some six miles, crossed it at Blackstakes, and marching
east, camped at twelve M. on the 22nd, giving the road to the 20th
Corps.

The march was resumed at eight A.M., on the 23rd, camping at night near
Rocky Mount, on the Catawba river, in the north-eastern corner of
Fairfield district. On the 24th, the Eighty-sixth Illinois was moved
forward several miles, and camped on Rocky Mount, where it remained
four days. The 14th Corps having crossed the Catawba river by the 28th,
resumed the march. General Morgan's division now led the advance of the
corps, and marching in a north-eastern course, crossed Flat, and the
two Lyncher creeks, and passing through Hickory Head on its route,
arrived on the Great Pedee, at a point eight miles above Cheraw, where
it laid a pontoon bridge, and crossed over on the 7th of March.

From the Great Pedee, the line of march was taken up in a direct course
for Fayetteville, where the command arrived on the 11th of March.

The country between the Broad and Catawba rivers is very broken indeed.
One ridge of hills closely succeeds another, and they are high and
steep. The scenery here is exceedingly wild and romantic. There has
been a romance written of this part of the State, of the era of the
Revolution, called the Black Riders of the Congaree, which was
interesting to read while we were also acting a great drama there. This
was also the campaign grounds in the times of the Revolution. Rocky
Mount, Camden, Sander's Creek and Hanging Rock are places of
Revolutionary fame.

A great deal of trouble was experienced in completing a pontoon bridge
across the Catawba, on account of heavy rains and high waters. By the
time it would be nearly done the swift current would sweep it away. It
was in consequence of this detention that General Sherman sent orders
to General Davis, in case he could not get the pontoon bridge to hold
by the morning of the 28th, to burn his trains, swim his mules, ferry
his men and come on. But as good luck would have it, the bridge was
finally made to stick, and on the 28th everything was landed safely on
the other side.

About midnight on the 27th, Colonel Fahnestock blew his whistle for the
regiment to fall in and cross the river. The winds blew and the rains
fell, but for all that the Eighty-sixth had to crawl out of its dry
tents, do them up and go; and when it reached the pontoon it was not
yet done, causing us to lay round enjoying the benefit of the rain till
mornin