On the morning of the 2d of May, in conjunction with the First Brigade of the First Division of the Sixth Corps, we started on our return march, camping at night at Laurel Hill. The next day (3d) we marched twenty-one miles, crossing Banister River at nightfall and went into camp. On the 4th we marched as far as Staunton, and camped for the night on the banks of the river near the railroad. Here we observed an extensive line of rifle-pits which had been constructed by the Confederates to defend the bridge and the railway at this point. On the 5th crossed the Staunton River on pontoons, and moved to Keyes’s Station, arriving there about three o’clock in the afternoon. After a short stay here we marched a few miles further on, to obtain good water, and encamped about six P. M.
May 6th, we broke camp at 7.30 A. M., and arrived at Burkeville Station at two o’clock in the afternoon. After a brief halt we moved two miles beyond and encamped. We were informed that the War Department had ordered the discharge of all men in the army as soon as possible, with the exception of regular troops. We remained here several days.
On the morning of the 15th we were ordered to hitch up, marched to the station, and loaded our battery, comprising the pieces and limber chests on the train for City Point. On the 20th of May we left Burkeville Station at seven A. M., and marched toward City Point. On the 22d, the battery, with the Sixth Corps, arrived at City Point at three o’clock in the afternoon.
On the 23d of May the Army of the Potomac under Meade, with the exception of the Sixth Corps, passed in review before President Johnson and his cabinet in Washington. It was witnessed by thousands of spectators, and is said to have been grand and impressive. It occupied over six hours in passing the grand stand which had been erected in front of the President’s house.
On the morning of the 24th, Sherman’s army commenced at ten o’clock to pass in review. The appearance of this army was in striking contrast to that of the Army of the Potomac the day before. The latter troops had been operating where full supplies of food and clothing had been regularly received from the North, while Sherman’s army, being far from its base of supplies, were not so well dressed as their comrades of the Army of the Potomac, and were to a great extent compelled to obtain their food from the country through which they passed. Perhaps they did not keep the perfect alignment of the well drilled troops of the Army of the Potomac, but nevertheless the marching of the Western army could not be excelled, and it was thoroughly drilled to endure hardships, either by long and continuous marches or through exposure to any climate without the ordinary shelter of a camp.
On the 25th of May, we painted the battery preparatory to going on review with the Sixth Corps in Washington. May 27th, we marched from City Point at seven A. M., and camped for the night near the outskirts of the town of Manchester.
On the 28th, we marched through Manchester, crossing the James River on pontoons, and marching up the main street of Richmond which had been the objective point of the Army of the Potomac for so many long years, we passed through and encamped outside the city.
We observed in Richmond the devastation made by the recent conflagration. It was said by an eye witness that on the evacuation of the place by the rebel army that an order was issued from General Ewell’s headquarters to fire the four principal tobacco warehouses of the city. The mayor dispatched by a committee of citizens a remonstrance against this reckless military order, but it was not heeded, and nothing was left but to submit to the destruction of their property. The authorities had taken the precaution to empty all the liquor into the streets, and to throw out the provisions which the Confederate government had left for the people to gather up. Some of the retreating rebel soldiers managed to get hold of a quantity of liquor, and from that moment law and order ceased to exist. Many of the stores were pillaged, and the sidewalks were encumbered with broken glass where the thieves had smashed the windows in their reckless haste to lay hands on the plunder within. The air was filled with the wild cries of distress, or the yells of roving pillagers. When our forces entered the city on the morning of the 3rd of April, it was found to have been fired in two places, and the place was in the most utter confusion. Our troops immediately set to work to extinguish the flames, which they finally succeeded in accomplishing.
May 29th, we moved to Hanover Court House and encamped.
On the 30th, we left Hanover Court House at seven o’clock in the morning, crossed the Pamunkey River on pontoons, marched a short distance, and encamped for the night. At eight o’clock the next morning (31st) we crossed the Mattapony River, directed our march toward Bowling Green, and camped there for the night.