Robert Hanson Fleming was a midshipman in the Confederate Navy, and kept a diary as he learned of the Confederate surrender in April 1865. As you read this excerpt, consider what he deemed important to include about the surrender, his furlough, and his Virginia home.
Diary of Robert Hanson Fleming, April 20, 1865 – May 16, 1865
April 20th
On our way to Augusta we heard to-day the awful news of the Surrender of Gen. Lee and all his arms. I fear all is lost but our honor! Arrived at Augusta to-day. The specie is deposited in bank. I am glad we haven’t it to guard. Augusta is a very pretty place. The streets are filled with shade trees. It is a perfect union hold. All the people want to go right back to the union.
April 26th
Here we go back to Washington again taking the specie along with us.
Washington 27th Today all the school got furloughs who wished them. All but 6 of us took them.
29th
Off for Abbeville again. It is hard to part with boys after the many pleasant hours we have spent together. May we meet in a better world.
April 30th
at Abbeville.
May 1865
May 2nd
The President arrived to-day. Received my furlough.
May 3rd
Intended to leave to-day but no train. In consequence of hearing that the Yankees were near I will remain here a few days. I have met with a Va. lady. She is a true Virginian. It makes me wish myself back in Old Va. again. She treats us with true Va. hospitality. We have just finished a nice cake sent us.
Sunday, May 7th
Left Abbeville for home expecting to go to Newberry but the train not going but 12 miles. In camp in a beautiful grove. Have seen several Virginians. Heard to-day that Rosser had captured Richmond holding for a few hours & that Gov. Smith of Va. was still fighting.
May 8th Monday
Come to Newberry. Nothing from home. Stay here to-night.
May 9th
Left Newberry on cars for Hopes Station on Columbia road. Walked from there across the country 30 miles to Charlotte road. Passed through a portion of the burnt district. Nearly every house has been burned by the enemy.
May 10th
Off for Chester on the train. Arrived about 12 o’clock. Drew rations of envelopes, pens, mixed vegetables & lead pencils.
May 11th
A beautiful May morning, the birds are singing their sweet songs. It reminds me of home. Left Chester at 7, crossed the Catawbariver on a pontoon, the bridge having been burnt by the Yankees. Reached Charlotte at 1, found Yankees here. Got paroled.
May 12th
Off for Greensboro at 7 o’clock. See Yankees at every little town. Here they are as thick as blackbirds on a grain stack.
May 13th
Left Greensboro at 31/2, arrived at Danville 41/2 hours, travelling 48 miles. Missed connection. Will have to remain here all night. Huzza! I am once more on the sod of Old Virginia. The 6th Corps Army of the Potomac, commanded by Wright, is stationed here and along the line of the Danville R. R. Drew rations of hardtack & salt pork.
May 14th
Left Danville at 4 A.M., found Yankee guards at every station. Negroes are plenty that have left their homes thinking they are free. Reached Burkeville Junction at 12 M. Left Junction at 2 P.M. Arrived at Richmond at sunset. Crossed James River on a pontoon. Camped in Central Depot. What a change in one short month. Now Blue coats walk the streets in arms. Formerly the Grey had control.
May 15th
Left Richmond. Arrived at “Koshvichs” 7 miles from Chsville. at 3 P.M. Walked to Chsville., there parted with the last of my mids. friends. Am left to pursue my way along. No rations, marched 10 miles after night, reached “Mechum’s River” at 3 in the morning. Lay by all day starved, reached Staunton after dark, slept on top of a box car, shoved off early in the morning.
May 16th
Marched 7 miles for breakfast, reached home at sunset, “home, sweet home.”
General Grant led the Army of the Potomac in a new offensive in the spring and summer of 1864, hoping to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia. They faced the Army of Northern Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee, in major battles at Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor, with staggering casualties on both sides.
Grant then laid siege to the nearby city of Petersburg for nine months. On April 2, 1865, the Union broke through Lee’s defenses at Petersburg, and captured the city of Richmond the following day. The Confederates headed west but were encircled by Grant’s forces. On April 9, 1865, General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, ending the major combat of the Civil War.
Source: Robert Hanson Fleming, “Augusta: Diary of Robert Hanson Fleming, March 28, 1865-May 16, 1865,” diary, 1865, The Valley of the Shadow: Valley Personal Papers, Virginia Center for Digital History, accessed September 20, 2011.
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