of truce.
Saturday Nov 26 1864
Up at 5 O.C. AM moved to the river and crossed and went to the
front to the RR bridge and burnt it. Moved back and went into
camp 4 miles from the RR.
Sunday Nov 27 1864
Moved at 10 O.C. AM down the railroad and crossed the railroad
at Station No 13. Gen Sherman's H.Q. at the widow Peacocks Plantation.
The next few days recount the day's marches and by Friday Dec
2 the regiment had crossed the Little Ogeeche River and camped
close to Millen.
Saturday Dec 3 1864
Our Co. marched up the August RR 6 miles to burn the stockaids
the rebs kept our prisoners in. burnt the depot. Moved back for
the regiment has fine time riding through the woods.The regiment
ordered down the road 9 miles. Our Co. went into camp for the
night.
Sunday
Dec 4 1864
Moved out at 7 O.C. find the regiment at 10 O.C. move on down
the RR within 45 miles of Savanah to Indian Creek. found rebels
dismounted Co. D and skirmished with the rebels. got one man bad
wounded. moved back 4 miles and went into camp for the night.
Dec 5-7 reports fording the creek with the help of the infantry,
a days rest in camp and some light fighting.
Thursday Dec 8 1864
Moved out at 6 O.C. Charged the pickets, dismounted and scirmished
with enemy half hour. mounted persued rebs. Hidden torpedoes got
2 horses and three men wounded. heavy shelling,musktry in the
evening. drove them 12 miles and wen into camp for the night.
Friday Dec 9, 1864
Moved out at daylight. Crossed the Corell and went into camp.
Heavy canonaiding in front.
Saturday
Dec 10, 1864
Moved out at 8 OC, went in 4 miles of Savannah, Ga. Heavy skirmishing
along the lines. Went into camp for the night.
Sunday
Dec 11, 1864
Moved out on the right flank and went into camp. Constant fireing
on the left.
Monday
Dec 12, 1864
Day in camp today. Heavy canonaiding and musketry around the lines.
Tuesday
Dec 13, 1864
Orders to git ready for three days march. Went out on the right
with one division of the 14 A. C. 30 miles after forge for horses
and men.
Wednesday Dec 14 1864
Have a fine time riding in the country. Fort Pulaski taken today
with 3000 prisoners. Not: Was the fall of Fort McAllister-not
Fort Pulaski.
Dec 15th was spent in camp.
Friday Dec 16 1864
Orders to move with 5 days rashens down the gulf to tare up the
Gulf RR. Moved out marched 25 miles and went into camp.
Saturday
Dec 17 1864
Moved out at 5 O.C. marched 25 miles and went into camp and distroid
RR until dark.
Sunday Dec 18 was spent completing the destruction of the
railroad. Dec 19 marched 30 miles. Dec 20 uneventful.
Wednesday Dec 21 1864
The rebels vacated Savanah last night. We remain in camp today.
All quite all around.
Thursday Dec 22 1864
Moved out and marched through Savanah and went into camp for the
night 2 miles from town.
Dec 23 recounts saddling up and moving down the Thunderbolt, slightly
south of the city and going into camp "in good Baracks"
and resting and sleeping on the 24th.
Sunday Dec 25 1864
Enjoying Christmas, plenty of fish and austers (oysters)and whiskey.
Remain here some time very light duty. A Gen Review in the advance
of 17 A.C. The Sec of War Stanton was the review officer on the
review with Gen Kilpatrick Division of Cal .The rest of the entry
is almost unreadable but it seems that the command changed to
a Col. Spencer.
January 22, 1865
March down the gulf railroad 9 miles and went into camp with our
respective cos. Orders for a long and tedious march giting ready,
preparing horses, provisions, wagon trains, clothing and so forth.
Gen Shermans army of Infantry crossed at Thunderbolt and moved
on in direction of Clara.(?)with Gen Kilpatrick on the left. Moving
up the Savannah River nearly reaching August, Ga.
January
28, 1865
Moved at 8 O.C. AM march 15 miles and went into camp for the night.
Sunday
January 29, 1865
Up at 4 O.C.AM moved out at 6. March 20 milesa and went into camp
at 7PM.
B Remained in camp. Nothing reported.
Friday Feb 3, 1865
Left camp in the evening. Crossed the Savannah R. thirty miles
above Savannah. Moved out 5 miles and went into camp at 11 O.C.
PM.
Saturday Feb 4, 1865
Up at 4 O.C. AM moved at 6. Marched out 5 miles to Barbesville.
Our bittalian ordered to report back to Gen Slocum.
Feb 5, 1865-Feb 7, 1865 in camp awaiting orders.
Wednesday
Feb 8, 1865
Up at 4 O.C. AM moved at 9, marched 20 miles and went into camp
at 5.
Thursday Feb 9, 1865
Up at 5 O.C. AM moved at 7 marched 10 miles and came up with our
wagon trains passed them marched 20 miles and went into camp at
5 O. C. AM.
Friday Feb 10, 1865
Up at 5 O.C. AM, moved at 6 marched 20 miles came to Blacksville
on the Charles and August railroad. Stopt and eat dinner moved
9 miles and went into camp at 6PM. Blackville, SC on the Augusta
and Charleston RR.
Saturday Feb 11, 1865
Up at 10 O.C. PM moved at 12 O.C. got to the command at 10AM.
The command were halted and scrimishing with the enemy in front.
Our scirmishers fell back and we built barickades and went into
camp for the night. Having orders to move at 1 O.C.AM.
Feb 12-14,1865
Marched these three days to within 33 miles of Columbia, SC. Reports
of very unpleasant weather with heavy cannonading in the front.
Wednesday Feb 15, 1865
Up at 7 O.C. moved at 8 marched 5 miles and same up with the Infantry.
Crossed the river marched 10 miles and went into camp. Some scirmishing
this evening.
Thursday Feb 16 65
Up at 6 O.C. moved at 7 marched 10 miles to Lexington and went
into camp at 1 O.C.PM 11 miles from Columbia.
Friday Feb 17 1865
Up at 6 O.C. orders to git gorag for the day. Rebs reported be
comeing up in the rear. Formed line of battle. No attack, we moved
out at 10 O.C. march 4 miles and slept 1 hour. Movbed on to Saludas
River crossed at 9 O.C.PM moved 6 miles and went into camp at
10 O.C.
Saturday Feb 18, 1865
Up at 6 O.C.moved out at 8. Marched 8 miles to Congaree river.
The rebs had burnt the bridge. We moved back 3 miles and went
into camp at 6 O.C.
Sunday Feb 19, 1865
Up at 5 O.C. laying still at 10. Orders to move at 6PM. Moved
and crossed Broad River at 10 O.C. PM. Stopt until 2 O.C. moved
out marched all night.
Monday Feb 20, 1865
Stopt at 10 O.C. AM and fed, moved on again 6 miles to Mounteseleim
(Mount Salem)and went into camp.
Tuesday Feb 21 1865
Up at 6 O.C. moved out at 8. Marched 10 miles and went into camp
at 7 O.C.PM. Shermans army marching on our __? Army now in ___?
In South Carolina. Spread for sixty miles wide burning all factory,
bridges, mills cotton and cotton gins Government works of all
kinds as they go. Rebs retreating in our front blockaiding the
roads and burning bridges and corn to stop our pursue. But all
in vain. Marching on them at a heavy rage.
Wednesday Feb 22 1865
Up at 5 O.C.AM moved at 7. Marched 20 miles and came to the railroad
leading from Columbia, SC to Richmond, Va Crossed the railroad
and went into camp at 6PM.
Thursday Feb 23 1865
Up at 5 O.C. AM moved at 6. Marched 15 miles Stopt and got supper
and fed. Moved at 7PM crossed the Catawba river marched all night.
Very rainy and cold.
Friday Feb 24 1865
Stopt at 7 O.C. AM and went into camp for that day and night.
Feb 25-March 6, 1865 Up early and a full days march for each day
during this time with some fighting reported on March 3. Marched
through Lanchester and were at the Peedee River on March 6.
Tuesday March 7 1865
Up at 5 O.C. moved at 8 marched 15 miles to Rockinham(Rockingham,
NC) Moved out 1 mile and went into camp. Some fighting in front,
Saddeled up and moved out 3 miles and went into camp. Capt Peek
and 20 men ordered out on Scout rode 25 miles and returned to
camp at 4O.C. AM (Note: First time in weeks that "saddled
up" was mentioned")
Wednesday Mar 8, 1865
Up at 6 O.C.AM moved at 8. Marched 15 miles and crossed the Plank
Road. Some rebels on the flank weather bad. Marched all night
crossed Lumber River had swamp on each side. (Note: Probably in
the vicinity of Lumberton, NC)
Thursday
March 9, 1865
Stopt at 6 and got breakfast and fed moved at 8AM. Marched until
4 O.C.PM got supper and fed moved out at 8 marched 10 miles and
moved into camp at 11 O.C. PM raining very hard.
Friday March 10 1865
Reville at 6 O.C.AM a rebel charge at the same time fought 3 hours
whipt the rebels drove them out of our camp. Lay in camp until
11 AM buried our dead moved out marched 7 miles and went into
camp at 7 O.C.PM. Note: This is Battle of Monroe's Crossroads.
Saturday Mar 11 1865
Up at 6 O.C. AM moved out at 8. Marched 8 miles and went into
camp at 3 O.C. PM 7 miles north of Faitville, NC (Fayetteville,
NC).
March 12-March 15, 1865 Remained in camp resting, marched through
Fayetteville on March 15.
Wednesday March 15 1865
Up at 1 O.C moved at 3. Marched through Faitville NC at daylight.
Crossed the ___? River marched 15 miles. Came to the rebs Hardees
Corp and Wheeler Division of Cavalry. Built bariickaids and went
into camp. Some fighting this evening.
Thursday March 16 1865
Up at 4 O.C. moved at 6. Came up with the rebs in forts. Attacked
them fought till 10. Gen Sherman came up with the infantry and
heavy artillery. Fought till in the evening, drove them from their
forts in fury and confushion.
Friday
Mar 17 1865
Up at 6 O.C, lay in camp until 2PM moved out and marched 6 miles
and went into camp at 7 O.C.
Saturday Mar 18 1865
Up at 5 OC moved out and found some rebs drove them on and went
into camp at 6 OC PM
Sunday March 19 1865
Up at 5 OC moved at 7. Came to the main road that the infantry
marched on. Heavy scirmishing and canonaiding in front with the
12 Corps and the rebs. Went into camp for the night.
Monday March 20 1865
Up at 5 OC, still in camp at 2 OC PM. Moved to the barickaids
and tuck our position on picket. Heavy fighting this evening.
Tuesday March 21,1865
Relieved
at 2 OC and moved back to our former camping ground-some fighting
going on in front.
March 22, 1865-April 7, 1865
Marching each day to the Richmond&Wilmingtom Railroad and
into camp at Fasans Station (?) enjoying very fine weather.
April 7, 1865
Orders to move got ready and moved at 12 OC marched 8 miles up
the RR to Mountaline Station (?) and went into camp at 5 OC PM.
April 8-April 12, 1865
In camp until April 10 when they moved out and marched toward
Smithfield.
Wednesday
April 12 1865
Up at 5 OC moved out and marched 10 miles. Came to the rebs, heavy
canonaiding drove them out came to the railroad 4 miles from Raleigh
the capitol of NC. The governor of the State met us with a flag
of truce and surrendered the city. We built barickaids and went
into camp for the night.
Thursday April 13, 1865
Up at 4 OC moved on through Pinckney 1 mile and came to the rebs.
Regular fighting all evening-halted awhile at the depot on the
Sharlet(Charlotte) RR heavy canonaiding here, moved on and went
into camp at 6 OC rebs disaper.
Friday April 14 1865
Up at 5OC moved half mile. Built barickaides and went into camp
for day and night.
Saturday April 15 1865
Up at 4OC got ready and moved out. Rain discending in heavy torants.
Marched 10 miles. Column halted. Sent over flag of truce to call
a surrender of the reb army. We built barickaids and went into
camp.
Sunday April 16 1865
All quite in camp. No fighting going on here.
Monday April 17 1865
General Sherman and Grant with others and ? escort goes out with
a flag of truce to meet Johnson and Breckenridge. Hostilities
ceast in the state of NC.
Tuesday
April 18 1865
Nothing going on today worth writeing
Wednesday April 19 1865
Flags of truce passing constant and all in good spirits of the
surrender of the rebs.
Thursday April 20, 1865
Moved out half mile and went into camp for picket duty.
Friday April 21 1865
Seeing a gay time riding in the country: no fighting to prohibit.
Saturday April 22 1865
Both of the Armys laying still.
Sunday April 23 1865
Driliing some and picketing the roads.
Monday April 24 1865
On General review
Tuesday April 25 1865
Varous reports of surrendering of the rebs.
Wednesday April 26 1865
Gen Johnson surrendered his forces today. Together Breckenridge,
the Secretary of War surrendered all East of the Mississippi River.
Great aplause and rejoicing among the soldiers.
Friday April 28 1865
Parallel soldiers passing through camp going to their homes.
Saturday April 29 1865 Our reg. Releived from the Division to
return to our native state.
Sunday April 30 1865
All lively and rejoicing
Monday May 1 1865
Giting ready to march through on horse back.
Tuesday May 2 1865
All quite in camp today
Wednesday May 3 1865
Orders to march tomorrow for North Alabama.
Thursday May 4 1865
Left our camp at 6 OC. Moved out passing through Hillsborough
and went in to camp 4 miles beyond town.
Friay
May 5 2865
Up at 6 OC moved out at 8. Crossed How(/) River passed through
Graham and went into camp at 2OC PM 20 miles today.
Saturday
May 6 1865
Up aT 5 OC moved out came to the railroad and marched parallel
with it. Passed through Greensborough and went into camp 1 mile
beyond town.
Sunday
May 7 1865
Up at 5 OC orders to move at 7. Saddled up. Orders to unsaddle
and wait for wagon train with forage. Moved out at 10 OC Marched
1 miles to Jamestown, moved 2 miles and went into camp at % OC
PM.
Monday
May 8 1865
Up at 5 OC,moved out at 6. Marched through Lexington, NC and went
into camp. Marched 22 miles today.
Tuesday
May 9 1865
Up at 5 OC moved out at 7. Marched 9 miles to the Yadhart(?)River
crossed on the Rail Road. B-(?) moved on 7 miles to Saulsberry
and went into camp at 1 OC PM. Marched 16 miles today.
Wednesday
May 10 1865
All quite in camp and expecting to stay here sometime. Remained
here till
Tuesday
May 16 1865
Up at 5 OC got ready and left Saulsberry at 8 OC. Started for
Tennessee. Marched 16 miles and went into camp at 2 OC.
Wednesday
May 17 1865
Up at 4 OC, moved out at 5. Marched 14 miles to Catauba River
crossed and rested. Moved on 3 miles and went into camp. 17 miles
today
Thursday
May 18 1865
Up at 4 OC, moved out at 5. Springhill furnace and Lincontonville.
Crossed a little river stopt and fed. Moved on 8 miles and went
into camp at 2 OC. 17 miles today
Friday
May 19 1865
Up at 4 OC moved out at 5. Marched 12 miles. Came to Broad River.
Crossed at Gunters Ford. Marched 5 miles and went into camp. 17
miles today.
Saturday
May 20 1865
Up at 3:00 moved at 5. Came to Second Broad River, marched 22
miles and went into camp at 2:00
Sunday
May 21 1865
Up at 4:00 moved out at 5. marched till we came to the Broad Bridge
on third(/) Broad River and crossed. Moved on up the river through
a gap in the mountain to Blue Ridge Marched 21 miles today and
went into camp at Hickorynut Gap.
Monday
May 22 1865
Up at 3:00, moved out at 7. Marched to Ashville, the county cite
of Bunkam and went into camp 1 mile beyond toen on the Frenchbroad
River. 15 miles today.
Tuesday
May 23 1865
Up at 3:00 moved at 4.
Marched down the Frenchbroad River all day. Came to Marcial, the
count cite of Madison County. Went into camp on the bank of the
river. 21 miles today.
Wednesday
May 24 1865
Up at 3:00 marched out at 7. Down the river passing through the
Warm Springs 2miles and went into camp at 3:00. 18 miles today.
Thursday
May 25 1865
Up at 3:00 moved out down the river. Cane to the line of Tennessee
at Paint Rock. Left the river and crossed Paint Rock Mountain.
Marched down the cove 7 miles and went into camp in Green County,
Tenn. 14 miles today.
Friday
May 26 1865
Up at 3 OC, moved at 7. Marched 6 miles came to Chuskey(?)
River closed on Birch Bridge in Birch Valley, moved on through
Greenville and went into camp 1 mile beyond.
Saturday
May 27 1865
Remain at Greenville today to rest and git forage and rations
and to git out horses shod.
Sunday
May 28 1865
Up at 3 OC, left Greenville at 6 OC passing the Blue Springs.
Came to Bulls Gap Station on The Greenville and Knoxville RR.
Went into camp. 20 miles today.
Monday
May 29 1865
Up at 5 OC marched at 6 passing Russelville and Morristown. Went
into camp at 2 OC 22 miles today.
Tuesday
May 30 1865
Up at 5:00 moved out passing Newmarket. Crossed Holston River
and went into camp 2 miles from river. 18 miles today.
Wednesday
May 31 1865
Up at 4:00 moved out at 6. Marched 13 miles to Knoxville, Tenn.
Moved out 5 miles from town and went into camp at 11OC 18 miles
today.
Thursday
June 1 1865
Resting today, it being (?) day. (Can't make out the rest of the
sentence)
Friday
June 2 1865
Up at 4 OC moved at 6. Passing Campell Station, moved on and went
into camp. Marched 18 miles today.
Saturday
June 3 1865
Up at 4 OC moved at 6. Marched 8 miles came to the river, crossed
at Charlston, moved into Sweetwater, went into camp 2 miles beyond
town. 22 miles today.
Sunday
June 4 1865
Up at 4 OC, moved at 7. Passing Landon and moved into camp at
Bucksville Station. 16 miles today.
Monday
June 5 1865
Up at 6 OC moved out, marched 19 miles, came to Cleveand and went
into camp 1 mile beyond town. 20 miles today.
Tuesday
June 6 1865
Up at 4 OC moved at 6. Marched 10 miles to Ettawa Station, moved
on 8 miles further and went into camp at Tinars Station. 18 miles
today.
Wednesday
June 7 1865
Moved out at 5 OC marched into Chattanooga 10OCand went into camp1
mile beyond town at the foot of Lookout Mountain.
Thursday
June 8 1865
The magazine took fire in Chattanooga today destroying one square
of town and killing several.
Friday
June 9 1865
Up at 4 OC git redy moved at 5. Moved down the Tenn River and
went into camp at 6 OC at the Nickajack Cave. 21 miles today.
Sunday
June 11 1865
Up at 3 OC moved at 6. Crossed the Tenn River at Bridgeport. Marched
15 miles to Stevenson and went into camp 2 miles beyond town.
17 Miles today.
Monday
June 12 1865
Up at 3 OC marched at 6. Moved on to Jacksonville and went into
camp at 2OC. 21 miles today.
Tuesday
June 13 1865
Up at 3 marched at 6. Marched 20 milesand went into camp at OC.
Wednesday
June 14 1865
Up at 3 OC moved at 4. Arived in Huntsville, Ala at 12OC.
Moved out on the south side of town and went into camp. After
a long and tideous march of several months. We rester here for
a short period of time and the regiment was distributed as follows
Co C to Moulton, Co B to Courtland, Co E and G to Decatur, Co
H t Blountsville, Co M to Pikesville. Co A nd D remained at Huntsville
until July 20 then moved to Moulton and went into camp at Mt Hogas
Springs. We then remained here on civilized duty until the last
of September, moved to Decatur where the regiment was called together
and the 10 of October moved back to Huntsville and wnet into camp
for the purpose of being mustered out of the Service.
At the end of the diary are these words:
Horror of the war in South Carolina in 1865.
Very little that people know who has not witnesses of the distresses
and troubles that follow an army in pursuit of the enemy. While
the roar of the cannon can be heard clocking through the valleys
and thundering through the mountains which serves to tell to all
the nation that pain and death is in the land. Oh what horrow
is is to witness this scene. While heavy colonaides are advancing
on the enemy which lies concealed behind some enclosure. And the
death shots of their muskets lay many beneath the foot of their
comrade to be trampled on as stones of the earth and the crys
of the wounded and dying seem to mingle with the boom of the cannon
and to descent away to the ears of all the country. While men
are rushing on in the greatest of fury and confusion right into
the mouths of cannon and and the points of the bayonet. Oh to
hear them. Bitter oaths that come from the mouths of pursuing
men mixed in with groans of the dying. But distress does not stop
here. Oh no. But turn your attention to the citizens of South
Carolina while this expedition was ensuing while the rebel army
was retreating through their midst in fury and confusion destroying
and misslaying as they went and the federal in pursuit of them
burning all out houses and cotton and cotton gins: thrashers and
mills, factories and foundry, all government works together with
nearly all the towns and a vast quantity of dwellings. The eye
could not be turned anyway but it could see the vast columns of
smoke ascending towards the sky. It would rise to an extensive
height and then it would seem to turn and bend over the land,
to behold the scene that ensued from its descendents…and
the crys and shouts of the women and children seemed to mingle
with the roar of the fire and ascend to the sky. Oh horrow stricken
country often my heart has been made to sink within me to behold
these sights.
http://www.swannco.net/1st_Ala_Cav http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~cescott/yanks.html http://www.1stalabamacavalryusv.com/
Southerners in Blue by Don Umphrey.
Excellent novel on the life and times of the Unionists
in North Alabama. Based on Mr. Umphrey's grandfather's writings
about living in North Alabama during the Civil War.
Published by Quarry Press.
http://www.quarrypressbooks.com/ for ordering.
First Alabama Cavalry, USA Homage to Patriotism
by Glenda Todd McWhirter
Pictures and history of the unit plus roster with biographical
information on each soldier.
Published by Heritage Books, Inc. http://www.heritagebooks.com
for ordering.
