On a train Bound For Ohio! Friday, May 26, 1865 Dear Diary, At long last, I can honestly say I'm heading home! The War is over, we've had our last parade, and our entire regiment is on one last train ride back to the great sovereign state of Ohio. We're even riding in the train this time, not On it! As soon as I get home, I'm getting rid of this uniform, and if I never walk more than five miles from my home again, I'll be satisfied! And to think I originally joined up for the adventure, and to preserve the Union. I've had all the adventure I ever want to see, and after four years of War, the Union is saved. Long live the best land in God's creation - the United States of America! Johnston's army formally surrendered to General Sherman on Wednesday, April 26th. We spent a couple of days in camp, many of us visiting our former "enemies", now once again our fellow countrymen. I even ran into Sam Watkins - he made it through all of this, and can't wait to get home to Columbia, Tennessee. We exchanged addresses, and made firm promises to write just as soon as things settle down a bit. Like me, Sam kept a diary through the entire War - he still says he's going to turn it into a book someday, and promised to send me a copy. We started north early in May, and made it to Washington round about the 15th, to be greeted with the news of Jeff Davis' capture near Irwinville, Georgia on the 10th. That news was welcomed by all of us - we don't know if he is going to be tried for treason, or with conspiracy in the murder of President Lincoln, and frankly, don't really care all that much. With the capture of Davis, the Confederate government no longer exists. We went into camp outside the Capitol, still draped all in black because of President Lincoln's funeral, and at first didn't know exactly what was going to happen to us. But then the word got down to the boys - one last Grand Review. Gosh, I hate parades. All that work to walk by and look good for a couple of minutes, so the generals can congratulate themselves! But, I reckon this parade was different - we've all got something to parade about! The Army of the Potomac went first. It took all day on the 23d for them to march by the reviewing stand, receiving the salutes of President Johnson, the Cabinet, and all sorts of bigwigs. But then, it was our turn. Those of us in Uncle Billy's army never prided ourselves much on parading - and compared to the Army of the Potomac I guess we looked like a bunch of scarecrows, what with our ragged uniforms and tattered battle flags. But, every musket barrel and bayonet shone, all our cartridge boxes and crossbelts had been polished as best as we could, and there was no doubt which of the two armies meant business! We may not have been pretty, but there was no doubt (at least to us), which looked like the better army! We even had some of our "bummers" following us, complete with mules laden down with camp equipment and baggage, just like we were "Marching through Georgia" again, instead of the streets of our Nation's capitol! There was only one bad part about the parade, and I guess it should have only been expected. Negro troops have been part of our Army since the Emancipation Proclamation - I don't rightly know how many, but I reckon well over 100,000 troops. For whatever reason, not a single Negro soldier was allowed to march in the Grand Review. They fought just as hard as us to save the Union - and for them, the issue was even more important - they were fighting for their freedom. To be denied the public recognition of a parade seems petty, and downright unfair. But then again, no one asked me. Anyway, after the parade, we marched back to our campgrounds, and began the process of turning from soldier back into civilian. We keep our arms and equipment until we get back to Ohio - I'm sure there will be more parades and speeches, both now and in the years to come. But, be that as it may, I'm heading home, and that's all that really matters! Back to Milford, the folks, and Sarah! Is there any more beautiful word in the English language, than Home?