This week the Paine-Gillam Scott Museum website is publishing Part 2 of the Civil War memoirs of Francis William Redfern in weekly serial form.
The 8th of April passed and the morning of April 15th brought the terrible news of the assassination of President Lincoln. Orders also came for the immediate breaking of our camp and for our detachment to proceed to Washington.
With sad hearts and with the bitterest feelings of resentment toward the perpetrators of this crime we hurriedly broke camp and took up the line of march for Harpers Ferry. Arrived there we entrained in cattle cars. (The engine running the tram going backward)
It was nearly night when we arrived in Washington. As we marched down Washington Avenue and as we passed The Capitol men were just shaping the pillars on its front with long strips of black. We did not halt but went straight to the Dock where a steamer was in waiting to take us on board and on down the river where we were ordered to patrol the banks and watch for possible attempts of the Assassins to cross.
The steamer did not stop until we reached a bay called Port Tobacco. Also known as Chapel Point. Because there was a small Catholic Chapel on the bluff just above the point. He we made camp just below the Chapel and threw out guards to patrol the banks. A small two masted Schooner was anchored at one side of the dock.
We at once took possession of the Schooner and found that the small boat which always hangs from the Devils at the rear of the Schooner was missing. The man in charge of the schooner said the boat had been stolen the night before.
We thought possible some of the assassins had taken it and had crossed to the Virginia side of the river. Of course we never knew.
A few days after this we heard of the killing of Booth and the arrest of some of the assassins.
I was ordered to take four men to act as a guard over the Catholic Chapel. Some miscreant had stolen some of the communion Plate, it was said.
This duty I performed continuously until about the middle of May when orders came to join the Regiment at Alexandria. We took steamer for Alexandria and went into camp just in the outskirts of the town and right beside the R.R. tracks May 19th we were ordered to break camp and march to and through Washington to Bladensburg.
There had been lots of rain and the old Virginia clay stuck to our shoes until it met on the top. The march only nine miles. The road leading to and over Long Bridge across the Potomac River was crowded with Infantry Cavalry and Artillery. To those of us who were dismounted and carrying our arms and packs. Jostled by horses and gun carriages, crowded off the road and sidewalks and thoroughly blown, dropping down beside some friendly tree on on some porch steps.
It was nine miles of misery. Worn out and suffering from thirst we finally reached the dirty, muddy stream at Blacksburg and at once waded in along side of the horses to get a drink. Getting out of the water we dident stop to pitch our tents but threw ourselves on the wet and muddy ground.
Of all the marches I ever made this one from Alexandria to Bladensburg stands out as the most strenuous.
May 21st we were ordered to break camp and march back to Washington which we did going into camp again on a ridge of vacant land about 40 rods from the half completed Washington Monument.
The Grand review of the Armies was scheduled for the 23rd and 24th and Washington and its environs was one great Army Camp. Our Cavalry Division was in the parade of May 23rd. Space will not allow me to describe it.
The lattered flags and Guidons carried so juously by the men in ragged and dirty uniforms. The Horses bridles decorated with wreaths of flowers and the horns on the pommels of the saddles hung with boquets of flowers flung by the cheering crowds that lined the sidewalks. And this spectacle going on all day long. One wondered where the men ever came from.
Then the next day the 24th of May came Shermans men that marched from Chattanooga to the sea. (to be continued). I stood on a rise of ground and watched those men (Sherman’s brigade) marching eight a breast with Bands playing Banners flying, Men Womeen and children cheering.
As the Glory of successful War and hard fought Victory and this body of men and boys as they were marched proudly in review before the new President of the United States. Members of the Supreme Court Senators and Representatives of the U.S. Gen Grant and staff and Minor Military officers of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps crowded the Grand Street, Washington was all eyes and the roar from this mighty assemblage continued far into the night.
We thought that the War was over and as a consequence we would all soon be going home.
Going Home. How little the members of the Mich Cavalry Brigade knew or realized that for them Home was still many months away. They they were to march thousands of weary miles yet and that many of them would never get to see again the home that then seemed almost in sight.