USA > Georgia > A school history of Georgia. Georgia as a colony and a state, 1733-1893 > Part 7
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3. But the Federal government now began to more clearly realize the magnitude of the contest and made preparations for war upon a scale not before contemplated. New armies were sent into the field, not only into Virginia, but into Kentucky and Tennessee, and southern ports and navigable rivers were swarming with their war vessels and gun boats wherever they could get an entrance. The ports were blockaded. Little by little the Federal armies encircled the Confederacy, until it was shut in by land and sea. The Federal government was recruiting its armies with men from Europe, while the Southern states were unable to add a single man to their forces except from the native southern population. When a Federal soldier was killed there were dozens to take his place, but the loss of a Confederate soldier meant one man less for the Confederate service.
4. Within less than one year after the war began the Fed- eral armies numbered over 800,000 men, while the Confederates could muster less than 300,000. The great disparity in num- bers began to be felt. The Federals took Kentucky and Tennessee. Fort Pulaski was captured. New Orleans and Memphis fell in Federal hands. The Confederate Congress made a desperate effort to strengthen their armies. The " Conscript " act was passed, which compelled all sound men
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WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
between eighteen and thirty-five years of age to enlist in the army. Governor Brown strongly opposed the law and had a controversy with President Davis on the subject, but the law went into effect and the governor honored every call made upon him.
5. General Lee had been placed in command of the Confed- erate army in Virginia, and during the year 1862 defeated the Federals in some great battles. By the end of 1862 Georgia had sent 75,000 men to the Confederate armies, and had organized a home force, known as the state guards, of about 9000 men. The general results of this year were in favor of the Federals. The Confederates were slowly exhausting their men and their resources, while the Federals were growing stronger.
6. There was on both sides a great deal of opposition to the war, but it availed nothing. The war party was the stronger and those who desired peace were not looked upon with favor. On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, which delared that all the slaves in the Confed- erate states were free from that date. But their freedom was not really accomplished till the Confederate armies had surrendered. Georgia had, up to this time, been almost entirely free from Federal forces on her soil. But in May, 1863, Colonel Straight made a raid with 1500 cavalry into North Georgia to destroy the Confederate arsenal and cannon foundry at Rome. He was followed by General Forrest, with only 450 men, and finally surrendered to Forrest just before reaching Rome.
7. Fort McAllister, at the mouth of the Ogeechee River, had been attacked by Federal gunboats, but they were driven away. On September 20, 1863, the battle of Chickamauga was fought on Georgia soil, in Walker County, and was a victory for the Confederates, but at a very heavy loss of soldiers. General Lee had defeated Hooker's army in "irginia, but General Meade soon afterwards defeated General Lee at
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Gettysburg. Then Vicksburg, in Mississippi, was taken by the Federals and Bragg was defeated at Missionary Ridge. So that the year was generally one of disaster and defeat to the Confederate cause. The greatly superior numbers and equip- ment of the Federals began to count heavily against the South.
8. Governor Brown had already served three terms as governor, and in October, 1863, was again elected, with scarcely any opposition. At the same time Georgia sent M. H. Blandford, Julian Hartridge, Clifford Anderson, W. E. Smith, Warren Akin, H. P. Bell, James M. Smith, George N. Lester, J. H. Echols and I. T. Shewmake, as her representatives to the Confederate Congress.
9. In April, 1863, John B. Gordon was made a Brigadier General, and in September, General Howell Cobb was placed in command of the state guards. General A. R. Lawton was appointed Quartermaster-General of the Confederate army. The year 1864 opened in gloom and darkness for the Confederate states. General Bragg had just before been defeated at Missionary Ridge, and his army was encamped near Dalton, Georgia, resting and recruiting for the coming campaign. The Federals now had two immense armies in the field - one in Virginia, the other in and around Chattanooga -- besides smaller armies in other localities.
ro. The first battle of this year was fought near Olustee, Florida. General (afterwards governor) Colquitt commanded the Confederates and completely defeated the Federals. General Bragg resigned the command of the army at Dalton and General Hardee succeeded him. But General Joseph E. Johnston soon succeeded General Hardee. About the same time General Sherman took command of the Federal army at Chattanooga and began to prepare for his march towards Atlanta, along the line of the Western and Atlantic railroad. General Grant was commanding the Federal army in Virginia and was pushing on towards Richmond. The Confederacy was being slowly but surely crushed between these mighty armies.
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WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
QUESTIONS. - I. When and where was the first battle fought ? What was the result of this battle? What was done after the battle? 2. What of the election for governor? Who were elected senators ? To what Congress? What had Georgia done in 1861 ? What hope had the Confederates ? 3. What of the Federal government at this time? What of the ports? How was the Federal army supplied with men ? 4. When a Confederate was killed, how was his place supplied? What did the Federal army number? The Confederate? What was the result of this disparity of numbers ? What did the Confederate congress do? 5. What is said of General Lee? What had Georgia done at the end of 1862? How were things going with the Confederates? 6. Was there any oppo- sition to the war? What was the Emancipation proclamation, and when was it issued? Tell of Colonel Straight's raid into Georgia. 7. What happened at Fort McAllister? When was the battle of Chickamauga fought, and with what results? What was the result of affairs elsewhere ? S. Tell of Brown's re-election. Who were representatives to the Con- federate congress? 9. What was done in April, 1863? What was the state of affairs in 1864? 10. What battle is spoken of? What is told of Colquitt ? What changes were made? What of the movements of the Federal army ?
CHAPTER XXV.
WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. - CONTINUED.
1. Early in May, 1864, Sherman began his march with nearly 100,000 men. Johnston had only 43,000, and dared not risk a general battle as long as he could possibly avoid it. He was therefore compelled to retreat from time to time, fighting as he marched, until the whole distance from Chattanooga to Atlanta, along the line of the Western and Atlantic railroad, was marked by bloody battles and dead men. The principal engagements were at Ringgold, Rocky Face, Dalton, Resaca, New Hope Church, Allatoona, Kennesaw Mountain, Marietta and the series of battles around Atlanta. The Confederates were generally successful in these fights, but could not replace their lost men, so that every victory weakened them and served only to postpone the final crash.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
2. It was almost one continued fight from May 4 to July 9. when Johnston had been forced back to the Chattahoochee River, only seven miles from Atlanta, and had gotten his army safely across. The Confederates had lost 9500 men, the Federals more than 40,000. The Confederate authorities at Richmond had become much alarmed at Johnston's continued retreat, and had insisted on his fighting a general battle, which Johnston dared not do, as his force was much smaller than Sherman's. He was therefore relieved from the command on July 17, and was succeeded by General Hood, who was a brave and gallant soldier, but not the equal of General Johnston in the handling of a large army.
3. General Hood immediately began the fighting. Only two days after he took command he fought a bloody battle and was defeated. On the next day he again attacked the enemy, but after a severe battle gained no advantage. In this fight General John M. Brown, a brother to the governor, was dangerously wounded and afterwards died. On July 28, Hood again attacked Sherman, but was repulsed. On August 5 a part of Sherman's army attacked Hood, but were in turn repulsed.
4. In the meantime Sherman's cavalry, under Generals Stoneman and McCook, had been sent around Atlanta, towards Macon. Governor Brown and General Howell Cobb drove them off from Macon, and they were afterwards captured by General Alfred Iverson. Sherman's batteries were continually shelling Atlanta. All the citizens who were able to get away had gone, but there were still several thousand people in the city, who had to avoid the shells as best they could, by living in cellars and holes dug in the hill-sides and railroad cuts.
5. The Federal army steadily gained ground and pushed its way around the west side of Atlanta. At Jonesboro' General Hood fought a hard battle, but was forced to give way, and so Atlanta fell into Sherman's hands. Sherman's first order was that the citizens should leave Atlanta, and about 1700 of them were driven away from their homes.
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CLOSE OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
6. General Hood, finding that he could not cope with Sherman in open battle, started his army toward Chattanooga and Nashville, hoping by so doing he would force Sherman to follow him, and thereby relieve Georgia and get Sherman's army back into Tennessee. But Sherman sent General Thomas to follow Hood, while he himself remained in Atlanta and began to prepare for his march to Savannah. His army so outnumbered Hood's that he could easily divide it, and he knew that General Thomas would be heavily reinforced in Tennessee. On his march toward Chattanooga, General Hood attacked Allatoona, near Cartersville, to capture and destroy some of Sherman's supplies, but after a desperate battle the Federals were left in possession of the fort, and Hood's forces resumed their march. At Franklin, Tennessee, his army was badly defeated.
QUESTIONS. - I. When did Sherman begin his march, and how many men did he have? What was the number of Johnson's forces? What was he compelled to do? Where were the principal battles fought? Who was generally successful? 2. How long did these engagements last, and where were the Southern forces now? How many men were lost? What of the authorities at Richmond? Who was given command? 3. What did Hood do? Tell of the battles. 4. What of Sherman, Sherman's cavalry? Who captured them ? What of Atlanta and the citizens ? 5. What of the success of the Federal army? 6. What were Hood's movements ? What did Sherman do? What battle was fought, and with what results ?
CHAPTER XXVI ..
CLOSE OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
1. In November, 1864, Sherman left Atlanta with 60,000 men and started toward Savannah. His army was scarcely molested, as all of Georgia's regular troops were in Virginia and Tennessee and the state militia were utterly unable to offer any resistance.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
2. The track of Sherman's troops was one broad trail of fire, plunder, robbery and destruction. Nothing was left. If a cyclone of fire had rushed along the country the ruin and desolation could not have been more complete. The rules of civilized warfare were utterly disregarded. Helpless women and children were shown no consideration. Along a belt of country thirty to forty miles wide, extending from Chattanooga to the Atlantic Ocean, he spared neither towns, cities, nor habitations ; he seized all the stock - horses, mules, cows, hogs, chickens, and everything that would support or feed the helpless women and children ; he destroyed beautiful villages and homes, leaving nothing but crumbling walls and tottering chimneys ; his foreign-born, mercenary soldiers insulted and robbed the helpless and feeble ; they broke up the tombs and monuments to the dead in our cemeteries. Sherman's excuse for all this, as given in his own Memoirs, is, that he found the best way to stop the war was to make it horrible ; and he did it.
3. Governor Brown was at Milledgeville and the Legislature was in session. On November 23, 1864, the governor was notified that Sherman had left Atlanta with his army. The books and papers of the state were hastily packed up and stored away in a place of safety. Sherman passed through Milledgeville and reached Savannah on December 10, 1864. General Hardee was in command of the city with only 10,000 Confederate troops. Knowing that he was helpless against the Federal army, he made no resistance, but carried his forces across the river into South Carolina. Sherman took Savannah. and this completed his march of destruction from one ex- tremity of the state to the other, from Chattanooga to the Atlantic Ocean.
4. The Governor called the Legislature together at Macon in February, 1865, where they transacted such business as they could. But the war had terribly crippled the state, and all that could be done was to try to encourage the people, and to make provision for those who had lost their property and their
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CLOSE OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
protectors and had become dependent on the state for their daily bread. Sherman left Savannah on January 19, 1865, marched into South Carolina, burning and robbing as he went, and on arriving at Columbia burned that city to the ground.
5. In the meantime Grant was gradually wearing away General Lee's army. After a week of severe fighting, Lee surrendered on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. General Johnston had been trying to check Sherman in South Carolina, but when Lee surrendered there was no longer any hope, and so Johnston surrendered to Sherman on April 26, 1865. Thus ended the greatest and most destructive war of the century.
6. President Davis left Richmond and started to Texas, but was captured in Irwinville, Georgia, on May 10, by some - Federal cavalry that were hunting him. He was imprisoned two years in Fortress Monroe, but was at length released with- out trial. Alexander H. Stephens was also arrested and put in prison, but was soon released. General Toombs escaped to England to avoid arrest, but after some years returned to Georgia and was not molested. Governor Brown was arrested, but was paroled and went to his home in Milledgeville. But he was soon re-arrested, carried to Washington city, and placed in prison. He was released in a few days by Andrew Johnson, who had become President of the United States after Lincoln was assassinated.
7. Ben Hill and Howell Cobb were arrested, but soon released. The state was now under Federal military rule. Garrisons were posted at the principal towns and the Federal general, Wilson, was in command of all. Governor Brown called upon the Legislature to assemble, but General Wilson forbade it; so Governor Brown resigned his office as governor of the state, first publishing an address to the people in which he advised them to be patient, to support the Constitution of the United States, and to use every effort to get back into the U'nion as speedily as possible.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
QUESTIONS. - I. Tell of Sherman's movements. 2. What is told of his warfare? What was his excuse? 3. What was done at Milledgeville ? What were the forces at Savannah, and who was in command? Did he make any resistance? When did Sherman take Savannah? 4. When and where was the legislature called together ? What could be done? What of Sherman? 5. Tell of Grant and Lee. When and where did Lee sur- render? What of Johnson? What is said of this war? 6. Tell of Presi- dent Davis' flight and capture. What of Stephens and Toombs? Governor Brown? 7. What of Ben Hill and Howell Cobb? What was the con- dition of the state? What of the Legislature ? What of Governor l'rown ?
CHAPTER XXVII.
" RECONSTRUCTION."
1. Georgia had done her full duty during the war. She had sent into the field 120,000 soldiers, or 20,000 more than her voting population at the commencement of the war. In property she had lost about $500,000,000, or more than three-fourths of her entire wealth. She had lost much more heavily than any other Southern state, not only actually, but proportionately.
2. The state had incurred a debt of $25,000,000 to carry on the war. Her loss in slaves alone was $272,000,000. Her lands had depreciated one-half in value. One-fourth of her railroad mileage was destroyed.
3. Georgians have good reasons to be proud of the state's record. She freely gave her all to the Confederate cause, and no troops ever fought and suffered with more heroism and patience. No defeat was ever more crushing or more humili- ating, and yet no people ever went more bravely to work to rebuild their fortunes and to repair the ruin of war. Peace was declared, but it was not the peace that a generous foe should give to a thoroughly conquered enemy.
4. The state was under military rule. The regular state government was deposed, and in June, 1865, James Johnson,
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-
RECONSTRUCTION.
of Columbus, Georgia, was appointed provisional governor of Georgia, by the President of the United States. Governor Johnson at once called a convention to meet in October, 1865.
5. But the military were in power, citizens were arrested and imprisoned on the slightest provocation, and often without any cause whatever. The people were oppressed and made to feel that they were conquered and at the mercy of the conquerors. The amnesty oath was demanded of all citizens, and the people generally had to subscribe to its terms before they could feel safe to pursue their various callings. Advent- urers, " carpet baggers " and malignant men came in droves, and by their meanness and petty exactions made the situation infinitely worse. Instead of trying to cultivate good will and to restore the confidence of the people in the United States government, the very opposite course was persistently followed, and bitterness and hatred on both sides were the natural fruits.
6. This was known as the "Reconstruction Period," and the people were so galled and oppressed by these overbearing tyrants that to this day the "Reconstruction Period" is regarded with almost as much horror as the war itself.
7. The convention met in October, 1865. Herschel V. Johnson was elected President. The session lasted two weeks. The ordinance of secession was repealed, slavery was declared abolished, the debt to carry on the war was repudiated, and a new constitution was adopted. It was ordered that an election for governor and congressmen be held the next November; at which time Charles J. Jenkins was elected governor without opposition. The following gentlemen were elected as congress- men, but were never permitted to take their seats, Solomon Cohen, Philip Cook, Hugh Buchanan, E. G. Cabaniss, James D. Matthews, J. H. Christy and W. T. Wofford.
8. The Legislature assembled on December 4, 1865. Gov- ernor Johnson's message informed that body that he would continue in office as provisional governor until otherwise instructed by the President of the United States.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
QUESTIONS .- 1. What had Georgia done? 2. What were her losses ? 3. What has she to be proud of? What is said of the defeat? Of the peace declared? 4. What rule was the state under? Who was made provisional governor? 5. Tell of the military power. 6. What was this period called ? 7. What of the convention ? What election was held ? What is said of the Congressmen ? 8. What of the legislature ?
CHAPTER XXVIII.
ADMINISTRATION OF JENKINS.
I. On December 11, the President directed that Governor Jenkins be inaugurated, which was done on the 14th. Charles J. Jenkins was born in Beaufort District, South Carolina, January 6, 1805; came to Jefferson County, Georgia, in 1816. After his graduation at Union College, New York, he began practicing law in Sandersville, Georgia, but removed to Augusta in 1829. In 1831 he became attorney-general of the state. He was a man of very great ability, high toned and patriotic.
2. This Legislature ratified the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States ; which amendment forbade slavery. Alexander H. Stephens and Herschel V. Johnson . were elected United States senators, but Congress would not permit them to take their seats, because the state would not ratify the fourteenth amendment to the Federal constitution. This amendment made negroes citizens, reduced representation in Congress where they were denied the right of suffrage, and disfranchised all citizens who had held office before the war and fought in the Confederate army.
3. President Johnson insisted that as the seceding states had annulled the ordinance of secession and abolished slavery. their representatives were entitled to seats in Congress; but that body being Republican, demanded the adoption of the fourteenth amendment. Tennessee was the only state that
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CHARLES J JENKINS
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ADMINISTRATION OF JENKINS.
would, at that time, ratify the amendment, and so the recon- struction policy of the Federal government was continued in the other secession states.
4. Finding that matters were growing worse instead of better, Ex-Governor Brown, and Judge Walker of the Supreme Court, went to Washington to endeavor to effect a satisfactory solution of the difficulty about the fourteenth amendment. But Congress would make no concessions, and these two gentlemen returned home, when Governor Brown addressed a letter to the people, advising them to promptly accept the terms offered by the United States Government.
5. Governor Jenkins then went to Washington, but met with no success. He advised the people not to comply with the demands of Congress. Ben Hill took the same position, and while the controversy between the state and the Federal authorities was going on General Pope was made Military Commander of Georgia. In December, 1867, the Democrats held their first convention after the war. Ben Hill was the presiding officer. Nothing was accomplished, except to protest against the reconstruction acts of Congress.
6. The Federal authorities were meanwhile trying to obtain some form of endorsement of their exacting and illegal proceedings, and General Pope had issued a call for a state convention in December. One of the reconstruction laws passed by Congress was known as the Confiscation Act, which provided that all men worth $20,000, or more, who had fought in the Confederate army, or had in any way assisted or encouraged the "rebellion," should have their property confiscated, unless such men were pardoned by the United ยท States government.
7. The idea was to build up the Republican party in Georgia, and it was supposed that men of wealth and influence would ally themselves with the Republicans in order to avoid trouble and feel secure in the possession of their property. Some men of prominence accepted the offered terms and
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
became Republicans, and this change of party brought upon them the severest criticism.
8. When General Pope's convention met in Atlanta, on the 9th of December, 1867, there were 170 delegates. It was a badly mixed body. There were some patriotic Democrats, twenty-five or thirty negroes, some few good men who had all the time been Republicans from principle, and others who had joined the Republican party to save themselves trouble under the Confiscation Act.
9. The convention remained in session until March, IS68. Its principal work was the adoption of a new Constitution for the state, which was in the main satisfactory to the people. This was brought about by the influence of the few good men who were members of the convention. General Pope was relieved from the command of the Georgia Military District and General Meade succeeded him.
QUESTIONS. - 1. When was Jenkins inaugurated ? What is said of his life? 2. What was the work of the legislature ? Who were elected senators? Why did they not take their seats? What was this amend ment? 3. What did President Johnson urge ? What did Congre- demand? 4. How were matters growing, and who endeavored to adjust things ? 5. What did Governor Jenkins do? What of Ben Hill ? What is said of the Democrats, and what was accomplished? 6. What were the Federals trying to do? What of the laws passed by Congress ? 7. Why was this done? S. Tell of Pope's convention. 9. How long was this convention in session, and what was the principal work ?
CHAPTER XXIX.
ADMINISTRATION OF BULLOCK.
1. The expenses of the convention had to be paid and Governor Jenkins was ordered by General Meade to pay $40,000 of the state's money for this purpose. The governor declined and was at once removed from office by General
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JOHN B. GORDON
IOI
ADMINISTRATION OF BULLOCK.
Meade, who also at the same time removed John Jones, the state treasurer. General Thomas H. Ruger of the Federal army was then detailed as governor of Georgia, and a Captain Rockwell was installed as treasurer.
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