The 24th of November was observed in camp as Thanksgiving Day, and all duties were stopped that could be dispensed with. Thanks to our kind friends at home, we were provided with a bountiful feast of turkeys, chickens, pies and other luxuries, and if they could have witnessed the satisfaction of the men on that occasion, it would have been ample reward for their generosity.
January 6th, 1865, moved to Harper's Ferry. Arrived in Baltimore next morning and quartered in Barracks on Carrol Hill. On the 11th Colonel Waltermire took command of the Regiment, and we embarked on board the steamer Sua-Noda, for Savannah. General Grover and Staff, the 128th N.Y.S. Volunteers and the 24th Iowa were on the same vessel.
On the 18th cast anchor in Warsaw Sound, eight miles from Savannah; and on the 20th the Regiment went up to the city on river boats, and were quartered in the Central Railroad Depot.
On the 26th were moved out to the fortifications, on the West side of the town.
February 1st, fresh bread was issued with our rations, which was a luxury to the boys so long kept on "hard tack." February 19th, fired a rousing salute on hearing of the occupation of Charleston by the Union forces. On the 22d, celebrated Washington's Birth-day in a becoming manner.
March 9th, were ordered on board the Tug boat U.S. Grant, which conveyed us to Hilton Head, where we went into Barracks.
On the 15th, were taken on board U.S. Transport New York, a splendid new ship, and arrived at Charleston, S.C., at one A.M., on the 16th. On the 17th took on board the 52d Pennsylvania, a detachment of the 54th New York, and the 28th Iowa, in all about 1,600 men. Weighed anchor on the 18th at ten and a half o'clock A.M., and moved down the harbor. This gave us an excellent opportunity to see the dilapidated city and its approaches, fortifications and defences; the latter of which were exceedingly formidable, and might be considered impregnable from the water side.
March 19th, anchored off Fort Fisher, at nine o'clock A.M., when we received orders to report at Morehead City, N.C. Reached that port on the 20th, landed on the 21st, and awaited orders.
April 5th, intelligence reached us of the evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg, which caused great rejoicing throughout the camp. This was followed by the more encouraging news of Lee's surrender on the 9th. While these great victories were being celebrated, the sad intelligence of the assassination of President Lincoln reached camp, and cast a deep sadness over those who had been jubilant but the hour before.
May 3d, ordered to report back to General Grover, at Savannah. Break camp, and embarked on board steamer Star of the South. On the 7th, after an eventful trip, disembarked at Savannah, and found the City remarkably improved in appearance since we left it.