Letter
Written by William H. Smith (1865)
Transcript:
Bivouac 1st Mich. Vol. Infty
On the Glorious Field where
Genrl Bob Lee Surrendered
My dear Friends at Home:
I am so "happy" I don't know what to say. You know I don't drink but I realy think, I should like a cup of tea at about this time. Well at last we have realy broken the "Back Bone" of the Rebelion. We have had a hard time of it I assure you, but I feel well repaid. Many are barefoot as the country is rough and stony. The soles of my boots are worn off and for the past two days I have marched with my feet wound in pieces of cotton tenting. My feet are quite sore, but I was bound to see the "last ditch", and I believe we have found it. For I now consider the Rebellion virtually over.
Why I feel as though I was almost home. Yesterday our cavalry captured five trains of cars, five hundred wagons, and 42 pieces of artillery. We travelled most all night to get up and support the cavalry and with our legs accomplished it, and got here just in time as the enemies infantry was driving back our cavalry and would have escaped south had we not blocked their game by getting on their only road. Lee and his army were marching south between two ranges of hills with our 2nd & 6th corps persuing him in the rear, while our corps and a part of the 24th corps with the cavalry by a circuitous route on the left flank got this position. There is a small town here called Appomatox Court House where Lee, Grant, and Sheridan met to arrange the terms of surrender which are "conditional" but might have been unconditional if Grant had required it. But I think it is, and should be the policy of all in authority to conciliate as far as possible without sacrificing our own honor. The "conditions" so far as I can learn, are these; Officers and men are to retain their personal effects, the former their side arms, and all to be paroled on the field.
The best of it is the Rebs are as pleased over the affair as we are, and when the surrender was made known to them cheer after cheer went up along their whole line. Their southern pride is strongly humbled and I think a majority of them will be better citizens than before. What an eventful week the past has been. One week ago yesterday the 5th Corps nd [illeg.] took the South Side R. R., thereby turning the key to Petersburg & Richmond and last night the same force with a part of the 24 Corps again turned the key that locked Lee in. All the old army of the Potomac has ever lacked was good leaders but thanks to the powers that be that want was supplied at the proper time, and you see the result. I can't realize the turn of affairs. It all seems like a dream. Perhaps it is well I can’t for it might [illeg.] me. I do believe the past week has been the happiest of my life. The thought that the army of the Potomac has at last accomplished what it has so long bled and sweat for. Little Royal Scott and Robert Smith are all here and safe, each doing his duty to the last.
The bands are playing and the armies are cheering, "Sweet Home", "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," and "Hail to the Chief" seem to be the prevailing pieces. Many, many are the hearts made glad this day and many more will be made by the news. I suppose you are all crazy with joy up north. If you are not, you should be. On the 5th, I saw Lute Ives and. Bro. Lem but have not heard from them since. The weather is very fine and has been since we started, favoring us very much. We are leaving Mich May weather and the leaves are budding.
I have had no letters that were written since my return, but expect some. No more now!
Monday morning the 10th
Last night it rained a little and is still lousy. Many rumors but nothing official. I have not seen Gen'l Lee yet. The work of turning in arms and parolling will commence this morning, and will probably take two or three days. Rumor says our corps is going to Lynchburg. No mail going out yet.
Good by all - Billy
Evening
We have just been notified that the mail leaves Hd.q - in one hour. All quiet and nothing startling to relate. Our army and the Rebs are visiting very cordially. Many of the Rebs were over taking supper with our men. They have a keen relish for a cup of Yankee coffee. It is regular Jubilee for both armies. A Big thing.
Remember me to all enquiring friends if they are loyal - Love to each & all the family, so write one and all.
Adieu
William.
P.S. This is a specimen of Reb. paper.
Bivouac 1st Mich. Vol. Infty
On the Glorious Field where
Genrl Bob Lee Surrendered
My dear Friends at Home:
I am so "happy" I don't know what to say. You know I don't drink but I realy think, I should like a cup of tea at about this time. Well at last we have realy broken the "Back Bone" of the Rebelion. We have had a hard time of it I assure you, but I feel well repaid. Many are barefoot as the country is rough and stony. The soles of my boots are worn off and for the past two days I have marched with my feet wound in pieces of cotton tenting. My feet are quite sore, but I was bound to see the "last ditch", and I believe we have found it. For I now consider the Rebellion virtually over.
Why I feel as though I was almost home. Yesterday our cavalry captured five trains of cars, five hundred wagons, and 42 pieces of artillery. We travelled most all night to get up and support the cavalry and with our legs accomplished it, and got here just in time as the enemies infantry was driving back our cavalry and would have escaped south had we not blocked their game by getting on their only road. Lee and his army were marching south between two ranges of hills with our 2nd & 6th corps persuing him in the rear, while our corps and a part of the 24th corps with the cavalry by a circuitous route on the left flank got this position. There is a small town here called Appomatox Court House where Lee, Grant, and Sheridan met to arrange the terms of surrender which are "conditional" but might have been unconditional if Grant had required it. But I think it is, and should be the policy of all in authority to conciliate as far as possible without sacrificing our own honor. The "conditions" so far as I can learn, are these; Officers and men are to retain their personal effects, the former their side arms, and all to be paroled on the field.
The best of it is the Rebs are as pleased over the affair as we are, and when the surrender was made known to them cheer after cheer went up along their whole line. Their southern pride is strongly humbled and I think a majority of them will be better citizens than before. What an eventful week the past has been. One week ago yesterday the 5th Corps nd [illeg.] took the South Side R. R., thereby turning the key to Petersburg & Richmond and last night the same force with a part of the 24 Corps again turned the key that locked Lee in. All the old army of the Potomac has ever lacked was good leaders but thanks to the powers that be that want was supplied at the proper time, and you see the result. I can't realize the turn of affairs. It all seems like a dream. Perhaps it is well I can’t for it might [illeg.] me. I do believe the past week has been the happiest of my life. The thought that the army of the Potomac has at last accomplished what it has so long bled and sweat for. Little Royal Scott and Robert Smith are all here and safe, each doing his duty to the last.
The bands are playing and the armies are cheering, "Sweet Home", "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," and "Hail to the Chief" seem to be the prevailing pieces. Many, many are the hearts made glad this day and many more will be made by the news. I suppose you are all crazy with joy up north. If you are not, you should be. On the 5th, I saw Lute Ives and. Bro. Lem but have not heard from them since. The weather is very fine and has been since we started, favoring us very much. We are leaving Mich May weather and the leaves are budding.
I have had no letters that were written since my return, but expect some. No more now!
Monday morning the 10th
Last night it rained a little and is still lousy. Many rumors but nothing official. I have not seen Gen'l Lee yet. The work of turning in arms and parolling will commence this morning, and will probably take two or three days. Rumor says our corps is going to Lynchburg. No mail going out yet.
Good by all - Billy
Evening
We have just been notified that the mail leaves Hd.q - in one hour. All quiet and nothing startling to relate. Our army and the Rebs are visiting very cordially. Many of the Rebs were over taking supper with our men. They have a keen relish for a cup of Yankee coffee. It is regular Jubilee for both armies. A Big thing.
Remember me to all enquiring friends if they are loyal - Love to each & all the family, so write one and all.
Adieu
William.
P.S. This is a specimen of Reb. paper.
William Smith writes to his friends about how happy he is to feel that the war is almost over. He has been walking for two days and describes that he had to wrap his feet in pieces of “cotton tenting” because his shoes were so worn. Hearing of the surrender Lee has offered, both sides are very happy about this. It doesn't seem like Smith hates the Confederates, he believes a “majority of them will be better citizens than before”. This was written in the last year of the war, and everyone was pleased that it was close to an end.
http://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/civilwar/id/694/rec/1
http://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/civilwar/id/694/rec/1
Art
This image reflects the struggle between the North and the South. The two sides were once united together in one country, but due to disagreements they were forced to go to war with each other. The confederate flag is being fought over in this picture because it doesn't represent the United States, nor does it hold any of the values the United States believes in. It also displays the different economies of either sides, the NOrth is in nice uniforms with updates guns, while the Southis in common clothing with random weapons.
https://91231100-232523298306251868.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/9/1/2/3/91231100/352848112.jpg
https://91231100-232523298306251868.preview.editmysite.com/uploads/9/1/2/3/91231100/352848112.jpg