Thomas Wright's Diary

Death Blow

April 6, 1865 the combined forces of the Union Army the Army of the Potomac, the Army of the James River and Army of the Shenandoah met the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia for it's last major battle. The Death Blow to Confederacy in the East.

5, April 1865

Me an the Company been movin with little rest, not that we need it; we are just like wolves trackin our prey. We can feel the end is near. Lot a hills an such few small creeks ta cross, all this a slow Ole Bobby Lee down a might. Got those wagons with what supplies he has, an wounded an such that can't walk. Got put this down, we a movin again.

6, April 1865

Well our boys at High Bridge got whupped on. We goin back in, mornin next. Try take that bridge an the lower Wagon bridge. Those Rebs still got fight in thum! Ya know knowin the end is near, I can feel like the boys; what ifin we don't make it? Why so close ta the end, don't seem right not ta. Strange how a fella think on thins.
Told thum ta check over they gear, take extra ammo get some rest.

8, April 1865

Yesterday was, like a furry a fire! What few were on our side that massive bridge. Took ta us like they had no tomorrow nor the day after. As we pushed them towards the bridge head, they fought even harder! Then suddenly they took ta a run lightin the bridge as they ran. The bridge caught fire, I left one platoon behind ta help put outs the fire! The rest the Company moved on forward we slung shirts an bedrolls as we moved up tryin ta put the fires out.

We made the other side, ta meet a few thum Rebs this skirmish lasted like what seemed hours. Probably not near 30 minutes. Strange how time can seem longer or even slow, when ya in tough life threatenin situation. As we busted the line they was only one a standin that could fight, this feller looked ta be 50 at the youngest.

He was standin fast Battle Flag stuck in the ground, broke saber in hand not even a tremble in his stature. As we approached he shouted, ya have ta kill me, Sir! I won't go with out a fight! This Colonel, he looked a mess his uniform was in tatters his face hard yet, he looked so defiant that I couldn't kill him. I replied no need in killin ya Sir, ya can keep the saber what is left of it. Ifin ya just surrender ta me, I will get ya some food see ta it ya treated fair.

Well, that Colonel looked at me, then at his saber, shook his head say I can not surrender Sir. I must hold till the last. Ya are the last I say, ya done ya duty with honor Sir. They is no Glory in this kinda death. Can I keep the Guidon, Sir? I say that I will agree ta, he nodded I took an folded the Guidon told him ta tuck it away. They might try an take it later. The Battle Flag I took an then saluted him. Theo had a few men escort him back.

From my understandin we captured from one fourth ta half Lee's Army. From 6-7 April. We have thum surrounded here near Appomattox. Heard tell Grant has sent messages ta Lee, askin him ta surrender. What Lee a do, don't, rightfully know. Just hope he uses his better judgment on it. (Numbers of how many troops of the Confederacy were captured are from forth to half. Those numbers could include deserters.) Well I am done best pack it in.

                   Battle Saylers Creek or Sailor Creek, lower picture,
                   High Bridge railroad with footpath,  after Union repairs.

9, April 1865

What, A day! Bobby Lee! Has surrendered his Army! The real end is near. We should force march south ta crush, Johnston an his boys! Why wait end it in the East now! Lan sakes I just want ta go home. No word when they a stack arms an go home. My understandin is they can just go on home, long they obey the law an the parole offered thum. The Bands been playin nice homeward thinkin music. We are happy, yet the boys seem subdued, think they just thinkin about home an not gettin killed befer it is over. Tuck took ta replacin Philotis right fine. Theo an the rest of I Company Officers had a drink with him. I walked along with Theo ta Company K, he say I can put Orders through ta get ya home; if want ta go on home. I tell him be fine, should finish this out, why leave now. Had another drink with K Company an headed back ta I Company. Goin ta get some needed rest.

                                  Sailor Creek & High Bridge

When the two Bridges the High Railroad bridge and lower wagon bridge, didn't burn this gave Grant the way to get across the Appomattox River. The spring rains had flooded the surrounding creeks and river. With out those bridges, Grant would of been stalled till he built new or waited till the flood receded. This would have gave Lee time, to resupply his Army and move on towards North Carolina and Johnston. The orders either arrived late to burn them, or they weren't followed right away.

I found a little information on the battle, that will give you a good idea, just how bad off the Army of Northern Virginia was. This comes from the Locket House, it was used as a Hospital.

Not all deaths came from bullets at the Locket House. Some Confederate soldiers were so weak, that they died in their sleep from starvation and exhaustion. The front lawn was covered with wounded and dying, the grass was covered in blood. No green just red. Men from both Armies lay in the lawn.

The Grand Army of Northern Virginia, was to the point of breaking.
What few supplies they had most were captured a forth to half the Army killed, wounded or captured. Lee really had no choice but to surrender being surrounded. No way out but to fight his way out.
Lee made the only decision he could the one he knew was right, and fair to his men.

General George Washington Custis Lee, oldest son of Robert E. Lee was captured at Sailors Creek. He surrendered to Private David Dunnels White, of the 37th Massachusetts. Three days before his Father surrendered. Known as Custis he attended West Point Graduated first in his class of 46 men. He attended from 1850-1854,
J.E.B. Stuart was a fellow classmate. He resigned from the Union Army in 1861 when Virginia left the Union.

Robert Edward Lee, youngest son of Robert E. Lee, enlisted into the Army as a private in 1862 with the Rockbridge Artillery C.S.A.
During the Second Battle of Manassas, young Rob was manning his gun. During the thick of battle his Father rode up. Young Rob's recollection. "My face and hands blackened by powder and sweat, and the few garments I had on were ragged and stained red, from the soil in that section." Rob managed to get his fathers attention.
The older Lee replied,"Well my man what can I do for you?" Rob replied,"Why General don't you know me!" Rob said once the "General realised who he was talking to, he became amused at his appearance and most glad to see he was safe."

Lee had one other son that served Major General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee. Confederate Cavalry Commander. At the beginning of the Gettysburg campaign, Lee was shot in thigh at Brandy Station,
he spent the next two weeks recovering at Hickory Hill Virginia. Before his capture, he was held at Fort Monroe, till being transfered to New York where he was held until an exchange could be worked out. February 25, 1864 he was exchanged for Brig. General Neal A. Dow. He fought in the Battle of the Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Spotsylvania Court House, Lee's Cavalry Division patrolled the extreme right at Petersburg.

Thanks for the support, the next chapter is a little history on the surrender at Appomattox Court House and it's terms.
Sherman and Johnston accord that was put aside that would of ended the war from the Potomac to the Reo Grand.