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

by George W Pepper

  MORE ABOUT THE CITY AND IT’S SUBURBS

  Savannah is indeed a most captivating city, and its attractions have left imprints on the mind which are seldom forgotten. Let us give a hasty glance at a few of the public and private characters. There was the most elegant and superb residences I had seen in the Confederacy. There was the Custom House, a large and commodious building. There was the stately pue of the Post Office building, with its beautiful location on Bay Street, fronting the noble river. There was South Feroad Street, the widest and richest street in the city. There was the Female Orphan Asylum, a compact and costly building, situated on what was, a few years ago, the verge of the commons. Here thousands of fatherless children have been trained for immortality. There was the Medical College Institute, with its gardens, walks, splendid rooms, extensive library, and its examination hall, decorated with pictures of the most renowned savants of the Republic. There was Christ Church, a perfect gem of architecture. There was the Monument, in the form of an obelisk, to Nathaniel Greene, standing forth in simple sublimity. There was Forsyth Park, with its sweet inclosure of flowers and trees, with its crystal fountain shining in the sunlight.

  There was the unique squares — St. James, Pulaski, Johnson, Chippewa, Wright, Calhoun, Monterey, Franklin, Madison— each as large as a village, and crowded by the elite of the city, soldiers, merchant princes and handsome women. There were the Exchange, the State Arsenal, Market-House, Lyceum Hall, Court House, Theater, Gymnasium, Masonic Hall — all superb buildings. There was the noble Church of the Presbyterians, by far the finest religious house I had seen. There was the splendid monument of Italian marble, to the patriot Pulaski, who fell mortally wounded but a few feet from the spot where his monument now stands. Its sides are carved with the ensigns of America and Poland, as well as a touching representation of the hero falling from his steed, wounded by the cursed British bullets.

  The summit is crowned with the Angel of Liberty, holding in her hands Justice and Freedom. As I beheld this stately memorial, embowered in the most gorgeous trees, I could not refrain from taking off my hat before that once brave and chivalrous man.

  The United States fortifications are worthy of notice. Fort Pulaski is situated on Cockspur Island, fourteen miles from the city. It is a massive structure of brick, of which about 13,000,000 were consumed. The entire cost of the building was a million of dollars, and took sixteen years to construct it. Fort Jackson, named after Governor James Jackson, is situated on the south side of the river, about three miles from the city. It was projected some sixty years ago. It is situated on an important point for the defense of Savannah.

  Jasper Springs, on the Augusta road, is memorable for the rescue of our prisoners from the British by the intrepid Jasper, a Sergeant in the revolutionary war. The remains of Whitfield Orphan Asylum are about nine miles from Savannah. It was erected in 1740, and sold in 1808 by the Legislature. Several relics of other by-gone days have been found amid the ruins of the Orphan-house, among them a sun dial of beautiful workmanship, and a medal, struck in memory of Whitfield. Gibbon's plantation derives its speciality from the battle fought there between General Wayne and a body of Creek Indians, commanded by Gunster Sigo. Branton's Hill was the place where the British landed preparatory to their attack on Savannah. Thunderbolt received its name, according to Oglethrope, from the fall of Thunderbolt.

  Bonaventure is four miles from Savannah, known as the seat of Governor Tatsnall, one among the lovely spots in the world. It is now called the "Ever-green Cemetery." It has an area of 70 acres. Its avenues are broad and arched by Spanish towers. And, oh! That splendid cemetery itself. I never before saw death in such beauty, in such grandeur of aspect.

  THE MARCH INTO SOUTH CAROLINA.

  Once more in the field. A new campaign of stupendous importance looms up grandly before us. The victorious hosts of Sherman are eager to tread the soil of South Carolina. On the morning of a trooper arrives with the order to be ready to move in twenty minutes. Haversacks are replenished, pistols are loaded, surplus baggage is given to the winds, and the Third Division of the Fifteenth Corps takes up the line of March for the "Queen City of the South." Owing to a regular Carolina flood, a part of our Corps became detached, and was compelled to retreat bask to the city with the loss of their wagons. This unusual movement of the waters was very unexpected and sudden — seldom, if ever, happening before. From this untoward event the rebels in Savannah argued disaster to our Brigade, which had to thread its way through swamps, and sandy roads, to the point of concentration. The sequel will show the result.

  The first night we bivouacked twelve miles from Savannah, near the pleasant town of Hardeeville. The route, for the first day, presents very little variety of scenery and of scene. The country was level; studded everywhere with extensive rice plantations. To describe the miserable roads would be impossible. The next day the march is resumed. What weather! The morning is extremely unpleasant, and the terrible rains of the night continue; scores of streams and creeks had to be forded, and corduroy bridges to be hastily improvised. The efficient pioneers soon repaired these roads and bridges.

  The storm after a time ceases. The sun shines clear and mild. We pass a grand residence, owned by one of the rich bloods of the South. Its groves, trees, flowers, foot-walks, avenues, all having some beautiful floral name, render it a place of great loveliness. Colonel Weaver, of our command, was fortunate in finding the original deed, granted by the Duke of Beaufort and other Lords to Isaac Lowndes, for forty-eight thousand acres of land. This document was a curiosity, being nearly three hundred years old. The gallant Colonel designs presenting it to the State of Iowa or to the War Department. He says he would not take five hundred dollars for it. The signatures of the Duke and Baronet are in a full, bold hand. The present owner had hurriedly left on our approach. We took our leave of this Paradise of silence and beauty with feelings of an indescribable nature; feeling with Keates that

  "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

  The command, haring traced thirteen miles over such horrible roads, were anxious for the reign of night. They lay on the sandy soil, thoroughly soaked, and still they slept soundly and sweetly. In the morning we were startled by a drenching shower, a significant token of another miserable day. The clouds had been gathering and now drop their contents upon the wearied troops. For hours it poured, attended with thunder and lightning. The scene was awfully grand. Occasionally it appeared as though the flood-gates of the sky were fully opened upon us in incessant and overwhelming showers. Now for a flood. The boys dash furiously up to their knees in rivers — what care they for these unpropitious omens? They are in South Carolina, on their way to Charleston, and the utter destruction of that doomed city brightens every eye.

  We have now marched seventeen miles, when General Smith ordered a halt. As the sun went down, hundreds of pine fires soon lit up the woods with a strange and singular splendor. The boys in blue were soon drinking their coffee, and eating the substantial hard tack. Getting warmed, they cuddle together and prepare for the luxury of sleep. Thus closed a most eventful day. The night was cold, bitter cold, which made us all more and more uncomfortable. The march, thus far, was wretched in the extreme. Nothing but the prospect of seeing Charleston could nerve the fatigued troops.

  At five o'clock the next morning the drum beat, the reveille sounded, and in twenty minutes we were ready for the journey. The day, cold and misty, would still pester us with showers. All the way we passed objects reminding us of Hardee's speedy exit. Here is a gulch in the road, were we were jammed together, — infantry, artillery, ambulance trains — all mixed up in one wet, muddy mass of confusion. A short distance from here is a soldier's grave, doubtless a consecrated shrine in the heart of some mother or sister, or wife— the nameless grave, where fancy often roams, to drop soft silent tears of uncured grief. Would that I could point the place to the searching spirit of the mourning one. Whoever laid him there, left no evidences of his name or regiment —

  "They
carved not a line, they raised not a stone,

  But left him alone in his glory,"

  South Carolina was the proper battle-field; there treason had its stronghold, there the vile traitors live who first plotted this infamous conspiracy. For every reason South Carolina should be made the battle-field of the war. It is the one State where hatred to the Union, the Constitution, and the laws has infected nearly the whole population. With characteristic selfishness, the South Carolinians from the very beginning of the rebellion, showed their anxiety and determination at every hazard to keep the war out of their borders. Their intrigues precipitated poor Virginia into rebellion; their demands made Jeff. Davis hasten the insurgent army to its posts in the old Dominion; they were the first to March Northward, and the loudest to declare that their precious South Carolina must be defended on the Potomac. All the ruin which has befallen Virginia, those calculating traitors are responsible for; they see without a thought of regret, the fair fields of sister States given up to the ravages of war, and they only can be touched by bringing destruction to their own homes.

  CHAPTER XIX.

  The Array on the Sacred Soil of Carolina — Howard's Wing — The Grandeur and Significance of the Campaign — A Sketch of the State —The Battles and Skirmishes — The Hangers on of the Army — The Capture and Destruction of the beautiful City of Columbia — Who Burned It? — Sherman or Hamptonn — Frightful Scenes — Union Soldiers Rescuing the Churches from the Conflagration — The Rebels Paying the Cost — A Summary of the Expedition — The Movements of the Left Wing — Doyle's Account — The Ravages of War — Full Details of Slocum's Column — Kilpatrick's Great Cavalry Battle.

  THE STARTING OF THE EXPEDITION.

  There was something grand in the spirit and bearing of Sherman's army when the line of March was resumed for the State of South Carolina. There has been no grander sight seen since the sailing of the expeditions from the Greek Republic. The march of the British troops for the Crimea was a solemn spectacle; but this expedition of the Western troops was sublime. Never did the country behold a finer spectacle. The march through Georgia was the key of this glorious consummation, — the triumphant Sherman did not rest upon his laurels; — the hosts of treason were confounded by the unprecedented movements in Georgia, and no time was allowed them to recover from the blow.

  Never in the history of this war, has the mail gone north, freighted with news so grand, so startling, so suggestive of overwhelming emotions, of mingled hope and success to the Union cause.

  It was much, that Sherman had, with the suddenness of thought, thrust forth his veteran hosts into the very heart of the South, and proclaimed the supremacy of law and order. The world was still gazing in wonder at the strange and unexpected march through Georgia, when another and grander movement bursts forth.

  There is scarce a corner in Europe, where the hearts of the people will not bound in response to the splendid deeds of the Union army. How soon these victories will end this horrid rebellion, Heaven only knows. But the voice of earnest patriot soldiers, demanding the restoration of loyalty in the revolted States, and with a fierce earnestness thundering at the very gates of rebellion, is grand beyond all sounds that have yet reached the ears of earthly listeners. It is almost a descent from the sublime to the ridiculous, to turn from the heroic battalions of the Union, to the people of the South, so panic stricken, so without counsel, so confounded, and so despondent. The charm of slavery and secession have faded forever from the minds of even the aristocratic slave owners. These prime patrons of rebellion have, at last, awakened to the knowledge that they have been merely enacting the delusion of the theatre.

  The soldiers entered on this campaign with light hearts and exultant feeling. The very hope of treading the soil of the wretched State that inaugurated secession, fired every heart and brightened every eye. They looked forward anxiously to the issues of an expedition which would materially affect the interests of the whole country. They felt, however, that through the superb skill of Sherman and his Captains, the Confederacy would be shorn of its strength, and the rebel army so thoroughly broken that it would not be able again to regain its power. The absolute necessity of victory was so completely infused into our army that they must conquer — with what anxiety the brave boys awaited the blast, that ordered them forward!

  THE CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY.

  The face of South Carolina is like a triangle, having the Atlantic-coast for a base, and Georgia and North Carolina, along its southern and northern frontier. It has an area of twenty million acres, and is divided into thirty districts, corresponding to the counties in North era States. In 1850 the census showed a population of six hundred and sixty-eight thousand. Topographically considered, the country is level. Mountains are rare, but rivers are in abundance. There are very few lakes, the only one of any importance is in Barnwell district, presenting a beautiful sheet of water. Swamps and bogs abound in the lower portions of the State. Savannas or plains cover a considerable extent of territory. The margins of the rivers are of great fertility, and make excellent plantations.

  The State embraces little variety of soil; nor is it less rich and varied in its immense forests of timber, A considerable portion of the districts through which we passed consisted of pine lands. The soil may be enumerated in three kinds: the tide and inland swamps, where rice, cotton, corn and peas are cultivated; the salt marsh and oak land, where long cotton and potatoes are raised; then there is what is called the pine barrens, appropriated to the production of vegetables and fruits. In the vicinity of rivers are found all kinds of timber, such as magnolia, bush pine, and willow. A large portion of the land is poor, and it requires careful culture to supply the emergencies of the husbandman. In the middle districts sand hills arise to a considerable height above the adjacent lands. This soil produces scarcely any grass. I have said that the form is like a triangle, generally level. These tracts of lowlands enclose multitudes of rich and fertile plantations, watered by the innumerable streams and creeks that form so many noble rivers. These plantations are covered mostly with corn and rice fields. Nothing can be imagined affording a more perfect picture of rustic sweetness than many of these plantations. In some districts we found large plains, the verdure oi which is maintained by thousands of perennial springs.

  Its climate is like that of the West Indies; there is scarcely any frost, and the period of vegetation comprehends seven months.

  Its immense forests of turpentine trees constitute one of the attractive features of this State. How eagerly did we look at those lordly pines, and were delighted at beholding the dark, gloomy, yet picturesque forests, interspersed by here and there a cypress swamp, decorated by the fragrant myrtle. Mountain ranges are grand and startling, but these vast plains, and piney woods of turpentine celebrity, are sublime; there is nothing monotonous in the sight, and the large bodies of wild land, and the well cultivated farms form a pleasing view, and this valuable land is chiefly owned by the wealthy and cultivated by the slaves. It is true, that scores of poor men own farms, numbering from two to four hundred acres, but, having no slaves, the most of it is uncultivated.

  These natural advantages indicate that this State is capable, under the hands of honest labor, of supporting as dense a population as any State of equal size in the Union. Slavery, however, has left its blighting curse upon the State, and consequently it has as yet scarcely commenced developing its inexhaustible resources. The magnificent schemes of railroad enterprise which, pervades the North, have not, to any great extent, penetrated into the borders of the Palmetto State. Her progress in manufactures, mechanical, educational and other improvements, is behind any other State. The abolishment of slavery will, in a few years, add one hundred per cent, to the population and wealth of South Carolina.

  THE CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE.

  The inhabitants of South Carolina are classed as follows: Planters, farmers, cottagers, and squatters. This fourfold division resembles the system of castes which exists in England, and other monarc
hical countries. The planters have large incomes, live easy, enjoy much, work little, are high minded, imperious and domineering. They have the same pride of birth, the same high and haughty bearing, the same contempt of the masses, and the same aversion to labor and mechanical employments, that distinguish the aristocracies of Europe. Their manners are polished and courteous. Their morals are reckless and dissolute.

  The virtues of the second class, the farmers, are less showy, but their vices are fewer than that of the planters. They are more active and industrious, depending on their own exertions, and are better able to bear the frowns of fortune. They own few slaves. This class is not very large, and since the war commenced, their numbers are getting fewer. They are generally intelligent and have tolerable experience in the politics of the country. The third class are called Cottagers; they constitute a large number of the people. They are in a depressed state, having no slaves of their own, and unwilling to work with those of the more wealthy neighbors, and not being able to procure the position of overseers, many of them, having no resources left them, engaged in some slight business, which did not afford suitable employment. The conscription, however, has swept them into the ranks.

  The lowest grade are the squatters or the poor white trash. These are a lazy, thriftless, thoughtless set, unimproved in either mind or morals.

  SKIRMISHES AND FIGHTS.

  By the way of recapitulation of the right wing, Howard's column, especially the 15th Corps, I will hurriedly cite a few items.

  General Hazen commands the second division, a command that has rendered splendid service to the country. The main fight in which this division was engaged, took place at the Edisto River. The rebels attempted to stop our crossing this river, because of its being an important position. The enemy displayed great energy and courage in holding us in check, but the active brain of the gallant Hazen soon discovered another crossing, over which he threw Colonel Jones, with a brigade of fighting soldiers. These boys, getting into the rear, charged the terrified rebels, compelling them to flee in every direction. Our loss was three wounded. Sixty prisoners were captured. This movement of was bold and successful. His brave fellows dashed on the rebels like a storm from the clouds, and panic stricken were the rebels that they came forward with white flags, shouting "Don't shoot us." The rebels were soon dislodged. Running to the hills, our patriot soldiers followed them there, and in two hours the rebel cavalry were seen scampering in a confused condition towards Winnsboro. The flag of the Union was hoisted on the capitol immediately. This was a splendid little fight, and should rank this division with the bravest troops of our army.