April 11

Still on picket at Mt Jackson. weather rainy damp and disagreable. Have just recieved the following dispatch.
We captured near the high bridge on the "South Side Road" two Regts. Inftry. one of Cavlry. on Thursday. Genl dearing [i.e., Confederate Brig. Gen. James G. Dearing] mortally wounded, and left in the hands of the enemy. Major Knott [i.e., Maj. John L. Knott, 12th Virginia Cavalry] of 12th killed. Capt. Hugh McGuire [i.e., Capt. Hugh H. McGuire, Co. E, 11th Virginia Cavalry], probably mortally wounded and in the hands of the

enemy. Number of prisoners 1100.
The first reliable news since the fall of Richmond. So it goes, the best men are being rapidly killed off: How long. Oh! how long must this continue? Went to Woodstock remained untill 1 o'clk A M: got a Balt paper of 10th giving the news of the surrender of Genl Lee's army.

April 12

got back to camp at 4 o'ck this morning. A sad, terribly gloomy day. The capture of Lee's army is a