14. Civil War Diary Part XIV (Dec. (1864)- Feb.(1865))
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Dec 1, 1864 – Thursday
Today we get into the pine wood caverns. The tall pines have no low branches to obstruct vision + the view through the forest is extensive + peculiar. There is scarcely any brush or grass, the ground is covered with brown, fallen pine leaves. Artillery + wagon wheels pass noiselessly over these leaves + a word loudly spoken or a hello echoes + sounds as in the night or in a large empty room. The murmur of the pines, pleasant at first becomes monstrous + mournful in a short time. Marching is easy anywhere, but forage + good water is scarce. We hear that the 2nd Div. 15th A.C. has a fight near Macon, GA, today.
Dec. 2, Friday
We are near Millen, GA + spend nearly all day getting across a swamp. Millen is 178 miles from Atlanta, this is our 17th day out. We have marched an average of 250 miles by the various roads + to our camps, the swamp is known as Sculls Creek. The 17th Corps are in Millen.
Dec, 3. Saturday,
Cross the Ogeechee river today + stand on guard while the 1st Brig. Tears up the track of the Georgia Central R.R. our wing must have marched down the right bank of the Brig. Ogeechee river, for nearly 40 miles before we crossed. The left wing I think crossed some distance above. Gen. Bragg is at Augusta with Confed militia. Gen. McLain’s with his Div. of regular troops is in front. Gen. Hardee has also some 6 or 8,000 militia on road to Savannah. The 17th Corps is in Millen, the 20th Corps 4 miles north of Millen, the 14 Corps is 10 miles north of Millen, the 15th Corps is nearby on west side of river.
Dec 4, Sunday,
Today we recross the river + lay in camp. We are out of the pine caverns now + in a better country. The weather is warm + delightful – there have been frosts enough to ripen the Persimmons. Today the sun is so hot we are glad to lay in the shade of the magnificent (???) Oak trees which abound hereabouts. The famous Southern Moss begins to appear.
Sketch –
Crossing a river into enemy country on Pontoon.
Dec 5, 1864 Monday
Today we resume march down the bank of the river.
Dec 6. Tuesday
Lay in Camp all day + take the opportunity to wash our clothes –
Dec 7. Wednesday
Continue in camp – Hear cannonading ahead – march out some ways. This was a brush between the advance of the 17th Corps on the East bank of the river, with McLain’s Div. the rear guard of Hardee’s army. It was covering the retreat into Savannah. We are near what is known as Jenks bridge.
Dec 8. Thursday
Cross the Ogeechee river today, March 12 miles + camp on the banks of the Ogeechee Canal (15 miles from Savannah), the country is low + sandy here. Our rations of coffee + hard tack are nearly exhausted – coffee + hard tack with occasionally soap + salt is all we have had from “Uncle Same” for 3 weeks. Foragers have kept us supplied with pork, chickens, + sweet potatoes. We have organized a non-commissioned staff officers mess, composed of Tom. H. Robinson – Sergt. Major – Smith C. Minturn –Q.M Sergt. - Ordinace Sergt. + myself – head steward. We get our mess chest, which is only a candle box, carried in the Colonel’s wagon, + we have a first class negro forager who is our cook. This cook manages always to get possession of a mule + load him down with eatables by night. We have ravenous appetites at night + have some grand old suppers from our cook to satisfy them. “Baked Possum” + sweet potato + Roast Pig being frequent dishes. During the March I have been allowed a horse.
Map –
Annotated with troop movements and Rebel Fort locations
At Little Ogeechee River, GA
Dec 9th, 1864 – Friday
March on a little distance this morning + hold. There is some movement in front like preparation for skirmish. Presently the regiment moves up + goes into line – There are a few spattering shots from skirmishes in front. In this shape we move slowly on through the woods for nearly 6 miles. Then the enemy is found posted in some little strength across a swampy place + on a ridge of ground in the woods beyond. They have an old 12 pdr gun (A 12pdr Blakesly gun) with them.
After a little skirmish the Brigade charges + takes the old gun, holding also the ridge + slight entrenchments rebels had thrown up. By this time the Div. comes up + we all move on together. The confederates fall back to the Little Ogeechee + make a stand. We are near the Savannah + Gulf R.R. A train of cars evidently not suspecting our presence is seen approaching a bridge over the Ogeechee. An artilleryman trains a gun on the engine + the exploding shell causes the engineer to stop his train. The 7th Ills. Mounted Infantry, then rush upon the train + capture it. Getting several confederate officers. The train is then burned + we move back 2 miles.
Dec. 10. Saturday
Today we move to the right about 6 miles to Kings Bridge at the junction of the Canouchee river with the Ogeechee. Here the regt. is ordered out to fire at some batteries (2 guns) across the river. The men are obliged to wade out with a swamp up to their belts. The tide comes in from the sea while the men are out there.
Dec. 12, 1864, Monday
The entire army appears to be forming lines. We are at Savannah. The objective of the campaign, but have not captured the city yet + rations are scarce.
Dec. 13. Tuesday,
Lying in camp on the rice plantation. Hear that the 2nd Div. of our Corps is to charge Ft. McAllister today. I ride out toward the fort a mile or so. Our camp is about 3 miles from it. The intervening space is a vast, level rice field + the view of the fort unobstructed except as here + there a Live Oak Tree stands. Witness the preparations for the charge. Men formed in line of columns by regiment I should judge. The fort lies silent + grim, it’s flag flying about it. About 2 P.M. the movement begins + the guns of the fort rattle + smoke. There is a sharp cracking of musketry for some 15 or 20 minutes + then our of the smoke rises a cheer, not a yell + the fort is taken.
Dec. 14th Wednesday, 30 days out
Left our camp about noon today, marched some 5 miles + rejoined our Div. from which we had been separated while at the plantation. The regiment is sent out to the front + deployed as skirmishers – firing a few shots at the enemy’s pickets.
There is a wide rice swamp in front + the rebels have their rifle pits in the rising ground + woods opposite. Our men have to wade out some distance into this swamp to get within firing range. Our camp is in woods this side.
Dec 15, 1864 Thursday
Rations are decidedly scarce + forage for horses unattainable. In the rice swamps there are stacks of unthrashed rice. Men go out at peril of life + get bundles of this straw to bring into camp. The rise is pounded out on logs +c + cooked to eat. While the straw is fed to the horses. Hear that artillery horses have already died from the effects of the “Beards” of the rice straw on their stomachs. The regt. has some skirmishing today + there is quite an artillery duel in the P.M.
Dec 16, Friday (Hood attacked Thomas in Nashville on the 15, continuing the battle on the 16th + was most disastrously beaten + retired with a shattered + ruined army, which never took the field again)
Our lines on the left sound as if they were closing up. Rations are all gone. No more coffee, nor hardtack, nor soap, nor salt. Rice + roots + bark have to suffice for food.
Dec 17, Saturday, Gen. Sherman demands the surrender of Savannah today. Lt. Gen. W. J. Hardee in comd. refuses it.
Today the rebels open a furious bombardment upon our camps, but do us very little damage. Only these bursting things keep one uneasy. I have kept my old horse up by hook + by crook. He looks thin + gaunt. In the P.M. I rode out around the swamp where one could get some rice stacks, with some hope of ever getting back. Succeeded in getting past the rebel fire + securing two large bundles of rice. We took care to cut the heads all off - + then fed the straw to our horses with safety. We have burned holes in stumps to make mortars of + in these pound out our rice. Then boil it + eat it without sugar or salt. Letters from the North came in today + yesterday + we expect rations soon. The mail came in steamers via (???) Sound + King’s Bridge on the 12th.
Sketch –
Detailing attack on Ft. McAllister as witnessed by author. And a sketch of the Plan of Assault
In Front of Savannah, GA – Dec 21, 1864
Dec. 18,1864, Sunday
Wrote letters home. Slow skirmish fire. Rebel bullets whiz into camp sometimes.
Dec 19, Monday – 35th day out
Building breastworks today. It looks like a siege. Heavy firing all day + night.
Dec. 20, Tuesday
Heavy firing all day + up to 10 at night. Rations have “arriv” + are plentiful.
Dec 21, Wednesday – 37th day out + we enter Savannah
All hands are ordered our today for a grand charge upon the enemy lines. We do not relish the trip through that deep swamp under fire. A U.S. battery has been pushed out on a road part way across the swamp. Barrels are filled with sand, rolled out on the road at night + men crouch in behind the barrels + when at the place, the barrels are upended + so a rude breastwork is begun.
Then come sacks of sand + by + by there is a protection there from musket shot. Great gabions also are made in the woods + worked out to points in the swamp + anchored + filled slowly with dirt + by + by a battery can get out + work the guns on the Johnnie Rebs with great success. Of course they work back on us some.
These guns open early in the morning, but elicit little reply from the enemy. About 10 or 11 A.M. the movement forward begins, but it is soon apparent that the rebel works have been abandoned.
Tom Robinson, the sergeant Major + myself then cut around on horseback to where we knew there was a good road.
Map of Savannah–
Our Division, the 4th- of 15th A.C.
Lost 24 killed
110 wounded.
We captured 250 men, 212 horses + mules.
24 cannon
40 tons ammunition,
+ destroyed the Gulf railroad 20 miles west of Savannah
We built 31 bridges
44,475 ft. of Corduroy Road
Our Corps lost in all 1,452 men K, W + M.
In 46 days it marched 684 miles, constructed 32 miles of road, 1,502 yards of bridge, + destroyed 60 miles of R.R.
Has 14 + 15th A.C. captured 10,500 head of cattle
(In purple ink) Savannah is 18 miles from mouth of river, 132 from Augusta
It has 24 parks. 4 Johnson, 10 wrights, 14 Chippewa, 19 Madison, 23 Monterey
Pulaski is more
N.E. Cov. Broughton + Bull H. is the old secession hall, where ordinance was passed Jan 21, 1861 + Dec, 28, 1864 Union meeting to celebrate federate victories.
Map of Savannah
Loose Paper
Page with detailed information about Savannah
Occupation of Savannah, Dec 21 1864
(continued from previous page) across the swamp + directly to the city. When we got to it the head of a column of troops was coming upon it (Geary’s Div. 20th corps from the left), but we managed to slip by + galloped on in as fast as ever we could. We wore a light rubber coat with a long cape – so no one knew who we were, Tom having on also a sort of cape. We got in ahead of all our troops so far as we could see. Officers + orderlies + cavalry were ahead of us – but scattered into groups of two + three. So we passed the deserted rebel lines + saw their cannon + ammunition chests in battery, just as left hastily the night before. Wagons loaded + broken down where here + there in the road, Blankets +c were strewn through the woods – On we rode past the old revolutionary forts, with their great smooth bore 32pdrs –standing in them + by + by came into the city. The houses all had a shut up look – but from many French, Austrian, British + some American flags were flying + from others people were putting out flags. A few doors opened as we passed + faces peered from windows. We kept on down into the business portions of the city. Stores were closed, but there was no broken up appearance + no destruction. War had scarcely touched the city + it was a beautiful place with its little parks +c in the streets. We rode to the Custom House + looked off upon the river, a little way upstream (Half a mile) lay a rebel gunboat (the iron clad gunboat Savannah) steam up, as it seemed to us, but not firing her guns. Toward evening she threw a few shells into the city, but some batteries came up + drove her up stream. We rode around some more + saw columns of our troops coming in with flags waving + drums beating – fearing we might be suspected + arrested we began to hunt for our regt + finally found it in camp in a grove on the edge of the city.
Loose paper
Picture: House on Bull Street, Savannah
Picture:Residence of Mayor Meldrim + Headquarters of eneral W.T. Sherman in 1865
Sketch
Plan of Second Story of Barracks from Memory
Loose Paper
Picture: Barrels of Rosin on the Wharf at Savannah, GA (1906)
Provost Guard for Savannah
Dec 22, 1864
Last night there was some artillery firing + …
Which shook us all up. It was the gunboat Savannah, abandoned…
This forenoon the regiment is ordered into the …
We are assigned to the old U.S. Barracks on Bull St. the …
Street of the city, for our quarters. We are not far from the “Green” mansion occupied by General Sherman for hdqrs. The Barracks are of stone + brick + occupy a square. The main entrance is on the Buell st. This side is built very handsomely of stone + curtains the officers apartments – the entrance is by three archways – one for teams, wide opened, the other two for pedestrians
On the side street facing right as one stands looking out of the gate into Bull st. are the Q.M. + other officers + apartments for Non. Com. Staff, + further on the Hosp – Dispensary, Ordnance rooms, stores +c +c at the end the kitchen bake ovens +c +c. Across the foot, or other sides men the barracks at second story + below an equally wide + long piazza. There is a fine parade ground, well lighted at night + in all our quarters gas + city water. We never had anything like this before during our soldiering + some propose to join the “Regulars” at once. We think this is altogether too good to last.
The division encamped on the East side of the city inside old earthworks with left (???) on river + right on Ft. Brown.
Dec 23. Friday,
Visit the city + think it a beautiful place. See Pulaski’s Monument, also General Green’s – Not a thing is disturbed here. Visit the arsenal + Dockyards. Here as much as possible has been burned + destroyed. See some large naval torpedoes
Sketch
U.S. Barracks at Bull St. near Sherman’s, Savannah GA, in which we were quartered while doing Provost duty
Loose paper
Regarding the Old Presbyterian Church at Savannah
Dec 24, 1864, Saturday
The city resumes its ordinary appearance. The hotels are open. The gas lighted in the streets at night. Stores open, Delivery teams run, boats + tugs steam up + down the river. For Savannah there is very little of the bitterness of the war at least in appearance. The Savannah Herald is regularly issued though the printing + editing is done by Yankee soldiers.
Dec 25th – Sunday – Christmas –
But very quiet here. We get up an extra dinner + have a little jollification in the barracks. I went to the Presbyterian Church in the A.M.
Dec 26th Monday
Sutlers have found a way to get down here with Northern goods. Buy me a dozen paper collars for 75c + fix myself up in good style – we are quite dressy in our fashionable barracks + appear with very black shoes + very bright buttons.
Dec 27, Tuesday
We find our provost duty very light + agreeable – it is mostly hdqrs. guard + Q.M. stores, at monuments, hotels +c +c. All our sick + wounded accumulated during the march are sent North by steamers.
Dec 28, Wednesday
We can get milk regularly today + oysters in the shell are cheap by the bushel
Dec 29 Thursday
Array myself in the very best + attend the Stone Presbyterian Church last Sunday – Christmas.
There was quite a good congregation + some more soldiers in besides myself
Dec. 30, 1864, Friday
Tom Robinson, the sergeant Major + I have quarters together + we discuss the prospect of the wars closing soon + what we will do when “Its over”. Have captured some blank books in the barracks which I have preserved with care.
Dec 31st, Saturday
The weather is delightful. There are frosts at night, but we seldom wear our overcoats daytimes. The parks at the intersection of the streets with Bull St. are green + children are often at play in them afternoons.
Barrack discipline is strictly enforced. No enlisted man can pass out of the gate without a permit. The non-com staff are excepted so that we pass in + out at pleasure. Every afternoon there is a full dress parade in the tip of the style, + we are quite proud of our appearance + drill.
Many of our sick + wounded, now well, rejoin us from the North. Also quite a lot of recruits. And we amuse ourselves looking them over + saying – That man won’t stand it to march, he is too round shouldered or thin or too gay + confident +c +c, but this man will go through +c because he takes it all quietly + sensibly.
Gen Sherman calls the march to the sea simply a change of base for his army from an interior city Atlanta, to a seaward city, Savannah + terminates the movement as complete Jan 8th, 1865 from Nov 12, 1864 to Jan 8, 1865 or 51 days in all. In military importance he rates it 1, the move north through Carolina was 10.
The right wing – 15th + 17th corps O.O. Howard lost total 666 men
The left wing – 14th + 20th corps, H.W. Slocum lost total 439 men
The cavalry 1 div. Kilpatrick lost 233 men
Total 1338
31,000 bales of cotton were captured here + turned over to the U.S. + for these the U.S. paid three times over by Fraudulent claims.
January
First
1865, Sunday – Attended Church
Independent Presbyterian, corner of Bull st + S. Broad
New Years Day
And the 14th Mo Infy. – Burges sharpshooters, W.S.S. 66 Ill Vet. Vol. Infy. + S.S. are doing provost guard in the city of Savannah Georgia.
Jan 2T, 3F, 4S, 5S, 6M, 7T, 8W, 9T, 10F, 11S, 13 Friday 1865,
In our fine barracks + doing stylish city Provost guard duty. On the 7th witnessed the Review by Sherman.
Jan 14th – 1865, Saturday
Relieved from Provost Guard duty, ordered to rejoin our Div. in the suburbs of the city + to be ready to march in 5 days – 23 days of this duty (but we did not march for 14 days after the order on account of rain + overflows of river.
The 17th Corps went by sea from Savannah to Beaufort, S.C. arriving there on the 10th Jan.
Jan 15, Sunday
Getting ready to march. The regt. is encamped in some open fields a mile or so out of the city – with the Brigade.
The 17th Corps occupied the Pocotaligo S.C today. Gen Terry captured Ft. Fisher on the coast today, near Washington.
Jan 16, Monday
A drunken row in camp last night is called “The Battle of Stillwater”
Jan 17, Tuesday
All ready for marching, + awaiting only the word.
Camp in Suburbs, Savannah
Jan 18, 1865, Wednesday
Heavy rains set in – we are waiting to move. The city today was given into the charge of Groves Div. of the 18th Corps -
Gen. Howard has occupied Pocotaligo - + Gen. Slocumb Sisters Ferry on the Savannah River, preparatory to the movement N.E. to Richmond.
Jan 19, Friday
Raining very hard. We leave camp early this morning _ march through + out of the main part of the city, a little to the north + cross the Savannah River on a Pontoon bridge. Arrived on the opposite side, we find after going a short distance that all before us is low flats, almost entirely flooded with water. We hear that the 1st Div. crossed here yesterday + on beyond have lost some of their teams in the water. After pattering about in mud, rain + water, we are about faced + marched left in front back through the city to our old camp, where we fix up for the night. Learn that the 19th A.C. Gen Sheridan came in by transport from the east today. It was only one Div. of the 19th Corps – which came in to hold the city. General orders for the Carolina March given out today.
Jan 20 - - -27F
In our camp – rain, mud, wet discomfort + waiting to march every day. On the 21st Gen. Sherman + staff + entire headquarters went by steamer to Beaufort to take personal command of movements, arriving on the 23rd. The Confederates made the Salkehatchie river their first line of defense. (Jan 25th Sherman arrived at Pocotaligo)
Jan 28th – Saturday
A great fire broke out in the cellar of a cotton warehouse last night; some say it was incendiary + by rebels. The arsenal + 8 blocks were burned before it was checked. Fireballs tolled mournfully all night. Many soldiers + firemen were killed at the arsenal by exploding shells + several negroes + many horses were burned to death + their charged remains lay in the streets. We marched at 8 A.M. today + passed the ruins of the fire. We went N.E. 21m. on river bank + camped.
Map
Savannah to Hickory Hill – Jan 28th to Feb 7th, 1865
Breakdown of Formation of Sherman’s Army in the Carolina Campaign.
Cross Savannah River at Sisters Ferry. Feb 4, 1865-
Feb 2nd, 1865, Thursday
Lying in our smoky camp at Sisters Ferry on the Savanah River. Received a new suit of clothes, ordered some time since.
Feb 3rd, Friday
In our smoky camp. No tents, mind you, except “Dog” “Guns” + Blankets
Feb 4, Saturday
Just at dark this evening we cross the Savannah river to the East Bank. A rough bridge has been constructed which with a few pontoons In the deepest part makes a very good passage. As the men come to the South Carolina Shore, they greet the soil of the chief Sinner in the Confederacy, with unearthly groans, yells, grunts, barks + cat-calls + this goes on all night as the troops cross + land. We move on a few miles + camp in the densest white fog I ever imagined could be. One would walk right into a small camp fire never seeing it. A large fire only produced a dull red appearance, a few steps off, like hot iron. The voices of men6 standing near you + talking, but unseen was weird + ghostly.
Feb 5, Sunday
Move out quite late today, cross 3 miles of the roughest corduroy in a swamp. Procured a better horse to ride. The other 3 divisions of our corps crossed the river at Beaufort’s bridge today. We have not caught up with them yet.
Feb 6, Monday
Under way early today – “Straddling the Wagon Train” which makes the men march as they can in the woods, while the wagons move on the road, while the wagons move on the road. It is very tedious marching – woods close + small, land swampy.
30 days the other 3 Divisions of our corps are near (5 miles) Bamberg + the 17th Corps is on the Augusta + Charleston R.R.
Map of Georgia and the Carolinas, 1865 –
Feb 7, 1865
Today we cross the Black Swamp. Corduroy road building all the way. Country flooded in water. Heavy rains are frequent, our feet are wet almost all the time. The men at every halt, where possible, get some mine knots burning = remove their shoes + socks + dry them out as much as they can + move on. Even if not dry, wringing out socks, knocking off mud + getting a bit of warmth on the feet does one good + gives one a light + fresh start on the wet, muddy way. The socks are now invariably made to come up outside the pans like a boot leg. The pants are kept cleaner for camp + sleeping in at night in this way – while the shoes + socks can be removed, washed + dried almost anywhere.
The building of corduroy roads is reduced to a system now – the pioneer corps, with negro ax men go with the advance brigade + cut down all the small straight pines on the way – on both sides of the road for a couple rods or more as the road may require.
Then a regiment coming up halts, stacks arms + picking up these cut logs + sticks place them across the road, forming a corduroy bed. The other regiments of the brigade in advance, pass on until the rear regt. of that brigade comes up, when it stacks arms + goes to work – while the first regiment retakes its arms, falls in as a rear regt. of that brigade comes up. Meanwhile, the regt. now in front, having arrived at a suitable place, stacks its arms + begins a new place + so it goes on all day – thus as the teams come up + the reast of the Div. with them they find
Map of Savannah GA + troop Movements
(Continued from previous page) a road built to go on. It is found that where there are no bridges, a pioneer corps of 800 men + a brigade of 5 regts. Can easily build good corduroy as fast as a wagon can travel.
The brigades of the Div. take turns in “Corduroying” + in being “rear guard” – which is the worst of the two. + Th Divisions take turns in “Corduroying” + in being “rear Guard’ which is the worst of the two – The Divisions also alternate, so that generally speaking – one “Corduroy Day is about all a Brigade gets on an ordinary march.
Arrive at Hickory Hill (20 miles N.E. of Sisters Ferry) after crossing the Black Swamp – where the advance had quite a severe fight yesterday.
We pass on a short distance + camp.
Some scamp stole my revolver from the wagon box of the Hosp. wagon last night.
Feb 8, 1865, Wednesday –
Heavy river hard marching – Corduroy road building, swamps everywhere. We are in the overflow of the Salkehatchie River – The Corps + the 17th are 20 miles ahead. On the Augusta + Charleston R.R. tearing it up. We are crossing the country by a road of our own to join them.
Feb 9, Thursday –
Today we cross the Whippy Swamp, 8 miles wide, High water, Men wade up to armpits in the cold water. The bottom however is of firm yellow + white sand – On the edge of this swamp there had been a little grocery store. We found some leaves of the day book like this.
Nov. 5. 1864. John Hishlee
To 1 tb tob – 50 cts
“ 2 tbs Corn Meal – 80c
“ ½ gall. Whiskey 3.00 –
Nov 10, 1864 James Blunt,
To 1 gall whiskey 6.00
“ 1 qrt beans .70c
1 tb tob 50c
Dec 1, 1864 – Samuel Stacey
To 1 gall. Whiskey 6.00
“ 1 spool thread .40c
“ 2 tbs tob 1.00
Dec 3. Jerry Miah,
To 1 peck sweet potatoes 30c
“ 2 galls whiskey 12.00
“ ½ tb tob. 25c
March through South Carolina Feb 1865
Feb 10, 1865 – Friday
After crossing, whippy swamp we got upon higher ground + today have comparatively good roads. The weather is quite cool + there is a flurry of snow lasting about an hour + a half today.
The entire army gathering in the neighborhood of Blackville on the Augusta + + Charleston or S.C. R.R. we are not yet up with our Corps.
Feb 11. Saturday
Our rations are getting low + the “Bummers” are now out again in all their glory foraging for us. The country grows better as we advance East + North. Our regiment has the advance today + we jog along in the road once more right merrily.
Since leaving Savannah we have seen no trees by pine + today on a little ridge of ground we see one solitary + stunted Oak tree – which the “Boys” greet with cheers. Cross little Salkehatchie River = Today we reach our own Corps. + prepare to cross the Edisto river with there.
Feb 12, Sunday
Have the rear today – but the roads have become good + the rear is not so bad. We are getting into the uplands + while pine of the yellow variety predominates – yet we see many other kinds of tree. Cross Edisto River near Branchville.
A feeble resistance was made at this crossing by troops under Maj. Gen. Stevenson, composed of furlough remnants of Hoods army which had been defeated by Thomas at Nashville, + scattered home. The 4th Div. 17th Corps after a short engagement occupied Orangeburg today.
Feb 13, Monday – Pass near Orangeburg
Have the center today + “Straddle” the wagons - But this is not so bad in these open pines. Pass several turpentine factories in the woods where there are so 50 or 100 bbs or Rosin, Tar + Turpentine to set fire to. We have a roaring blaze + what smoke – dense + black do no justice. Pass through acres of Pine Trees cut so as to collect
Photograph
Captioned: Since the war improved methods of collecting the pine sap have added 13,000,000.00 to the Rosin + Turpentine industry in N. Carolina – Savannah GA is the great shipping point
Turpentine Forests. SC. Feb 13, 1865
The Pine sap. Tall + well grown trees are selected + about 3 feet from the ground, the tree is chopped into so as to form a cup in the tree. Above this cup the bark is grooved up 6 or 8 feet so that the same exudes, collects – runs down into the cup – hardens there into something like gum, when it is scooped out – taken to the turpentine factories, + the products are Turpentine, Tar, + Resin. Many of these factories have not been (???) since 1863 + the trees are loaded with white gum. Touch a match to this gum + it flashes out into flame – roaring up the tree fiercely + emitting vast volumes of densely black smoke.
The men are fond of touching the trees off + in some places, where thousands of these trees are burning with an immense canopy of smoke overhanging – the spectacle is wonderful + at night one cannot imagine the peculiarity of it. At one pleace so many trees were burning + so close to the Road it seemed impossible to get the ammunition trans through. Everybody + everything was black with falling soot. Orders were finally issued to stop setting fire to the trees, but the “boys” said they were going to burn South Carolina out – forests, rivers + all. Indeed it did look so with regard to houses + barns, for I believe not one was left unburned on our route. The attempt was made to save some houses, but suddenly they would be ablaze. How, no one seemed to know. It was currently reported that Gen. Sherman standing by the roaring volcano of a burning turpentine factory offered a discharge to anyone who would ride through the smoke + roar – but no one offered (???)
Map –
Hickory Hill to Camden
Feb 14, 1865, Tuesday
Have coveted advance of our Div. today. Hear cannonading not far ahead – General Sherman + slogan with staff pass us riding rapidly ahead. We camp at dark, 18 miles from Columbia, S.C. Probably near Sandy Recon. The cannonading came from Woods Div. of our Corps, which found a rebel battery fortified on the other bank of the Little Cogence + shelled it out, repaired the bridge + proceeded over.
Feb 15, Wednesday
We have to take the rear today + lay in camp while the 1st + 2nd Div. of our corps pass us. Presently they begin to skirmish with now + then a cannon shot + advance slowly. We follow in our place, but up a little closer as supports. There night the enemy retires inside of Columbia Ft. The fighting today was (???) Woods skirmish line + some rebel cavalry.
Feb 16, Thursday
Today we have the center + move out about 10 A.M. The day is bright after the rain. We soon emerge from the woods into an immense open plain. With Columbia out on the side hills, plainly + magnificently in view. We can see into the streets easily. There is a large line of breastworks around the city, not very large or extensive + only about half a mile out as it seems.
Our army is in motion over the plain + from a slight eminence to which I have ridden – it is the finest + most complete military view I have ever had. It is an ideal view here in reality. Long columns of infantry are on the march over several roads centering in toward one point.
(Continued from page previous) the sunbeams are flashed from their guns, tin cups + accoutrements. The movement looks more like a crawling than like a step – the men are mostly in Columns of fours + the impression is that of gigantic bluish + flashing centipedes of snaky length.
Then there are batteries of artillery crawling along. The sun reflected from sabres + from brass guns – here + there a string of cavalry trot along their road. Immense white covered wagon trains crawl on over every possible road – threading across are galloping officers, orderlies. Flags flutter + beyond all are the smoke puffs of the skirmish line + the windows + houses of the city of Columbia
But here comes the advance of our regt. + we must fall into place behind + go on. We march up close to the rebel line + along it near the skirmishers for a mile or so + finally halt on quite a hill near a bridge over the Congaree.
The 17th A.C. we learn got near here yesterday.
The end of the bridge next to Columbia was burned, but this end was intact. After dark we marched on about 2 miles + crossed the Saluda on Pontoons. We then marched on some distance further + finally go into camp (4 miles N.W. of Columbia) on the banks of the Broad river near its junction with the Saluda to form the Congaree. During the night of the 16th, Woods Div. of our Corps threw up a pontoon bridge across the Broad river + moved a brigade crew to hold the (???) about 0 or 10 A.M. on the 15th the Mayor of Columbia sent a message that he wished to surrender the city.
Col. Stone. With his brig of the Div. A.C then went into the city to receive surrender.
Map
Clipping of a confederates testimony of the burning of Columbia with commentary from the author.
Continued testimony on Burning Of Columbia
In which the author of the diary states the testimony as maliciously false
Occupation of Columbia, S.C
Feb 17, 1865 Friday
Quite a sharp skirmish in the woods just in front of us opened up early this morning, but died away by 9 a.m.
We were ordered forward + crossed the broad river on pontoons, we marched on + up into the city. It appears to be quite a handsome city, but everything is shut up + there is a look of slovenliness + litter everywhere. Scores of half-crazy negroes are at every street corner – crowds of “poor whites” unfit for military service throng the sidewalks + half drunk + full drunk prostitutes seem phenomenally thick. We were marched through the main street of the city, as it appeared. All along the center of this street for over a quarter mile bales of cotton were piled + in many places these bales were burning slowly. To me it looked as if the rebels had piled this cotton here + set fire to it intending to burn the city. Still we were not the first soldiers in + for ought we knew the fires might have been set by union soldiers. (Sherman says Wade Hampton’s cavalry set it on fire as they retreated)
An extremely high wind was blowing + great wads of cotton were flying like snowballs everywhere through the air. We marched on through the city + out of it one mile on the S.E. side where we formed line of battle + camped.
Along the Wilmington + Columbia R.R. which we are to tear up – Sherman says it was Camden + (???) RR
The bridge across Broad was completed early on the 17th Sherman, Howard, Logan rode over followed by Woods Div + our own.
The military opposition at Columbia was by Gen. Stevenson’s remnants of Hoods Nashville army – the same which opposed the passage of the Edisto river.
Sketch
Crossing large open fields in front of Columbia, Feb 16th 1865.
Loose Papers
Detailed description fo Columbia, capital of South Carolina
Loose Paper
Continued description of Columbia
Picture of Partial view of Main street
Feb 18, 1865 – Saturday Hardee evacuated Charleston today + joined Gen. Johnson at Florence S.C
Last night there was a great racket in the city. We could hear the noise of mobs as it seemed, but paid little attention to it.
Today we learn that a general plundering of the shops through the city went on last night, by the troops quartered in the city aided by the swarms of negroes + prostitutes. The city had a large amount of native liquors + wines stored in it + intoxicated by these the crowds of all kinds, soldiers. Poor whites, negroes, + prostitutes, became mere drunken mobs. The city is on fire in several places + great clouds of smoke float up + off. Shots are frequently heard + much yelling. Our brigade is ordered to tear up + destroy the Columbia + Wilmington R.R. which we do for 20 miles making a hard days work of it. (Only the 15th is passed through Columbia)
Feb 19. Sunday -
Last night we heard heavy explosions in the direction of Columbia + see dense masses of smoke in the sky over there (The explosions were caused by the destruction of the state annual here, which had large abundance of powder + shell in it).
Today we tear up 18 miles more of R.R.
Some enterprising bummers came upon Wade Hamptons (said to be) beautiful country residence + burned it. With one or two others I had ridden out to it in the A.M. + went over the grounds. It was a lovely place. Negroes were there in their quarters, + we thought the house although it was deserted would escape. But the bummers were too “Enterprising” + the beautiful home went to ashes.
Map
Troop movement from Cheraw to Fayetteville
Loose Paper
Detailing Camden + Charleston
Map –
Layout of Charleston
Arrive at Camden, S.C. Feb 24 1865
Feb 20 1865, Monday
Today our teams came up with some rations – March on for 20 miles over a very poor country. No farms, no water, no forage, all scrub oak. Having completed our task tearing up R.R. we set out across country to rejoin our corps, now on way to (???) north of us
Feb 21
March on over desolate sand hills + through scrub oaks. It is difficult to find good water enough to drink. One of our mess got 5.5ib bales of the best quality smoking tobacco at Columbia so we can smoke. The 15th corps at Winesboro we pass a little to the south I think.
Feb 22, Wednesday
Few if any reflect that this is Washington’s Birth Day. The country is too poor + all our energies are bent on getting through it before we starve. Toward night there is some improvement + we find a few small farms. Wilmington, N.C. occupied by Gen Terry + 10th A.C today. The 15th + 17th Corps cross the (???) at Peary’s Ferry. The 14th + 20th at Rocky Mount, north.
Feb 23, Thursday
Today we cross the Wateree river on pontoons.
General Joseph E. Johnson assigned to command of Confederate army in our front – we find here in command in march. We crossed lower down than the others. The Wateree is the Catawba in N.C
Feb 24, Friday
Campted in heavy timber near Cander of Revolutionary fame at dusk today, rainy Four companies went around into the town + burned the depot + rebel commissary stores – several stores + halls were plundered also. A knight Templars sword in a beautiful brass scabbard was brought me by Capt Boyd to take care of. I wore this sword the remainder of the march + up to the review at Washington.
Map
Movement from Columbia to Cheraw
Feb 25th 1865, Saturday
Marched on 8 miles today – poor country. The rest of our corps, 3 divs. Are on roads north of us heading for Cheraw.
Feb 26, 1865
In advance – Cross a large swamp, the men wade waist deep for two miles + have a skirmish with some cavalry on the other side. This cavalry is said to be from Lees army.
Feb 27
Lay in camp near our skirmish ground on the watch for enemy. Corps badges are furnished us + every man from General down is to wear one. The 15th A.C. badge is a cartridge box, with words Forty Rounds (pictured) above it on a ground. Red for 1st Div. Blue for the 2nd Div. White for the 3rd Div + yellow for the 4thDiv. We belonging to the 4th Div. soon appeared with our yellow badge. The colors were the same for all the corps, but the device differed. The 17th A.C badge was an arrow. The 14th had an acorn. The 20th a star. Today Davis Div. of the 14th Corps which had not been able to cross the Catawba on account of high waters – cross, join their corps + all push on east for Cheraw
Feb 28th, Tuesday
Having been the extreme advance crossing this swamp. We now have to take our turns in the rear but the trains are so slow in getting through the swamp, that we lay in camp all day.
Sketch –
The grave of Francis Marion as seen March 5, 1865 at Cheraw, S.C. (Pg. 365)
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