OUR stay in Charleston was of short duration, General Potter had already marched into the country, and the 25th and 107th Ohio regiments, and the 56th New York, were ordered to reenforce him.  The 25th left Charleston on the last day of February, going by cars on the Northeast Railroad to Goose Creek, twenty miles distant.
     The three regiments, under the command of Col. C. H. Vanwyck, of the 56th, marched without interruption to near the Santee River, and, returning, came up with General Potter's column at Biggins' Church.  The whole division returned to the coast, marching down the north side of the Cooper River, and crossing the ay to Charleston on the evening of March 10th.  The 25th took its old quarters in the depot, where it remained until the 12th, when it recrossed Charleston Bay, and went into a very pleasant camp on Mount Pleasant.
     Colonel Haughton went to Hilton Head, returning with all the regimental books, papers and baggage, an the reports, which had been delayed since November, were rapidly made out.
     We remained in camp at Mount Pleasant until the 2d of April, upon the afternoon of which day we were embarked on the steamer W. W. Coit, and on the morning of the 3d left for Georgetown, arriving there in the evening.
     Several regiments had preceded us, and on the morning of April 5th the entire force under command of Gen. E. E. Potter marched from Georgetown towards the interior.  The expedition was ordered by General Sherman for the purpose of destroying all railroad communications and rolling stock in eastern South Carolina.
     We marched westerly on the Kingston road.  The first brigade, composed of the 25th and 107th Ohio, and the 157th New York, commanded by Col. P. O. Brown, of the latter regiment, had the advance.
     After a march of eighteen miles, without meeting the enemy, the division encamped in a dense pine forest.  Our march had been through an almost unbroken wilderness of pines, and the country did not have a promising outlook for forage.
     The march was resumed next morning at 7 o'clock, the colored brigade, composed of the 54th Mass., and 32d and 102d U. S. C. T., having the advance.  The country gradually improved in appearance, and foraging parties were sent out, generally under charge of the brigade quartermasters.  Some skirmishing took place with small parties of the enemy's cavalry, and a few prisoners were taken; but without any particular interruption we marched twenty-one miles, and encamped for the night six miles from Kingstree.
    That night or foragers brought in large quantities of hams and sweet potatoes, and plenty of transportation for the whole command.  The next morning we marched at 7 o'clock, the 25th Ohio having the advance; as the enemy had burned the bridge over Black River, Kinstree was left to our right.  About 10 o'clock we reached the Northeastern Railroad, which was thoroughly destroyed for several miles.
     The country over which we were now marching was very good, and furnished plenty of subsistence for man and beast.  All gin mills and cotton in the line of our march were destroyed, but no private dwellings were burned.  We marched eighteen miles that day, skirmishing some with the enemy.  Again our foragers came in heavily laden with ham, eggs and sweet potatoes, and we were indeed living upon the fat of the land.
    The next morning, April 8th, we marched at the usual hour, 7 o'clock, the enemy hovering in front and on our flanks, but making no serious resistance, and after a march of twenty miles we reached Manning.  Our small detachment of cavalry had a skirmish in the edge of town, and lost one man killed, said to have been treacherously shot by a rebel who had surrendered to him.
     Manning was a very pretty place, and contained some handsome public buildings.  The leading paper of the town was called the Manning Banner, and recommended the assassination of General Potter.  One side of the paper had been printed and the other side was ready for the press.  Major Culp took possession of the office, and with the assistance of Colonel Cooper, of the 107th, and some printers in the 25th, got out during the night a revised edition of the Banner, changing the name of the Banner of Freedom.  Before leaving Manning the printing office was destroyed.
     On the morning of the 9th we marched from Manning, intending to reach Sumpter, twenty miles distant, that evening.  It was ascertained that the rebels had concentrated their forces, and, with three pieces of artillery, were strongly posted at Dingles' Mills, four miles from Sumpter.  Skirmishing was kept up constantly without materially impeding the march, and we finally reached a pleasant place five miles from Sumpter and one mile from Dingles' Mills.  A halt for dinner and rest was ordered, preparatory to the expected engagement, for it was evident the rebels intended to make considerable resistance.
     At 2 o'clock we advanced towards the enemy's position.  The country was open with the exception of a swamp in our front, in which the rebels were concealed.
     The enemy's artillery opening, the 25th Ohio filed to the right, and the 107th Ohio to the left, in line of battle, while the cooks and contrabands changed base rapidly to the rear.
     Our skirmishers advanced to the edge of the swamp, and found the bridge burning and the enemy behind good earth-works on the opposite side of the swamp.  The 25th Ohio moved to a natural embankment just at the edge of the swamp, which offered good protection, and with its left resting on the road, and near the burning bridge, awaited the orders to charge.
     The 157th New York, under Lieut. Col. Carmichael, was sent to the left to wade the swamp and turn the enemy's right, while the 107th Ohio and Company B, of the 25th, kept up a strong and effective fire from their position.
     After waiting some time, word came to Colonel Haughton that Colonel Carmichael had got informed us he was charging the enemy's right.  This being the signal agreed upon, the 25th Ohio charged across the burning bridge, capturing the rebel artillery.  The rebels retreated, leaving their dead and wounded on the field.
     We moved rapidly forward, formed line of battle, and pushed our skirmishers into the next piece of woods, and there awaited the arrival of the other regiments.
     The 107th Ohio soon came up at double quick and forming on the right of the road, we once more moved forward.
     In going over fences, the 25th Ohio had moved by the "right of companies to the front," and for convenience were still marching in that order.  A thicket appeared in our front, and behind a strong fence, which skirted it, the rebels made another stand.
     Our skirmishers had sought shelter, and those present will never forget the rapid commands given by Colonel Haughton, who prided himself upon having the same command over the Regiment in battle that he did on dress-parade.  His wonderful voice could be heard over a mile, as it rang out, "By company into line, march!"  "Fix bayonets!"  "Double-quick, march!"  "Charge BAYONETS!"  The militia evidently were unaccustomed to such a string of orders so promptly executed, and fled in dismay.
     The 107th Ohio had done the work well on its side of the road, and without further opposition we marched into Sumpter, both regiments singing "Rally 'Round the Flag."
     Not a man in the Regiment was killed, or more than slightly wounded, during the entire day, which was somewhat remarkable.
     Sumpter was a beautiful little city, with a wealth of shade, many elegant residences, and two female seminaries in full blast.
     This was the first visitation of Yankee troops, and the inhabitants used much common sense in their intercourse with the soldiers.  The Sumpter Watchman was nearly ready for the press, and our corps of printers were soon at work getting out another number of the Banner of Freedom, which had quite a circulation after we left.
     A curious coincidence was in the false dispatches we got up from the "Seat of War in Virginia," announcing the surrender of Lee of General Grant.  The dispatches were dated upon the day of the surrender, although we knew nothing of the surrender for several days after.
     Upon our march to Sumpter, and while in that town, the negroes had flocked to us by the thousands, and of all sizes and colors.  It became a serious problem how to dispose of them.  Our wagon train had also increased in size, and was now a sight to behold.  Vehicles of all descriptions: wagons, buggies, carriages, coaches, and in fact, everything imaginable that was ever placed on wheels - a most absurd procession, and lengthening for miles on the road.  We had destroyed millions of dollars worth of cotton, commissary stores, locomotives and cars, and the Northeastern Railroad for many miles.  The Wilmington & Manchester Railroad still remained entire, and on the Camden branch was the bulk of the rolling stock from several railroads.
     The head of our column marched from Sumpter at six o'clock in the morning of April 11th, moving west on the Manchester road.  The 25th Ohio was to cover the rear, and did not march until much later, as it took some hours to get all the contrabands cared for.
     We marched eighteen miles that day, and encamped in the afternoon on the Singleton plantation, in a beautiful grove of live oaks, one of the fairest portions of South Carolina.
     The Singleton mansion was a fine residence, and the outhouses, negro quarters, etc., neat and convenient.  The mansion was used by General Potter for his headquarters.  The family had fled upon our approach.
     We remained in camp on the plantation on the 12th, and sent the contrabands to the river, twenty miles distant.
     Colonel Carmichael, with the 157th New York, went to Statsburg, thirteen miles, and destroyed some Confederate stores.
     The next day the 25th was ordered to take some by-roads, and come in rear of the rebels on the Statsburg road.  The day was hot, but the Regiment marched rapidly, and reached the main road without encountering other than small detachments of rebel cavalry.  The country over which we marched was exceeding beautiful, with numerous elegant residences, admirably located.  The inhabitants had never seen Yankee soldiers before, and were terribly frightened.  No property was destroyed, to their great relief and joy.
     On the morning of the 15th, four days after Lee had surrendered at Appomattox, and of which we knew nothing, the 25th received orders to proceed to Statsburg, and there await the balance of the division.  We met the enemy a mile from camp, and commenced a lively skirmish, driving them back about a mile to Red Hill, where they had erected works, and were prepared to make a good resistance.  Companies A and B were on the skirmish line, and the Regiment in the road, marching by the flank, advanced from the center.
     Our skirmishers fell back, and Colonel Haughton gave the command, "By wing into line, march!"  "Fix bayonet!"  "Charge BAYONET!"  The rebels were driven from their works, although they retired sullenly and in better order than usual.
     Colonel Haughton deemed it unadvisable to pursue the enemy with his small Regiment, and asked for reenforcements.  In a short time General Potter came up with the balance of the division.
     Six companies, under command of Major E. C. Culp, of the 25th, were advanced as skirmishers, and with the 107th Ohio struck the enemy's right.  They were driven from their second position, and we moved forward, skirmishing continually.
     Meanwhile, General Potter had learned that the rebels had made arrangements to meet us on that road in strong force, and concluded to flank them.  The 25th Ohio was left to follow out the original intention, apparently, of marching on Statsburg, in order to cover the new movement, and withdraw quietly after dark, and then follow the column.
     The plan succeeded admirably, and with six companies of skirmishers we drove the rebels to their main works on the hills in front of Statsburg.  It was then very dark and raining hard.  Major Culp sent back company after company until he was left with two men, and after replenishing the picket fires, they joined their command.  In the charge at Red Hill the Regiment sustained the following loss:

KILLED -
Private Samuel Baker, Company K

WOUNDED:
Co. A:
Capt. Wm. P. Scott
Co. D:
Private Isaiah Eagy
Co. E:
Frank Dreer
Samuel Potter
Co. G:
E. Thomas J. Myers
Co. I:
Charles Shrupp
Co. K:
Sherman B. Hinds
Stephen Shirley
Charles W. Smith

     At 3 o'clock in the morning the command halted, made coffee, and rested until daylight, when it moved forward toward Camden.
     The colored brigade was in front, and met the enemy fifteen miles from Camden, and after skirmishing for about two miles, we halted for the night, camping at Spring Hill.  The country was quite mountainous, and looked some like western Virginia.  The land was poor, and the inhabitants mainly "white trash" - not quite as intelligent as the negroes.
     The next morning, April 17th, the 25thOhio had the advance, and skirmishing commenced as soon as we broke camp.  No halt was made, however, until we reached the last swamp between us and Camden, where the rebels had made quite extensive works, and were in considerable force.  Major Culp, with Companies E, K, G and B, waded the swamp some distance to the left, and struck the enemy on the flank, Colonel Haughton at the same time charging the enemy in front with the balance of the Regiment; they broke and fled in disorder, and at 3 o'clock p.m. we marched into Camden.
     The inhabitants were pretty thoroughly subjugated, and in favor of peace on any terms.  They were not particularly in love with Sherman's army, and had some pretty hard stories to tell, which were, most of them, true enough.
     As before mentioned, the object of the expedition was to destroy the rolling stock and railroads in eastern and central South Carolina.  The greater portion of the rolling stock belonging to several roads was now on the Camden branch of the Manchester & Wilmington Railroad.  We had destroyed the railroad at Manchester, and now had the cars between us and that point, and expected considerable fighting before getting to them. 
     At 7 o'clock on the morning after entering Camden, our main force marched on teh pike towards Statsburg, while the 107th Ohio marched down the railroad.  We met with no serious opposition until reaching Swift Creek, five miles from Camden.  Here the enemy were in strong force and behind good works, extending through the swamp where the nature of the ground would permit, and upon the hills on the opposite side of the river.
     Our skirmishers were advanced to the edge of the swamp but found the water too deep to wade.  The 107th Ohio, 54th Massachusetts and 102d U. S. C. T. were sent to the right some distance, with a colored man, a native of that country, to pilot them through the swamps.  The 25th Ohio was moved to the edge of the swamp, and gained possession of some rebel works constructed in anticipation of our march to Camden by that road.  The right of the Regiment rested on the railroad, and we were to charge across the trestle work as soon as our flanking regiments made their attack.  We lay in this position several hours, and then came the cheers from the other regiments, when we charged in front, the rebels retreating in disorder.  After marching several miles through a drenching rain, we encamped for the night.
     On the morning of the 19th, we marched dearly, expecting to meet the enemy in force at Rafting Creek; but we were barely out of camp when we struck open fields, and found the rebels posted back of rail breastworks with one piece of artillery.
     The 157th New York took the left of the road and the 25th Ohio the right.  We advanced in line of battle, driving the rebels before us. until they reached higher ground, where, supported by several pieces of artillery, they intended to make a stand.  The 25th advanced steadily under a galling artillery fire until within one hundred yards of the enemy's position, when Col. Haughton ordered a charge, and the rebels retreated across Rafting Creek.
     Our usual flanking expedient was again resorted to, and with the usual success, the rebels being driven from their position with considerable loss.  The enemy made another stand at the swamp near Statsburg, but was easily driven back.  In fact, it became hard work to keep up with them.  Without much more opposition we reached Singleton's plantation, having marched twenty-five miles in seven hours, and almost constantly under fire.  Only three men were wounded during the day.
     There never was better marching or skirmishing, and for our reward we had the rebel rolling-stock safely penned.  The next morning, April 20th, the 25th Ohio was sent to the railroad, where for two miles the road was crowded with cars, including sixteen locomotives.  The cars were loaded with clothing, ammunition, provisions, and, in fact, everything imaginable,  The Regiment was bivouacked some distance from the railroad, and men detailed to fire the train.  Several cars were loaded entirely with powder, and in other cars were thousands of loaded shells.  The explosions were terrific, and for several hours it seemed as if a battle was being fought.  After completely destroying the train the Regiment returned to camp at Singleton's.  The rebel cavalry still hovered about, and fired into camp continually, but without much damage.
     On the 21st we marched from Singleton's plantation towards the Santee River, the 25th Ohio as rear guard.  While on Governor Manning's plantation, and within sight of his mansion, the rebel cavalry made an attack on the two companies acting as rear guard, but were easily repulsed with some loss to them.  A swamp being in our front, General Potter ordered a halt.  While resting, a rebel officer, Colonel Rhett, came to our rear guard under a white flag, and desired to see General Potter, saying that he was bearing dispatches to that general from General Beauregard, announcing that Generals Lee and Johnston had surrendered, and that the war was over.
     The joy that filled our hearts was supreme.  It was one hundred miles from there to Georgetown, and we marched it in three days and a half, the last two days each man having issued to him two ears of corn.
     On the 28th of April, 1865, we were placed on the steamer W. W. Coit, and taken to Charleston, from whence we went into our old camp at Mount Pleasant.