March 4th. Left camp at 6 a. m., and encamped on the Great Pedee river at 4 p. m. The regiment worked at corduroying roads until after dark. The command remained in camp until March 7th, at 2 p. m., when it moved down to the pontoon bridge, which it crossed at 4 p. m., after which it marched one and one half miles and went into camp for the night.
March 8th. Left camp at 6 a. m. Marched 25 miles and went into camp at 6 p. m.
March 9th. Left camp at 8 a. m. This regiment, and the 52nd O. V. I., and one section of the 19th Ind. battery, all under my command, marched as rear guard for the corps train. Crossed Downing creek at 3 p. m., and destroyed the bridges. The vanguard of the enemy came up before the destruction was complete, but upon observing us, it retired. My command did not reach camp that night We assisted wagons out of the mud until 3 o'clock of the morning of March 10th when the jaded and exhausted animals gave out, and the guards rested by the road side until day light, when we resumed the labor of assisting wagons over the bad roads. We reached the division camp at 8 a. m., where we rested one hour and then resumed the march in column. Marched 15 miles and went into camp at 4 p. m.
March 11th. Left camp at 9 a. m. Marched to within two miles of Fayetteville, N. C, and went into camp at 2 p. m.
March 12th. Left camp at 6 p. m. Crossed the Cape Fear river at 9 p. m., and went into camp behind rebel fortifications on the north side.
March 13th. Moved two miles for change of camp.
March 14th. Remained in camp all day.
March 15th. Left camp at 9 a. m. Marched 12 miles as rear guard for trains.
March 16th. Left camp at 6 a. m. Marched about 8 miles and met the enemy strongly entrenched near Black river, ready to dispute our further advance. My regiment went into position about 2 p. m. on the right of the second line. At 4 p. m. I moved in reserve of the brigade and at sundown took position on the left of the front line for the purpose of filling a gap then existing between the 1st and 3rd brigades. I established my line within 74 yards of the enemies' line of fortifications, and constructed works. My loss was one man wounded severely. The enemy retreated during the night.
March 17th. Left camp at 8 a. m. Forded Black river and Black Mingo creek, and after a march of 10 miles, went into camp for the night.