188                                HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT O.V.V.I.

           Thus one of the most stupendous and arduous, and damaging campaigns of the war ended. The Seventy-Eighth Regiment traveled in all five hundred and three miles. The rains, the mud, the enemy and the many rivers crossed did not impede the army's march a day. The regiment under the efficient energy and activity of Captain C. M. Roberts had abundance of provision. The regiment sat down to a sumptuous supper every night. Nearly one half the men were without shoes the last few days of the campaign, and as many were dressed in rebel clothing. Our foragers taking advantage of this, tried the pluck of some of General Terry's men who had marched through from Wilmington. Two boys captured a picket post of five, and again captured two orderlies of General Terry's headquarters and paroled them. I cannot stay to give your readers a recital of the many laughable events of the campaign, and especially on the part of the foragers.

           The total casualties of the Seventy-Eighth from the time it left Pocotaligo to the 24th, are thirteen. Company A, Milton Turner and Reese Getwood, wounded; James Gawd, missing. Company B, John T. Moore, killed while foraging; A. J. Mills, taken prisoner. Company C, Levi Gould, taken prisoner. Company D, George O. Watterberry, died of disease. Company H, Jeremiah McBride, died of disease. Company K, T. H. Thompson, killed by lightning; Washington Bruce, Joshua Dyer and Joel Ward, severely wounded.

           Colonel J. C. Robinson and Major Mills have led the regiment with good acceptance and general satisfaction. They have proved themselves efficient officers and commanders. Under their command the regiment has won honors, and waded streams, swamps and mud, by night and day, sometimes marching the whole night through a pouring rain without a murmur.

           All the officers have done nobly. They were always first to plunge into the water, and lead in all places of discouragements and difficulties.

Yours respectfully,

T. M. S.

Chaplain Seventy-Eighth Regiment O. V. V. I.

 

           At Goldsboro, April 5th, Lieutenant Colonel G. D. Munson took command of the regiment, and Major I. C. Robinson, who had commanded the regiment with so much ability and acceptance, from Savannah to this point, was appointed Inspector on General Leggett's staff. Lieutenant-Colonel Munson soon became very popular with both men and officers, and rose to the reputation which his military experience and knowledge well merited.

           General Scott, April 5th, returned from the North and took command of the Second Brigade. General Wiles and Adjutant Search went home on leave of absence. Lieutenants Story and McDonald resigned and also left the regiment; both had long served upon General Scott's staff. The former had served from the beginning of the war as a Lieutenant, and declined his promotion to Captain. The latter was compelled, through ill health, to quit the service.

           As an expression of the warm attachment between General Wiles and the Chaplain, we insert the following note sent the latter on the morning he left:

Intro Previous Next ToC Index