Tide Turns Case 4
Southern Soldiers Skedaddle
Avery C. Forbes was twenty-four when he joined Massachusetts’s Fortieth Regiment Infantry, Company H, during the Civil War. He wrote his sister, Mary D. Forbes, mostly on Virginia U.S. Christian Commission Field Hospital letterhead. This image features Virginia’s USCC field hospital. But at the fall of Richmond, Va., Avery used blue foolscap paper, writing this letter as the city was burning before him. In it, Avery described witnessing Southern soldiers destroying gun boats, the arsenal and the bridge over the James River. Since his regiment arrived first, they entered Southern military camps where breakfast was still warm. He declared they “skeedaddled as fast as they could,” leaving guns, tents, and everything. Avery’s pride in Richmond’s takeover was communicated through his excited tone about the band playing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” as troops marched through the streets. Avery told Mary, “Richmond is ours!”
Label Audio
MS-SC508.1865.04.03
Avery Forbes to Mary D. Forbes, 3 April 1865
Richmond, April 3d noon 1865
Dear Sister.
Richmond is ours at last I am with the Regt. just out side but within the limit of the City. Petersburg was taken yesterday, and early this morning, the Rebs commenced blowing up their Gun Boats on the James River and evacuateing their lines in our front. we followed them as soon as possible, but they left everything and skeedaddled as fast as they could. they left most all their Guns and all their camps were just as they eat their breakfast. they did’nt even take their tents with them. The city was surrendered by the Mayor to Maj. Steavens of the 4th Mass Cavalry. some of his men were the first to enter the city, but our Division was the first body of troops that got here. we can see them coming on the south side of the River now. they set the Arsenal and Bridge on fire when they left, and now a large part of the city is on fire. last night when I went to bed I did’nt expect to be in Richmond this morning—but the city is ours, and I suppose that the troops on the other side are following them up it is all still and quiet here now, our band played Yankey Doodle as we passed through the Rebel works they were very strong, and I don’t think we could ever taken them, if they had not been flanked out
I should like to be at home tomorrow for you will have better and greater time than we shall here but Richmond is ours and the war will soon be over now. I must close this now. I don’t know when I can send it, but will as soon as I can.
good night,
Avery
Letter Audio