Farmer, George E. (fl. 1865) to Maggie
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00808.03 Author/Creator: Farmer, George E. (fl. 1865) Place Written: Petersburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 May 1865 Pagination: 3 p. ; 20 x 13 cm. Order a Copy
Writes that Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston did not surrender as soon as anticipated. Remarks that Union General Philip H. Sheridan's "destroying Angels took the war path again." States that his regiment marched along the Boydton Road and reached the Nottoway River the same night. By Friday, they were 100 miles from Petersburg on the south side of the Staunton River when they heard of Johnston's surrender, halted for the night, and continued on to Petersburg the next day. Comments upon the condition of the city of Petersburg. Laments the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and says the army is in mourning. Remarks that Union General William T. Sherman has made a mistake in leaving the military field and trying to become a statesman, and says, "As to his being crazy if that is so the mad house and not West Point is the proper place to recruit Generals." Indicates that they are waiting to hear whether they will be discharged or retained. Mentions that father is not well. Maggie is possibly his sister.
Farmer was a Union soldier. General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at the Appomattox Courthouse on 9 April 1865. Lincoln was shot on 14 April 1865. Johnston surrendered to Union General William T. Sherman near Durham Station, North Carolina on 26 April 1865.
Petersburg Va May 4th 1865
Dear Maggie,
Johnston not surrendering as soon as anticipated we started to finish the job as we had done before in the Shenandoah and more recently in the Army of the Potomac.
On [strike: Thursday 20th] [inserted: Monday 24th] all Sheridans destroying Angels again took the war path[.] We marched rapidly via the Boydton Read reaching Nottoway River same night. [strike: Tuesday] Friday the 28th over 100 miles from Petersburg and the south side of the Staunton River hearing [strike: hearing] of Johnston's Surrender we halted went into camp for the night and the next day started back [2] arriving here Yesterday afternoon[.] The lower part of Petersburg below Sycamore St which is the main street has been pretty well battered by shells the rest of the City is in good condition. The president being Commander in Chief we have went into mourning we all regard it as a great misfortune. Sherman has made a fearful blunder in leaving his proper profession that of a Soldier and setting up as a statesman[.] His example will certainly prevent me running for the next presidency[.] As to his being crazy if that is so the mad house and not West Point is the proper place to recruit Generals. I could not find Mrs Cooke and have given up the search I found no trace whatever -
[3] At present we are again waiting for something to turn up we all think that a large force of cavalry will soon be discharged and the force reorganized. It is quite impossible to tell or even make a decent guess as to whether we will be discharged or retained my own impression being that all the Veteran Organizations will be retained for the present. Father writes that he thinks of boarding with Miss Mitchell also that he is not well he should have taken my advice and gone south last winter.
Give my Love to all
Yours affectionately
George E. Farmer
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