March 12, 1865: Grinnell and Party Deliver Army Documents to Sherman

MARCH 12TH, 1865:  At the request of Brigadier General Schofield, Acting Master H. Walton Grinnell, leading a detachment of four sailors, succeeded in delivering important Army dispatches to General Sherman near Fayetteville.

Grinnell and his men began their trip on the 4th in a dugout from Wilmington.  About 12 miles up the Cape Fear River, after passing through the Confederate pickets undetected, the men left the boat and commenced a tedious and difficult march towards Fayetteville.

Near Whiteville, Grinnell impressed horses and led a daring dash through the Confederate lines.  Shortly thereafter, the group made contact with the rear scouts of Sherman's forces, successfully completing what Grinnell termed "this rather novel naval scout."

Naval support, no matter what form it took, was essential to general Sherman's movements.

--Old B-Runner