Friday, March 17, 1865.

Reveille at 4. Marched at 8. Fine day but cool. My Government horse was taken from the man leading him today by order of the Genl Comd'g for use of dismounted men. Marched to King William's Court House: camped at 41/2.

Saturday 18

Marched at 5 o clock after a hearty meal of rice and chicken soup. An easy march to White House: camped at 11 1/2 A.M. Beautiful warm day. Found saddle bag with glass, pr. gloves, towel and diary, &c. Very warm. Capt. Chandler is again under arrest for disobedience of orders. 35 dismounted men sent off. Mailed letters to Sallie & A.J.

Expect to leave here tomorrow.
______________________________

[The following letter was written on a four by ten inch blank form printed for the Sixth Corps Headquarters.]
Head-Quarters 1st Vt. Cavalry
18 Mch. 1865 11/2 P.M.

A.J.

We got inside our lines at 11 A.M. May remain here at White House Landing, Va. several days drawing supplies of various kinds. In mean time send along your letters: have had no letter and seen no paper since leaving Winchester.

Send stamps: have none: lost them. Any war news? haven't heard a word for 20 days. Has Old Abe been inaugurated & how went N.H. election?

E.D.Woodbury

Address at Washington &c.

We took about eighteen pieces of Artillery from Rebs which was all they showed during our raid and same number of colors and our Div. (Custer's) took the whole expecting three guns. I was struck by a piece of steel in the fight at Waynesboro on the 2d Mch. Twas about 2 inches square & struck upon the inside the right thigh 2 inches from body: it left the whole leg black as a hat nearly to the knee. Did not do any serious harm, being too far spent.

It will take Rebs a long time to repair the damage done by us. Sheridan himself was in command.

E.D.Woodbury

How is Susan
______________________________

Sunday 19

Beautiful day. Low, swampy ground here about the confluence of the Pamunkey and Mattapony. At 9 A.M. moved to South Side of Pamunkey & went into camp. Drew rations. How the boys "hurrahed" at sight of some "hard tack!" Wrote Uncle Joseph.

It's hoped we may obtain a mail tomorrow.

Monday, March 20, 1865.

Fine day. Reveille at 5. May remain here in camp until tomorrow. At 41/2 P.M. ordered out 15 miles to Bottom's Bridge on the Chickahominy on reconnaissance. 2d Brig. went. Started at 51/2. Reached the bridge at 11 P.M. but found only a small cavalry picket there. One Regt. went to Cold Harbor & found the same, came back a miles & slept on ground, holding horses. 16 miles.

Tuesday 21

Set out for camp at 61/2 & arrived at 91/2. Very tired, sleepy & hungry. Took a hearty breakfast, followed by short nap. Rainy.

On way into camp I observed a peach tree in full bloom, Forerunner of Summer.

Wednesday 22

Beautiful morning. Some indications of an early move: a large Corps of Blacksmiths and forges is present putting horses in serviceable condition.

No mail yet.

Thursday, March 23, 1865.

Fine day. Not well.

Why don't the mail come?!! It has come! Letters from all my friends. Commission as 1st Lt. Co. "B" dating Feb'y 9/65. Letters from Tempie, A.J. Sallie, Uncle Joseph, Emma, Father, Roger, Lt. Kinehan &c. &c. Wrote Burton Works, Vt. Hy. Arty.1. Kinehan sent me five dollars; two more than my due.
______________________________

1. Burton Works, 34, from Waterford enlisted in Company A of the 1st Heavy Artillery on October 30, 1863. He and Woodbury had served together in Brattleboro in January 1864. Works became sergeant major on June 27, 1865 and mustered out on August 25, 1865.
______________________________

Friday 24

Was paid for one month and 11 days, $115.08 as Lt. Did not get the Sergeant's pay due me, not having my Final Statement with me. Buckely paid me $5.00 due since last April.1. Marched at 111/2; at 41/2 P.M. bivouacked near Jone's bridge on Chickahominy. Regt. on picket.
______________________________

1. John M. Buckley, 22, from Chester enlisted in Company E on December 11, 1863 and mustered out on August 9, 1865 as a sergeant.
______________________________

Saturday 25

Pleasant. Sleeper paid me $5.00 due me.1. Marched at 10 1/2. Bivouacked at 3 P.M. at Hamilton's Landing. Soon began to rain. Seems natural to pass over these grounds again! Were here last year. McClellan's old defences are thick about here; are lying just outside a long line of breast works.
______________________________

1. Either Charles T. Sleeper, 18, from Springfield, who enlisted in Company E on October 12, 1861, reenlisted, and mustered out on August 9, 1865 or James M. Sleeper, 23, who enlisted in Company E on August 13, 1864 and mustered out on June 21, 1865.
______________________________

Sunday, March 26, 1865.

A cool, pleasant day. Broke camp at 9 A.M. At 9 P.M. camped on South side the James: having crossed on Pontoon, Maj. Cummings we found awaiting us. 12 miles.

Monday 27

Broke camp at 7 A.M. Warm day. Marched out front of Petersburg & went into camp at 121/2. 12 miles.
______________________________

Head Quarters 1st Vt. Cavalry.
March 27, 1865.

A.J.

Yours rec'd.

Last Wednesday I received the only mail that has reached us for a month. Had about a dozen of them. There may be something to gain in going to Kansas, I would like to have Sallie go out for a time at least. But the main thing I believe to be for father's sake. He is evidently becoming an old man very fast. He ought not longer to be so far removed from his children and none to assist him. He now has an illness of some considerable severity once or more than once a year. This had confined him to his bed two or three weeks, but fortunately Stillman was with him.

As for yourself you will have no difficulty, if well, East or West. I shall nevertheless be sorry to have our whole family leave the East! I hope to go home again myself one of these days. It will be pleasant to find friends although not our family.

The books &c. at Elder Knowles' that you mentioned I presume will not be removed at present by me. However I may have occasion to correspond upon business now!

You are welcome to whatever of my funds you may need: you however failed to state what amount you had taken, or what disposition you had or would make of my papers, notes, or whatever else there might be. If you leave them at all, I would prefer that it be in Uncle Joseph's hands. I have some hundred dollars or thereabouts now that I shall send to him, not knowing how you will be situated. Perhaps Sallie will need some if she goes. If so I want her to take it.

We are now South of Petersburg. Passed within sight of its spires this A.M. & had a few shells sent after us but without injury. Are about two miles from the village. It is supposed that we may go down to join Sherman soon.

By last Wednesday's mail I received my Commission as 1st Lieut. of Co. "B." You see my star is still "in the ascendant!" Am not on duty in the Co. though, not having been relieved from the Adjutant's office.

Yours &c.
E.D.Woodbury
______________________________

Tuesday 28

Mailed letter to Uncle Joseph containing sixty dollars.

Wednesday, March 29, 1865.

Mailed another letter to Uncle Joseph containing $50.00. Marched at 7 A.M. Wrote Sallie last eve. Made application to be Mustered as 1st Lt. Settled with Capt. A.B. Chandler: paid him $4.00 for a blouse. Bivouacked at Dark. Entire Army is apparently moving to the left. Sheridan has four Div. of Cavalry.

Thursday 30

Rainy. When I woke up it was to find myself in a pool of water. Lay still nearly all day as the train could not get along. At 4 P.M. Regt. turned out to work on road. Moved two miles and bivouacked. Cleared off in eve.

Friday 31

Began raining again before light. At about 9 A.M. heavy firing began on the left of the line. Cleared away at noon. Marched at 11 1/2 guarding and helping along the wagon train. At 12 P.M. first Bat. under Maj. Cummings bivouacked about a mile from Dinwiddie C. H. Battle today was a drawn one as far as heard from; we getting out of communication owing to trains being so delayed.

Saturday, April 1, 1865.

This is a beautiful Sabbath morn, Sunny, and a cool breeze blowing. The battle has (8 A.M.) opened again but not heavy yet. Our Brig. is coming up to engage. Reached scene of action at 3. Went in on charge with Custer's whole Div. Had my "Little Rebel" shot, sent him to rear and took another. At about 5 1/2 I captured an Inf. man. Soon making another charge with a few under Maj. Cummings I took another, & was then taken by two Rebels with muskets at my breast. Gave up my sabre. Then struck spurs to my horse, and left for woods. "Stop that Yank!"
"Shoot him" &c. rang after me, & one shot instantly killed my horse. I up and gave "leg bail & escaped."

Sunday 2
Very heavy firing on the extreme right all night. A report this A.M. that Petersburg was last night taken, Vermont Brig. was first to enter. Our cavalry struck the R.R. (South Side) at about 9 A.M. Got mail yesterday.1.

Marched till nearly night when we came up with 1st Div. Gen. Merritt.2. Had been fighting half a day & could not move the Rebs. Wished Custer to do the job for him, but he replied "finish your own work."
______________________________

1. The Vermont Brigade had captured the Confederate entrenched picket line on March 25, but news of the fall of Petersburg was two days premature.

2. Wesley Merritt (1834-1910) USMA 1860, commanded the Cavalry Corps, not the First Division. As a lieutenant in January 1863 he evaluated Colonel Edward Sawyer's capabilities to command the 1st Vermont Cavalry and recommended retaining Sawyer in office.
______________________________

Monday 3

Lovely this A.M. we moved 3d Div. in advance and this Regt. in advance of Div. & soon met enemy. Drove them. Then began a charge. 2d Brig. fairly ran Gen. Barringer's1. N.C. Brig. for eight miles. Never had such a headlong gallop before. Captured one gun (all they had) one battle flag and hundreds of prisoners & horses. I with four other officers & 7 men in returning found ourselves cut off by Reb Inf. Made a long distance route. Gen. A.P. Hill was killed yesterday1. He was the best Corps Comd'r they had. Richmond is reported captured.

Letter from A.J.
______________________________

1. Rufus Barringer (1821-1895) commanded a brigade made up of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th North Carolina cavalry regiments.

2. Ambrose Powell Hill (1825-1865) USMA 1847, commanded the Third Corps and was killed by Federal skirmishers.
______________________________

Tuesday, April 4, 1865.

Marched at 7 A.M. Nothing of note. Bivouacked at 5 P.M.

Wednesday 5

Reveille again at 11 last night. Moved right out, marching all night. At 8 A.M. halted for breakfast half mile from South Side R.R.

Spent day maneuvering.

Thursday 6

Marched at 6 A.M. Did not get up so as to participate in action.1. At Amelia C. H. were the remains of 100 caissons burned by Rebs in their flight. Roads strewn with debris. At 8 P.M. in passing ground fought over in P.M. saw large numbers of dead. In one place 8 or 10 had fallen into a ditch. Have captured 8 general officers & 10000 prisoners, large number of guns, flags, &c.
______________________________

1. Because Wells' brigade had been sent to Amelia Court House, the unit came upon the scene of the Battle of Sayler's Creek
only after the fighting had ended.
______________________________

Friday, April 7, 1865.

Up at 3.

Saturday 8

[Written by Woodbury with his left hand:] 5 P.M. came on enemy at Appomattox St[ation.] Went in on charge. Was hit by piece of shell & landed topsy turvy. Bad flesh wound in left arm; half of right hand amputated. Slight injuries in breast and left side.

Saturday [April] 15

Reached Cavalry Corps Hospital at City Point at 3 P.M.
______________________________

[Written on stationary of the U.S. Christian Commission.]

Cavalry Corps Hospital
City Point, Va.
April 24.

A.J.

Two letters from you last eve, the last mailed 20th.

My wounds are doing nicely: arm is too sore to allow me to write much. Don't know how long I shall stay here, perhaps not over a couple weeks. It is cheeper here than at hospitals north: here 1.00 per day. There 1.50 per day. This pays for board, & doctors &c. Have thought going to the Hospital at Manchester, but shall not at present.

Has Capt. Mitchell written you?1.

If so please preserve the papers he sent & if you go West leave them with Uncle Joseph as I shall need them as soon as I am able to get about.

I would prefer that father should come East rather than you all go West.

While with the Regt. I got your papers regularly.

I might have hunted up Mr. Perkins in the Winter as our Camp was near.

How is Aunt Rebecca? Is Elder Cilley smart as he was years ago?

When you write leave off my Regt & Co & direct simply to this Hospital.

You should have seen me when that shell struck me! It just sent me flying one way while my horse went another. Rather a ludicrous figure I cut.

How do you figure to make Roger well while he is sick with the chills? Had letter few weeks ago from Emma complaining of his cruelty or unkindness in taking [illegible] away, not on her own account so much as her mother's. Wished me to reply, but have not.

Yrs. &c.
E.D.Woodbury
______________________________

1. Harris B. Mitchell, commander of Company B. ______________________________
Cavalry Corps Hospital
City Point, Va.
April 25, 65

Dear Father--

I can only write a few lines & that my left hand.

On the 8th at Appomattox Station a fragment of shell struck me slightly wounding me in the breast and left side: severely in the left arm and taking off the two first fingers of the right hand: also took nearly half of the palm of the hand. The bone of the left arm is not hurt. All these wounds are doing nicely. I was rather roughly handled to be sure but many a brave fellow fared worse. So I have still much to be grateful for.

Think I may remain here until I am able to take care of myself. Costs here 1.00 per day for board, medical treatment and at all the one north it costs 1.50.

Letter from Stillman.

Don't you think it better for you to come East than for A.J. & Sallie to go West?

Foster Pillsbury, Hannah Dodge's husband, is dead.

If you write soon direct simply to this Hospital leaving off my Regt. and Co.

We consider the war about ended. The Cavalry had some hard work to perform in that brief Campaign.

With love,
E.D.Woodbury
______________________________

Monday, May 1, 1865.

Sent to Washington for Medical Treatment.
______________________________

Washington, D.C.
May 2.

A.J.

Arrived this A.M. Start for Boston on Thursday: stop to rest over night at N.Y. reaching B--- via N. Haven, Friday night.

Only four died in boat last night.

Yrs. &c.
E.D.Woodbury
______________________________

Thursday, May 4, 1865.

Rec'd "Leave of Absence" for 30 days and started for home.

Friday 5

Reached Boston & found Mrs. English & Lottie English at depot waiting for me.

[Eri Woodbury was mustered out of the service on June 21, 1865.]

Tuesday 12 [September, 1865]

Began my work as Classical Teacher in Episcopal Academy of Connecticut at Cheshire, Conn.
______________________________

[Written in clear handwriting as before being wounded:]

Cheshire, Conn.
July 3, 1866.

Rev. Dr. Smith
Pres. Dart. Coll.

Sir--

I would hereby make application for the Degree of A.M. having graduated in the Class of 1863. Subsequently spent two years in the army, and am now teaching.

Inclosed please find $5.00

Yours Respectfully,
E.D.Woodbury

Cheshire, New Haven, Co.
Conn.
______________________________

[undated letter fragment]

...Porter Dodge. The former is alive and well I suppose. I did not learn anything of his illness; 'twas Aunt Rebecca who told me. Boynton Dodge's wife and five children are on a visit at Henniker. Her father--Mr. Smith--will return to Iowa with her. The last I heard of Uncle Eben he had gone to live with Fanny at Fitchburg, Mass. where her husband was at work. I did not see him. Dean was in the Army a year or two with a Sutler: think he got about a hundred dollars a month besides board. I expect A.J. will start for Cuba in about a fortnight. You inquire in reference to my being captured, &c. We left Winchester, Va. Feb. 27. On the 2d March we fought and defeated Early's forces at Waynesboro. While sitting upon my horse in this action I was struck by a piece of shell half the size of your hand. It was nearly spent, & struck sideways or flatways, upon the inside of my right thigh directly upon the artery. It passed through two thicknesses of a blanket I had on, but did not break the skin of my leg. For some days it was sore and stiff, being so bruised as to turn "black and blue" clear to the knee. On the 29th of March we left the front of Petersburg under Sheridan and moved out towards Burkesville. On the P.M. of the 1st of April, our Division under Gen. Custer charged upon their Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery in the vicinity of Amelia Court House. They were over half a mile from us. When about an eighth of a mile from them my horse was disabled by a rifle ball in the flank: I sent him to the rear by one of the boys and went on with his. Soon I spied a Rebel behind a rock leveling his rifle at a fellow. I made a dash for him, only a rod or two, with sabre upraised. Before his piece went off I was upon him, & he thought surely his hour had come. Throwing up both hands he cried out, "don't strike me, don't strike me!" Sending him to the rear, I went on. We soon became completely mixed with the Rebels in a hand to hand fight, which was the only instance of the kind I ever witnessed: for the party charged upon will most always retreat before coming to a close conflict: or if not, then the party making the charge will themselves halt. In this melee I had captured a Rebel Infantryman, & was trying to get him to the rear, when someone at my left spoke, "who are you, what are you, a Yank?" Turning I found another Reb with his bayonet within six inches of my breast. I had in my hand only my sabre, my revolver being in my belt. Before I could answer another very coolly propounded the same questions on my right, & brought his bayonet up. The one whom I had captured now slipped round behind me & brought his piece to bear on me. Seeing how things had turned I had to own up that I was a "Yank." "Well come with us!" & off we started in that relative position. Never until I found myself leaving the field a prisoner did I know what it was to feel ashamed, dirty, worthless and dreadfully mean! I immediately resolved to get out of that scrape dead or alive. I had gone with them perhaps four rods when suddenly I struck spurs to my horse & lay flat on his neck. I had got round the one on my right and fairly headed to the rear before they came to their senses: and then, how they yelled! "stop him, stop him, shoot him, shoot that dam'd Yank!" & sure enough they all blazed away at me. I could not have been over twenty feet from them when they fired. The balls whistled unpleasantly near my ears, and one struck my horse in the head instantly killing him. As he fell, he came on my left leg and held me; & in this was my safety. I lay still, as dead as a hammer of course. Thinking that both horse and rider were dead they left us, & I, you may be sure, limbered away to the rear in a hurry. In a little while we had entire possession of the field and I went back and secured some [of] the rigging from my horse. Next morning I got another horse.

At about 5 oclock P.M. April 8, Sheridan came upon Lee at Appomattox Station, near the Court House. Custer's Division, as usual, went in on a charge. We had a thick piece of woods to get through to reach their Artillery which was playing upon us from an open eminence beyond. In this woods we received the most terrible fire of cannister that ever I saw. It was getting dark and the woods were constantly lightened up with the flashing of their cannon: and then that awful shrieking as the shell and cannister came ploughing and tearing through the trees. Soon getting out of the thicket we went on a perfect jump. Suddenly I felt a blow and a numbing sensation across my breast, & found myself turning a double summer set off into the bushes. My horse kept right along with the rest. Getting up I found where I was wounded: my fingers were completely knocked out & hanging over the back side the hand by a little shred of skin. Col. Root, of the 15 N. Y. Cav'y, saw me fall, and sung out to Capt. Mitchell of our Regt. "your Adjutant is wounded; better go and get him!" Hardly had the words left his mouth when a ball struck him in the head and he was a dead man.1. Capt. M. went back couple of miles to the church with me, where I was at once attended to, & next day started for Hospital at City Point. Lee had surrendered however before I started.

This story is not much to tell, but it was sufficiently exciting to those who have a part in the transactions.

Yours affectionately,
Eri Davidson Woodbury

Cheshire, Conn.
______________________________

1. Lieutenant Colonel Augustus Root from Syracuse, New York became lieutenant colonel of the 15th New York Cavalry on November 20, 1863 after serving as a captain in the 12th New York Infantry for two years. He was killed in front of the Court House and his stripped body lay in the road when both Grant and Lee rode to the McLean house.