University of Virginia Library

EVACUATION OF WILMINGTON.

General Hagood, on reporting at Bragg's headquarters on the
arrival of his column in Wilmington, was directed to send his
infantry on to Hoke, while he should remain in the town and
take the command. He was also instructed, with Lipscomb's
cavalry, to watch the crossings of the Cape Fear as high up as
Hilton Ferry. Two light batteries and a few infantry under
Colonel Jackson, the post commander, were also left with him
for provost duty.

In the afternoon the enemy's advanced parties drove our picket
off of Eagle Island and appeared at P. K. depot, opposite the foot
of Market street. General Hagood ordered a force of dismounted
cavalry with a howitzer across the ferry, and soon drove the
enemy back, re-establishing the picket.

During the day the Federal prisoners before alluded to were
marched across the Northeast river; and the able-bodied male
slaves, and the horses of citizens fit for military purposes were
seized by direction of General Bragg and sent in the same direction.
Arrangements were made for burning the naval stores and
cotton stored in the town, as also shipping in the river, some half
a dozen vessels. Arrangements were also made for distributing
to the retiring troops as they marched through the town such
portable quartermaster stores as shoes, etc., which could not be
got off by rail. At night, guards were stationed with rigid orders
to put down all pillage that might be attempted by the most
summary measures. At daylight, on the 22nd, Hoke had marched
into and through the town. The cotton, naval stores and vessels
were in flames, and as the rear guard left in the early dawn a

mass of black smoke had settled like a pall over the silent town;
in its extent and density suggestive of the day of doom.

The army marched up the railroad toward Petersburg to its
crossing of the Northeast river, some eight or nine miles from
Wilmington, crossed on a pontoon bridge, and encamped. The
enemy's advance guard came on thus far and slight skirmishing
ensued. On the 23rd, the army moved on to Rockfish creek
unpursued, where it remained till the 5th March. It rained, more
or less, during all this time, and the roads got into bad condition.
The exchange of Federal prisoners heretofore declined took place
during this time, we delivering at Northeast river and receiving
on the Richmond front.