Going Home

In today’s post I’ll simply let Philip describe his journey home. While transcribing this last part of the diary, I was surprised how excited I felt when he finally received his orders to go home. I’ll apologize in advance for the blanks in the text. There were many words throughout this last part that I simply could not make out.
The last 2 pages of Philip's Civil War diary.
_______

MAY 23RD
The Army of Georgia was reviewed this day at 9 o’clock AM. General Sherman rode by the stand. He was greeted by tremendous cheering which he gracefully returned with a nod of his head to either side. Next came the army. The troops were about the same in appearance as the Army of the Potomac. I saw on the stand President Johnson, his Cabinet officers, Stanton the Secretary of War, and all the foreign ministers and very many distinguished persons. In civilian life, the following military men that I knew, Generals Grant, Sherman, Mead (General George Meade), Hancock (General Winfield Scott Hancock), Logan (General John A. Logan), Augur (Major General Christopher C. Augur), De Russy (Brigadeer General Gustavus De Russy), Howard (General Oliver Otis Howard), and a great many others. The crowd was greater than ever assembled here before to my knowledge.

MAY 31ST
The troops are being mustered out of service as fast as the papers can be made out. They are mustered out at Washington and paid in their own states. There is great anxiety felt by vets getting out of service. The recruits in our company expecting their papers every day.

JUNE 12TH
Nothing of any note transpired until the above date when we was most agreeably surprised by an order from the War Department to make out our muster rolls(?) with as little delay as possible. We went to work and soon got them ready.

JUNE 15TH
This eve we received orders to go to Wheeling to be mustered out of service. The men almost beside themselves with joy.

JUNE 16-17-18-19
The above days were spent in turning over our stores and getting ready for home.

JUNE 20TH
This morning at 11 o’clock we left Fort Craig for Washington and got there about one. It commenced to rain very harad. We took dinner at the Soldiers Rest and we embarked on the cars for Wheeling at 8 PM. We started and had steady rain to the relay house. Arrived then at 12 AM and stayed until morning 21ST.

JUNE 21ST
Started at 5AM, ran(?) about two hours and layed over until 9 o’clock. Ran down to Sandy H__? remained until 5PM. Ran until we arrived at Martinsburg then layed over some time. Run…all night. In the morning we ran to Piedmont.

JUNE 22ND
Crossed the ___?. Did not stay much. Arrived at Grafton at 6:30PM, layed over till 8PM. Started run to Moundsville.

JUNE 23RD
Run into Wheeling. Started over to the island. There went into camp and waited until further orders. We saw some old friends. We have nothing to eat until we can get some which will be tomorrow morning.

JUNE 24 & 25
Nothing has been heard from our papers yet and we wait with patience to be mustered out of service. Went over to Wheeling, ordered a suit of clothes to go home in. The 1st & 2nd VA Cavalry was given a supper by the leaders of Wheeling. From what I hear, we will be served in the same manner in a few days.

JUNE 27TH
Was mustered out of service at half past 9 o’clock by Captain in the City of Wheeling, West Virginia. The leaders of Wheeling gave us a splendid dinner. Governor Boreman and Brigadier General Capehart made the welcoming speeches. We was complimented very highly by the citizenry.

JUNE 28TH
Was discharged from the service of the United States of America at half past 5 o’clock PM. Received my final pay and allowance.

JUNE 30TH
Started for home this morning. Arrived at 4PM. Found everything well, had a good time…

JULY 1ST
Spent the day in ___(?) around.

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