Re: 42nd MS - Hatcher's Run, Apr 2, 1865
I believe I have a copy of Park's diary, I will check tonight. The original is at the State of Arkansas Archives. The 42cd got caught in the trenches below Petersburg on April 2, 1865 with their backs to the rain swollen Hatchers Run. Most of the surviving men would have surrendered there that day. A few swam the swollen stream and joined the army on it's retreat. The Union army broke through in several places that day and caused Lee to abandon Richmond and Petersburg and head West. Lee, and what was left of the Army of Nortern Virginia, ended up trapped at Appamattox and they surrenderd there on April 9th. Let me dig around tonight and see what I can dig up for you.