East to the Carolinas and the End

East to the Carolinas and the End

Compiled by; Randy Maxfield

January 25th., 1865.   The 8 Arkansas; Cheathams Corps, moved with Beuregard to their final calling, in the Carolinas. Marching from Tupelo, MS to West Pt., MS, they then boarded trains for Meridian, MS.  Then a steamboat for Montgomery. Again on rails to Columbus, GA. And marching to Macon threw Milledgeville to Mayfield. They again boarded a train for Augusta, GA. Then marching again, to Newberry, S.C. Mary Chestnut watched them pass threw Camden and witnessed their lighthearted singing. That evening she recorded in her diary; "I sat down, as women had done before and wept.... There they go, the gay and gallant few, the last flower of southern manhood. They march a tread as if they still believed the world was all on
their side."
 
On February 9 Robert E. Lee was given command of all C.S. Troops and on February 23 he placed Joe Johnson at the head of defenses for the Carolinas. On March 12 the 8th Arkansas arrived at Fayetteville, N.C. To intercept Shermans northern
advances.   On March 16 they battled at Averysbourough, in swamps and intermittent rain.  Then Sherman continued, in two column toward the  railroad hub of Goldsboro. The hamlet of Bentonville lay in the path and Johnston determined here to
attack Shermans' left wing and defeat him in detail before he could combine his wings and link with reinforcements further north.  The Confederates entrenched east to west just south of the town and Johnston told his men that "at least the long awaited opportunity has occurred."
 
On March 18 Wade Hamptons Cav. Harassed and slowed the Federal 14th. Corp. Advance as the final  rebel forces were patched together and placed. A  massive CS attack followed. The Army of Tennessee  remnants, positioned on the CS right, sweep around  the Federal left, causing a momentarily Federal rout  of the position. A Federal Lt. recalled it was "some of  the best running ever did." Confusion reigned, for  most rebels had been reduced to wearing captured Federal uniforms. But the numbers weren't there to  finish the job. An observer noted that the battle flag  were tellingly close together. The Federals entrenched and repelled several determined attacks.
 
Skirmishing only accrued on the 19th as the Federal 2Oth Corp. and right wing arrived. On the  20th the CS, vastly outnumbered, retreated from the  field.  General Hardee had finally allowed his 16 year old son into the fight -. - he was killed in action this day. Federal General 0.0. Howard too mourned the  loss, having taught the boy Sunday school at West Point.
 
Johnston wired Lee that he could now hope to he but an annoyance to Sherman.
 
On April 9th the Army of Virginia surrendered at Appomattox and the 8 and 19 Arkansas was consolidated with the  l,2,5,6,7,13,15.and  24 Arkansas regiments and the 3rd Confederate infantry  regiment at Smithfield, N.C.
 
On the 14th Johnston requested a conference with  Sherman.  President Lincoln was assassinated the same day. The Generals met in a log cabin of James Bennett at Durham Station.  Sherman produced a whisky bottle and all partook. Sherman related the news of assassination.  Johnstons' shock turned to  apprehension for the fate of his troops. But Sherman had met earlier with Grant, Porter and Lincoln and  understood the generous surrender terms that were to be offered the Confederates.
 
Far ranging and all - inclusive terms were mutually arrived at, but due to current circumstances, Federally declined.  The terms would be those granted Lee. On April 26 Johnston surrendered the 8th Arkansas and the rest of his army and his entire
department - - 89,000 total. In his last orders to  the troops - General Johnston said: "I earnestly expect  you to observe faithfully the terms of pacification  agreed upon and to discharge the obligations of good and peaceful citizens as well as you have performed the duties of thorough soldiers in the field "
 
Four years of savage combat, mistreatment had sickness had very nearly exterminated  the 8th Arkansas Inf. Regt.. Co. K. Could muster only 8 men at the surrender. Their battle flag now resides at  the Museums and White House of the Cunfederacy,  in Richmond, VA.
 
The war was over.  One veteran wrote  "So Blackwood and I left the army, our army,  left  them there on the hill with their arms stacked in the field,  all in rows, never to see it anymore. Telling Clark  and Bell good-bye, we crossed the road into the fields, and thickets and in a little while lost sight of all of them. He was told of the presence of what  was left of the army."