O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVII/1 [S# 98]
JANUARY 1-APRIL 26,
1865.--The Campaign of the Carolinas.
No. 133.--Report of Bvt. Maj. Gen. Alpheus
S. Williams, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, of operations April
6-May 24.
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HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, TWENTIETH CORPS,
Near Washington City, D. C., May 27, 1865.
COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the
movements of this division from Goldsborough, N. C., to this point:
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RICHMOND TO ALEXANDRIA.
May 11, the corps marched at 10 a.m. toward Richmond, this
division leading. In the village of Manchester the command was received
with military honors by General l)evens' division, of Twenty-fourth
Corps, drawn up in line. Crossed over the pontoon bridge at 12 m. and
marched through the city in column, with colors displayed and bands
playing. The line of march passed the Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, the
State capitol, and through the principal streets. The division encamped
in a heavy thunder-storm near Brook Creek on the Hanover pike; marched
ten miles.
May 12, the division still leading, marched at 4.30 a.m. Six miles from
camp there was a delay of two hours to rebuild a bridge over the
Chickahominy. Taking the road through Ashland Station I crossed the
South Anna on Blount's Bridge and encamped a short distance north,
marching seventeen miles. May 13, the march to-day began at daybreak,
this division leading. Crossing New Found Creek and Little River, I
encamped at 1.30 p.m. a mile south of Anderson's Bridge over theNorth
Anna after a march of fifteen miles. May 14, the division having the
advance marched the same hour as yesterday, crossed the North Anna on
pontoon bridge, and took a circuitous route toward Spotsylvania
Court-House. The Mat, Ta, and Po, and several other smaller creeks were
crossed during the day's march; encamped south of Spotsylvania
Court-House after a march of sixteen miles.
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