affording good positions for the enemy's cavalry, which, in
small force, and for a short time, would take advantage of them. On the
contrary, however, the country between Smithfield and Raleigh was
enchanting: we had not seen its equal in all the South. When our
division was within fourteen miles of the city of Raleigh, a flag of
truce train was sent to meet us, offering its surrender, which being
accepted, the rest of the march was unobstructed according to
conditions.

Kilpatrick's command was the first to enter it, and while the General
was riding at the head of his men, some reprobate had the audacity to
shoot at him. The offender was caught and hung.

The people of this place seemed glad that the "vandals" had come.
Raleigh was the handsomest city in all famous Dixie, it being neat and
clean, and its situation grand, the surrounding country affording an
extensive view. Here was found many of the handsome feminine chivalry,
who having fled before us from the line of our raids, finally concluded
to meet face to face the "grim-visaged Yanks."

Our division now remained at Avon's Ferry, on the Cape Fear, five miles
below the confluence of the Haw and Deep rivers, for five days, in a
sickly swamp. At this place, the Eighty-sixth Illinois set to work and
put up comfortable quarters, after which the boys lay round in the
shade, discussing the prospects of a speedy peace, when by and by, some
one brought the dreadful rumor of the assassination of President
Lincoln, which became confirmed on the evening of the 18th, Sherman's
order to that effect being read to our division.

This sad intelligence cast a deep gloom over their joy in the
anticipations of peace. It was heard by every member of the regiment,
and division, with feelings and expressions of the keenest sorrow.

Finally, a memorandum or basis of agreement, was drawn up by General
Sherman, which, for the time being, was satisfactory to General
Johnston and all present as a proposition to be submitted to the
President of the United States for ratification or rejection, it being
sent to Washington with all possible haste.

While these things were pending, our division was moved from the Cape
Fear river to Holly Springs, on the 21st, that it might be nearer
communications. When the memorandum between Sherman and Johnston was
received by the cabinet at Washington, it was disapproved, and General
Grant, with the following letter of instructions, was sent, in haste,