Special Edition: Crossing the Border (March 8, 1865)
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On March 8, 1865 William Tecumseh Sherman’s army crossed the border into Richmond County, North Carolina. Lieutenant-Colonel George Ward Nichols, one of Sherman’s staff officers, kept a diary of the campaign. Nichols is perhaps more famous for his article in the February 1867 edition of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine which describes meeting Bill Hickok in Springfield, Missouri. The article featured the exploits of the notorious gunfighter and is credited with creating of the legend of Wild Bill.
From the diary of Lt. Colonel George W. Nichols: The line which divides South from North Carolina was passed by the army this morning. It was not in our imagination alone that we could at once see the difference between the two states…. For the first time since we bade farewell to salt water I have today seen an attempt to manure land. The army has passed through thirteen miles or more of splendidly-managed farms; the corn and cotton fields are nicely plowed and furrowed; the fences are in capital order; the barns are well built; the dwelling-houses are cleanly, and there is that air of thrift which shows that the owner takes a personal interest in the conduct of affairs.
Our men seem to understand that they are entering a state which has suffered for its Union sentiment, and whose inhabitants would gladly embrace the old flag again if they can have the opportunity, which we mean to give them, or I am mistaken as to our future campaigns.
Special Edition: Crossing the Border (March 8, 1865)
Special Edition: Crossing the Border (March 8, 1865)
Special Edition: Crossing the Border (March 8, 1865)
On March 8, 1865 William Tecumseh Sherman’s army crossed the border into Richmond County, North Carolina. Lieutenant-Colonel George Ward Nichols, one of Sherman’s staff officers, kept a diary of the campaign. Nichols is perhaps more famous for his article in the February 1867 edition of Harper’s New Monthly Magazine which describes meeting Bill Hickok in Springfield, Missouri. The article featured the exploits of the notorious gunfighter and is credited with creating of the legend of Wild Bill.
From the diary of Lt. Colonel George W. Nichols: The line which divides South from North Carolina was passed by the army this morning. It was not in our imagination alone that we could at once see the difference between the two states…. For the first time since we bade farewell to salt water I have today seen an attempt to manure land. The army has passed through thirteen miles or more of splendidly-managed farms; the corn and cotton fields are nicely plowed and furrowed; the fences are in capital order; the barns are well built; the dwelling-houses are cleanly, and there is that air of thrift which shows that the owner takes a personal interest in the conduct of affairs.
Our men seem to understand that they are entering a state which has suffered for its Union sentiment, and whose inhabitants would gladly embrace the old flag again if they can have the opportunity, which we mean to give them, or I am mistaken as to our future campaigns.
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