The Siege of Savannah - Chapters VIII-End



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CHAPTER VIII.
Federal Communication established with the Fleet--Evacuation of Savannah 
rendered Imperative--Line of Retreat considered and determined upon--
Location and Construction of Pontoon Bridges across Savannah River--
Progress of the Siege--Heavy Skirmishing between Confederate Cavalry and 
the Enemy on the Left Bank of the Savannah--Desertions from Brooks's 
Foreign Battalion--Sherman's Demand for the Surrender of Savannah, its 
Garrison, and Dependent Forts--Lieut. Genl. Hardee's Refusal--Maj. Genl. 
Sherman prepares to Bombard the City. 

   Upon the fall of Fort Pulaski every hinderance to the full command of 
the great Ogeechee river was removed, and General Sherman was able to 
communicate freely with the Federal fleet and establish a convenient base 
of supplies for his army. Reënforcements could now be had and heavy guns 
procured with which to prosecute the siege of Savannah. The retention of 
that city by the Confederate forces became from this moment a matter of 
impossibility, and its evacuation an early necessity. Neither the number 
and character of the troops concentrated for its defense, nor the 
condition of the commissary, quarter-master and ordnance stores warranted 
the hope that its retention could be successfully maintained beyond a few 
days. The only line of retreat now open to the Confederates 

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was by boats to Screven's ferry landing, and thence into South Carolina. 
So limited, however, were the means of transportation, that the idea of 
retiring the garrison by boats was abandoned as soon as it was seriously 
discussed. The construction of pontoon bridges connecting the city of 
Savannah with the Carolina shore was recognized as a pressing necessity. 

   Having communicated with the officer in command of the U. S. tug 
Dandelion, General Sherman returned to fort McAllister and there passed 
the night of the 13th. Before day-break he was advised by Major Strong, of 
General Foster's staff, that General Foster had arrived in Great Ogeechee 
river and desired to confer with him. The ensuing day was spent by General 
Sherman in explaining the situation of affairs both to General Foster and 
to Admiral Dahlgren, and in ascertaining upon what coöperation and 
assistance he could rely from the navy and from the Federal forces in 
South Carolina. It was agreed that the Admiral should engage the batteries 
at Turner's point, Rose-Dew and Beaulieu, and that General Foster should 
send from Hilton Head siege guns for the reduction of Savannah, and 
vessels suitable for the navigation of the Great Ogeechee, and also press 
his advance against the Charleston and Savannah rail road in the 
neighborhood of Coosawhatchie. 

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   December 14th. The evacuation of Savannah having been resolved upon, 
and it being impracticable by means of the few steam boats and river craft 
at command to cross the garrison, artillery, and requisite stores with 
convenience and safety to Screven's ferry, orders were issued for the 
immediate construction of suitable pontoon bridges. The line of retreat 
selected by the engineers and adopted upon the evacuation of the city, 
involved the location of a pontoon bridge extending from the foot of West 
Broad street to Hutchinson's island, a distance of about a thousand feet, 
a road way across that island in the direction of Pennyworth island, a 
second pontoon bridge across the middle river, another road way across 
Pennyworth island, and a third pontoon bridge across Back river, the 
further end of which rested upon the rice field on the Carolina shore. The 
route then followed the most substantial and direct rice dam running 
north, a canal being on one side and an impracticable rice field on the 
other. This dam was just wide enough to permit the careful movement of 
field artillery and army wagons. The plantation bridges along the line of 
march were strengthened to bear the passage of these heavy conveyances. 

   Lieut. Coln. Frobel was placed in charge of the work, and executed the 
difficult trust confided to him with marked energy and ability. All 

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available rice-field flats were collected. These--being between seventy-
five and eighty feet in length and possessing sufficient width for the 
purpose--were swung into position with the tide, lashed end to end by 
means of ropes and stringers running from boat to boat continuously the 
entire length of the bridge, and were kept in their places by car-wheels--
the only anchors which could be procured.(1) Above the stringers was a 
flooring of plank obtained from the city wharves. At eight o'clock on the 
evening of the 17th the first pontoon bridge, spanning the Savannah river 
from the foot of West Broad street to Hutchinson's island, was completed, 
and by half past eight o'clock P. M., on Monday the 19th, the remaining 
bridges were finished and the route in readiness for the retreat of the 
Confederate garrison. Thirty-one rice flats were used in the construction 
of these bridges. Heavy fogs, and difficulties encountered in finding and 
concentrating the requisite number of flats caused some delay in the 
execution of this important work: but, in view of the peculiar character 
of the labor and materials at command, it was consummated with unusual 
rapidity and in a very substantial manner. 

(1) The scarcity of flats compelled the engineer in charge to lash them 
end to end, and not side to side as is usual in the construction of 
pontoon bridges of this description.

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   Most of the work upon these bridges was performed by a detail of 
sailors from the Confederate navy and a detachment of fifty men from the 
Georgia militia. Steam boats were used in collecting the flats and towing 
them into proper position. Just after the Confederate army crossed, these 
bridges were cut loose from their moorings and the flats turned adrift. 
The enemy was thus prevented from pursuing, had any such idea been 
entertained. 

   Major General Wheeler arrived in Savannah today and reported that he 
had transferred most of his command to the left bank of the Savannah river 
where he was engaged in holding the enemy in check and keeping open our 
line of retreat. General Iverson, with some six hundred men and a section 
of artillery, had been detached to operate on the right and rear of 
Sherman's army. 

   Artillery firing and sharp-shooting continued during the day without 
any marked results. 

   December 15th. The enemy was busily engaged in strengthening his 
positions in front of our works, erecting new and more formidable 
batteries, developing additional lines of artillery fire, and rendering 
his communications with his right flank more facile. 

   To-day Beaulieu battery was shelled by two mortar boats and two gun-
boats, and from a rifle gun posted on the point of Greene island. This 

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bombardment continued at intervals for several days, but proved entirely 
innocuous. 

   Two regiments of Gen. Geary's division occupied the upper end of 
Hutchinson's island, and Carman's brigade was pushed forward to Argyle 
island. 

   Our artillery fire to-day was unusually effective, several batteries of 
the enemy being either silenced or materially injured. 

   Several of our guns were disabled; but, during the night, were again 
put in working order. 

   Sand-bags were freely distributed at important points along the line, 
and materially contributed to the protection of our artillerists. 

   Relief associations had been formed among such of the citizens of 
Savannah as were incapable of taking their places in the trenches, and 
they ministered carefully to the wants of the sick and the wounded. Of the 
latter, thirty-three were now lying in general hospital in Savannah. 

   December 16th. This day was marked by an increase of artillery and 
infantry fire, which had now become incessant. On the part of the 
Confederates, however, as a matter of economy, it was maintained with 
deliberation. 

   General Ferguson's brigade of dismounted cavalry arrived and was 
assigned a position on the line. 

   Heavy skirmishing occurred between General P. M. B. Young's command and 
the Federals on 

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Argyle island. In the effort to advance in the direction of the 
Confederate line of communication with the Carolina shore, the enemy was 
repulsed with considerable loss. The fighting along the rice dams was 
obstinate and bloody. As the retention of this route was essential to the 
safety of the troops engaged in the defense of Savannah, all General 
Wheeler's available forces, assisted by Young's troops and such of the 
South Carolina light batteries as could be spared from points along the 
Charleston and Savannah rail road, were concentrated for its protection. 
By these troops all attempts of the enemy to move upon our line were 
stubbornly and successfully resisted.(1)

   On the night of the 16th a sergeant and fifteen men of Brooks's foreign 
battalion, constituting a part of Gen. Mercer's command of Major General 
Wright's division, having forced the pickets on the causeway in front of 
Battery Simkins, deserted to the enemy with their arms and accoutrements. 
Two other privates of the same command were 

(1) In these skirmishes on the left bank of the Savannah river, Captain F. 
E. Eve, of Gen. Young's command, displayed conspicuous gallantry, and the 
brave Captain Smith was mortally wounded while leading a charge. Major 
Puckett of the Phillips's Legion, in endeavoring with a force of 250 men 
to dislodge the Federals on Rose's and Izard's plantations, was severely 
wounded in the neck.

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captured while endeavoring to make their way through the lines. It having 
been clearly ascertained the next day that the members of this battalion 
had concerted a plan to desert in a body, having resolved not only to buck 
and gag and take their officers with them but also to spike the guns in 
batteries Wheeler and Simkins, overpower the infantry supports and, 
forcing the pickets, carry them also to the enemy, their camp was suddenly 
surrounded by detachments from the 55th Georgia, and by Jackson's Augusta 
battalion, and two field-guns loaded with canister were brought to bear 
upon it. The men were deprived of their arms, and the ringleaders, five in 
number--orderly sergeants of companies--were seized. These, and the two 
privates apprehended the previous night in the act of deserting to the 
enemy, were tried by a drum-head court martial, on their own confession 
convicted of mutiny and intended desertion to the enemy, sentenced, and 
executed. The battalion was marched under guard to Savannah where it was 
closely watched during the rest of the siege. The members of the battalion 
were nearly all, if not entirely, foreigners, and had been enlisted from 
the ranks of Federal prisoners. 

   December 17th. General Beauregard arrived in Savannah to-day. After 
full conference, Lieut. 

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Genl. Hardee's dispositions were sanctioned, and the arrangements which 
were progressing for the evacuation of the city and the preservation of 
its garrison were approved. 

   Heavy artillery firing continued all along our western defenses. 
Against the line at Daly's farm the enemy made a forcible demonstration 
which was repulsed. After a sharp duel of nearly two hours a Federal 
battery was silenced by our Salt creek battery. 

   To-day General Sherman demanded the surrender of Savannah and its 
dependent forts. This demand was conveyed under flag of truce which 
approached our line by the Augusta road. General Sherman had returned on 
the 15th to his command before Savannah, and was, at the time, at the head 
quarters of General Slocum on the Augusta road. 

   That demand was couched in the following language. 

Head Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi, in the Field near 
Savannah, Ga.,
December 17th, 1864. General Wm. J. Hardee, 

   Commanding Confederate Forces in Savannah. General: 

   You have doubtless observed from your station at Rosedew that sea going 
vessels now come through 

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Ossabaw sound and up Ogeechee to the rear of my army, giving me abundant 
supplies of all kinds, and more especially heavy ordnance necessary to the 
reduction of Savannah. I have already received guns that can cast heavy 
and destructive shot as far as the heart of your city, also I have for 
some days held and controlled every avenue by which the people and 
garrison of Savannah can be supplied, and I am therefore justified in 
demanding the surrender of the city of Savannah and its dependent forts, 
and shall await a reasonable time your answer, before opening with heavy 
ordnance. Should you entertain the proposition, I am prepared to grant 
liberal terms to the inhabitants and garrison, but should I be forced to 
resort to assault, or the slower and surer process of starvation, I shall 
then feel justified in resorting to the harshest measures, and shall make 
little effort to restrain my army burning to avenge the great national 
wrong they attach to Savannah and other large cities which have been so 
prominent in dragging our country into civil war. I enclose you a copy of 
General Hood's demand for the surrender of the town of Resacca, to be used 
by you for what it is worth. 

I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,

W. T. SHERMAN,
Major General.

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   To this demand General Hardee, on the 18th, returned the following 
response: 

Head Quarters Department S. C., Ga. &
Florida, Savannah, Ga., Dec. 17th, 1864. Major General W. T. Sherman,
Commanding Federal Forces, near Savannah, Ga. 

   General: 

   I have to acknowledge receipt of a communication from you, of this 
date, in which you demand "the surrender of Savannah and its dependent 
forts," on the ground that you "have received guns that can cast heavy and 
destructive shot into the heart of the city;" and for the further reason 
that you "have for some days held and controlled every avenue by which the 
people and garrison can be supplied." You add, that should you "be forced 
to resort to assault or to the slower and surer process of starvation, you 
will then feel justified in resorting to the harshest measures, and will 
make little effort to restrain your army, etc., etc." 

   The position of your forces half a mile beyond the outer line for the 
land defense of Savannah, is, at the nearest point, at least four miles 
from the heart of the city. That and the interior line are both intact. 

   Your statement that you have, for some days, held and controlled every 
avenue by which the people and garrison can be supplied, is incorrect. I 
am in free and constant communication with my department. 

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   Your demand for the surrender of Savannah and its dependent forts is 
refused. 

   With respect to the threats conveyed in the closing paragraph of your 
letter of what may be expected in case your demand is not complied with, I 
have to say that I have hitherto conducted the military operations 
entrusted to my direction in strict accordance with the rules of civilized 
warfare, and I should deeply regret the adoption of any course by you that 
may force me to deviate from them in future. 

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

W. J. HARDEE,
Lieutenant General.

   Upon receipt of this refusal to surrender, General Sherman, leaving 
instructions with General Slocum to place siege guns in position as 
rapidly as they arrived and to prepare for an assault upon the Confederate 
lines, passed rapidly to the right of his army and, proceeding to Port 
Royal, arranged for the reënforcement of General Foster whose lodgment on 
the peninsula between the Coosawhatchie and Tullifinney rivers has already 
been noticed. Busied with plans for cutting the only line of retreat open 
to the Confederates, he was not present with his army when Savannah was 
evacuated, and in his official report expresses 

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much disappointment at the escape of General Hardee and the Savannah 
garrison. 

   The truth is, in all these operations there was a want of energy, a 
lack of prompt action on the part of the United States forces, and a 
hesitancy in the face of obstacles wholly unjustifiable. Such was the 
power of the investing army, and such the strength of the expedition 
demonstrating against the Charleston and Savannah rail road, that with 
ordinary activity and persistence the Confederate line of retreat could 
have been cut and Savannah wholly isolated and forced to surrender at 
discretion. General Hardee appears to have known his antagonist well, and 
to have anticipated his conduct most fully, else he would not have 
remained within the lines at Savannah as long as he did.(1)

   The transfer of heavy guns from Port Royal, 

(1) At the time this demand was made for the surrender of Savannah, Gen. 
Sherman had no heavy guns in position with which to bombard the city. His 
menace, in that respect, was a brutum fulmen. His other threat that in 
case of a refusal to surrender, he would "make little effort to restrain 
his army, burning to revenge," etc., was nothing new, but was entirely 
characteristic of the man. His language was usually extravagant. He sat 
out, to repeat his own words, to "make Georgia howl," and it was not to be 
expected that the garrison defending Savannah, had it fallen into his 
hands, would have been the recipient of humane, magnanimous treatment.

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from the fleet, and from Fort McAllister, was accomplished by means of the 
great Ogeechee river and the Savannah and Ogeechee canal. According to the 
Federal accounts, during the 18th, 19th and 20th of December arrangements 
were being perfected for a bombardment of the city(1) and a powerful 
assault upon the Confederate lines. Strong field works for the heavy guns 
were constructed at commanding points, and field-guns were masked in some 
instances within one hundred and fifty yards of our entrenchments. Light 
bridges and fascines were accumulated with which to span the deepest 
portions of the inundated fields and fill up the ditches and canals. It is 
claimed that everything was in readiness on the evening of the 20th, and 
that the capture of the garrison of Savannah was confidently anticipated. 
General Sherman had left orders that the assault should not be undertaken 
until his return, and he had not yet made his appearance. 

(1) To counteract this intention, an order was issued for the transfer of 
some ten-inch mortars from the Confederate fixed batteries, and their 
location at Williamson's place and at other convenient points along the 
western line nearest the city of Savannah. The early evacuation of the 
city, however, and the more pressing duties consequent upon an 
anticipation of that important movement effectually prevented the 
execution of this order. The city was never bombarded by the Federals.



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CHAPTER IX.
Progress of the Siege--Maj. Genl. Wheeler's Cavalry Operations on the Left 
Bank of the Savannah and in Rear of the Federal Army--Confidential 
Circulars from Lieut. Genl. Hardee's Head Quarters directing the 
Evacuation of Savannah--Evacuation of the City--Order in which the 
Confederate Forces were Withdrawn--Good Conduct of the Troops--Movement 
successfully concealed from the Enemy, until fully Accomplished--Line of 
Retreat--Heavy Guns disabled, Ammunition destroyed, and the Naval Vessels 
in the River burnt and sunk--Reports of Coln. Anderson commanding the 
River and Shore Batteries, and of Lieut. Coln. Jones, Chief of Artillery--
Genl. Beauregard's Orders for the Disposition of the Confederate Forces 
after their Retreat from Savannah--Formal Surrender of the City by the 
Mayor on the Morning of the 21st of December, 1864--The Federals occupy 
Savannah. 

   December 19th. Three Federal regiments, after a sharp skirmish with our 
cavalry, succeeded in securing a position at and beyond Izard's mill. 
During the day constant firing occurred at this point, and the Confederate 
cavalry was busily occupied in preventing the advance of the enemy 
reënforced during the afternoon by two more regiments and at night by two 
pieces of light artillery. In order the more effectually to check the 
Federal advance, the rice fields were flooded to the depth of some 
eighteen inches. Movements therefore, were made by the flanks and along 
the 

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dams, and the Confederates stoutly and effectually resisted all approaches 
in these directions. We had also burnt the plantation bridges across the 
canals. The line now held by the Federals on the left bank of the Savannah 
was about two miles in length, extending from the Savannah river near 
Izard's mill to an inlet near Clysedale creek. During the 20th Colonel 
Carman, from the direction of Clysedale creek, made an effort to strike 
the Savannah and Hardeeville road, but was vigorously repulsed and never 
renewed the attempt. 

   In order to confine the enemy to the position occupied by them and 
preclude any advance in the direction of our contemplated line of retreat, 
General Wheeler kept a strong force of skirmishers behind barricades and 
sufficiently near the Federals to maintain a warm and effective infantry 
fire. His remaining troops in that vicinity were occupied in building 
several successive lines of works between the skirmish line and the route 
selected for retiring the garrison. When these works were completed, a 
strong force both of dismounted cavalry and of light artillery was thrown 
forward to the positions previously occupied by our skirmishers. So warmly 
was the enemy menaced by our infantry and artillery fire, that the 
Federals confined themselves carefully to their fortified 

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positions and never again endeavored to advance until after the evacuation 
of Savannah. 

   While these operations were in progress on the left bank of the 
Savannah river, Major General Wheeler, with Humes's and Allen's divisions 
of cavalry, was maintaining a line extending from Screven's ferry to 
Hardeeville, including the sources of New river, Tunbridge and Mongin's 
landings. All points were guarded by which the enemy could threaten the 
road from Screven's ferry to Hardeeville. Brig. Genl. Iverson was at 
Springfield, commanding a line of observation extending from the mouth of 
the Alatamaha river to the great Ogeechee, across that stream, and in rear 
of the Federal army to the Savannah river near the mouth of Ebenezer 
creek. Lieut. Coln. Hood with an irregular command, and Brig. Genl. McCoy 
of the Georgia militia, reported to Genl. Iverson and assisted in 
establishing this line. After the fall of Savannah this line was 
perpetuated, its left being withdrawn to Grahamville. It was maintained--
our pickets being constantly engaged with the enemy's scouting parties and 
foragers--until Sherman moved in force from Savannah upon his march 
through the Carolinas. In the immediate protection of the line of retreat 
across the Savannah river and along the rice-dams on the Carolina shore, 
the commands of Generals P. M. B. 

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Young and Robert H. Anderson were chiefly engaged. 

   In holding our position on the left bank of the Savannah, the naval 
vessels present in the river rendered material assistance. 

   Anticipating the completion of the pontoon bridges at an earlier hour 
on the 19th, Lieut. Genl. Hardee published the following 

Confidential Circular.
Head Qrs. Savannah,
Dec. 19, 1864. 

   1. The troops in and around Savannah will be transferred to-night to 
the left bank of the Savannah river, and will proceed thence to 
Hardeeville. 

   2. At dark the light batteries will, under the direction of Lt. Coln. 
Jones, chf. of arty., be withdrawn by hand from their positions in line, 
with as little noise as possible, and will be sent over the pontoon bridge 
to Hardeeville. 

   3. The troops at Whitemarsh, Fort Jackson, and Bartow, will be 
assembled at Fort Jackson by 9 P. M. and thence will proceed at once, via 
Screven's ferry, to Hardeeville. 

   4. The troops at Rosedew, Beaulieu, etc., will leave their positions at 
dark, and, marching to Savannah, will cross at Screven's ferry. 

   5. Maj. General Wright's division will be withdrawn from the lines at 8 
o'clock P. M. and will pass the river on the pontoons. 

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   6. Maj. General McLaws's division will be drawn from its position at 11 
o'clock P. M. and will cross the river on the pontoons. 

   7. Maj. General Smith's Division will be withdrawn at 12 o'clock, and 
will cross on the pontoons. 

   8. The lines of skirmishers will be left in position as follows: 
Wright's line until 10 1/2 o'clock, McLaws's line until 11 1/2 o'clock, 
Smith's line until 2 o'clock. 

   9. The pontoon bridges are placed in charge of Colonel Clark, chief of 
engineers, who will destroy the bridges after all the troops shall have 
crossed; and, to enable him to ascertain this, the skirmishers of each 
division will be placed in charge of an intelligent staff-officer who will 
report to Colonel Clark at the pontoon bridge when the skirmishers of 
their respective commands shall have passed the river. 

   10. The chief of artillery will take measures to have the heavy guns in 
position spiked or otherwise rendered useless as follows: on Wright's line 
at 10 o'clock, on McLaws's line at 11 o'clock, on Smith's line at 12 
o'clock. 

   11. The ammunition will be destroyed by throwing it into the river or 
otherwise, and not by blowing it up. 

   12. The guns on the inner line will be spiked or destroyed, and all 
powder in the city magazine will be made useless by having water thrown on 
it. 

   13. All wagons will be sent into the city in time to cross the pontoons 
at dark. 

By command of
LT. GENL. HARDEE.

T. B. ROY, A. A. Genl.

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   Heavy fogs having materially retarded the work upon the pontoon bridges 
across the middle and back rivers, and it being apparent that they could 
not be finished in season to permit the convenient execution of the 
foregoing orders at the time contemplated, they were countermanded and 
were on the morning of the 20th revived by this second circular. 

Confidential Circular No. 2.
Head Quarters Savannah,
20th Decr., 1864. 

   The movement ordered in Confidential Circular from these Hd. Qrs. dated 
19th Decr., 1864, will be executed to-night at the hours as originally 
arranged, and not as subsequently amended; that is, 

   Wright's division will move at 8 o'clock, McLaws's division at 10 
o'clock, and Smith's division at 11 o'clock, and Wright's skirmishers will 
be withdrawn at 10 1/2 o'clock, McLaws's skirmishers at 12 1/2 o'clock, 
and Smith's skirmishers at 1 o'clock. 

By command of
LT. GENL. HARDEE.

T. B. ROY, A. A. G.

   During the 19th and 20th our artillery and infantry fire was heavier 
than it had been on any previous days. Aware of the fact that the hour of 
evacuation was at hand, a more liberal expenditure of ammunition was 
allowed, and the 

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fire of our artillery increased at every available point until the shades 
of evening on the 20th settled upon the contending lines. In obedience to 
orders from artillery head quarters, the ammunition chests of the light 
batteries were thoroughly replenished, and all available animals were 
engaged for retiring such of the unattached guns as could be transported. 
All field guns of inferior calibre were exchanged for superior pieces 
where they could be secured. 

   On the evening of the 19th an order was issued for the evacuation of 
Whitemarsh island. After spiking the guns and destroying the carriages and 
ammunition at Turner's rocks, Gibson's points and on the line of the 
lunettes across the island without attracting the notice of the enemy, the 
troops from this locality were dispatched across the pontoon bridges over 
the Savannah river to coöperate with General Wheeler in holding the enemy 
in check on the Carolina shore. Upon this retreat all bridges connecting 
Whitemarsh island with the main were destroyed. 

   The garrisons from the Savannah river batteries, Fort Bartow, and 
Thunderbolt, having thoroughly spiked the guns and destroyed the carriages 
and ammunition at those points, concentrated at Fort Jackson at 8 o'clock 
on the evening of the 20th, under the command of Colonel Edward C. 
Anderson, 

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were conveyed by steamer to Screven's ferry, and marched the same night to 
Hardeeville. The crew of the Confederate iron clad battery Georgia, under 
command of Captain Washington Gwathmey, was also conveyed across the 
Savannah river with Colonel Anderson's artillerists--the vessel having 
been first scuttled by her officers. 

   Having executed the orders for the destruction of the carriages and 
ammunition and for spiking the guns, the garrisons of the Isle of Hope, 
Beaulieu, and Rosedew batteries repaired to Savannah and crossed the 
pontoon bridges on the night of the 20th. The troops from the Isle of Hope 
being dismounted cavalry, reported for duty to General Wheeler on the 
Carolina shore, while the artillerists from Beaulieu and Rosedew marched 
forward to Hardeeville. 

   That the guns in these fixed batteries were as completely disabled as 
the nature of the case permitted, and their ammunition and equipments 
destroyed, appears by the following report of Colonel Anderson. 

"Charleston, Dec. 31, 1864.
Lt. Coln. T. B. Roy, A. A. G. Colonel: 

   In reply to your communication of the 30th inst. I have the honor to 
state, that all the guns at the heavy batteries under my command in the 
District of Georgia, with the exception of one 32-pounder, on Hutchinson's 

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island (unfit for service) were thoroughly spiked, the carriages cut and 
otherwise rendered useless, the truck and maneuvering wheels thrown into 
the river, and the eccentric axles deranged. All the ammunition, averaging 
one hundred and odd rounds per gun, including friction primers, fuzes and 
projectiles, as far as practicable, were also thrown into the river or 
moats. Handspikes, rammers, sponges, and other ordnance stores were broken 
up and destroyed. 

   * * * * * 

I am Colonel,
Very respectfully,
Your obdt. servt.,
EDWD. C. ANDERSON,
Coln. Comdg.

   The troops from the western lines were quietly withdrawn in the order 
and at the hours indicated in the circulars issued by the lieutenant 
general for the evacuation of the city. No confusion prevailed, and the 
movement was executed silently and in good order. Guns were spiked, and 
ammunition destroyed as far as this could conveniently be done without 
attracting the notice of the enemy in our immediate front. To conceal the 
movement, occasional firing was kept up until the latest moment. Forty-
nine pieces of artillery, with limbers, caissons, forges, battery wagons, 
and baggage wagons, were safely transported over the pontoon bridges. 

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A single battery wagon was lost. Through some negligence of the driver it 
got off the bridge. The horses attached to it were saved. No interruption 
was encountered at the hand of the enemy, and the Confederate army 
rendezvoused the next day at Hardeeville, South Carolina. 

   The field return on the morning of the 20th of December, 1864, showed 
in the trenches, on detail duty, and in the fixed batteries along the 
water approaches to the city, an aggregate of 9089 men of all arms and of 
all sorts, present for duty. 

   The Ladies Gun-boat, or iron-clad Georgia, was sunk at her moorings, 
abreast of Fort Jackson, on the night of the 20th. 

   The iron clad Savannah, Captain Brent, being unable to proceed to sea 
in consequence of the torpedoes in the river and a strong gale setting 
form the north-east, after having on the morning of the 21st remained for 
some time in the neighborhood of Screven's ferry where a detail was 
engaged in the removal of some quarter master and commissary stores, and 
having returned the artillery fire of the enemy from the bay, was set on 
fire, and sunk nearly opposite Willink's ship yard. 

   The steamers Isondiga and Fire Fly were burned by the Confederates in 
Back river. 

   Several gun-boats, which were in process of construction, were burned 
on the stocks. 

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   The gun-boats Macon, Sampson, and Resolute, had been dispatched up the 
river prior to the siege, and the capture of the Ida, has already been 
noticed. 

   The gallant Commodore Tattnall, having in person superintended the 
destruction of most of his vessels, led his sailors and mariners to 
Hardeeville, marching at their head although suffering severely from 
rheumatism. 

   In order to deaden the sound, rice straw was thickly strewn over the 
pontoon bridges. By three o'clock on the morning of the 21st the rear 
guard of the Confederate army had crossed over to Hutchinson's island, and 
the evacuation was complete. Engineer troops shortly afterwards detached 
the flats, cutting holes in them and setting them adrift. Lieut. Col. Paul 
of Gen. Hardee's staff was ordered by the general, at midnight on the 
20th, to take command of a small force, and, after seeing that the pontoon 
bridge from the foot of West Broad street to Hutchinson's island was 
destroyed, to collect such stragglers as he could and cross by way of 
Screven's ferry. This command was detailed to preserve order in the city 
to the latest moment. 

   No disturbances occurred, however, during the night. Just before 
sunrise he withdrew his pickets, and, having collected all stragglers who 
were willing to accompany him, embarked on board the 

Page 156

steamer Swan for Screven's ferry. As this little boat got fairly under 
way, the advance guard of the enemy appeared on the bay. 

   The work of destroying the ammunition on the western lines was not 
commenced until after the withdrawal of the infantry, and was performed 
with great caution by the artillerists. The guns were not spiked until the 
last moment, and, with several rounds of ammunition, were kept ready for 
action while the ammunition and equipments were being rendered useless. 

   The following is the report made by the chief of artillery. 

Head Quarters Department of South Carolina,
Georgia and Florida, Charleston, S. C.
December 30th, 1864. 
Lt. Coln. T. B. Roy, A. A. G., etc., etc. Colonel: 

   In response to your communication of this date calling for a report of 
the spiking of guns and the destruction of ammunition on the outer and 
inner lines of Savannah on the night of the evacuation, I have the honor 
to state that all the guns left in position were spiked and disabled, and 
their carriages destroyed as far as practicable. The ammunition on the 
lines was also destroyed and rendered perfectly useless, the greater 
portion of it having been thrown into water. 

Page 157

   Forty-nine field pieces were withdrawn and safely transported over the 
pontoon bridges. Others would have been brought off, but in the removal of 
the guns mentioned all available transportation was exhausted. 

   I am confident that every effort which could be employed was used in 
disabling and rendering valueless the guns and ammunition left upon the 
lines of the city of Savannah on the night of the 20th inst. 

I have the honor to be, Colonel,
Very respectfully, etc., etc.,
Your obdt. servant, 
CHARLES C. JONES, JR.,
Lieut. Coln. & Chief of Artillery
during the siege and evacuation of Savannah.

   Upon his arrival at Hardeeville Lieutenant General Hardee received the 
following orders, which were issued and observed in due course. 

Hd. Qrs. Mil. Divn. of the West,
Pocotaligo, S. C., Dec. 20, 1864.
Lieut. Genl. W. J. Hardee, Commdg., etc.,
Hardeeville, S. C. General: 

   I am directed by the general commanding to forward to you the 
accompanying memorandum of orders which he wishes you to issue immediately 
after the evacuation of Savannah. They are designed to carry out his views 
as to the best disposition of troops under your command, for the defense 
of Charleston and the 

Page 158

state of South Carolina generally--Savannah being in the possession of the 
enemy. 

   Maj. Genl. G. W. Smith's command (about two thousand (2000 men) being 
sent to Augusta, will leave of the troops coming from Savannah about six 
thousand five hundred; which, added to those under the immediate command 
of Maj. Genl. Sam Jones on the line of the Savannah and Charleston rail 
road--say about five thousand five hundred (5500) exclusive of those in 
and around Charleston--make about twelve thousand (12,000) troops. Of 
these, he thinks there should be about two thousand five hundred (2500) to 
guard the left bank of the Combahee, with about one thousand in reserve at 
a central point between the Combahee and Ashepoo. 

   About three thousand five hundred (3500) in the 4th sub district, with 
about one thousand of them in reserve at or near Adams's run and Green 
pond, and about five thousand (5000) in the 2d and 3d sub districts in 
addition to those already there. The cavalry guarding the left (or coast) 
flank, and the front and right flanks, may, of course, be used to support 
the troops to which they are nearest. 

   The orders indicated in the accompanying memorandum will make a 
distribution approximating to those numbers as nearly as circumstances 
will permit. In carrying them out it will be necessary that you should 
send promptly the troops carried to Hardeeville by Brig. Genl. Taliaferro 
to rejoin their respective brigades, and the detached companies or 
battalions of S. C. reserves and militia to report to Brig. Genl. 

Page 159

Chesnut at Grahamville, and the companies of the 3d S. C. cavalry under 
Col. Colcock to unite with those now ln front of Grahamville and near 
Coosawhatchie and Pocotaligo, and Kirk's squadron, together with the 
section of horse artillery attached to the 3d S. C. cavalry. 

   Endeavor to bring and keep together, as far as practicable, the troops 
of the same organization. 

Very respectfully,
Your obdt. servt., 
A. R. CHISOLM, A. D. C.
   

Hd. Qrs. Mil. Divn., of the West,
Pocotaligo, Dec. 20, 1864. 

   Memorandum of orders to be issued by Lt. Genl. Hardee immediately after 
the evacuation of Savannah. 

   I. Maj. Genl. G. W. Smith will proceed immediately with his command to 
Charleston, and thence to Augusta, after being relieved by other troops as 
hereinafter directed. 

   II. Maj. Genl. McLaws's division (the senior brigadier commdg.), and 
Coln. Anderson's brigade preceding, will proceed immediately to Charleston 
and relieve Maj. Genl. G. W. Smith's division. 

   III. Maj. Genl. Wright's division, and Brig. Genl. Chesnut's command 
(about 1500 men) consisting of S. C. reserves and 2d, 3d and 4th S. C. 
militia, to the 4th military sub district; a reserve of about 300 men 
being stationed at Green pond, and another of like number near Adams's 
run. Brig. Genl. Robertson 

Page 160

will report to Maj. Genl. Wright for temporary duty to advise as to 
disposition of troops, and then to be assigned to duty as circumstances 
may require. 

   IV. Coln. Geo. P. Harrison's and Col. A. C. Edwards's brigades to be 
stationed on the left bank of the Combahee, guarding the several passages 
(about six) across that river to Barnwell court house. Brig. Genl. Young's 
command, to be increased by the 7th Ga. cavalry (dismounted) Coln. E. C. 
Anderson jr., commdg. as reserves at or near Blue house between the 
Combahee and Ashepoo rivers. 

   V. The 3d S. C. cavalry and Kirk's squadron will cover the left (or 
coast) flank of the retiring troops. After crossing the Combahee, Maj. 
Jno. Jenkins with Captn. Seabrook's and Peeble's companies 3d S. C. 
cavalry, will take post on John's island; and Captn. Kirk's squadron will 
proceed via Charleston to Christ Church Parish and take post near and 
north east of Mount Pleasant. 

   VI. Maj. Genl. Wheeler's corps (that part of it east of Savannah river, 
and the remainder, if it should come up) will guard crossings of the 
Savannah and New rivers and the landings east of Screven's causeway, until 
forced by the enemy to retire. He will then guard and defend the country 
between the Savannah river and the defensive line of the Combahee and the 
right flank of that line, resting at or near Barnwell court house and 
extending by the shortest defensible line to the Savannah river, covering 
Augusta. 

   VII. Col. Gonzales will assign the field artillery now in South 
Carolina to the most appropriate position for 

Page 161

the defense of the 4th sub district and the line of the Combahee from 
Salkehatchie bridge to the coast, taking care to assign the batteries to 
the positions with which their respective commanders are most familiar. He 
will assign, subject to Genl. Hardee's approval, the field batteries 
coming from Savannah as circumstances may indicate, for the best defense 
of the line of the Combahee, the 4th sub district, and Augusta. 

   VIII. As soon as the services of Brig. Genl. Taliaferro can be spared 
from the duty on which he is now engaged, he will proceed to James's 
island and resume his former command, assigning to their appropriate 
positions the troops of Maj. Genl. McLaws's division and Col. Anderson's 
brigade destined for that island. 

   IX. As soon as Maj. Genl. McLaws's division moves from Hardeeville, he 
will immediately proceed to Pocotaligo and relieve Maj. Genl. Sam. Jones, 
and take the immediate command of the troops on the line of the Combahee. 

   X. On being relieved by Maj. Genl. McLaws, Maj. Genl. Jones will 
proceed to Charleston and resume his command and enter on the duties 
designated by S. O. No.--from Deptmt. Hd. Qrs. 

   XI. As the cavalry retires before the enemy it will drive off all 
cattle, sheep, and hogs not necessary for its consumption, and impress and 
send to Charleston, to be turned over to the chief engineer, all negroes 
capable of bearing arms. It will also destroy all mills, boats, buildings 
(that may be useful to the enemy for military purposes), and all rice, 
corn and other provisions not necessary for its own subsistence, beyond 

Page 162

such as is absolutely necessary for the consumption of the owners and 
their families and slaves. 

   XII. All teams and wagons (with their drivers) on plantations about to 
fall into the hands of the enemy, not required by their owners, shall be 
impressed for the use of the army. 

   Having seen to the disposition of his troops in substantial compliance 
with the foregoing general instructions, the lieutenant general repaired 
to Charleston where he established his head quarters. By reason of the 
lack of transportation many of the Confederate sick and wounded were left 
in hospital when Savannah was evacuated. 

   Although, during the night of the 20th General Geary reported to 
General Williams, commanding the 20th army corps, that the Confederate 
movement across the Savannah river was in progress, the only instructions 
issued to division commanders were to keep on the alert and press their 
pickets closer to the Confederate works. Our fire, maintained until the 
moment when our forces were withdrawn from the western lines, seems at 
once to have intimidated the enemy and to have confused them with regard 
to our real intentions. 

   It was not until half past three o'clock on the morning of the 21st 
that our evacuation of the western line was discovered. Orders were at 
once 

Page 163

issued to advance the pickets on the left of the Federal lines and to 
press forward into the city. By six o'clock A. M., General Geary's 
division had entered without opposition, and the city of Savannah was in 
the possession of the Federals. Two regiments were detached to occupy Fort 
Jackson and the works below the city. General Geary was temporarily 
assigned to the command of Savannah, and his division encamped within the 
city limits. Just outside the city limits, near the junction of the 
Louisville and Augusta roads, and about half past four o'clock in the 
morning of the 21st, the Hon. Richard D. Arnold, mayor of Savannah, and a 
delegation from the board of aldermen, bearing a flag of truce, met Brig. 
Genl. John W. Geary and through him made formal surrender to the 
commanding general, of the city of Savannah now evacuated by the 
Confederates. In behalf of the citizens and their property the may 
orrequested suitable protection at the hands of the Federal commander. 
Although the city of Savannah was for some time held as a military post 
and in large measure adapted to military uses, he mayor and council were 
permitted to exercise their functions, and the municipal organization, in 
its important branches, was preserved. 



Page 164

CHAPTER X.
Extravagant and Unjustifiable Destruction of Property along the Line of 
March--Comparison between the Conduct of Confederate and Federal Invading 
Armies--Sherman's Violations of the Accepted Rules of Civilized Warfare--
Wanton Insults, Wholesale Plunder, and Barbarous Treatment of Unarmed 
Citizens and Defenseless Women, Children and Negroes, by Federal Soldiery--
The Conduct of the Royalist Prevost in 1779 outheroded in 1864 by that of 
the Republican Sherman--The Campaign criticised as a Military Movement--
Its Success entirely attributable to the Weakness of the Confederacy--
Federal and Confederate Losses--Capture of Savannah in 1778--The 
Evacuation of the City, under the Circumstances, a Severe Reflection upon 
the Activity and Skill of the Federal Commander, and a marked Achievement 
on the part of the Confederates. 

   After alluding to the almost total demolition of the Central rail road 
from Gordon to Savannah, and the partial destruction of the Macon and 
Western, the Augusta and Waynesboro, the Charleston and Savannah, and the 
Atlantic and Gulf railways, General Sherman in his official report says: 
"We have also consumed the corn and fodder in the region of country thirty 
miles on either side of a line from Atlanta to Savannah, as also the sweet 
potatoes, cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry, and have carried away more than 
ten thousand horses and mules, as well as a countless number of their 
slaves. I estimate the damage 

Page 165

done to the state of Georgia and its military resources at one hundred 
millions of dollars; at least twenty millions of which have inured to our 
advantage, and the remainder is simple waste and destruction.(1) This may 
seem a hard species of warfare, but it brings the sad realities of war 
home to those who have been directly or indirectly instrumental in 
involving us in its attendant calamities." 

   Contrast this official confession with the address of Major General 
Early to the citizens of York, when his invading columns were passing over 
Pennsylvania soil: "I have abstained from burning the rail road buildings 
and car-shops in your town because, after examination, I am satisfied that 
the safety of the town would be endangered. Acting in the spirit of 
humanity which has ever characterized my government and its military 
authorities, I do not desire to involve the innocent in the same 
punishment with the guilty. Had I applied the torch without regard to 
consequences, I would have pursued a course which would have been fully 
vindicated as an act of just retaliation for the unparalleled acts of 
brutality perpetrated by your own army on our own soil. But we do not war 
upon women and children." 

(1) The total value, at this time, and upon a specie basis, of the taxable 
property in Georgia, including lands and slaves, did not exceed $650,000,
000.

Page 166

   Compare general orders number 72 of the immortal Lee, redolent, even 
amid the smoke and carnage of the hottest warfare, of exalted civilization 
and generous humanity, with the atrocious proclamations of General Butler 
or the vandal acts of Sheridan, and then listen to the words of Polybius, 
spoken when the world was two thousand years younger than it now is, and 
uttered not in the tone of passion and hate so rife in his day, but in 
inculcation of the soundest lessons of political and moral wisdom: "When 
men proceed to wreak their fury on senseless objects whose destruction 
will neither be of advantage to themselves nor in the slightest degree 
disable their opponent from carrying on the war, especially if they burn 
the temples of the gods, destroy their statues, and waste their ornamental 
furniture, what else can we say of such proceedings except that they are 
the acts of men devoid of all feelings of propriety, and infected by 
frenzy? For it is in no way the object of war, at least among men who have 
just notions of their duty, to annihilate and utterly subvert those from 
whom they may have received provocation, but to induce them to amend that 
in which they have acted amiss, not to involve the innocent and guilty in 
one common ruin, but rather to save them both. We may also observe that it 
is the act of a tyrant only, who hates and is hated 

Page 167

by his subjects, to exact by force and terror a reluctant and unwilling 
obedience." 

   While it is admitted that the chief of an army may levy contributions 
on the enemy's country in order to compass the maintenance of his troops, 
while he may forage for corn, hay, and provisions when circumstances 
render it impossible to proceed in the regular way of taxation, it is 
absolutely obligatory upon a commander who is actuated by sentiments of 
honor and observes the recognized rules of civilized warfare, that he take 
from the enemy "only what he strictly wants," and that he adopt all 
possible means to prevent extortion or personal violence at the hands of 
his subordinates. "He is guilty of revolting cruelty who permits his 
soldiers to put inhabitants of a belligerent nation to torture or 
otherwise subject them to bad treatment to force them to disclose the 
places where their wealth or provisions are concealed." Nothing may be 
taken as personal booty. "Excepting the cases of taxation, contribution or 
absolute necessity, international law commands that all property, personal 
and real, belonging to individuals, be scrupulously respected. Any 
infraction of that rule must be punished as pillage or marauding. If the 
conquered country is condemned to lodging and feeding the invaders, an 
equitable stipulation must put forth what is to be furnished to each 

Page 168

officer and private. It is humane not to deprive the poor people of their 
cottages and scanty means of existence. Whoever exacts more than is 
stipulated, is an extortioner." 

   Tested by these accepted rules of civilized warfare, the conduct of 
General Sherman's army, and particularly of Kilpatrick's cavalry and the 
numerous detached parties swarming through the country in advance and on 
the flanks of the main columns during the march from Atlanta to the coast, 
is reprehensible in the extreme. Not content with the violent and 
inordinate destruction of everything which might be regarded as even 
remotely contributing to the military strength and resources of the 
country, and the appropriation of such animals and provisions as were 
necessary for the efficiency and maintenance of the army, the Federals on 
every hand and at all points indulged in wanton pillage, wasting and 
destroying what could not be used. Defenseless women and children and weak 
old men were not infrequently driven from their homes, their dwellings 
fired, and these non-combatants subjected to insult and privation. The 
inhabitants, white and black, were often robbed of their personal effects, 
were intimidated by threats and temporary confinement, and occasionally 
were even hung up to the verge of final strangulation to compel a 
revelation of the places 

Page 169

where money, plate and jewelry were buried, or plantation animals 
concealed. Private residences along the line of march were not exempt from 
rude search. Articles of value which they contained were carried off at 
pleasure, and insults continually offered Corn cribs, emptied of so much 
of their contents as sufficed to fill the commissary wagons, were often 
either pulled to pieces or committed to the flames. Cotton houses, gins, 
screws, and cotton were universally consumed. Agricultural implements were 
broken up or carried away, and horses, mules, cattle and hogs were either 
driven off, or were shot in the fields, or uselessly butchered in the pens 
and lots. Such was the wholesale destruction of this animal life that the 
whole region stunk with putrefying carcasses, and earth and air were 
filled with innumerable turkey buzzards battening upon their thickly 
strewn death feasts. Even churches did not escape the general wreck, their 
wooden benches, doors and sides being used for camp fires, and their 
pulpits stripped of their scanty vesture. Grist, flour, and sugar mills 
shared in the common ruin. Labor was sadly disorganized, and the entire 
region swept by the Federal columns was left in poverty, ruin, 
demoralization and ashes. To repress the commission of these enormities 
and prevent this prodigal and unwarrantable waste, neither effort was used 
nor 

Page 170

disposition manifested by subordinate officers. Soldiers often vied with 
each other in acts of violence, insult, outrage, pillage, desolation, and 
murder. 

   These intolerable violations of the rules of civilized warfare, are, by 
the commanding general when, in the official report to which we have 
already referred, commenting upon the conduct of the rank and file of his 
army, cavalierly dismissed with the remark, "a little loose in foraging, 
they did some things they ought not to have done, yet, on the whole, they 
have supplied the wants of the army with as little violence as could be 
expected, and as little loss as I calculated." This general complacently 
and boastfully announces to his government that eighty million dollars 
worth of the property destroyed in Georgia by his army while on this march 
was "simple waste and destruction," in no wise contributing to the wants 
of the invader, but plunging the unarmed invaded in a sea of sorrow, 
tribulation and ruin. The picture is not over-drawn, and this march of 
Sherman through the heart of Georgia forms as memorable and mournful an 
epoch in the history of this state as in Roman annals does the passage of 
the victorious Goths, encumbered with weighty spoils, through the southern 
provinces of Italy, annihilating whatever opposed, and madly plundering an 
unresisting 

Page 171

country. The key note to the conduct of the whole campaign is sounded in 
the letter to General Grant from which we quoted at the commencement of 
this sketch. General Sherman set out to "make Georgia howl," and preferred 
to "march through that state smashing things to the sea." Unfortuately for 
the prosperity of Georgia, the good order of her plantations, and the 
peace of her defenseless women and children, he was able, almost 
unmolested, to carry into merciless execution this intention so ruthlessly 
formed. That he could thus easily compass the desolation of this Egypt of 
the south argued most plainly the growing weakness of the Confederacy--
sore pressed at every point isolated on every hand, overwhelmed by numbers 
and despoiled of her defenders--and gave painful token that the 
aspirations which her sons had cherished in tears, and agony and blood, 
for right and liberty and national independence were doomed to early 
disappointment. 

   The student of history searching among the annals of modern warfare for 
examples of moderation, humanity, justice, honor, and a chivalrous 
recognition of the rights of an enemy, will turn with regret and 
disappointment from the pages containing a true narrative of "Sherman's 
march to the sea." He will blush at this new exhibition of the workings of 
that boasted utilitarian civilization 

Page 172

which has done so much to impair the manhoop and lower the moral standard 
of this country, being from the first intolerant, aggressive, and cruel. 

   It really seems as if the Federal general on this occasion sought to 
rival the conduct of Prevost when in 1779 he raided through the richest 
plantations of South Carolina. Behold the picture painted by the historian 
Bancroft(1) in his concluding volume. "The British forced their way into 
almost every house in a wide extent of country; sparing in some measure 
those who professed loyalty to the king, they rifled all others of their 
money, rings, personal ornaments and plate, stripped houses of furniture 
and linen, and even broke open tombs in search of hidden treasure. Objects 
of value, not transportable by land or water, were destroyed. Porcelain, 
mirrors, windows, were dashed in pieces; gardens carefully planted with 
exotics were laid waste. Domestic animals, which could not be used nor 
carried off, were wantonly shot, and in some places not even a chicken was 
left alive. * * Fugitive slaves perished of want in the woods, or of fever 
in the British camp." 

   The enormities of 1779 committed by British soldiers in their effort to 
perpetuate English rule 

(1) "History of the United States," vol. x, p. 294, Boston, 1874.

Page 173

over a colony then in open revolt against the crown which had planted and 
nurtured it, were more than repeated by the United States troops in their 
attempt in 1864 to subjugate and drive back into the Federal union a 
sovereign state which had withdrawn from a political compact into which 
she had at first voluntarily entered, and from which, more than three 
years before, she had freed herself because, in her judgment, that 
Confederation no longer promoted the ends of justice, equal rights, 
general benefit, and mutual protection for which it was originally formed. 
If we unhesitatingly reprobate the merciless rigor, revenge, and cruelty 
of the royalist Prevost, by what law, human or divine, do the raiding, 
devastating columns of the republican Sherman stand acquitted of even 
severer condemnation?(1) 

   As a military movement this expedition can be justified only upon the 
hypothesis that it was planned and executed with full knowledge of the 
weakness of the Confederates. It reached its 

(1) It has been estimated that not less than 10,000 negro slaves were 
seduced from their allegiance by the Federals in their march through the 
Georgia plantations. Hundreds of them died of want, small-pox, and other 
diseases incident to neglect, privation, and the lack of suitable shelter 
and clothing. More than 20,000 bales of cotton were consumed in gin houses 
and sheds, and some 25,000 more were seized in Savannah after that city 
was evacuated by the Confederates. In their official returns the United 
States officers account for 13,000 head of cattle, 9,500,000 pounds of 
corn and 10,500,000 pounds of fodder forcibly taken from the planters 
without the shadow of acknowledgment and issued to the troops and animals, 
but make no mention of horses and mules stolen ad libitum, or of the 
stock, cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry killed on every hand and in the 
most irregular way to satisfy the wasteful appetite of prowling bands of 
bummers and free booters, and, when that was glutted, uselessly shot in 
the yards, pens, and fields of the owners and by the road side to gratify 
wanton sport, barbaric cruelty, and ribald hate. Of the consumption of 
rice, sweet potatoes, syrup, peas and vegetables, of the merciless 
destruction of houses, furniture, fences and agricultural implements, of 
the quantity of personal property stolen and carried away, of the thefts 
committed, the insults offered, the outrages perpetrated and the crimes 
indulged in, no inventory has been taken. And yet the record remains, and 
can be authenticated by thousands upon whose homes the shadows of dire 
calamity have rested for the past ten years. Sheridan in the valley of 
Virginia! Butler in New Orleans! ! Sherman in Georgia! ! !

Page 174

objective, as we have clearly shown, because General Beauregard was unable 
to concentrate even a tolerable army of opposition. 

   Tested by the rules of scientific warfare, this expedition was erratic 
in conception and violative of the accepted military maxims governing the 
projection and conduct of a campaign of this character. That it was not 
interrupted and totally defeated in its execution, must be attributed to 

Page 175

accident--the inability of the Confederates to concentrate an army 
sufficiently strong to deliver battle along the line of march. 

   The Federal losses encountered during the interval ocupied by Sherman's 
march from Atlanta to the coast, including those sustained in the efforts 
made in South Carolina to obtain possession of the Charleston and Savannah 
rail road, will probably aggregate 2800 men, killed, wounded and missing. 
Estimated in the same way, and for a similar period, the Confederate loss 
will not exceed 1500. During the siege casualties on the Confederate side 
were comparatively few. This fact is mainly attributable to the admirable 
protection afforded by the earth works along the western line. Prominent 
among those who fell in defense of the city was Major Cook of the Athens 
battalion. He was shot in the forehead while holding a portion of the line 
on Daly's farm. His gallant conduct had been conspicuous. Few desertions 
occurred when the city was evacuated; and although the garrison was 
composed in no small degree of local troops and reserves whose families, 
homes, and property were there, the men as a rule, tearfully and yet 
bravely marched in silence through the city, turning their backs upon all 
the heart holds most dear, in response to the stern necessities of the 
occasion and in obedience to the 

Page 176

claims of a country sorely beleaguered but devotedly loved. 

   Thus a second time in her history of a little more than a century and a 
quarter was the city of Oglethorpe compelled to pass under the yoke. 
Eighty-six years before, approaching from the south and east, the British 
regulars under the active and able leadership of Lieut. Coln. Campbell 
quickly overcame the feeble and ill contrived resistance offered by 
General Howe, driving his troops in confusion through the town and 
accomplishing an easy capture of the then capital of Georgia. This 
disaster entailed upon the vanquished not only serious loss but intense 
mortification. Savannah should then have been successfully defended. Had 
proper dispositions been made by the American general, the troops under 
his command were sufficient to have beaten back the advancing column 
boldly but imprudently led. On this occasion military skill and precaution 
were lacking. The calamity should have been averted. 

   In December, 1864, however, it may be fairly claimed that everything 
was done which energy, precaution, and willing hearts on the part of the 
Confederates could achieve. Every available resource was expended upon the 
construction and armament of the western line. All troops which 

Page 177

could be procured were summoned and put in position for its defense. For 
ten days did the garrison boldly confront an enemy more than six times 
stronger than itself, preserving its line intact until the fall of Fort 
McAllister, the growing scarcity of provisions and ordnance stores, and 
the almost total isolation of the Confederate army rendered the evacuation 
of the city absolutely necessary. 

   The destruction of guns, ammunition, and ordnance stores in the 
presence of the enemy without attracting their notice, the successful 
withdrawal of the command across the pontoon bridges over the Savannah 
river, the absence of all noise and confusion during the movement 
consummated at night, and above all the safe conduct of such a large body 
of troops, with artillery and wagons, along the narrow rice dams and 
causeways of the Carolina shore, in a slender column, in close proximity 
to a strong Federal force extending from Izard's plantation for more than 
a mile parallel or nearly so with the Confederate line of retreat--and 
that without loss or interruption--indicate at once with what skill and 
care the Confederate commander had arranged his plans, and the excellent 
behavior of his troops in executing them. The salvation of the garrison 
under such circumstances, while reflecting severely upon the Federals, 

Page 178

will be recognized as a marked achievement on the part of the 
Confederates. 

   The day after the evacuation, Lieut. Genl. Hardee--that accomplished 
soldier who, as a corps-commander, had rendered such brilliant service in 
the Confederate struggle for independence--in reviewing the conduct of the 
seige and commenting upon the successful retreat of the garrison, remarked 
to the writer that while sadly deploring the loss of the city he was 
persuaded nothing had been neglected which could have contributed to the 
honor of our arms; and that, under the circumstances, he regarded the safe 
withdrawal of his army from the lines around Savannah as one of the most 
signal and satisfactory exploits in his military career. 



Page 179

INDEX.
Abell, Captn., 51, 113. 
Acee, battery, 83. 
Acee, Lieut., 118. 
Adams, Maj., 114. 
Address of the representatives from Georgia in Confederate Congress to 
their constituents, 17, 18. 
Allen, Brig. Genl. W. W., 69, 147. 
Anderson, Lt. Coln., 69. 
Anderson, Brig. Genl. C. D., 28, 55, 112. 
Anderson, Coln. E. C., 104, 118, 151, 152, 161. 
Anderson, Coln. E. C. jr., 160. 
Anderson, Maj. Geo. W., 107, 123-128. 
Anderson, Brig. Genl. R. H., 62, 69, 148. 
Anderson, Captn. R. W., 29, 87, 112. 
Andersonville, 56. 
Argyle island, 119. 
Arnold, Hon. R. D., mayor, address of, 74; makes formal surrender of the 
city of Savannah, 163. 
Atkins, Coln., 76. 
Atlanta, Georgia, 2. 
Augusta, Georgia, 25, 61.
Bacon, Lieut. Coln., 39. 
Baker, Brig. Genl. L. S., 55, 113. 
Ball's ferry, affair at, 47-49. 
Bancroft, Hon. George, 172. 
Barnes, battery, 83. 
Barnes, Captn. George, 114. 
Barnwell, Captn., 115. 
Bartow, fort, 98, 102, 151. 
Bay battery, 101. 
Beaulieu, battery, 98, 99, 103, 135, 152. 
Beauregard, Genl. P. G. T., 6; his dispatches in anticipation of Sherman's 
march through Georgia, 9-12; instructions in regard to the tenure and 
defense of Savannah, 109-110; arrives in Savannah, 138; orders 
distribution of troops after evacuation of Savannah, 157-162. 
Blair, Maj. Gen. F. P. jr., 2, 76. 
Black, Major, 50-52, 87. 
Boggs, fort, 99. 
Breckinridge, Coln., 58. 
Brent, Captn., 154. 
Brier creek, 61. 
Brooks, Major, 114. 
Brooks, Captn. John W., 87, 115, 118. 
Brooks's foreign battalion, desertions from, 137-138. 
Brown, Governor Jos. E., proclamation of, 15-17. 
Brown, fort, 99. 
Browne, Coln. Wm. M., 114. 
Brumley, Captn., 66. 
Brunswick, 98. 
Buck-head, affair at, 63-64. 
Butler, Genl. B. F., 166, 174.
Campbell, Lieut. Coln. A., 176. 
Capers, Maj. F. W., 44, 49, 81. 
Carman, Coln., 136. 
Carswell, Brig. Genl., 112. 

Page 180 

Causton bluff battery, 102. 
Cavalry, Confederate, operations of, 57-72; force engaged 68; privations 
endured by, 70-71; operations of, on left bank of Savannah river, 137,
145-147. 
Chapman, Lieut. Henry, 70. 
Chesnut, Brig. Genl., 83, 95, 159. 
Cheves, battery, 102. 
Church-lot battery, 103. 
Clark, Coln. J. J., 100, 149. 
Clemon, Maj., 114. 
Clinch, Coln. J. H. M., 117. 
Clinch, Captn. N. B., 106, 127. 
Clinton, affair at, 58. 
Cobb, Maj. Genl. Howell, 6, 7, 22, 24. 
Colcock, Coln. C. J., 35, 36, 37, 96, 159. 
Confederacy, the southern, exhausted condition of, at the time of 
Sherman's march through Georgia, 4-8. 
Cook, Major, 28, 39, 113, 175. 
Cook, Coln., 66. 
Coosawhatchie, 93, 95. 
Crews, Coln. C. C., 57, 69.
Dalhgren, Admiral, 121, 132. 
Daly farm, 112, 118, 119. 
Daniell, Captn., 113. 
Davis, Maj. Genl. Jeff. C., 2, 8, 72, 75. 
De Soto, 7. 
Dibrell, Brig. Genl., 63, 69.
Early, Maj. Genl. Jubal A., 165. 
Edwards, Coln. A. C., 94, 160. 
Elliott, Lieut., 118. 
Evacuation of Savannah, 151-157. 
Evans, Lieut. Coln., 28, 39. 
Eve, Captn. F. E., 137.
Federal artillery, how distributed, 77. 
Federal army, location of, while investing Savannah, 75-77. 
Federal violations of the rules of civilized warfare, 168-174. 
Ferguson, Brig. Genl., 58, 115, 136. 
Fire-Fly, the steamer, burnt, 154. 
Fizer, Coln. Jno. C., 56, 107. 
Foster, Brig. Genl., 121, 132. 
Frobel, Lieut. Coln. B. W., 82, 133.
Gaines, Coln., 49, 59. 
Gartrell, Brig. Genl., 93. 
Geary, Brig. Genl. Jno. W., 136. 162-163. 
Georgia, the iron-clad battery, sunk, 152. 
Georgia, defenceless condition of, during Sherman's march, 4-8; the 
legislature of, authorizes a levy en masse, 13, 14; proclamation of the 
governor of, 15-17; address of representatives from, in Confederate 
Congress, 17, 18; Supplemental proclamation of Genl. Wright, 19-20; 
gallant conduct of the state forces of, at Griswoldville, 26-31; at Honey 
hill, 33-42; Resolutions of the legislature of, complimenting Genl. Smith 
and the state forces, 43; original line for the defense of the sea-coast 
of, 97; ruthlessly endamaged by Sherman, 164, 165; sufferings of her 
people at the hands of the Federals, 168-174. 
Gibson's point battery, 102, 151. 
Gildersleeve, Captn., 117. 
Gonzales. Coln., 160. 
Gordon, Coln. Geo. A., 87. 
Grahamville, 33-40. 
Grant, Captn. M. B., 23, 50. 
Grant, Genl. U. S., 2, 5, 41. 
Green island battery, 97, 99. 
Greenwich, battery at, 98, 103. 
Gregory's point, 93, 95. 
Grimball's house battery, 103. 
Grimball's point battery, 103. 
Griswoldville, battle of, 26-31, 59. 
Guerard, Capt Jno. M., 115. 
Guerin, Maj. H. C., 89. 
Gwathmey, Captn. W., 152.

Page 181 

Hagan, Coln., 59, 69. 
Hamilton, Major, 112, 115. 
Hardee, Lieut. Genl. Wm. J. C., at Macon, 24; at Savannah, 25; orders 
state forces to Grahamville, 33, 34, at Oconee bridge, 49; in command at 
Savannah, 86; orders Genl. Sam. Jones to Pocotaligo 92; dispatches from 
Genl. Beauregard to, respecting tenure and defense of Savannah, 109-110, 
117; refuses to surrender Savannah, 141-142; orders evacuation of 
Savannah, 148-150; strength of the army of, on the morning of the 
evacuation, 154; retires to Hardeeville, 157; establishes his head 
quarters at Charleston, 162; his estimate of the successful evacuation of 
Savannah, 178. 
Hardeman, fort, 80-82, 112, 118. 
Hardeman, Coln. Thos., 28. 
Harrison, Coln., 59. 
Harrison, Coln. Geo. P. jr., 160. 
Hartridge, Maj. Alfred L., 45-59. 
Hatch, Brig. Genl. Jno. P., at Boyd's neck, 34; defeated at Honey hill,
35-41. 
Hawley, Coln., 119. 
Hazen, Brig. Genl., 121, 122; captures fort McAllister, 128-129. 
Hazzard, Lieut., 127, 128. 
Henry, Captn., 128. 
Hill, Coln., 81, 112. 
Honey hill, battle of, 36-42. 
Hood, Coln. A., 107, 147. 
Hood, Genl. J. B., 3, 4, 5, 21. 
Howard, Captn. C. W., 51, 74. 
Howard, Maj. Genl. O. O., 2, 8, 76. 
Howe, Brig. Genl. Robt., 176. 
Hudson, Lieut. M. G., 70. 
Huger, Lieut., 45, 50. 
Humes, Brig. Genl. W. Y. C., 62, 69, 147. 
Hutchinson island battery, 101.
Ida, capture of the steamer, 117. 
Inundation of low-grounds, in front of western line, 79-80. 
Isle of Hope, batteries on the, 98, 103, 152. 
Isondiga, the steamer, burnt, 154. 
Iverson, Brig. Genl. A., 22, 60, 135, 147.
Jackson, fort, 98, 101. 
Jackson, Major, 39, 114. 
Jackson, Brig. Genl. Jno. K., 113, 114. 
Jenkins, Maj. Jno., 39, 160. 
Jones, battery, 84, 118, 119. 
Jones, Lieut. Coln. Charles C. jr., 87, 148, 156-157. 
Jones, Maj. Genl. Saml., 92-94, 158, 161.
Kilpatrick, Brig. Genl. Judson, 2, 8, 60; almost captured by Genl. 
Wheeler, 62, 63; seeks protection of his infantry, 64; checked at Rocky 
creek, 65; at Waynesboro, 65; raids through Liberty and Bryan counties, 
76; lawless conduct of his command, 77. 
King's bridge, 121.
Lawton, battery, 102. 
Lee, battery, 102. 
Lee, Genl. R. E., 4, 166. 
Lewis, Brig. Genl. , 66, 113. 
Light batteries, present during siege of Savannah, 84-85; how distributed, 
86, 87. 
Lines for the defense of Savannah, at Monteith, 77, 78; western, 78-80; 
how armed, 80-85; how garrisoned, 85-86, 111-115; for the protection of 
the sea-coast of Georgia, 97-98; exterior, and interior, covering water, 
eastern, and southern approaches, 98-106; insecurity of western, 115-119.
Macon, defenses of 23, 24; Federal demonstration against, 24. 

Page 182 

Mann, Coln., 28. 
Maxwell, Captn. J. A., 87, 115. 
McAllister, fort, 97, 93; its location and memories, 104-108; its 
armament, 106; provisioned previous to its isolation, 107; isolated, 108; 
fired upon by De Grase's light battery, 119, 124; captured by Brig. Genl. 
Hazen, 121-122; Maj. Anderson's report of the fall of, 123-128; Brig. 
Genl. Hazen's report of the capture of, 128-129; gallant memories of, 130. 
McBeth, battery, 82. 
McCoy, Brig. Genl., 28, 147. 
McCrady, Maj. John, 100, 111. 
McLaws, Maj. Genl. Lafayette, 45, 47, 56, 86, 100, 111-113, 148, 159, 161. 
Mercer, fort, 99. 
Mercer, Brig. Genl. H. W., 85, 113, 114. 
Milledgeville, 8, 24, 44. 
Millen, 50, 54, 56.
Monteith, Confederate line at, 50-52, 56. 
Morrison, Captn., 128. 
Mower, Brig. Genl., 77.
Negro troops at battle of Honey hill, 41. 
Nicoll, Captn. Geo. A., 127. 
Nisbet, Lieut. Coln. R. B., 24, 114, 118.
Oconee bridge, defense of, 45-50. 
O'Neal, Lieut., T., 123, 127. 
Ordnance stores during the siege of Savannah, 88. 
Osterhaus, Maj. Genl. P. J., 2, 56, 58, 76. 
Overflow in front of western lines 79-80. 
Owens, Hon. Geo. S., 51, 84, 118.
Paul, Lieut. Coln. S. B., 87, 155. 
Peebles, Captn., 36, 37. 
Phillips, Brig. Genl. P. J., 28-31, 55. 
Pine-point battery, 84, 118. 
Pocotaligo, 93. 
Polybius, 166. 
Pontoon bridges across Savannah river, 133-135, 153-155.
Prevost, Genl. A., 172. 
Provisions, 88, 120. 
Pruden, Captn., 44, 49, 81. 
Puckett, Maj., 137. 
Pulaski, fort, 97, 98.
Rains, Coln., 87. 
Rations, statement of, issued to troops in Savannah, 89-91. 
Red bluff, 68, 98; battery at, 101. 
Reese, Captn., 121. 
Relief Associations, 136. 
Resolute, the steamer, captured, 119. 
Resolutions of the legislature of Georgia complimentary to Genl. Smith and 
the state forces, 43. 
Robertson, Brig. Genl., 70. 
Robertson, Brig. Genl. B. H., 95, 159. 
Robertson, Maj. George jr., 88, 91. 
Rocky creek, affair at, 65. 
Rose-dew batteries, 53, 98, 103, 152. 
Ryan, Lieut. R. B., 70.
Sand bags, use of, on western line, 136. 
Sandersville, affair at, 60. 
Savannah, Georgia, Confederate forces concentrated for the defense of 73, 
86; western lines of, enveloped by Sherman's army, 75; lines for the 
defense of, at Monteith, 77; inner western line, 78-79; inundation in 
front of western lines, 79-80; batteries along these western lines of, how 
armed, 81-85; how garrisoned and commanded, 85-86, 112-115; ordnance 
stores and provisions in, 87-88; issue of rations to troops in, 89-91; 

Page 183 

Savannah, Georgia, continued--advanced line for the control of the water 
approaches to, 98; interior line of forts and water batteries, 98; 
fieldworks covering eastern and southern exposures of, 99-100; armament of 
forts and batteries around, 101-106; orders of Genl. Beauregard touching 
tenure and defense of, 109-110; insecurity of western lines around, 115-
116; fall of Fort McAllister necessitated the evacuation of, 131; pontoon 
bridges from, to Carolina shore, 133-135; siege of, 117-163; surrender of, 
demanded by Genl. Sherman, 139-140; Genl. Hardee refuses to surrender, 141-
142; Sherman threatens to bombard, 140-141; Federals prepare to bombard 
and assault, 144; orders for evacuation of, 148-150; garrison of, 
withdraws, 151-157; destruction of guns and ammunition in the batteries 
and on western lines of, 152-157; Federals take possession of, 163; 
surrendered by Mayor Arnold, 163; casualties during the siege of, 175; 
capture of, in 1779, 176. 

Savannah, the iron clad, destroyed, 154. 
Schirm, Lieut. Wm., 127, 128.
Shaw's dam, affair at, 117, 118. 
Sheridan, Genl., 166, 174. 
Sherman, Maj. Genl. Wm. T., proposes to "make Georgia howl," 1; letter of, 
to Genl. Grant, 1-2; composition and equipment of the army of invasion of, 
2-3; march of through Georgia a holiday excursion, 4-8; moves from Atlanta 
toward the coast, 8; demonstrates against Macon, 24; engages the state 
troops 
Sherman, Maj. Genl., continued--at Griswoldville, 26; envelops the western 
lines around Savannah, 75; manifests a lack of energy and dash in not 
assaulting the Confederate lines around Savannah, 115-117; anxiety of, to 
open communication with the Federal fleet, 120; resolves to capture Fort 
McAllister, 121-126; communicates with Admiral Dahlgren, 131, 132, demands 
the surrender of Savannah, 139-140; threatens to bombard that city, 140-
142; prepares to bombard and assault, 144; reports waste and destruction 
caused by his army, 164-165; recital of wrongs perpetrated by, 168-173; 
the campaign of, considered as a military movement, 173-175. 
Slocum, Maj. Genl. H. W., 2, 8, 44, 72. 
Smith, Captn., 137. 
Smith, Lieut. Genl. E. Kirby, 6. 
Smith, Maj. Genl. G. W., 6, 7; operations of, near Atlanta, 21-22; 
retreats from Jonesboro to Macon, 22; ordered to Augusta, 25-26; 
destination of his command changed to Savannah, 32; arrives at Savannah, 
33; ordered to Grahamville, 33-34; commands at battle of Honey hill, 35-
42; returns to Savannah, 42; where stationed and his command during the 
siege of Savannah, 85-86, 112, 148; ordered to Augusta, 158, 159. 
Smith, Captn. L. J., 100. 
Smith, Maj. Genl. M. L., 23. 
St. Catherine island, battery on, 97.
Steele, Capt. S. W., 70. 
Stewart, Lieut. J. M., 70. 
Strong, Maj., 132. 
Stuart, Captn., 39.

Page 184 

Talbott, Captn., 44. 
Taliaferro, Brig. Genl. W. B., 158, 161, 
Tattnall, Commodore, 155. 
Taylor, Lieut. Genl. R., 6, 25. 
Thomas, Maj. Genl. Geo. H., 4. 
Thomas's station, affair at, 65. 
Thunderbolt, batteries at, 98, 99, 103, 151. 
Toombs, Genl. Robt., 55. 
Tullifinney trestle, action near, 94. 
Turner's point battery, 102, 151. 
Twiggs, Captn., 53. 
Tybee island battery, 97.
Von Zinken, Coln., 114.
Waddy, Lieut. Coln. J. R., 100. 
Wagner, Captn., 113. 
Warsaw island battery, 97. 
Wayne, Adjutant General Henry C., at Gordon, 44; at Oconee bridge, 45-52; 
at Millen, 54; at station 4 1/2 C. R. R., 55. 
Waynesboro, affair at, 62-66. 
Wheeler, Maj. Genl. J., 7, 9; arrives from Alabama, 22; disputes the 
Federal advance, 23; report of cavalry operations of, 57-72, 96; arrives 
in Savannah, 135; operates on left bank of Savannah river, 137-145, 147; 
and in rear of Sherman's army, 147, 160. 
White, Major, 94. 
White, Captn. Thos. S., 125. 
Whitemarsh lines, 102, 151. 
Williams, Brig. Gen. A. S., 2, 75. 
Williamson's plantation, batteries on, 80-82. 
Willis, Coln., 39. 
Wilson, Coln., 39. 
Worthen, Lieut. Coln., 113. 
Wright, Maj. Genl. A. R., 19, 20, 86, 113-114, 148, 159.
Young, Brig. Genl. P. M. B., 96, 136, 148.
Zealy, Lieut., 36, 37.