An Eyewitness Account of the Evacuation of Richmond During the American Civil War

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I staid in Greensboro NC 14 days amidst the greatest scene of confusion & excitement I ever beheld. Johns[t]ons army arrived there a few days after I did and lay around the 10 days truce or Armistice between Sherman & himself. The last of the CS Govt was also there a part of the time including ‘Jeff Davis,’ Benjamin, Breckenridge, Trenholm etc. nearly all the big men. (’Jeff Davis’ and I suppose the balance have since been captured in Georgia).

The C.S. Govt had vast amounts of Stores there, 114 lbs [of] sugar alone, Bacon by the thousand, Corn and enough Army grey cloth to furnish a suit for every man in the Armies [of the] South. Nearly everything was carried off by the mob consisting principally of these NC woman (who beat everything I ever saw in the shape of Females) and Cavalry, Citizens & Negroes besides that they cleaned out trains loaded with stuff from Raleigh. At last I managed to get away the road having been fixed (where [Union cavalry Maj. Gen. George] Stoneman men had torn it up) and reached Charlotte NC the 28th — I staid while I was there with Mr. Bates Supt who treated me finely & — particularly after living ever since I left Richd on Corn bread & fat bacon & not enough of that. About then ‘Genl Johns[t]on’s’ Army surrendered to Gel Sherman, and Charlotte was taken possesion of by Schofields troops — Stoneman moving South after ‘Jeff Davis’ who left Charlotte about [the] time I got there. I at once got my ‘parole’ and started home May 9th but met Col. Bullock at Lexington NC (Just from New York) aboard a U.S. troop train when he said I had better accompany him back as wanted me to attend to some business. I concluded to do so and next morning recd appointment of Agt at this point and immediately in here and relieved Mingling. This place is garrisoned by a portion of the 6th Corps USA under Gel Wright.

Tell ‘Little Sis’ and ‘Big Sis’ to write me long letters with all the town ‘gossip’ that you all can think of as it will be ‘good news’ for me now. Ma I would like to see you all very well — suppose I will have a chance maybe after a while but cannot tell certain.

Also let me know if you have heard from Grandma & the rest of them. Give my best love to all the ‘Girls’ around town. Would like to see them all mighty well, but don’t suppose they are all married yet are they.Love to Aunt Alice, Aunt Kansas, John, Reggy, Pinks etc. if they have not left yet.

Ma, about my clothes. I am rather short at present. Want you to fix them. What [do] you think. I will need that is all the nicest etc. put what you can in that ‘Sole leather trunk’ (tell Pa to have the lock fixed first though) and as soon as possible send them to me. I will write again though or telegraph before you send them to me. You can just be getting them ready you know. Everything so unsettled now. I hardly know how to act. You all write me a long letter about everything. What the girls didn’t think of, you can you know.

Tell Miss Azzie I think she owes me a long letter, to write and give me the news. I have been very busy since I have been here. My love to all at Woodstock. Where is ‘Bill Haas’ at, back yet from prison. How about the darkies in town, all ‘free’ I suppose are they. Have you heard from Will & wife yet?

When is John Gibson at home or not. Albert Hunter also. Who has been married since I left and ought to be. How does [Staunton] look. Any stores open etc.
With much to all at home I am
your Ever Aff son
JP Hawkins

This article was written by Julie Holcomb and originally appeared in the May 2003 issue of America’s Civil War magazine.

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Tags: 19th Century, America's Civil War, American Civil War, Historical Conflicts, People, Social History

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