collected what mules and horses they could
find, and what provisions they wanted, they would travel on in the
course the column was moving till near night, when they would halt
until it came up, and all go into camp together.

CHAPTER IX.

CAPTURE OF JOHNSTON'S ARMY.

As soon as Sherman's army encamped at Goldsboro, it began to prepare
for a new campaign. Nearly three weeks were required to refit and
equip, and accumulate supplies necessary for the pursuit of Johnston's
army, which was held well in hand about Smithfield.

On the 9th of April, an order was read to our division, from General
Grant to General Sherman, directing him to move on Johnston and press
him. Prior to this, an order had also been read, announcing the capture
of Richmond, which created universal joy. Accordingly, early on the
morning of the 10th of April, the army was set in motion against
Johnston, whose entire force was estimated at thirty-five thousand
effective men.

The 14th Corps marched up the eastern bank of the Neuse river, and
arrived at Smithfield on the evening of the 11th. Johnston had rapidly
retreated across the Neuse, and having his railway to lighten up his
trains, could fall back faster than we could pursue. The rains had also
set in, making the roads almost impassable, and rendering a deal of
corduroying necessary.

On the morning of the 12th, the announcement of the surrender of rebel
General R. E. Lee's entire army, was made to our corps, causing
feelings of inexpressible joy. To us, it was great, grand and glorious
news.

Upon this intelligence, General Sherman gave orders to drop all trains,
and the army marched rapidly on to Raleigh where our division arrived
in the afternoon of the 13th, Johnston's army having hastily retreated
on the roads from Hillsboro to Greensboro. Remaining in Raleigh, over
the night of the 13th, the 14th Corps, resumed the march on the 14th,
moving south-west in the direction of Salisbury, Morgan's division
arriving at Avon's Ferry on the Cape Fear river, on the afternoon of
the 15th.

Thus matters stood when General Sherman received a communication from
General Johnston that arrested all hostile movements for the time
being. Our division now took up camp to await the results of
negotiations between the commanders of the two opposing armies, which
finally resulted in the surrender of Johnston's entire force.

The country between Goldsboro and Smithfield was usually low and
swampy,