Personal Recollections of Sherman's Campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas

by George W Pepper

  Elsewhere, the Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps were engaging the enemy. We anxiously wait the issue of the day, which may materially affect the immediate capture of the city.

  We feel, however, that with an army under the admirable management of Howard and his Captains, the enemy will be shorn of his strength, and his columns so thoroughly scattered, that he will not gather his energy for defensive movements, during many months. We will not be defeated. The absolute necessity of a complete victory over the rebels, has been so intensely infused into our army that they must conquer. How anxious we wait the blast that orders our brave veterans forward to the pursuit of the routed and distracted remnant of Hardee's Corps, and the cowardly militia of Georgia.

  I have had an interesting conversation with Lieutenant William L. Reteley, an escaped prisoner from Columbia, South Carolina. The Lieutenant is a dashing officer of the Fifty-first Ohio, and was captured at the battle of Chicamauga. For fifteen months he has endured unparalleled hardships and privations, reducing him to a mere skeleton. He had been in Richmond, Danville, Macon, Savannah, Millen, Andersonville, Charleston and Columbia. He confirms the usual tales of the inhumanity and brutal treatment of the rebel officers to our brave men, incarcerated in Southern dungeons. He left his prison on the 26th of November, reached our lines on the 13th of December, thus making the trip in seventeen days. He traveled by night, and lay concealed during the day in the swamps and woods. He found the much abused and despised Negro to be a Samaritan, a friend indeed. The slaves gave him directions where to hide, what ferry to cross, when to travel, and replenished his scanty haversack with sweet potatoes, cereals, molasses and chickens. He came within nine miles of Augusta, supposing the army to be there; here again the trusty Negro came to his aid, and piloted him through to our lines. The Lieutenant though formerly prejudiced against the African, is not enthusiastic in his praises of the down-trodden, but soon to be emancipated slave. I only echo the feelings of thousands escaped Federals, when I say: God Almighty bless the African race.

  For the present we are encamped in one of the most picturesque districts of the State. We are surrounded by a diversified and beautiful scenery. A noble prairie, the growth of ages, extends for an extent of several miles, and the trees often mingle their broad boughs, with the palm in graceful beauty. There are several, lordly mansions, tastefully ornamented. Mr. Chears, an Englishman, left his palatial residence in great haste, abandoning his magnificent library, and other valuables to the mercy of the Yankees. He owned three hundred human beings, — and was immensely rich. All the fine houses have been deserted.

  GENERAL SHERMAN AND THE TEAMSTER.

  A mule unfortunately getting mired in one of the rice swamps, on the march, the driver was slashing at it terribly. "Stop pounding that mule," said Sherman, to the unmerciful teamster. The soldier, not knowing the General, told him to mind his own business. "I tell you again to stop. I am General Sherman"

  "That’s, played out," said the soldier, "Every man who comes along here with an old brown coat, and slouched hat, claims to be General Sherman."

  The reception in this part of the States was not so cordial as in the Northern States.

  RESUME OF THE MARCH.

  The whole distance traveled is estimated at about two hundred and seventy miles, the march occupying four weeks. This must be regarded as a rapid movement, when the great size of the army, the length of its wagon-trains, the rivers and swamps traversed, and the work of destruction accomplished are all considered. The face of the country is level, and, near the coast, marshy; the soil is sandy and the timber chiefly pine. Sweet potatoes, corn and cotton are grown in abundance; and in the neighborhood of the coast, rice and sugar-cane. Often did we bivouac or encamp in vast forests of tall upright pines, perfectly free from undergrowth, carpeted with green, fragrant grass, and vocal with birds, even in December. During the march we have been favored with pleasant weather, and usually dry roads. On some days the sun is almost uncomfortably warm.

  The smaller planters live in cheaper and less ostentatious dwellings than persons of the same means at the North. At a distance the master's mansion is sometimes hardly distinguishable from the cottages of his slaves. About three-fourths of the families fled at our approach, leaving home and farm in the care of their Negroes; and in such instances the buildings and their contents seldom escaped the torch of straggling troopers. Strict orders restrained, though they did not entirely prevent, arson and pillage of dwellings. For aging parties scoured the country daily, bringing into camp at night pork, beef, and sweet potatoes in abundance, piled upon ox-carts or army wagons. In the morning the carts were usually burned, and the oxen added to our drove of beeves. The wholesale destruction which attended air progress was painful to behold, unless considered in its true light, namely, as a means of crippling the enemy's resources. The movements of the army gave evidence that our commander placed a high value upon promptness and rapidity of movement. No precious time was lost through needless delays or ill management; thus allowing the enemy to collect an opposing force, or place serious obstructions in our track. Whether railroads were to be burned, or the immense wagon train put over swamps and rivers upon pontoon bridges and corduroy roads, this vast multitude of men, horses and cattle was systematically pushed along at the rate of from twelve to fifteen miles per day. If any part of the army or train failed to accomplish the required distance by daylight, the march was continued through the night. On several occasions did we follow through the darkness slow, halting, mud-delayed trains, Urging for rest and a camp. This determined energy is one secret of General Sherman's success. He pushes onward— right onward. Houses, hastily abandoned, with the furniture half removed, and earthworks but partially finished, more than once gave evidence that we came sooner than was expected.

  Hundreds of able-bodied Negroes were collected, and armed with pick and shovel, are now doing Uncle Samuel good service. Thousands of good horses, mules and oxen were also brought in to replace poor and worn-out animals. Grist and saw mills, and cotton gins were burned wherever found, and millions in value of baled cotton consigned to the flames. From Atlanta east-ward to Covington, from Gordon to Savannah, and from Milieu northward toward Augusta, the railways were laid in ruins. Usually the work of destruction is accomplished by tearing the rails from the timbers and then heating and bending them, In other instances, however, the rail as it lies upon the sleepers is covered with dry wood. This being ignited, the heat expands and warps the iron beyond recovery. Thus a long line of blinding smoke would mark what had very recently formed part of a main thoroughfare of the South.

  At Millen and Gordon the station houses were spacious, elegant and expensive;but neither cost nor beauty availed to save them. The windows were dashed out, the neat columns hacked in pieces, and soon the depot disappeared from sight in smoke and ashes.

  Considerable quantities of property were often found concealed; and often, did the slaves reveal these secret deposits to our foragers. At one place an officer riding over a piece of plowed ground found his horse's feet sinking deep in the earth. Prospecting the cause, he dismounted and soon discovered under the surface an excavation about fifteen yards square, where were snugly deposited eighteen barrels of molasses, over four hundred bushels of corn, quantities of sweet potatoes, and about five hundred weight of cured meat. At only three or four points was any attempt made by the enemy to oppose the progress of our army. Between Gordon and Macon a part of the Fifteenth Corps repulsed the rebels with severe loss, and a Columbus General gained honorable mention. Here, and at other points referred to, our loss was very small and our march but slightly impeded. At a point about ten miles from Savannah, several of the First Alabama Cavalry were injured by the explosion of torpedoes concealed under the highway; whereupon General Sherman ordered that the rebel prisoners in our hands should search for and remove any preparations of this character that might remain yet undiscovered.

  The army has already invested the city of Savannah, and a few skirmishes hav
e occurred. After occupying a portion of the front line for two days, and driving the rebel skirmishers, our brigade was stationed on the canal to guard an important crossing. Here we lie under evergreen oaks and pines, beside the clear current, enjoying the warm and fragrant air. Provisions have been scanty for a few days, but we learn that communication is now open with the fleet, and hope soon to greet the arrival of rations, and of letters and papers from the North— a literal and intellectual feast. By this expedition, the weak and penetrable nature of the Confederacy, away from the vicinity of its two or three main armies, has been again proven. Our army has almost subsisted itself for a month; property of great value to the enemy has been destroyed, and one of their two main thoroughfares from east to west has been ruined for over a hundred miles, so that the labor of months will hardly repair the damage. This great army now lays siege to an important port, the capture of which will prove a heavy loss to the foe, and furnish a valuable base for the future operations of the Great Raider.

  A TALK WITH A SLAVE.

  Who are these slaves? I had a good long talk with a Negro who has not yet attained even to the dignity of a "contraband," but is under the yoke. When I spoke to him of liberty, he kindled and said, "That's just all I ask for. Every man has a right to his own sweat, and not to be squandered like cattle, working all his life just for other people to live by. I've seen men and women chained together, driven in squads up this valley, just like cattle. All I ask is to have my own sweat; and if I could get that, I'd work for my wife and children, and never trouble nobody."

  I asked him why he didn't escape with so many, when Stoneman came down the valley. "Well, de fact was, my wife lives away with another master; and it came so sudden, that before I could get word to her, the rebels got on my flank! But now I shall stick to the Federal army. I'm for the Union." I advised him to be discreet and watchful, and bide his time; and gave, him written directions how to apply to me in the future for though he cannot read, he knows a man who can "spell mighty smart," and who gets the news for his brother slaves. This man had already learned his rights and position, and takes a deal of comfort in the thought that while so many of his comrades are safe, their old masters, who "never had to get up for a drink of water, are getting a good turn of work in the rebel army, just to see how it feels."

  I found him a true Christian, full of faith and hope, yet having withal a touching resignation. For when I spoke of the prospects of his people, he said, "What's for us, we'll get; and what isn't for us, we can't have." Surely, it is my duty to rescue such men from the hands of the spoiler.

  I have in the course of this narrative mentioned some circumstances to illustrate the character and habits of the Negro population of the South; and a little closer view of it may not be unpleasant. In this class of society, there is seen a perfect picture of nature. The African stands before us, thanks to those who ought long since to have cherished and instructed him, as it were in his mother's nakedness. His docility and generosity of heart are his own, his errors and their consequences will not be registered against him. I speak of him in a quiescent state, and not when suffering and abuse lead him into scenes of tumult, which inflame his mind and blood to deeds that are foreign to his nature. The best, when corrupted and oppressed, become the worst.

  The Negroes are remarkable for their ingenuity, docility, religious enthusiasm and quick conception. That they are not naturally lazy, is evident from the quantity of laborious work which they will perform, and perform well. In the beautiful city of Huntsville, a lady informed me, that the lordly mansion in which she dwelt, with all the inside furniture, was conceived and executed by the genius and handicraft of three slaves. The finest looking Negroes are to be found in North Carolina, and the most wretched and squalid in Georgia and in South Carolina. The instruction of this class of persons is in the lowest state of degradation. In many States it was made a crime to teach them to read and write. It is well known that pains and penalties of the severest character have been awarded those philanthropic individuals who left their Northern Homes to instruct the poor of the South in the rudiments of education.

  What proportion of morals and learning can flow from such a source into the mind of the untutored slave, can easily be imagined, but can not be reflected upon without serious concern. Gifted with more than ordinary intellect, more exercised than cultivated, the Negroes have been kept in a frightful state of degradation, which is too well known, and which ought to call forth the immediate attention of the General Government. The aptness to learn and acquire knowledge is attested by thousands of instances of slaves who in an incredibly short period have mastered the usual branches of the common schools. A Negro girl has been known to learn the Alphabet and to read the New Testament in three days. Their hospitality, when their circumstances are not too wretched to display, is remarkably great. The Brother Negro's white visitor finds every man's hut open, and to walk in without ceremony and to partake of his humble fare is sure to give pleasure to every one of the Negroes.

  The attachment of the slave mothers to their children is very great. To play with the child is her highest delight; and for this indulgence, she will, by an injudicious, but natural miscalculation of maternal duty, omit the care of herself and husband. Of the docility of the Negroes, when kindly treated there are many instances on record. In battle, on shore, and at sea, the Negro soldier and sailor have been remarkable for their valor, steadiness and subordination; it is said on good authority that over two hundred thousand of them have served in the Union army. Such is the character of the Southern Negro. I appeal not to the affections or humanity, but to the justice of every one to whom chance may direct these pages, whether men so constituted present no character which a wise government can mould to the great purpose of augmenting the prosperity of the country, and the happiness of society.

  THE BATTLE OF FORT MCALISTER

  In order to have a clear understanding of this short and decisive battle, it is necessary to give in a general way, an account of the fort. It was protected by Columbians, rifle guns, field artillery, a ditch twenty-eight feet wide, and fifteen feet deep, sharpened timber palisades, abatis and torpedoes buried all around. Fort McAlister commanded the river and mounted twenty one large guns.

  Sherman had made a careful reconnaissance of the fort before attacking it. This fort is one of the strongest earth-works of the enemy. It completely protects the rear of Savannah from the assaults of our gunboats on the Ogeechee. In 1863, there had been two sharp engagements for the possession of the fort, but our fleet had to leave it uninjured and defiant.

  The courage of the Fifteenth Corps has always borne the impress of the same spirit, which it manifested in the assault on Fort McAlister. Months had passed away since this renowned Corps had been actively engaged, but the sentiment of devotion to the cause of their country was unchanged; and unchangeable we are persuaded it will remain as long as one of Logan's veterans remains to tell the stories of the struggle. The march through the fairest regions of Georgia, had offered them much gratification. They were now on the sacred soil — within a day's march of the beautiful Forest City. They had carried in triumph the American standard from Atlanta to the sea — and the capture of the fort seemed to promise a consummation of the object for which they had toiled and fought, and bled, and suffered incredible hardships since 1861.

  On the evening of the 12th, Hazen's Division, of the Fifteenth Corps, crossed the Little Ogeechee— King's bridge across the Big Ogeechee being destroyed by the enemy. This famous bridge which we repaired, was not called in honor of any King of England, but was so called because Roswell King, an energetic Yankee, from Connecticut, found the inventive genius of Georgia, baffled in presence of the bogs and quicksands of the sluggish river. He offered his aid to the work, and he succeeded in establishing a permanent thoroughfare over this impassable stream.

  The fight commenced about four o'clock, the enemy opening all his guns upon Hazen's Division. This was answered by our infantry. The roll of musk
etry was incessant. Theodore Jones pushed over the abatis— the Confederates bore down upon him steadily, threatening to annihilate the gallant Brigade. The fighting was bitter, bloody, well contested, and the woods rang with the defiant cheers of the combatants. Several officers and soldiers were struck down mortally wounded. Hazen's Division, infuriated, pressed the enemy, scaling the parapets, ten feet high. Evening was closing in. The fight raged on the center. Never was an action so fiercely disputed. Hazen becoming desperate, sent for a brigade he had in reserve— it was an unequal contest. Infantry against their terrible guns, belching forth destruction and death. But the steady endurance of the noble Second Division was to reap its reward.